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Bad bike services


Zein

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Posted

Sorry to say, but both parties in this matter give me an uncomfortable feeling, and their interactions in this thread don't make it any better.  Maybe we just have a case of knuckleheads on both sides, and frankly, they deserve each other? 

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Posted

Regardless of the versions from either side there is once again a point to be made around the level of technical competency.

 

Most wouldn't take their car to an unqualified motor mechanic. Why would they then take their bicycle to an unqualified mechanic?

 

A national and international qualification for bicycle mechanics exists in SA. The customer should be asking "is my/the shop's mechanic qualified?".

 

This was my point on a different thread, the qualification exists and a lot of work has been done to make it a formal trade or qualification in this country. the problem is most bike shops (No all, but the majority) don't recognize the value or importance of putting their mechanics through a formal trade. At best they have spanner flippers who generally can fix a bike, but lack certain skills and knowledge when it comes to some of the finer details of bike repair. Replacing bearings a point in case.

 

Like any workshop, the mechanics need to be qualified under the general qualification of their trade, but then be constantly trained and up-skilled on the constant evolving of technology of the industry.

 

So here's a message to all you bike shop owners

 

If your spanner flipper is not qualified and/or being constantly up-skilled he should not be allowed to work on bikes unsupervised - No matter how good you or he may think he is.

 

If your staff, both in the workshop and the retail floor, have not been trained or have the skill in the basic principals of customer retention, then better you start training them or getting rid of them, or you be spending more time defending them than running a business.

Posted

My view: The customer may not always be right but they are always the customer. Poorly handled from Bike Addict. **** attitude and **** approach to resolve this. 

Posted

on an aside...those that don't tinker themselves, you take your bike in and you don't really do an assessment of the condition beforehand or your components ... maybe bike shops should start doing it like a car service they go around noting damages when you hand the car over and sign for it - cover themselves and the client, or the client can tick the checkbox waiver if they can't be arsed. 

Posted

Regardless of the versions from either side there is once again a point to be made around the level of technical competency.

 

Most wouldn't take their car to an unqualified motor mechanic. Why would they then take their bicycle to an unqualified mechanic?

 

A national and international qualification for bicycle mechanics exists in SA. The customer should be asking "is my/the shop's mechanic qualified?".

 

Have you looked at what it costs to get certified?

 

In order for a shop or individual to recoup that sort of cost the customer is going to be paying vehicle labour rates.

Posted

I don't care what my lbs mechanics qualifications are. I've gotten to know him over the years and his care and attention to detail means I drop my bike off there without a care. (Daryn at Williams Bike Shop)

 

I'll trust a self thought mech like him any day above someone with a qualification that I don't know.

Now that brings back in a very simple formula for Williams Bike Shop!

 

I trust William 100% ----> William would only employ staff he trusts 100% ------> therefore I would trust his staff 100%

Posted

Also on a side note.

I'm not sure I'd trust a shop that doesn't know the difference between a Fork and a Shock. 

But maybe it's lost in translation thing :unsure:

Posted

I took my bike to a shop here in the CBD to get wheels trued. Before taking the bike they inspected it in front of me (seems to be their policy, as they have a comprehensive check list to fill in before work starts). This covers the bike shop.

On the other hand, my regular shop has had my business since opening their doors, and I just leave my bike there (sometimes without even seeing the owner)

Posted

I took my bike to a shop here in the CBD to get wheels trued. Before taking the bike they inspected it in front of me (seems to be their policy, as they have a comprehensive check list to fill in before work starts). This covers the bike shop.

On the other hand, my regular shop has had my business since opening their doors, and I just leave my bike there (sometimes without even seeing the owner)

you have two options in the CBD ...  one on the Foreshore and one higher up on Bree Str ... sounds to me like you were at the Bree Str option?

Posted

My view: The customer may not always be right but they are always the customer. Poorly handled from Bike Addict. **** attitude and **** approach to resolve this. 

Anton so if you were the bike owner and I accused your shop of damaging my bike during a service on a public forum, how would you handle it differently ?

Posted

And I'm thinking bike shops can adopt a pre service inspection for damage like they do when you insure your car or book it in for a service. Just take note of damage and have the customer sign the form - it's a mission, but I think necessary these days to protect both the shop and the customer.

 

Take a photo on delivery for service. Whatsapp to the service manager, agree and take selfies together. May seem silly, but will avoid this kaka in future. heck... do a voice memo detailing the stuff and get both voices on record agreeing to stuff. cover your ass and theirs at the same time... 

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