What do you look for in a bike shop?

[RocknRolla]

......Exactly what I went there to buy....

 

Jokes aside.

 

From past experiences:

If the shop does not have what I am looking for, and offers to order it.... a phonecall to say, the part has arrived, or the supplier is out of stock..I dont want to chase their sale.

 

If I dont want to buy thé most expensive part, or whatever the local/ international riders are kitted with, dont patronise me buy noting my lack of bikeshop demographic fit

[ChrisF]

Let's have a look at what the 'average' hubber wants from a bike shop, gleaned after many years of participation here....

 

Free coffee

 

Perfect service every time (how many can say they provide that themselves in their own job?)

 

Prices below whatever the item is priced at online local or international

 

To be able to walk in and have their bike repaired immediately or at least when it suits them (i.e tomorrow in the worst case)

 

The shop to stock every possible item in every possible size and option

 

Discount on every purchase even if it's the first time and the item is only a few ZA rondts

 

 

Did I say free coffee?

 

I could go on a bit but I'm sure you get my drift ....

 

Personally I want someone who is friendly, helpful, knowledgable but doesn't have to be a walking bike encyclopaedia, feedback if I am waiting for something or have something in for repair

 

I'll pay for coffee if they have some decent coffee

 

 

WELL said !!

 

Back on planet earth you need to chose .... rock bottom prices dont pay decent salaries .... so why would the best mechanics work for free ...

 

 

I spend way too much time at my local camera shop ... always amuse me who darts for the free coffee ....

[Jewbacca]

When did coffee become such a massive thing?

 

It definitely wasn't a pre-requisite to being a good (insert a non related store here) a few years ago.

 

Has everyone been Jaegermeistered and Bird Boxed into believing that the consumption of coffee is good, caffeine is the answer to unposed questions and without it you simply can't enjoy life?

 

The coffee revolution is a bit ridiculous... 

[RocknRolla]

When did coffee become such a massive thing?

 

It definitely wasn't a pre-requisite to being a good (insert a non related store here) a few years ago.

 

Has everyone been Jaegermeistered and Bird Boxed into believing that the consumption of coffee is good, caffeine is the answer to unposed questions and without it you simply can't enjoy life?

 

The coffee revolution is a bit ridiculous...

 

Replace coffee, with basically any new technology in bicycles...

 

I like coffee, sure. Will I go to a specific shop because they offer free coffee? Nope.

 

Is decent coffee being given away for free? Nope

 

I have however witnessed a general " liking of getting stuff for free, even if the free stuff is crap" in consumers.

Simple observation: people handing out flyers at the traffic light...not very welcomed by motorists.

People handing out flyers with a marshmallow easter egg attached, or a sucker ( irony not lost on me) and people will ask for two....

[Yo-Yo]

Is decent coffee being given away for free? Nope

 

This! Good coffee costs and I'm sure that bike shops aren't shelling out cash for the hungry masses caffeine fix or if they are I'm sure they are getting it back else where. 

 

Funnily enough there was a LBS in the Southern 'burbs that after years and years got a fancy makeover. In went a coffee bar and looking very hipster. I went in on a quite Wednesday looking over some kit, buying some bits and the guy I'm chatting with asks 'do you want a coffee', 'sure, flat white' I say. We carry on talking, I finish up, check some ore stuff, go to pay and then the realise at the checkout they are trying to charge me R40 for the coffee! 

[Wimmas]

Prices on items!

 

Hate it when I walk into a store and there are no prices, then the salesman walks around with you spoiling your whole visit as you need to keep asking for prices. Many times these salesman just guess a price, or go "ask" their superior and kamstig gives you a lekker price.

 

That is bs and I try to avoid those bike shops as far as possible. They think we are idiots. What they need to realise is we do research online on the items we are interested in. I understand you have higher margins than an online store, but don't try and rip me off with a pair of pedals which has no price tag on and Sportsmanswarehouse in the same complex sells it for half the price.

[Eddy Gordo]

Prices on items!

 

Hate it when I walk into a store and there are no prices, then the salesman walks around with you spoiling your whole visit as you need to keep asking for prices. Many times these salesman just guess a price, or go "ask" their superior and kamstig gives you a lekker price.

 

That is bs and I try to avoid those bike shops as far as possible. They think we are idiots. What they need to realise is we do research online on the items we are interested in. I understand you have higher margins than an online store, but don't try and rip me off with a pair of pedals which has no price tag on and Sportsmanswarehouse in the same complex sells it for half the price.

Likewise. I cant support a business that cannot display  their retail price. Makes me wonder what are they trying to hide.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Great mechanic not going back for the same issue helps.

Great guys don't like dealing with a bunch of stiffs.

Simply have a passion for cycling cause if you have passion for it the work will be excellent and you will enjoy doing it so happy (most of the time)

 

That's for workshops

 

Bike shop actually having the stock advertised would be awesome!

[DieselnDust]

Hi hubbers.

 

Out of interest what do you guys look for/want in a bike shop? Mines always been a nice neat workshop with friendly staff, maybe even a spot to have a cup of coffee.

 

 

honesty

passion

competency

[JAVSA02]

I realise and understand that bike shops cannot keep stock of every item, and waiting for an ordered item is usually expected. What I look for though is firstly, how willing are they to source the item, and then secondly whether they contact me as promised. The latter usually determines whether I ever return or not. Based on that rule there are not many bike shops left that I can go too.

[Dadbod Racing]

Friendly knowledgeable staff. 

Nice workshop, not a messy ass dingy hole.

Decent retail area so that I can browse around to look for things I may or may not need also allocating part of my next pay cheque to said things I may or may not need. 

A LBS that will keep in touch with you about your bike if it's in for repairs 

Decent prices on their stock

 

Don't care about coffee, I have at home. If I want an overpriced cup of coffee I'd go to a coffee shop to get ripped off. 

[DieselnDust]

Jeeez did some okes wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning....???

 

 

Probably still need their coffee! 

[MrJacques]

Let's have a look at what the 'average' hubber wants from a bike shop, gleaned after many years of participation here....

 

Free coffee

 

Perfect service every time (how many can say they provide that themselves in their own job?)

 

Prices below whatever the item is priced at online local or international

 

To be able to walk in and have their bike repaired immediately or at least when it suits them (i.e tomorrow in the worst case)

 

The shop to stock every possible item in every possible size and option

 

Discount on every purchase even if it's the first time and the item is only a few ZA rondts

 

 

Did I say free coffee?

 

I could go on a bit but I'm sure you get my drift ....

 

Personally I want someone who is friendly, helpful, knowledgable but doesn't have to be a walking bike encyclopaedia, feedback if I am waiting for something or have something in for repair

 

I'll pay for coffee if they have some decent coffee

 

 

You should come to PE, a few of the LBS have coffee, one even has beer!

 

Johan Potgieter is the owner of the 'coffee shop' at one of the LBS.

 

And if you are a member of the local MTB club you get some discount in the bike shop

[partydave]

There's only 1 bike shop I make use of and it's 350km away from me.

 

In my opinion, it's very easy to run a successful LBS (financial side excluded)

 

- Make sure your staff are technically competent, everyone, from the floor staff to the teller

- Treat every customer like they are about to drop 100k, even if they are there for a gel

- Don't try to upsell

- Make sure your staff enjoy being at the shop 

- Don't be a d**s

 

I bought one of the cheapest bikes my preferred LBS stocks and had no way to get it to me. The owner of the shop packed and arranged and paid a courier to deliver it to me all without me even asking. He phoned me 4 times since taking delivery of the bike to find out if I'm still happy with the bike, not once sounding force or trying to sell me additional crap. This all from a Spez Concept store

[Mr. G]

Good service.

Good advice.

Feedback.

Quote before proceeding.

Fit parts obtained cheaper elsewhere if they can't match the price ( at normal hourly rate)

Let me know if you can't get something, don't let me find out when collecting.

Joshua from Cyclist Workshop does this in the Northgate area, when another shop near there continuously failed at the above!

[varkie2]

Competitive pricing, does not have to be the cheapest, but my pet peeve is dropping a bike at a bikeshop, explaining in detail what needs to be done and whats wrong, and then getting the bike back after paying for the service, and its either done half, or not done at all.

 

I dont want free coffee, if i wanted coffee i would have gone to a coffee shop.

 

Also good advice and honesty goes a long way!