Small LBS Start-up advice

[Dan the Cycologist]

Hey all. I'm looking to open a small Local bike service shop, I'm not gonna be selling parts or gear, as in retail. I want to focus strictly on quality servicing and upgrades. I'm going to incorporate pick-up and delivery into the services. So, the customers book online, I pick it up, service the customers bike and install any parts that they want fitted, and then I drop it off back to the customer. I'm not looking to go very big, and I'm looking to keep my start-up to a minimum.

Any advice would be appreciated, such as how to order parts without buying bulk, supplier connections, etc.

thanks in advance!🤙

[Darko]

Good luck with your venture!

If you need help with the booking system, happy to build it for you (free of charge) if you haven't decided on a system already. 

[droo]

Where are you based? If you're in CT, swing round for coffee or beer and I can give you some pointers.

 

Stock will be your big issue. The bigger suppliers have long lists of Ts and Cs for accounts.

[mecheng89]

Good luck! You're following your passion, which is enviable for a lot of us desk jockeys. 

[RobertWhitehead]

IMO - networking will be your best bet to be able to source parts at an affordable price. The main thing is that you'll be relying heavily on 

[Ed-Zulu]

Once you resolve all your stock and purchacing cahllenges and the she starts flying...service, service and service!

 

[PregoRoll]

Networking with other, bigger LBS in the area will be best as key spare part suppliers such as Cape Cycles and CoolHeat wont even look your way yet. 

Once things are set up, pop me PM and we can have a chat

[DIPSLICK]

Good luck

My advise as always with many hubbers before you build up a solid network( which you already should have in place) and then questions as the above does not apply, if you cant build up a side line strong enough with a steady income sadly success is not likely, many people build passion into revenue, most do it on the side

Good luck

[Danger Dassie]

Where abouts will you be operating from? If Bedfordview area, then perhaps have a space and tools available.

[Dan the Cycologist]

1 hour ago, droo said:

Where are you based? If you're in CT, swing round for coffee or beer and I can give you some pointers.

 

Stock will be your big issue. The bigger suppliers have long lists of Ts and Cs for accounts.

I'll be based wayy up in North-west Brits. i appreciate the offer though.

i was thinking the same, i can't dish out R10,000 for hundred of parts when im only going to maybe use one, if it needs to be replaced.

[Dan the Cycologist]

2 hours ago, Darko said:

Good luck with your venture!

If you need help with the booking system, happy to build it for you (free of charge) if you haven't decided on a system already. 

I'll look into it and let you know, i appreciate the luck! im gonna need it😂

Edited February 23, 2022 by Dan the Cycologist

[droo]

2 minutes ago, Dan the Cycologist said:

I'll be based wayy up in North-west Brits. i appreciate the offer though.

i was thinking the same, i can't dish out R10,000 for hundred of parts when im only going to maybe use one, if it needs to be replaced.

You'll need 10x that at least for accounts with the bigger suppliers. I've been in business for nearly 10 years now and Coolheat still won't talk to me.

[Dan the Cycologist]

1 minute ago, droo said:

You'll need 10x that at least for accounts with the bigger suppliers. I've been in business for nearly 10 years now and Coolheat still won't talk to me.

jeez, they're a picky bunch.

it seems ill have to network with some local shops to source my spares

 

[Dan the Cycologist]

1 hour ago, PregoRoll said:

Networking with other, bigger LBS in the area will be best as key spare part suppliers such as Cape Cycles and CoolHeat wont even look your way yet. 

Once things are set up, pop me PM and we can have a chat

LBS hunting i shall go

 

[Frosty]

I can't offer much advise for a bike shop, but have the following:

1. good luck, starting up is not easy;
2. its not about you, but rather your customers; listen to what they want (within reason of course). give them something they can't get elsewhere;
3. failure only exists if you don't give in after the first few bad experiences; see the bit below about the Dunning-Kruger effect;
4. don't be afraid to give away advice for free; the wheel turns and you'll get that in return in ways you least expect.

Google the Dunning-Kruger effect.

[Dan the Cycologist]

1 hour ago, DIPSLICK said:

Good luck

My advise as always with many hubbers before you build up a solid network( which you already should have in place) and then questions as the above does not apply, if you cant build up a side line strong enough with a steady income sadly success is not likely, many people build passion into revenue, most do it on the side

Good luck

i see, ill keep it in mind. i could do lots of side stuff to try and fuel it. its all about the planning i guess