Hog_ Posted September 22, 2008 Share So a lot of mud has been slung around in the price fixing thread, most of it aimed at the bigger stores. So let's help these guys help us. Let's put together what we would like from the bike shops. What makes you support a certain shop? What are some shops doing wrong? Please note - this is not an attack on any store. Please keep it civilised and constructive. If not, the shops will gain nothing, and there will be no improvement - then everyone can just carry on bitching about everything the shops are doing wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted September 22, 2008 Share Best prices, best services, best brands, best prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedi Posted September 22, 2008 Share Friendly staff and good service is a must. Some shops mark up there stuff ridiculously! So then one tends to stay away from that shop knowing there prices are too high! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delgado Posted September 22, 2008 Share Currently anyone bar Cyclelab & Fritz Pienaar Cycles....as someone said if it came down to a choice between the 2 a new hobby will definately arise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Zone Posted September 22, 2008 Share 1. Dont tell the customer their drivetrain is shot or something needs replacing when it doesn't. some of your customers will know enough about their bikes to know that they are being ripped off, they just need you to service their bikes because not everone has specialised tools. 2. Train workshop staff better, sadly a lot of wrenches (particularly in the bigger retail stores) are barely competent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedi Posted September 22, 2008 Share Whats up with Cyclelab? I have never been there cause we dont have one in PE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPWTF Posted September 22, 2008 Share - Token Freak and Kiwi are just the start of a new to SA approach to servicing the marketplace. - I mentioned before that wiggle started as a LBS, an now generates 5million pounds a year - Plenty of guys here have mentioned ebay and Taiwan direct sellers... -Online internationals will remain popular until the SA equivalentappears in the local market (CWC is making the early running) A vibrant marketplace is an innovative marketplace. Now if it takes (x) working days to import product from the far east via couriers who have a good clearing agent, why not embrace online sales as a strongly complimentary element to the highstreet stores (the point may come where the online business financially assists the development or expansion of the glossy flagship national retail outlets in the prime retail locations). The argument is often that online sales will close the stores in the long run - I can't agree. Going online expands the business and brand far beyond the store geographic footprint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted September 22, 2008 Share Friendly staff and good service is a must. Some shops mark up there stuff ridiculously! So then one tends to stay away from that shop knowing there prices are too high! and when you go to the shop do you compare them to your internet price ? or the price from the "other guy". do you go having a measure of understanding on discounting and the impact of asking them to drop the prices because of the expense of having something that cant actually be afforded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog_ Posted September 22, 2008 Share My ideal shop: Up to date website with products and prices. Ability to order online, but also go into the shop so I can haggle a bit if I feel like it. Workshop that knows what they're doing. I don't mind paying R300+ per hour, as long as the job is done well, and I'm not ripped off unnecessarily. Priced according to the market norm. I'm more than happy to pay fair prices. Less is obviously better. Knowledgeable sales staff. I hate it when a roadie tries to sell me mtb stuff. I had a dude tell me that SPD cleats will work with my Eggeaters once! Specialised approach: I'm a MTBr, I don't care for road bikes. My ideal store will only stock MTBs and only cater for MTB. That way I know they're as serious about MTB as I am. I don't expect them to have everything I need in stock. I do expect them to be able to get it in stock, and phone me as soon as it comes in - even if it's more expensive than expected. Friendliness. I expect your staff to talk sh!t when I want to talk sh!t. I don't care if they're busy sorting shelves or smsing their girlfriends. I can spend an hour in a shop with only 7 MTBs, looking at the products, asking questions, and just chatting. Offer me a cup of coffee and entertain me. I'll come back just for that, and I'll spend money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted September 22, 2008 Share I have spent upwards of an hour in a shop in somerset west and was never offered coffee/tea once ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuctionLamb Posted September 22, 2008 Share the funny thing is the topic ask you that you must name the shop...not tell everyone what you want from your lbs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markStockton Posted September 22, 2008 Share It is about service. I published some time back about my LBS who I tried to order the U16 gearing for my son's brand new bike that I had bought from them, and how they messed it up at the time. Now I hear this is one of the shop's really battling. I'm not really surprised. I must add the owner was very, very quick to sort thing's out once he heard about the problem. However the damage was done. On the other hand it seems Linden Cycles is doing well and they have given me exceptional service. Ordering parts urgently, arranging same day delivery from the distributor etc. Another shop who have offered exceptional support is the Cycle Hub, who will order in parts on request, will call when they are there and always make you feel special. In fact I need a new set of MTB and road tyres, I didn't even shop around. I sms'd one of the people at the Cycle Hub to check on availability. They phoned me back a little later with pricing and availability and I'll collect the tyres Thursday. Yes, I do shop around on major purchases, however this shouldn't be the area that bike shops make their money anyway. You can only sell so many high value bikes, frames or group sets to a person. Make your money by providing accessories, spares and good service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowpoke Posted September 22, 2008 Share they must know me and look after my best interests... my lbs owner argues with me when i want to buy something that i don't need and that is overpriced for what i need. she also gives a damn when i wipe out and enquires after my bikes' "health" before mine (cos she knows that that is MY order of priority). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted September 22, 2008 Share I have spent upwards of an hour in a shop in somerset west and was never offered coffee/tea once ! You need to have words with them man! At Summit cycles in Midrand (thanks Ant) I got a cup without asking last week and Ivo even knew how many sugars ........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaskar Posted September 22, 2008 Share Nothing frustrates me more than when i walk into a shop, pick up a product or accessory from the wall or shelf and it has no price. Then i pick up the next item and it too is also not priced. Honestly if i have to ask for prices i would rather walk out. It doesnt have to be a sophisticated bar coded price tag, a normal sticky price tag from a cheap tagging gun will do just fine. But dammit, put a price on your stock. One of the quickest ways that i get a first impression of a shop is to check the prices of a few small items. For eg Ill check the price of Fizik bar tape in every shop i walk into, just to get a feel for the place. I know some shops where i can get it for R140, but when i walk into a shop and i see it for like R190 ill think twice about buying anything from them. They may have their reasons for it (old stock / new stock etc) but it just gives me a feel for the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagar Posted September 22, 2008 Share My ideal shop: Up to date website with products and prices. Ability to order online' date=' but also go into the shop so I can haggle a bit if I feel like it. Workshop that knows what they're doing. I don't mind paying R300+ per hour, as long as the job is done well, and I'm not ripped off unnecessarily. Priced according to the market norm. I'm more than happy to pay fair prices. Less is obviously better. Knowledgeable sales staff. I hate it when a roadie tries to sell me mtb stuff. I had a dude tell me that SPD cleats will work with my Eggeaters once! Specialised approach: I'm a MTBr, I don't care for road bikes. My ideal store will only stock MTBs and only cater for MTB. That way I know they're as serious about MTB as I am. I don't expect them to have everything I need in stock. I do expect them to be able to get it in stock, and phone me as soon as it comes in - even if it's more expensive than expected. Friendliness. I expect your staff to talk sh!t when I want to talk sh!t. I don't care if they're busy sorting shelves or smsing their girlfriends. I can spend an hour in a shop with only 7 MTBs, looking at the products, asking questions, and just chatting. Offer me a cup of coffee and entertain me. I'll come back just for that, and I'll spend money. [/quote'] i will second that Hog When you opening a shop on the west coast ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now