The_Break Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Okay. That is quite enough. Lets keep in mind its the distributors knocking the prices up so much and the lbs only ups the margin a bit but it stays a rip off. Unfortunately bike shops cant pay guys too much and they tend to leave quite often loosing not only skills but business knowledge. Your local lbs is fully aware of the situations they face. And lets face it we will never be 100% satisfied with the service we receive. . . I disagree somewhat. Importers do up the price, but bike shop margins are not low either. However, even though they are not low, I do agree that bike shops deserve to make profit and enjoy the benefits of self employment. No one is ripping anyone off, they just doing business like everyone else does. I have seen on this site again and again that people want everything for nothing. Buddy of mine posted a bike that he rode for about 2000km here worth R29000 and he got such crap offers that the closest was R17000 off the retail price. My point is, shops and importers have the right to charge what they, cyclists have the right to buy where they want (LBS or internet), but the only thing we should be able to complain about is the lack of good service that we generally find in the industry. My only question is: If shops make good money, like USA and EU shops do, why "can't" they employ more people who are properly trained. And I mean professionally trained.
porky Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Okay. That is quite enough. Lets keep in mind its the distributors knocking the prices up so much and the lbs only ups the margin a bit but it stays a rip off. Unfortunately bike shops cant pay guys too much and they tend to leave quite often loosing not only skills but business knowledge. Your local lbs is fully aware of the situations they face. And lets face it we will never be 100% satisfied with the service we receive. . . Point 1) - Increases are a compounding item, it starts at the top and compounds down the line - the LBS is just as at fault as any of the other men before him. In fact in my opinion is more at fault, as he adds probably the least value to the item. Point 2) Thats the first problem. If an Lbs ever wants to be taken seriously they need to start by employing professional people who actually know what they are doing and talking about, not the cheapest labour they can find,dressing them up in a nice shirt and name badge and letting them loose on an unsuspecting public! Point 3)Why not??? I am very happy with the service I recieve from my Motorbike service department, from the company who repaired my scuba regulator, from the organization who set my cars wheel alignment after I klapped a pothole, from the service department of my local refridgeration company................!! - but of course these are all professional people, perhaps the bike industry needs to up its game a bit.! porky2009-02-27 13:40:12
Speed Racer Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 3 best things I ever did for my services: 1) Realized I was the only person who really cares about myself as a customer (and I mean REALLY cares like I want my bike to be cared for) 2) Bought myself all the tools necessary to service my bike in full' date=' except for the really big tools like hanger bracket alignment guage, etc. 3) Took the time to learn how to service and maintain my equipment myself according to the manufacturers specifications. In the past 3 years I have only ever had the following problems: Rear shifter cable snapped in STI twice on 2 different bikes. During this time I had completely built, rebuilt all 3 of my bikes at least 3 times, serviced them more than that each and this includes full service of the hubs (campy bora ultra and shamal ultra) I took my bike to the local bike shop 3 times: Once to get a front derailliear alignment "washer" for a frame I had just bought. I let up and let the shop fit it. Got dropped in 1st race because it was not fitted correctly.Once to have a new chain fitted because my chain breaker was still on its way back from germany in the post. The LBS put the link in on the wrong side and scuff, scuff, scuff everytime it came past the front deraillear.Once to have a bent hanger bracket straightened with a tool I never had. I watched like a hawk. 2 out of 3 got stuffed up! Total cost of labour in all those years = R0 I am not boasting, but just goes to show that you guys can do it yourself, save a stack of cash and when you gunning down a hill at 100km/h you will know what has happened to your bike and if you have done your job correctly, you gonna be safe and happy.[/quote'] The Break is right. I do as much as I can myself and am learning more all the time. Have tried most of the LBSs in my area, and amongst other things have had BB cups damaged by use of incorrect tool, stem left loose after a service, a LBS that would not remove and replace a shot BB - had to take it back 3X (WTF!), and STI turned in (why? your guess is as good as mine). Not always, but enough of the time to matter they are rubbish. Credit where credit is due. never had any problems at Westdene cycles. They are often better than internet prices or sometimes match them.
Guest Big H Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 I have no problems as I service and do the work on my own bikes........ well, there are very few LBS's in Angola.
Sammajoor Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 I WILL NEVER GO TO HOT SPOT' date=' NOT EVEN FOR A TUBE !!! THey have a huge bunch of oukies working there and none of them have a friggin clue about what is going on in the store or about biking in general. Was there a couple of years back and they LOST my new tyres and gave me nevegals back, which are crappy tyres for xc/xcm so I was really not impressed. Had to go there a while back to get my dad a helmet as he is a non cyclist with a big head so all helmets are uncomfy to him. they have Rudy Projects with loads of padding so he tried them on and liked it but wanted black not red, so they ordered it for him. After a long wait I had to take time off work and go get it and it was the wrong helmet in the wrong size! I had to stand around for 15 minutes while the guy we ordered with was searching for the helmet and this is after he called my dad to come and collect it, WTF??? Oh and its been a week or two now with the helmet lying in the box at home and they still have not contacted us with info about the actual helmet they were supposed to get for my dad...[/quote'] Okay. That is quite enough. Lets keep in mind its the distributors knocking the prices up so much and the lbs only ups the margin a bit but it stays a rip off. Unfortunately bike shops cant pay guys too much and they tend to leave quite often loosing not only skills but business knowledge. Your local lbs is fully aware of the situations they face. And lets face it we will never be 100% satisfied with the service we receive. . . The problem with Hot Spot, is that they are ACTUALLY OWNED by the importers..... J&J Cycling is Hot Spot Cycles and visa versa. So with them they cannot use the excuse that they are nailing the clients because the importers are pushing prices...................... They are nailing the clients .... end of story...... That is why Campy in SA is so expensive.... Because J&J are nailing the cycling public
Guest Big H Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Bypass the importers and order from overseas. Also let the importers know that you are doing it. Choose your LBS wisely. The are a few commendable ones in Pretyoria and I will name them, Bouwer Broers in Gezina, Cycle House and Solomons in Pretoria North. Yesterday Anton at Cycle House spent an long time digging into a box to find a freehub for the Tandem and he did!!!!! I also got the DRC Tandem rins from him the Supersport Cycles said they will not be importing anymore. The guys in these shops are always willing to go the extra mile for a customer, even if the distributors does not want to play the game. Imagine Continental running out of Gatorskin tyres just before the ARGUS!!!!!!
Wyatt Earp Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 Big H Anton from Cycle House is a great guy, one of the few left I will say. If I lived in Pretoors that would be my shop of choice.
Tumbleweed Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 Big H Anton from Cycle House is a great guy' date=' one of the few left I will say. If I lived in Pretoors that would be my shop of choice.[/quote'] i know this other oke called anton, who's not a bad guy talking about "bad service", i'm hubbing from a bike shop holy roller2009-02-28 00:57:54
MAMBABAAS Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 IF YOU LIVE IN PRETORIA EAST YOU HAVE TO VISIT SINGLETRACK MTB SHOP. ITS THE FRIENDLIEST AND BEST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD.
Sammajoor Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 IF YOU LIVE IN PRETORIA EAST YOU HAVE TO VISIT SINGLETRACK MTB SHOP. ITS THE FRIENDLIEST AND BEST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD. why are you shouting
fiasm Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 the bike barn at parramatta gives good service (for those new to Sydney)
MAMBABAAS Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 SORRY FOR THE CAPITALS, MY CAPS LOCK KEY IS BUGGERED
Weight Weenie Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 Yeah might give ol Benny a shout again, havent been there in a while
Guest Big H Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 IF YOU LIVE IN PRETORIA EAST YOU HAVE TO VISIT SINGLETRACK MTB SHOP. ITS THE FRIENDLIEST AND BEST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD.why are you shouting If MAMBABAAS is shouting why have you never asked Holy Roller if he is whispering??????? (all smallcaps?????)
Fleming Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 Had this experience 2 weeks ago. I was thinking about converting to tubeless and went into 2 shops to find out prices. Shop A I walk in and a you teenager comes up to me and offers to help. I say "I'm interested in converting to tubeless. What kits have you got and how much?" The kid gets this blank look on his face and says he will have to ask his dad (shop owner). We go over to his dad and I ask the same question. and the answer I get is "The kit is R950." and then the guy just stands there looking at me. Doesn't even offer to show me the kit. I walked out of there so fast. Shop B This shop is 45 minutes out of my way but was recomended to me by a work friend. I walk in and there are 2 people working in the shop and they are both busy with customers. The one looks at me as I walk in and he says he will be with me as soon as he is free. No problem, I like browsing. When the guy is finished with the other customer he offers to help me and I tell him I am interested in converting to tubeless. The salesman asks me what rims and tyres I have and then asks where I ride. He explained to me that although a tubless conversion does work with normal tyres I should still use UST tires as I ride in very rocky area's and the risk of sidewall damage is high. He then explains to me the differences between the two kits he stocks and why the one is more expensive. We then went on to chat about bikes, trails and all things cycling related and I took up about 40 minutes of the guys time. In the end I didnt convert as it was a little more expensive than I thought it would be but which shop do you think i will be making all future purchases at, even though they are a bit further away?
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