Bike shops...<facepalm>

[bikemonster]

After an earlier query in the hub, I am swayed to look for a soft tail MTB. And it looks like being a Scott Spark, but I am also open to persuasion on the Merida 96, and the Sant Cruz Superlight is an outside option at this stage.

 

 

 

Today, after considering my options, I visited two local nationally known bike stores (I am in Durbanville).

 

 

 

In both of them the BSG's ran out of knowledge pretty quickly (what are the main differences between these two models?), and off we went to surf the fcuking web!!! "Dude, I can surf the web at home, this is not getting us anywhere" was my response.

 

 

 

In one store, not known for its keen pricing, after I explained that my price range was about R20K, the BSG showed me a full carbon Merida. "But it's a bit more than R20K" he said.

 

"How much more?" I am well aware of upselling techniques, and TBH, open to persuasion.

 

"It's R39,999."

 

"Dude, that's not a bit more, that's twice as much!"

 

 

 

In the same store, a Merida went from "about R20k" during discussion to "R25k, but we might be able to do a bit better than that" by the end of the discussion. They couldn't give me a real price because their systems were offline, but at least that meant that we couldn't surf the Interwebs together.

 

 

 

By contrast, at a small local store, the proprietor sat down with me and talked me through the options he could provide, drew diagrams of how different suspension technologies worked and generally did a good job. Sadly, he doesn't sell Scott or Merida, as I'd love to give him the business.

 

 

 

What happened to BSG's who acshly knew stuff, who could explain the arcane mysteries of Rockshox Recon vs. Reba, and why XT was better than SLX was better than Deore? Guys who could highlight the differences between bikes from different manufacturers, and between models from one manufacturer. In short, what happened to sales guys who could sell?

 

 

[skollie]

King Cycles in Worcester is my bike shop. You can ask them anything, and they know what they're talking about. And their prices are very good. Ok I know I'm doing marketing now, but just want to let you know there are still a few good bike shops around.

[Weight Weenie]

Must share your sentiment Bikemonster, most don't know much and just tell you whatever they must to make a sale unfortunately. 

 

And yeah, I can also go on the web and I do allot so probly know more than the sales person

[Old school]

After an earlier query in the hub' date=' I am swayed to look for a soft tail MTB. And it looks like being a Scott Spark, but I am also open to persuasion on the Merida 96, and the Sant Cruz Superlight is an outside option at this stage.

Today, after considering my options, I visited two local nationally known bike stores (I am in Durbanville).

In both of them the BSG's ran out of knowledge pretty quickly (what are the main differences between these two models?), and off we went to surf the fcuking web!!! "Dude, I can surf the web at home, this is not getting us anywhere" was my response.

In one store, not known for its keen pricing, after I explained that my price range was about R20K, the BSG showed me a full carbon Merida. "But it's a bit more than R20K" he said.
"How much more?" I am well aware of upselling techniques, and TBH, open to persuasion.
"It's R39,999."
"Dude, that's not a bit more, that's twice as much!"

In the same store, a Merida went from "about R20k" during discussion to "R25k, but we might be able to do a bit better than that" by the end of the discussion. They couldn't give me a real price because their systems were offline, but at least that meant that we couldn't surf the Interwebs together.

By contrast, at a small local store, the proprietor sat down with me and talked me through the options he could provide, drew diagrams of how different suspension technologies worked and generally did a good job. Sadly, he doesn't sell Scott or Merida, as I'd love to give him the business.

What happened to BSG's who acshly knew stuff, who could explain the arcane mysteries of Rockshox Recon vs. Reba, and why XT was better than SLX was better than Deore? Guys who could highlight the differences between bikes from different manufacturers, and between models from one manufacturer. In short, what happened to sales guys who could sell?
[/quote']

 

You definately have a very good point! Suppliers dont always supply to shops with knowledge its a money making thing, so the shop that buy's most will be the one getting product over the the specialist sales person( shop).

 

The industry will surely do much better in the long run when some products are supplied to knowledgeable sales persons.

 

On the other hand buyers love to see what they buy so the shop that has stock will sell better in general.

 

The biggest group of cycle shops in SA is a good example of this.

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Must share your sentiment Bikemonster' date=' most don't know much and just tell you whatever they must to make a sale unfortunately.?

 

?

 

And yeah, I can also go on the web and I do allot so probly know more than the sales person

[/quote']

 

 

 

I believe many Hubbers have had the same experience.

 

 

 

This happened to me last year when I got into cycling. Went to Mavricks in Somerset West and got a similar cold experience.

 

 

 

As I was a budget shopper they had no interest in me.

 

 

 

Went to Sportsman Warehouse (remember, I was a noob), was completely ignored again even though my budget was in their "top-of-the-range".

 

 

 

 

 

Ended up at Williams. Got treated like a king from the beginning. Everything was explained in detail twice, by the mechanic Ben and then owner Keith. They repeated this process with my wife.

 

 

 

So, I ended up buying a Giant Rock (basic hardtail, 8spd, V-Brakes). For the same price "elsewhere" I could have gotten at least Disc-Brakes with a different brand, but I would never have gotten service.

 

 

 

Also Williams was not prepared to sell problems and pointed out the reasons why I should avoid certain features in my price range with regards to quality & safety.

[Sloggy]

Iam probably going to get huge flack for this but i am going to proceed. I do admit that LBS in JHB are very high on prices next to CRC and CWC but i have had only good experiences when it come to knowledge and experience. The few i have dealt with (solomans,  linden cycles and toney impey) have had more than  enough expertise for me (LOL could be my lack of knowledge)

[Lukep]

call conerstone cycles in Paarl speak to Dennis he is the man when it comes to good advice and service

I am in JHB and I buy my bikes from him so that shows you

 

[gongmech]

King Cycles in Worcester is my bike shop. You can ask them anything' date=' and they know what they're talking about. And their prices are very good. Ok I know I'm doing marketing now, but just want to let you know there are still a few good bike shops around. [/quote']

 

Yep , bought sopme scott shoes from King cycles in Worcester....R400. Was very impressed.

 

But if u in the Diep river area in Southern suburbs go chat to Mark 2 at Bridge cycles. He's theonly reason i keep going back. The prices are reasonable but Mark 2 has a head full of knowledge. If he someday moves bike shops then so will i.

 

[Bouchie]

I had exactly the same problem bikemonster experienced early this year. Was also in the market for a R20k bike. Was promised by 3 shops that they would phone me up as soon as stock arrived (at that time, I was looking for a Merida HFS 1000D, and most shops were waiting for stock). Till now; NOTHING. I got my bike in the mean time from a reputable shop, but was left feeling violated. The problem with any good business is that they become too successful for their own good; they took my money and after the cash register closed, it was "next customer", as the shop was just so busy that the people working there just couldn't get to customers quickly enough. But more or less the same story; info was limited in the shop. I feel that most shops are loosing a lot of business because some shop stewards just couldn?t care that you are there (despite the fact that you have R20k in your pocket you want to spend). I use this as a barometer for service. If I see that the shop is not really interested in terms of assisting me, than I don?t spend my money there. It shouldn?t matter whether I?m spending R20 or R20k.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

I agree with Mercx in that the suppliers (in terms of bikes) are to blame here; they are not supplying shops with the adequate info, as I think the perception is that suppliers think customers are idiots and will buy anything that looks shiny.

 

aggeneys2010-03-23 05:22:56

[Jakes_1]

go to Flandria in Stellenbosch, speak to Linus or Leonardo, they give excellent service and know alot about alot

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Its interesting how this topic pops up every few months and at the end the same LBSs get knocked, and the same get a full thumbs up.

 

 

 

Its just great to see that some LBSs are consistent in their service.

[traaidmark]

It's not always the LBS though, in my case it was them as well, but it's also the actual brands that just don't give a ...

 

 

 

I brought a brand new specialized duallie, and to this day (2 months) it's only been on one race and dirt. Only done about 100kms, and has literally been in the shop more than in my posession.

 

 

 

It was sent back to specialized only after the 4th time it was sent in, and then staid there for two weeks, got sent back to us, and now have to go back there again for another two weeks.

 

 

 

Who do you hate here? the brand? or the shop? or both perhaps?

 

 

 

Haven't seen my bike since Sabie Classic. No phone calls with updates, nothing. everytime we have to call them or go in and ask.

[Mojoman]

Am in a similar position, have just got back from the LBS again (3rd or 4th time in less than a month), my new GT was making a creaking noise, I thought it was the BB, turns out it was a loose rear cog set but the BB was infact toast anyway (after less than 600km!). Lucklily it was discovered and replaced before it was too late.

The crew at the LBS must cringe when my car pulls in but what am I to do? I bought the bike, things don't work, squeek, break etc so I am taking it back! They may not like it but you know what....I like wasting my day even less!! Its a 120km round trip for me!

The guys were all over me when I was on the prowl for the bike, and don't get me wrong, they do assist me with all the problems, but its certainly not with the same gusto as before I spent my money!!

[SWM1]

I only buy from Brad or Fred at Gecko Cycles at Cape Gate.

 

Their prices and service are unbeatable.

 

Going to buy another bike from them soon.

 

[dirtrider]

It is so easy to blame it on the LBS !!!!! Do you bunch of brain surgeons got to the car dealer ship with your R20 000 and ask for a car or do you actually make the effort to find out what you can get for that etc .

[bikemonster]

It is so easy to blame it on the LBS !!!!! Do you bunch of brain surgeons got to the car dealer ship with your R20 000 and ask for a car or do you actually make the effort to find out what you can get for that etc .

 

 

 

All I did was wander into the bike shop and announce to the first person I saw that I want to buy a bike.

 

 

 

Was that wrong?