Bike Shops Undercharge...

[mtbee]

I see from the above that most replies are from happily employed persons. Most of my clients do the sum and fall over at R 61 600 per month. The LBS is probably paying +R20K in rent. He still has a number of other overheads to add to his expenses, so consider all when doing the quick and easy sum. Most bike shops work R 140 - R 180 per hour in our area.

Last week a repaired spoke which took all of 30 minutes to repair (with a few complications); cost me R15 including spoke & nipple plus R 50 for slime replacement. I would not have done it for that price

[Stretched@Birth]

I see from the above that most replies are from happily employed persons. Most of my clients do the sum and fall over at R 61 600 per month. The LBS is probably paying +R20K in rent. He still has a number of other overheads to add to his expenses, so consider all when doing the quick and easy sum. Most bike shops work R 140 - R 180 per hour in our area.

Last week a repaired spoke which took all of 30 minutes to repair (with a few complications); cost me R15 including spoke & nipple plus R 50 for slime replacement. I would not have done it for that price

My point exactly... They undercharge for their labour. Therefore, they employ cheap labour, therefore, we get bad service...

[TYGA]

Morbid curiosity caused me to strip on old suspension fork I had lying in the garage last night and I would not even clean up the amount of mess I managed to make for R350.00, let alone still fix the bloody thing. I'll never complain about spending 300 - 600 bucks for a Fox service again!!!

[Mojoman]

Morbid curiosity caused me to strip on old suspension fork I had lying in the garage last night and I would not even clean up the amount of mess I managed to make for R350.00, let alone still fix the bloody thing. I'll never complain about spending 300 - 600 bucks for a Fox service again!!!

But if you are doing this everyday or so it will be a quick job I should imagine. I can change the oil and replace the oil filter on my car in under 10 minutes! In fact the time is so long due to waiting for the oil to drain out. But the garage charges me full 1hr rate for this job.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

My point exactly... They undercharge for their labour. Therefore, they employ cheap labour, therefore, we get bad service...

 

You have to look at the quality of the labour and the infrastructure you need to support before you fix a price stretched.

 

Audi charges R450.00 an hour to service my car, but the mechanic has undergone an approved internationally recognised apprenticeship (lets say around 3 years) written an approved trade test and passed, and undergone extensive training in house by the factory on that car and engine.

 

Then lets look at the infrastructure that R450.00 an hour upholds, massive workshops, extensive parts, a heavy investment in specialised equipment and a huge labour force, go price a few 4 post car hoists, two engine diagnostic computers, the specialised tools required by the factory, the parts inventory needed to carry and you will see the comparison is not there.

[Pusher]

I recently undertook to "clean" 3 relatively low end MTB's as a favour for a neighbour. What should have been a quick wash and lube turned into a major overhaul, as the bikes were in a sorry state.

 

So, after replacing cables, 1 derailleur hanger, a new rear derailleur on one of the bikes, stripping hubs, BB, headset's, etc. I've come to the conclusion that the LBS actually undercharges, as I now know how much time and effort goes into poorly maintained bikes...

 

I spent about 4 hours per bike - assuming a low(ish) charge out rate of R350 an hour, that's R1400 per bike, or R4200 for the job, excluding parts and sundries.

 

I have no idea what the LBS charges for a complete service, as I do my own servicing, but I'm sure very few people would pay R1400. Therefore, they employ cheap labour, therefore, we get substandard service...

 

I was paid in biltong Any opinions out there...?

Err, wanna do mine?

[scotty]

Some i've used and their staff, hardly just off the street.

 

Cyclefountain --- Owner does own wrenching

Mean machine ----- Owner does own wrenching and holds a Doctorate in Engineering

Finish Line ----- Owner has mechanic who he poached from another LBS

Cyclelab K90 -----Owner has mechanic who races elite and when not racing loves fiddling with bicycles.

[Stretched@Birth]

You have to look at the quality of the labour and the infrastructure you need to support before you fix a price stretched.

 

Audi charges R450.00 an hour to service my car, but the mechanic has undergone an approved internationally recognised apprenticeship (lets say around 3 years) written an approved trade test and passed, and undergone extensive training in house by the factory on that car and engine.

 

Then lets look at the infrastructure that R450.00 an hour upholds, massive workshops, extensive parts, a heavy investment in specialised equipment and a huge labour force, go price a few 4 post car hoists, two engine diagnostic computers, the specialised tools required by the factory, the parts inventory needed to carry and you will see the comparison is not there.

I think people are missing my point. I'm not trying to fix a price, I was merely trying to highlight that we generally underestimate the amount of time and effort that it takes to properly service a bicycle, and the cost associated with this time and effort. Given my experience the average of R350 to R450 that a bike shop charges is in my opinion, very reasonable, that's the point I'm trying to make. Oh, and stir up some debate for a Friday!

[CAAD4]

I think this is a great thread! Thanks to mix, I have just found a new, very well priced biltong supplier, where I might just pop around to tomorrrow.

[Stretched@Birth]

I think this is a great thread! Thanks to mix, I have just found a new, very well priced biltong supplier, where I might just pop around to tomorrrow.

Let us know if the Butcher is King.. ..

[YUMEYA]

Do it yourself or pay. Part of the cost is just providing the service.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I think people are missing my point. I'm not trying to fix a price, I was merely trying to highlight that we generally underestimate the amount of time and effort that it takes to properly service a bicycle, and the cost associated with this time and effort. Given my experience the average of R350 to R450 that a bike shop charges is in my opinion, very reasonable, that's the point I'm trying to make. Oh, and stir up some debate for a Friday!

 

- Ha,Ha, yeah fair enough.

 

I may have slightly misunderstood you, but in any economy you have to be relevant - my motorcycle repair shop charges about 300-350 an hour and its also a factory approved outlet, the labout needs to be just as professional and trained but the outlay to equip and set up is substantially less, they also need less rental space than a motor car workshop so they charge less accordingly.

 

Most bicycle shops I have been into have a relitevely small workshop section, is owner run or operated with only one or two staff, they dont have really expensive computerised diagnostic equipment or heavy duty lifts and stands to buy etc, so in fairness by amortising the costs you just cant charge the same for your time.

 

I am sure they would like to, but economies dont work that way.

[mix]

I think this is a great thread! Thanks to mix, I have just found a new, very well priced biltong supplier, where I might just pop around to tomorrrow.

 

I do hope that its up to your standard.

[Omlette]

i get biltong at R90 a kg and its amazing.

R90??? SH!T where??? the cheapest i get is for R135p/kg.

PnP by us charges R169p/kg

[Cassie]

hahahaha, honestly tho, JAY JAY's butchery on the edge of lombardy East close to Edenvale, its amazing and cheap. nom nom nom

 

Sounds like Donkey/Horse meat to me??

[CAAD4]

Patience was a v.. I will do a product review once I have managed to "test" the product.. Omlette for you I can do R120 per kg without shipping.....