Filed under: Anecdotes
Ever get a customer in your shop who says they can get a deal on a groupset or some other expensive bike component for such and such an amount but asks what you can sell it for because they “want to do business with your shop”. No matter how low you can bring the cost down, they insist they can get it cheaper, and still claim they want to do business locally? Campy 11 doesn’t grow on trees brother! I’m still waiting to hear back from this dude, my bet is he wanted to save money more than help the local bike shop. I can’t say I blame him, but I’d rather not have wasted any time researching costs—maybe it was my billing him for this in labor that drove him away.
It’s an annoying precedent to set from the get go. In my opinion, if you can get something for such and such, then get it. None of this BS about wanting to “do business locally” unless you really want to do that business—if you really want to, sometimes it’ll cost more, but it’s better for everyone in the long run. You’re not helping a local shop stay afloat if it has to lower it’s prices to the point of not making any profit.
I’ve heard a lot of racers out there have a similar attitude. The mentality that they should get something for free, or next to nothing. How much does this devalue local businesses? When the everyday customer finds out (or more likely already knows) they’re paying top dollar for something some hack competitive racer got for free. Does it cheapen the local businesses? Does it build envy among other cyclists? What does a sponsored rider really do for that business? (I ask because I really only have assumptions on the subject).
This topic brings me to another point, and that’s the policy of getting an employee discount [a subject I'm sure I'd like to discuss in the future]. Isn’t this one of the major benefits of working in the bike industry? It’s entirely different in my mind when compared to what I described above, because we’re not typically wealthy, and we don’t make a lot of money to begin with. If anything the mechanics should get their gear for free! I don’t know, just rambling here in a way. I’m curious what other people out there think on this subject. What are other shop policies on employee purchasing? Sponsored riders? And cost estimates?
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Check out the always fun to read Rivendell Tips for Happy Riding – http://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/tips_for_happy_riding
Here is the one you are looking for specifically, but they are all (well, mostly all) great:
“Don’t always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go into a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, spend $5 (get a cable).”
Comment by Dale 03.10.09 @ 12:38 pmI’ve got a million and one thoughts when it comes to LBS employee discounts, sponsoring local riders and cost matching and from what I have seen over the years, my ideas are pretty standard in the industry… too bad my current situation is not so standard.
Comment by fuckgas 03.10.09 @ 2:47 pmif bike mechanics didn’t get their stuff for half price(ish) then i wouldn’t own a new bicycle. i’d be riding some junk fixie conversion. mechanics wages absolutely do not pay enough to ride bikes.
Comment by johnny gaijin 07.04.09 @ 1:58 amLeave a comment
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