do people begrudge other people earning a living these days?

[The History Man]

That's a shame if people behave in that way. Youtube has a lot to answer for. Took me half an hour to learn how to fit and bleed my brakes. Seeing it done this way gives a false impression?

Knowing your limitations is the way to go. I recently commissioned a frame and wouldn't dream of fabricating it myself without a few attempts. I should imagine that the particular section of the population on here are more competent than most mechanically?

 

[mattr]

I should imagine that the particular section of the population on here are more competent than most mechanically?

On here maybe, but generally speaking, Roadies are "sensible with their money" (tight), MTBers are deluded (want 11 quid change if they hand over a tenner.)

I can see how the new school will be any better, the ones I've dealt with seem to think that dropping 5 grand on a bike means that everything on it will be 50 times stronger, 50 times more durable (and 50 times lighter) than the 100 quid bike they used to ride to school on.
Telling them that they need new cassette, chain, chainrings, brake pads and recabling at a parts cost of 4-500 quid, plus 100 quid labour, and that occasionally cleaning the bike and using proper oil to lubricate might prolong the life of the bike results in swearing. A trip to website. Then skinned knuckles. And a broken bike.

 

[pigman]

It's not exactly complex or difficult though is it? It's a bicycle.

but there are responsibilities attached. If a handyman fixes my coffee table and a leg falls off, no harm done. If I'm doing 60mph on an Alpine descent I'd like to know my bike aint gonna come apart

 

[NeilM]

It's not exactly complex or difficult though is it? It's a bicycle.

That's not what you said the first time you visited my garage.

 

[mattr]

If I'm doing 60mph on an Alpine descent I'd like to know my bike aint gonna come apart

I'd be doing it myself then.
Having dealt with many many many LBS and their "mechanics", I'd not trust the vast majority of them to do a job right. It might work. But that'll be about it.

They are under different pressures to me. I can spend more time, with less dickheads around me doing it perfectly. For free.
They've got to get the job out of the door, at a profit.

 

[shogun]

Not all engineers are terrible bike shop customers, but lots of terrible bike shop customers are engineers.

I had one engineer argue at length that a 1.9-2.1 tube wouldn't fit his 2.3" tyre (was all we had on hand at that time). I did point out that tubes stretch as they are made of rubber, and it was a long walk home otherwise.

 

[KDM]

Re:

People have selective simplicity.

What?? £70 for for a full service? it's a bicycle not a car. Okay sir why don't you do it if it is that simple?

By trade I am a truck fitter so I have the basic diy skills of tinkering but if I wanted to do it myself I would but I do not most of the time as (1) I can afford my local bike shop which in turn keeps it open and (2) I spend more time riding than building

For many it seems asking a skill to do something has become combative rather than appreciating they have the skill you do not

It is the standard norm now that people think they know enough to "get a good deal" whilst having not enough experience to do the job themselves.

you ask what the job is going to cost then you accept it or leave it.

 

[The History Man]

It's not exactly complex or difficult though is it? It's a bicycle.

That's not what you said the first time you visited my garage.

Yes but how long did it take before I could build safely? (note i didn't say tastefully)

I'm sure most could do likewise. But like i said, if you choose to pay you should pay a decent wage/rate.

 

[greencat]

Re: Re:

you ask what the job is going to cost then you accept it or leave it.

And that approach will generally get you stiffed in most parts of the world/walks of life. Plenty of people will simply charge you what they think you might be willing to pay and/or start high with the expectation you will haggle them lower. That is particularly true in service industries.

Personally, I think it's fine to negotiate and find out what the true price is. Different people have different approaches to negotiation - some of which obviously get people's goat.

Perhaps LBS should simply price in expectation that some will haggle.

 

[NeilM]

It's not exactly complex or difficult though is it? It's a bicycle.

That's not what you said the first time you visited my garage.

Yes but how long did it take before I could build safely? (note i didn't say tastefully)

I'm sure most could do likewise. But like i said, if you choose to pay you should pay a decent wage/rate.

Not very long, but the first time you visited you were typical of the kind of person that uses a bike shop to have work done, and where as you have learned / taught yourself to do the work, most bike shop customers remain as you were, as they simply have no interest in doing it themselves.