Is bike shop and customer service an oxymoron?

[Cheshire1980]

I take my bikes to a mobile mechanic, who simply shares a small premises and has a very limited stock of parts. But I personally prefer to take all the parts/kit to him, and let him do all the time consuming stuff. He’s not cheap, but does a super job, and treats bikes with the utmost care. Have had to many bad experiences with shops now, under torquing stuff, not assembling stuff right. I personally could do a lot of the work myself, but choose not to, as I have long hours of work and many family commitments.

 

[retrobikeguy]

The brief time I worked in a busy shop ..........montage .......... they would always try to upsell parts and services, even if they were not needed.

So, staff? Some are passionate, many are not and its just a job. If you find the passionate ones, look after them.

This sounds very familiar to what I just walked away from, in a bike shop some people are so good for the customers. but thats not what they want, they want someone whos good for profit!

Flipping ferengi scum

 

[Cheshire1980]

This sounds very familiar to what I just walked away from, in a bike shop some people are so good for the customers. but thats not what they want, they want someone whos good for profit!

Flipping ferengi scum

Sad times .. but I think your spot on

 

[BlackCat]

Yeah.. but the consequence of that short term, milk-the-customer attitude is that the customer sods off to your competitor, in the hope of a better experience there.

Providing a high quality customer experience as the recipe for success and longevity has been adopted by every sector on earth (well, perhaps excluding correctional establishments).. why should LBSs take so long to catch on?

 

[Cristian-T]

Anyone who walks into my bikeshop with anything from the glory days is not just anyone..

Not quite SE, more South central - Newbury, Berkshire

After running my own workshop setup since March 17, Rokitcyclery, Ive recently partnered up with the owner of Bikelux (also known as Chainworx, long story) - which is where I’m now based, and in the process of fully refurbing it. So much to do.

All you kids from the glory days are more than welcome in. Some may know me, some not, but I’ve been on this site since 2006, and trade veteran/massive lover of Retro. NOT a snot nosed 17yr old phone addict ! - If I ever take one on, I’ll sort em out !

All my love,
Cristian Tomlinson

 

[BlackCat]

Ha. Good to hear

 

[xtaffa]

Anyone who walks into my bikeshop with anything from the glory days is not just anyone..

Not quite SE, more South central - Newbury, Berkshire

After running my own workshop setup since March 17, Rokitcyclery, Ive recently partnered up with the owner of Bikelux (also known as Chainworx, long story) - which is where I’m now based, and in the process of fully refurbing it. So much to do.

All you kids from the glory days are more than welcome in. Some may know me, some not, but I’ve been on this site since 2006, and trade veteran/massive lover of Retro. NOT a snot nosed 17yr old phone addict ! - If I ever take one on, I’ll sort em out !

All my love,
Cristian Tomlinson

Tidy! Just down the A34 from you. Are you doing stuff through the refurb, or getting that it the way first?

 

[Peughop]

I went to my LBS in West Hampstead to get a tube changed and the guy used a tyre leaver to get the contis back on and scratched my rims. I couldn't believe it!

 

[Rotorhead]

Thanks - they are on the list. Last time I called there was a two week wait. Guess that’s probably a stamp of approval!

It is believe me. Good work for a fair price with good comms. There’s also Mark at Ladywell cycles. Slightly weird set up but a good guy and an enthusiast.

 

[BlackCat]

It is believe me. Good work for a fair price with good comms. There’s also Mark at Ladywell cycles. Slightly weird set up but a good guy and an enthusiast.

Thanks - ladywell is on the list too. I’m trying every shop within a 30 minute walk until I hopefully find a regular spot!