Grrrr, why do they always assume?

Once I went into a shop and started talking bikes with a *woman* salesperson. After a while, she says, "Wow, you are a TRIP! You gotta come back when the owner is in. He's going to get such a kick out of you... You've got the lingo down and *everything*!"

I wasn't sure how to react. I just laughed and told her that I tend to get obsessive over my interests. But, she was a woman who knew about bikes. Should she have acted *so* surprised at my level of knowledge?

In fact, I did come in when the owner was there. He acted as normal as could be, and we had a great talk about bikes. He didn't seem surprised at all... Go figure!

That reminds me of another story. A few months ago my car broke down and I needed it towed. I usually deal with all the car issues, since I'm home all the time, and DH is quite busy. Our car (which I adore) is a 1996 Saturn SL. It has *no* power steering and is a stick shift. Mind you, I live in Brooklyn, which requires me moving the car once a week for street cleaning rules, and I always must parallel park. This is something I'm totally used to, and don't give it a second thought. Of course it's harder than an automatic with power steering, but big deal, right?!

So, the tow truck driver gets in the car to release the brake so he can tow it. He realizes the car's "features", and gets out, looks at me incredulously, and says in the absolute most sincere way, "You mean to tell me a sweet little thing like you actually drives and parks this car in the city???" Again, I didn't even know what to say! I wasn't angry, but just amazed at how wrong that whole question even was!

Knotted, sounds like you have experienced bike shop Nirvana. :)

KimmyT, I can't believe the nerve of that person. I would have selected a ski and *accidentally* bumped his noggin with it on my way out the door. Color my foot! ;)

Mr. Silver, I usually wrap up the deals when we buy vehicles. My husband just sits there and smiles as he watches the salesperson's expression change as I calculate his bull on paper.

Bike shops could take a leaf from our local Jack Rabbit running/tri store.

I go to a bike shop where a coach friend works, but when he's not there it is a nightmare, just like everyone else describes.

At Jack Rabbitt (7th Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn) , the manager always helps me, even the teenagers are really respectful. I had a very informative discussion about recovery drinks with a 20 year old triathlete with zero attitude at all. And I certainly don't fit the athletic profile in terms of size and age. They are supportive and encouraging and not at all condescending at all - sometimes I just go in to buy a little something because they are so positive and they give me a boost.

All this is to say it is totally possible to have an athletic store with a great vibe -- how come there just isn't a bike store like that?

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Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels

I once got respect in a bike shop just for walking in with my spd shoes aaaaand ... Impeach Bush bike socks.

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where did you get those?

It's much more productive to have a nice chat with the manager than to walk out annoyed and never go back. While the chances are 50-50 that the manager will "get it", IMNSHO it's worth it to try and do a little gentle education.

As a small business owner myself, I'd rather know where I've got room for improvement, or where my employees need to improve, than to have people go out and talk negatively about my business.

Wow, you ladies make me feel really lucky!

From the moment I walked into my LBS they listened to what *I* wanted and treated me with respect. They always encourage (and teach) me to fix things myself.

I first went in there a little over a year ago, my previous MTB had been stolen years before but it kind of turned me off on bikes, never fit well, heavy, chain always dropped. So I told the guy at the LBS that I wanted a hybrid (with the intent of taking it around town & on some easy trails). I was mostly looking to get used to riding a bike again before riding the "World's most dangerous road" in Bolivia. He told me that he would suggest a (similarly priced) MTB, because I could always put slicks on it if city riding was my thing, but it would increase the range of trails open to me. Then he went on: and you can always put racks and fenders on it if you want to start commuting on it...come in for our free maintenance class next week & learn to change a flat...they fit the bike to me really well & while I initially laughed at the commuting thing I was back there in a few months for the rack. And he was right about the versatility...I quickly became hooked on MTBing.

Now I am planning my first long solo touring trip and they are *so* helpful. The mechanic is helping me learn how to repair the most likely things to break and they are full of good advice even suggesting products they don't carry in some cases over products they do. They are going to let me bring an old bike in to work on it in their shop (myself) so I can ask questions when I have them. (they have a workstand and tools set up for the public) Of course I buy almost all of my bike gear from them because I really love their supportive attitude & respect.

So sorry that so many of you have been treated poorly by your LBSs, you'd think that they'd get out of the stone age sooner or later! I know the feeling though, I teach highly technical engineering courses & look a fair amount younger than I am; I get everything from skeptical looks to 'YOU are teaching THIS course?!?' Um, yea. Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and show people that genitalia doesn't figure into intelligence or capability for abstract thought. But then again, those people are paying me! I'd have a hard time giving my LBS any business if they copped that sort of attitude.

Anne

I've had a good experience and a bad experience all wrapped up into one when I was buying my roadie.

I'd just been on a group ride on my very clunky hybrid. I'd had enough and BF and I decided it was time to start shopping for a Roadie.

So we rocked up in our bike gear at a bike shop on the way back that was reknowned for stocking SUB bikes and Specialized. So we went in.

I was served by a brilliant woman. She was a mountain bike enthusiast and after telling her what I was after she came took me through everything I wanted to know. When I was test riding stuff I gave her my feedback and she agreed with me based on her experience or explained what I was experiencing based on the spec sheet.

She was a GREAT servicewoman and Bike shops need more sales people like her! (She was also the mechanic! ^_^ Too bad the store's half the way to ipswich which is too far to ride)

BAD EXPERIENCE:
While she was serving me the owner of the store could sense a sale and came over to add his two cents in. Based on the bikes I was leaning towards he told me That I'd probably be better off with the lower model "because it comes in pink" He just ASSUMED... Sure I loved pink. But I hated the 2006 model sub zero.1. I test road it and it wasn't that much of an improvement on what I was riding already.

The woman serving me wasn't happy after this exchange. She thought I'd do better with the higher sub zero.pro model because I liked the ultegra and it was a lighter machine.

moral of the story: There are some jerks out there. But there are also some really enthusiastic people who love their job and want to see you walk out of their store 100% happy with your purchases.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimity

Wow, you ladies make me feel really lucky!

From the moment I walked into my LBS they listened to what *I* wanted and treated me with respect. They always encourage (and teach) me to fix things myself.

I first went in there a little over a year ago, my previous MTB had been stolen years before but it kind of turned me off on bikes, never fit well, heavy, chain always dropped. So I told the guy at the LBS that I wanted a hybrid (with the intent of taking it around town & on some easy trails). I was mostly looking to get used to riding a bike again before riding the "World's most dangerous road" in Bolivia. He told me that he would suggest a (similarly priced) MTB, because I could always put slicks on it if city riding was my thing, but it would increase the range of trails open to me. Then he went on: and you can always put racks and fenders on it if you want to start commuting on it...come in for our free maintenance class next week & learn to change a flat...they fit the bike to me really well & while I initially laughed at the commuting thing I was back there in a few months for the rack. And he was right about the versatility...I quickly became hooked on MTBing.

Now I am planning my first long solo touring trip and they are *so* helpful. The mechanic is helping me learn how to repair the most likely things to break and they are full of good advice even suggesting products they don't carry in some cases over products they do. They are going to let me bring an old bike in to work on it in their shop (myself) so I can ask questions when I have them. (they have a workstand and tools set up for the public) Of course I buy almost all of my bike gear from them because I really love their supportive attitude & respect.

So sorry that so many of you have been treated poorly by your LBSs, you'd think that they'd get out of the stone age sooner or later! I know the feeling though, I teach highly technical engineering courses & look a fair amount younger than I am; I get everything from skeptical looks to 'YOU are teaching THIS course?!?' Um, yea. Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and show people that genitalia doesn't figure into intelligence or capability for abstract thought. But then again, those people are paying me! I'd have a hard time giving my LBS any business if they copped that sort of attitude.

Anne

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I live in Colorado...please share you LBS' name :) Pretty please, with sugar on top...don't make me beg...

Badger Girl I like your avatar. What's your gsd's name? :)

OK, I had a neat experience yesterday at our LBS. I was talking to the mechanic, telling him about my latest adventure on the bike when he asked,"Have you lost weight? You look different." :) I wanted to reach over the register and give him a hug.

Hey BadgerGirl,

Of course! I go to Full Cycle, they have two stores in Boulder, one on the hill and one on Pearl St. They also have a store in the Ft. that I haven't been to.

That's awesome that you are in Erie! We should ride some time!

Anne

He he Anne, and I thought there was something better than Full Cycle. LOL, that is where I currently shop...I should have known better. They are great there, very patient and will tweek your bike right then is something isn't right. Always there to answer questions. I would love to ride with you Anne! :)

SunDial, I love your pic too. My dog 's name is Timberwolf, or Timber for short. I love dogs and I can't wait until I have a whole farm of dogs running around. And a whole stable of bicycles too! What is your dog's name?

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Originally Posted by BadgerGirl

What is your dog's name?

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Well, let's see. As for the gsds, I have Kali the long legged all-American girl, Niki, the gently used sable import, and Luke, my senior citizen foster boy. Then I have Jodi, the neurotic australian shepherd. Here are the furkids:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...kijodikali.jpg

Be careful what you wish for. If you are like me, you'll end up a gsd magnet and have fosters running all over the place. ;)