Tails from the LBS....

[Running Mommy]

Ok, around this time of year it's usually Tales from my adventures in Ironman training. But really this years training has not been much to talk about. It's a lot of trying to fit miles in when I can. If I make it to the start line in any kind of shape it's going to be a miracle. But it is what it is. The business is my main focus right now.
I had a 70 miler on the docket for this weekend. It looks like we are suppose to get Cali's rain tomorrow, so I was going to try to bust it out this morning.
BUT once I got out there I realized that I really needed to be at the shop.
There is a big national BMX race here this weekend, and I just didn't feel right leaving running hubby to fend for himself on a Saturday.
As it turns out, turning back was a wise decision.
I sold my first road bike- to a woman no less! She is friends with my neighbor, so I kind of know her.
he came in with her husband and daughter. I ran through what all the bikes had to offer, and the differences in them. She is petite, so I explained to her the importance of wsd. She's getting into tri's, so I went over the tri bikes. her husband asked the advantages, I explained.But I didn't push the tri bikes. I measured her up and plunked the numbers into the system, tho I knew she would be around a 44-46 which she was. I had a 43 on the floor, so she tried it, but it was too small. I told her that some shops would try to swap out stems, and do all kinds of crazy stuff, but I don't believe in that. That I would really rather order her a 45.
So even tho it's on order, I made a sale! WHOO HOO!
My neighbor just called me and said she got a call from her. I guess she is all excited over her new bike! And she was telling my neighbor that I was very knowledgeable, low pressure, honest, and didn't talk down to her like most bike shops.
Ahhh that made me feel good. It's been slow, so I needed that.

In midst of all of this we got a tandem bike friday in. An older couple that have toured Europe on her. VERY COOL. It was making an "annoying clicking sound" as they described it. OY VEY, on inspection we found a rear d cage that was almost broken in half and had a bunch of stress cracks. YIPES! The hub also had some pretty gnarly looking bearings.
So running hubby and our helpful mechanic had fun with her. A very cool bike she is.
And most recently we had a guy call with a bike emergency. He's on his way down. He was shocked when I told him we would get him set up tonight so he could ride tomorrow. But hey, were all for making sure that no ones ride get ruined.
So anyway, gonna try to bust out that 70 tomorrow before the rain sets in. But my luck I'll be riding in it. Why can't it rain on a Wednesday? I don't ride on Wednesdays!! sigh.....

[singletrackmind]

A nice tale indeed. Hope you have a good, dry, 70!

[Running Mommy]

UGh... I really am exhausted from all of this...

[singletrackmind]

Aw, you were only thinking of tailwinds...

[KSH]

That's great that you sold your first bike! And to a woman... very cool!

Great Tales!

[mimitabby]

It sounds like things are going great over there! How wonderful for you. I think i'm going to enjoy your tales... Keep them coming.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your first bike sale!! I'm so glad it was for a woman and you got her just what she needed (not what you had sitting on the floor). Woo hoo! It's also nice to hear that you're making good customer service points- as that'll help (or hurt) business more than ANYTHING!! I'm so excited for your shop. I can't wait until November when I'm out for IM so I can come shop at your store!

[Velobambina]

First of many sales for Denise. Make sure you take a picture of the bike before she goes to her new home.

[Wahine]

That's great news Denise. I'm so happy for you. Gosh, I have no idea how you do it, Ironman training and opening a new store. You're amazing.

I think Velobambina is right, you need a picture of the bike. Maybe one of the bike and it's new owner for a bulletin board, that can very quickly get covered up with pics of bikes and new owners over the next few months.

Keep the stories coming.

[silver]

That would be really cool to have a board of bikes sold and their owners. Doesn't Saturn do that?

WTG!

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, I also like the idea of a bulletin board of bikes and their new owners!

[OakLeaf]

I have no idea how you do it, Ironman training and opening a new store. You're amazing.

+1.... and being a mom. You rock.

[sundial]

Oooh, I also like the idea of a bulletin board of bikes and their new owners!

Me too! Honda does that with their new car owners.

What an interesting couple you met. I would have enjoyed seeing pics of the bike. And congratulations on your sale!

[Tri Girl]

Oh, I love the idea of the bulletin board! How neat that people could see their picture up there when they come in to buy more things from you and get their bike serviced. Would really make them feel like part of a family. Great idea!

[Running Mommy]

Thats a GREAT idea!!! And I do have some wall space... hmmm...

So it gets better. I was trying to sneak a day off from the shop today. I was just about to go for a 10 mile run when my husband called in a panic. "Rosa is here to be fitted". Rosa is a woman that is part of our tri club and knows the woman that I sold the bike to yesterday. Apparently they had breakfast together today, and they got to talking bikes... And fitting..
So, my day off was cancelled and I made a beeline down here. She actually won 390.00 towards a bike at my competitor in an auction, and had upgraded to a womens road bike. BUT she was not happy with the way he fit her, and she wanted to talk to me about it.
I ran her measurements and came up with a 46cm. He told her she was a 48. So he was close, but I just think a 48 is going to be way too big for her, as she is quite petite- and her measurements reflected that.
I asked her how he measured her and she said he took a spring loaded wooden device and basically had her straddle it. But that was ALL he did. So basically just inseam length. sigh....
I HATE to see people being treated that way! Reach is so much a part of fit, and so many shops ignore that. UGH
So I gave her some advice on how he should fit her to it once the bike comes in, and my husband showed her a BETTER bike that we could give her- for a way better price- In the correct size!
I could tell that she felt way more comfortable with us, but she was heading up there to pick up her bike. I offered to help her if he didn't.
OY...
So anyway.... Here we go.. I guess I'll try to get my 10 miler in later...