A Customer brought me FLOWERS!!!

[Running Mommy]

Ok, so I just had to share this with y'all.
A customer that bought a road bike from me last week just brought me flowers!
The card says "Thank you for a great bike purchase experience!"

I was SHOCKED!! I mean in my mind I was just giving good customer service.
I guess most shops around here don't seem to care about fit. I had him on the trainer and tweaked the stem and seat until he was just right. In the end he was just thrilled with his bike- a Felt Z65.
He said that he was blown away by our attention to detail and honesty. I didn't try to push him into anything, and I guess most shops do.

If only he knew how much his gesture means to me. It's been a rough start. Slow and uncertain, but it seems to be picking up. We have had a great week, and this past weekend was awesome. So I can feel my stress level easing a bit. But the flowers and kind words on the card made me realize that I AM doing a good job. I think we are all our own worst critic. And I tend to dwell on the customers that are negative, rather than the good ones.
I actually had a guy tell me I was "treading on dangerous territory" because a shop that had opened up near here 2-3 years ago went under in 6 months. He then went about questioning me on why exactly we decided to open a bike shop. I think that experience had stayed with me, and it made me question what I had gotten myself into. Now I'm just a bit more at ease.
Well- Haven't had a lot of forum time lately, but I hope everyone is well, and that our wounded ones are healing nicely.
Sunny thoughts from Estrella Mountain Cyclery!
Denise

P.S. Ironman training still going, but it's been ugly. April 13th is going to be a nightmare! I hope ya'll are ready to stay up til midnight again... sigh...

[Blueberry]

Yay Denise!!!! He's just recognizing what we all already knew Still, it's nice when a customer says than you!

Ignore the guy who says you're treading on dangerous territory. So what. That shop wasn't yours with your experiences, attitude and enthusiasm.

And yep - we'll all be cheering you on! For as long as it takes

[mimitabby]

that's a great story! it's true that most small businesses fail in the first year; but to me, that says; persevere, if you can hang in for the first year, you will start reaping good profits.

We bring our bikeshop guys donuts sometimes and coffee sometimes. You treat them right so they will remember you and treat you right too.

[smilingcat]

How nice of the first guy. He will definitly advertise for you and get more customers to your place. Action speaks louder than words. And for him to bring flowers really shows.

Oh ignore the second guy all together. And there are always "customers" who are mean and nasty no matter what. Those you try to get rid of them out of your shop ASAP. Never mind about catering to them. They just give you headaches. Like a customer on e-bay with handle "never_satisfied" honest to truth. What a nightmare he was.

smilingcat

[OakLeaf]

Those kinds of acknowledgments are so rewarding. Good for you!!!

[sundial]

That's a reflection of the kind of person you are. People in your area will be very lucky to have someone give them such personal service.

[Brandi]

That is so cool!