Cutting the seatpost: did you do it yourself or have the LBS do it?

[Ana]

I do not have the necessary tools and zero experience so I am going to contact my LBS (and maybe some other shops) to see if they'll cut my seatpost

I just wanted to hear from you lovely ladies (and men ) whether you have cut your own and how it went

Thanks!

[Thorn]

For me, the shop said they would do it for me when the bike went in for its overhaul. It is an aluminum post. They have the tools to do it in no time--for me, it would be an all day operation.

Note: I'm not cutting it for weight but because the bike is S&S coupled. With the post cut a little shorter, it will fit into its suitcase a bit better.

[SadieKate]

We cut them ourselves, but we have the tools to make a nice square cut and filed edges. You definitely don't want any burrs left on the edge.

This is such a simple and fast procedure for a LBS that they should be able to do it while you wait. For them, just a few minutes effort.

[VeloVT]

I bought the shortest seatpost I could. With the seat at its current (comfortable) adjustment, I am about 1 cm away from having the minimum insertion line exposed, which gives me just a smidgen of room for further adjustment. So I didn't feel it was necessary to get it cut.

[lunacycles]

for an aluminum post, all you need is a tubing cutter (plumber's tool) available at any hardware store. Makes a clean, 90 deg cut, no burs on the outside. The job will take about 5 minutes.

[Ana]

I called my LBS and they did it in 10 minutes for $10 It's perfect (filed, etc)

[ridebikeme]

I agree with all fo you that it is easy to do providing that you have the proper tools.

I'd also like to mention something that a customer passed along to me. First, let me give you some history about the relationship that I have with this customer. I have been doing repairs on his bikes for over 15 years, anything from his mtn bike(s) which he generally does the Leadville 100, to his road/tri bikes where he has raced time trials, done Ironman triathlons and last year did the "big guy" Kona. Obviously, I know his bikes and him pretty well by now. Like some of you, I wouldn't charge for something that only took a couple of minutes. After being in the shop a couple of times while I was doing this, he gave me something to think about. His thoughts are if I don't charge for something(even if it's only a couple of dollars) then I am giving the perception to customers that my time, knowledge and tools are not worth anything. So, although some of you may disagree with this, it's something to think about. When was the last time that you went to your car mechanic/vet or any other professional and they did something for free? The bottom line is that each minute that your business is open, it should generate money ... whether it's the repair that you are working on, the bike that you are selling etc... Your time and knowledge are valuable. The cycling industry is a hard enough to survive in, and perhaps by not charging we are adding to that downward spiral??

[HappyTexasMom]

His thoughts are if I don't charge for something(even if it's only a couple of dollars) then I am giving the perception to customers that my time, knowledge and tools are not worth anything. So, although some of you may disagree with this, it's something to think about. When was the last time that you went to your car mechanic/vet or any other professional and they did something for free? The bottom line is that each minute that your business is open, it should generate money ... whether it's the repair that you are working on, the bike that you are selling etc... Your time and knowledge are valuable. The cycling industry is a hard enough to survive in, and perhaps by not charging we are adding to that downward spiral??

My dad owned his own auto repair shop for about 20 years. Not the same as a bike shop, but I think there are similarities. For the easy/quick jobs...if the customer was already having something else done that they were paying for, he wouldn't charge. If they weren't having anything else done, but were a good customer, he wouldn't charge. If it was someone he didn't know, or they came in a *lot* with the would-be freebie stuff, he would charge. My current auto mechanic is the same way (at least with me).

RunningMommy...I know $10 probably sounds extravagant to you because it's something that literally takes you seconds. But think about what it means to the typical customer...it saves one of us from having to buy a tool (and we may not know what to buy, or where to buy it), from having to figure out how to use said tool, and frees us from the fear of possibly screwing something up and having to replace it (you're taking on the liability for us). I think it's possible to charge something to the customer and still provide them something of value, while giving yourself a benefit as well.

Now if I came in there with 20 seatposts (don't ask me why I would, just for the sake of argument ), charging $10 each might be extravagant. But you could charge me $20-$30, make me happy, and still make yourself some money, too.

[jobob]

RunningMommy...I know $10 probably sounds extravagant to you because it's something that literally takes you seconds. But think about what it means to the typical customer...it saves one of us from having to buy a tool (and we may not know what to buy, or where to buy it), from having to figure out how to use said tool, and frees us from the fear of possibly screwing something up and having to replace it (you're taking on the liability for us). I think it's possible to charge something to the customer and still provide them something of value, while giving yourself a benefit as well.

Agreed!

[Ana]

RunningMommy...I know $10 probably sounds extravagant to you because it's something that literally takes you seconds. But think about what it means to the typical customer...it saves one of us from having to buy a tool (and we may not know what to buy, or where to buy it), from having to figure out how to use said tool, and frees us from the fear of possibly screwing something up and having to replace it (you're taking on the liability for us). I think it's possible to charge something to the customer and still provide them something of value, while giving yourself a benefit as well.

Now if I came in there with 20 seatposts (don't ask me why I would, just for the sake of argument ), charging $10 each might be extravagant. But you could charge me $20-$30, make me happy, and still make yourself some money, too.

Exactly I didn't want to mess with any equipment or risk doing something wrong from my inexperience.

Also, they asked me if I purchased my seatpost from them. I think they would have done it for no charge if I had purchased the seatpost from them

[Running Mommy]

running hubby and I talked about this.
There were some very valid points made.
My friend Michelle (who also works for us) reminds me all the time that I need to stop feeling guilty for charging for things.
I guess I'm a softy. I am working on it tho. I have to so I can stay in business.

[Ana]

My friend Michelle (who also works for us) reminds me all the time that I need to stop feeling guilty for charging for things.
I guess I'm a softy. I am working on it tho. I have to so I can stay in business.

I believe it is easier to charge initially than to phase into charging customers for services. If customers have received the service free of charge previously, then they may be expecting it in the future. Regardless of other shops charging them the same, it might cause some resentfulness regarding the unpredictability of their projected expenses at your shop. Additionally, it seems sort of unprofessional for some employees manning the cash register to charge and others not to because it gives the impression that there aren't any general policies regarding charging for these services. I always am very appreciative and consider it an honor when they do things for free (and interpret it as being a good customer).

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Ana]

I really don't mind supporting local businesses I realize that supporting local businesses may cost a bit more but I would rather give them my business than anyone else

Plus, they are really good for me. They give me some parts (nipples, small parts) for free Okay, it's mostly because I forgot to bring cash with me and it wasn't worth charging but still

[canonsue]

I cut mine with my bandsaw. (However, I know that not everyone has something like this. I am a woodworker.)

-Sue

[lunacycles]

The bottom line is that each minute that your business is open, it should generate money ... whether it's the repair that you are working on, the bike that you are selling etc... Your time and knowledge are valuable. The cycling industry is a hard enough to survive in, and perhaps by not charging we are adding to that downward spiral??

+1. It took me a long time to embrace this, but the alternative was going out of business. Since I have, I find it much easier to thrive and am clearer as to why I am in this (ridiculously low-paying but deeply satisfying) business.