Shopping is different at a LBS

[Trek420]

What are the rules (spoken or unspoken) at your favorite LBS? Mine seem to be:

If I come in just to hang out, say "hi" I wait to chat for his customers to be done or just looking around. My guy likes to talk, and is very funny. I let him take care of business and I've learned a lot by listening. Other than what I've learned here, and from Knott, he's taught me everything I know.

Every once in a while bring beer, whole bean coffee or cookies.

I call ahead and check with his schedule. That's why I have the back up bikes. I don't rush my wrench Unless it's an emergency like the idiot move of the decade when I drove the bike into the carport with the bike on the roof rack

[Zen]

Every once in a while bring beer, whole bean coffee or cookies.

I've done (and continue to do) that, plus a gift card for lunch at the Subway next door

[Biciclista]

we bring coffee from time to time. My husband does a good job of spending money whenever we drop into our LBS.

[HoosierGiant]

We take home-made cookies. The guys in the shop refer to us as "The Bakery" when we walk in. We love our bike mechanic!!!!!

[Duck on Wheels]

Ah! Beer! So I should pick up a 6-pack or two of some Scandihoovian beer at the tax free on my way over for the Cindy, since RubySlipperz is due for a "spa day" at Trek's favorite LBS. Thanks for the heads up, Trek! I'll remember to bring beer.

[Trek420]

We have Scandihoovian beer here and you would not have to carry it. Wouldn't it explode in the non pressurized baggage hold? We are low on those little pasties in the shapes of carrots and potatoes? Or are they not in season?

I'd hate to read the headlines "plane re-routed and emergency landing performed after explosion in the baggage compartment. Passengers and crew all safe, luggage smells of beer"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1qjhJYVIoQ

but then that could find them singing this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b2wJ...eature=related

[sfa]

Cheaper beer here, too (even the imports!). My sister and her family just moved to Norway and the biggest whine I've heard from them so far is how expensive the beer is! My BIL just had to go to a conference in Germany this week and was planning to stock up on beer for the return trip!

Is it any cheaper in Oslo? They're in Tromso but will be moving to Oslo in May. If they hear beer is cheaper there, they'll be very happy!

Sarah

[Trek420]

Think of the price as a carbon offset. The Norwegians are saving the planet by drinking beer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1Lg...eature=related

That's because it's too cold in Trondhiem to have much of a choice of bike shops. So Norwegians (unless they're Ducks DH who almost bikes year round) cant ride year round. They have to fly to the US to get much of a choice in gear or shops.

And why quibble about the price of beer when health care and education are free?

Duck, do you need a self inflating mattress pad for ALC? Do you want to use mine? Sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought of that while cleaning and if I don't mention it I'll forget.

[wackyjacky1]

I work at a bakery, so I occasionally bring 'em fresh-baked goods. The first time I brought them cookies, it was like a swarm of hungry locusts were descending on me: "What's that?" "What's in the box?" "This one's mine." "Save one for me." Etc., etc.

(Not to mention, I've found that if you bring cookies, your service issue gets prioritized. )

[sfa]

Oh, that's too funny! My BIL will love that Michael Moore clip.

But the education and health care aren't free for them, not being Norwegian and only being temporary residents, so they're getting hit with a double whammy with healthcare--their US plan doesn't cover them abroad so they had to buy a second emergency-only plan for the time that they're there.

My BIL is regretting leaving his homebrew supplies at home!

Sarah

[Duck on Wheels]

Think of the price as a carbon offset. The Norwegians are saving the planet by drinking beer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1Lg...eature=related

That's because it's too cold in Trondhiem to have much of a choice of bike shops. So Norwegians (unless they're Ducks DH who almost bikes year round) cant ride year round. They have to fly to the US to get much of a choice in gear or shops.

And why quibble about the price of beer when health care and education are free?

Duck, do you need a self inflating mattress pad for ALC? Do you want to use mine? Sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought of that while cleaning and if I don't mention it I'll forget.

Wouldn't your thermarest be about a foot too short for me I think DH has an extra length one. I hope he won't need it for a few weeks.

As for the beer, I'm thinking of picking some up at the tax-free somewhere along the way. Cheeper than at the local grocery store, not to mention the cost of drinking at a bar or restaurant here . (And no, unfortunately, I don't think it's any cheaper in Oslo, especially if you're looking for Mack beer from Tromsø, which I think is better than the Oslo brewery, Ringnes.) Anyway, it wouldn't be in the unpressurized baggage hold. It would be a carry-on item, in an airport-security accepted sealed plastic bag with the airport tax-free shop receipt showing through. Or at least, accepted by airport security here in Europe. Hmmm. I'd have to ask first if they're accepted in the US, which has rules unto its own on many aspects of airport security. Homemade cookies are not a security or safety issue, but would be crumbs by the time I arrived. Marzipan would work, though. There are Easter shapes available now. I could go to the little bakery that makes the cutest ones and pick some up. Do you think the guys in the LBS like marzipan? And I'll bring more GF crackerbread for Knott, even if they do arrive broken and crumbled. She says even crumbs are better than none of those crackers at all.

[Trek420]

True, there's the height thing on the Thermarest. I am your "scale model" Better look for tent decor.

Do you Yelp? Your independent LBS needs you. Larger companies, big box stores, bike manufacturer themed stores (the shops that all look the same, even their websites) have arrangements with advertisers, even their own writers to post adds in social networking/review sites like Yelp and keep them on the top of the list. I'm not going to start in about Yelp, that's another thread or discussion group.

If you like your LBS, write about it! Say so.