For some reason my LBS has stopped being so helpful when I come in. Did I say something or do something that is taboo by accident? What are dos/don'ts when it comes to having a relationship with your LBS? Or when to realize your LBS just isn't for you and find another shop. Hard to do when next nearest ones are at least 80 miles away.

Obviously ordering parts from another company and then asking your LBS to put them on your bike isn't a great idea.

Telling the guy "I can get it cheaper online or at XYZ's shop" doesn't make you a winner.

The one thing I've noticed when coming in now that I have some more experience is how little stuff my LBS has or maybe it's lower end products (not low quality) given the area I live in. I know they'd happily order something for me but if I don't know it exists, I can't ask. If I find it at another store and I'm there, I'll buy it.

For example, I didn't know you could get different kinds of helmets. All my LBS has are the cheapie Bontrager ones. I went to another store and realized this shop had really nice helmets at all different price ranges and with different companies. Guy gave me a great deal on a Giro helmet since it was "last year's" model. LBS guy seemed to be upset when I used it on my first and last group ride. Kind of like, "I could have ordered that for you" thing.

Today I bought my son aero bars from another store. They had several to choose from and within a reasonable price range. Guy showed my son how to tape up the bars by doing one for him. I didn't realize we needed more red tape to get the drop bars done until halfway home and went to my LBS to get more. The red tape didn't match despite it being the same color from Bontrager and when my son showed him via the bar, the guy seemed annoyed that we hadn't bought the bars from him. Did I violate the buying parts from another company despite only needed more red bar tape? You have one aero bar set and it's not cheap sitting in the case. I didn't ask you to put the bars on. I just needed more tape.

How many times can you ask for help before you get annoying? I'm a newbie. There's a lot of stuff I'm learning and gotten better at, but maybe I've crossed that line and don't know it.

I also recognize my LBS lost a guy when he went off to college and only have two guys running the store. I always ask if they have time to fix or look up something first because of it. Maybe being down one guy is part of the issue.

The "unwritten" rules that you should already know would be helpful.