Working in my LBS

[stella]

Stacy,

I've worked for 3 shops over the years and recieved a job offer from a 4th.

here's my experience (for what it is worth) 2 of the shop experiences were excellent! I had a lot of fun doing my job and I learned a lot. The guys I worked with were great--the women customers felt more comfortable talking to me about certain things (i.e.: saddle issues). Sometimes the other guys would call me over if there was woman looking at a bike and she wanted a different opinion. Neither shop was into the "hard sell." Both were focussed on customer service and not pressuring sales of certain bikes.
One shop has since closed (not because of bad business but because the owner wanted to go back to a 9-5 existence to be with his family), the other shop is still around and I still shop in the other store.

One shop was a negative experience...but, I never shopped there all that much before and I haven't since. It was one of those "trust your gut" situations. Instead: I ignored my gut. Oh well, lesson learned.

With your experience and enthusiasm...you sound like a good fit. Work hard and have fun!

[sbctwin]

I think you would be a valuable asset to your LBS. I would much prefer to talk to a woman about purchasing bikes, bike accessories, etc from a woman than a man. As far as burnout, most jobs can become "routine" and can become "boring". I don't have an answer for that. But I hope you do take the opportunity and inspire other women about the joy of riding.

[Deanna]

Not only would it be more comfortable for some women to shop with you, I can tell you from experience in retail, if a man is shopping for a female significant others, he's going to go straight to you for opinions and advice. You'll find you are "about the same size" as a lot of the women these men are shopping for.