Grrrr, why do they always assume?

[GLC1968]

I have a long history in retail management, and I know that it IS possible to hire and train employees to treat your customers correctly, including not making snap judgements. Because of this, I hold all retailers to a high standard - mine.

That said, this phenom is rampant not just in cycling shops, but in the entire fitness industry. I get sick and tired of going to new gyms, fitness equipment shops, GNC type places, bike shops, etc and basically getting ignored or belittled. I walk in with my average sized husband and they immediately zone in on him. I'm the one with the fitness/sports/cycling knowledge, interest and history. He just happens to look the part and apprently, I don't. SOOOO frustrating.

Editing to add: I'm pretty sure that it's not gender-related, either. I think that if I was the one who looked super-fit and he was overweight - the situation might reverse.

[sundial]

I'm pretty sure that it's not gender-related, either.

My hubby's friend, a male, also is a serious cyclist in diguise and he has heard his share of condescending quips from bike shop boys.

You know, not every cyclist is built like a greyhound.

[sundial]

I get sick and tired of going to new gyms, fitness equipment shops, GNC type places, bike shops, etc and basically getting ignored or belittled. I walk in with my average sized husband and they immediately zone in on him. I'm the one with the fitness/sports/cycling knowledge, interest and history. He just happens to look the part and apprently, I don't. SOOOO frustrating.

That reminds me of a funny story. Some time ago I was an AFAA certified aerobics instructor and I taught step aerobics. We moved from the town that I used to teach and after we moved to the new location, I decided to join a mom and pop fitness center. I learned that they taught aerobics and I decided to drop by after work and ask about the program.

The so called instructor gave me a good look and suggested that I might be more comfortable in the back, where the new people and large people like to be.

[indigoiis]

I think it goes both ways.
Sometimes, we women go in assuming the bike shop will treat us a certain (prejudiced?) way, and we carry our attitudes with us.

I try to go in and give them a quick "spec sheet" about me: in a nutshell - this is what I ride, how long I've been riding, what I am here for.

They want to sell stuff to you. that's their job. Make it easy for them and you may be rewarded with a quick and easy transaction, and a good relationship.

[mimitabby]

Sundial, great story.
My experience in bike shops (when I'm noticed at all) is that they act very uncertain because they can't categorize me. I'm old but not overweight. It's kind of fun (when i'm noticed at all)

bad experience: when i was trying to get my bianchi to fit me, we decided we'd put a steel fork on it. I went to the bikeshop (eastside bikeshop) without DH so it was just me and the people that work there; all 30 and under. I told them i wanted a steel fork and 4 or 5 of them insisted that carbon was better... They actually ganged up on me!
So i wasted my $$$ and got another carbon fork. I got home and DH said "I thought you were getting steel?!?!?" I was outnumbered, they didn't listen, they all knew SO MUCH MORE than ME.

I did not buy a bike from them.

[KnottedYet]

Just had an odd bike shopping experience!

During my lunchbreak I went to the same shop that needed prompting to pay attention to me. I needed a t-handled 5mm wrench and bar tape. I had my "L" Allen with me, so I could show them how it was too short to reach into the brake lever and measure it against a T handle to be sure it would fit.

Desk chickie wasn't sure what I was asking for, but was trying to help. A *customer* (man in his 20's) was being a royal pain! He was insisting that what I already had would work, that the "Y" handle with the stubby wrench part was just the same, that all I needed was to buy a set of "L" wrenches and take the ring off, and got mad at me when I kept saying no!

I went to the back of the shop to the mechanic, cuz I figured he would at least take me seriously enough to listen long enough to know what I was asking. Nice guy, treated me well. He found the same brake-only lever and tried the 'Y' they sell on it, showed me how to trim it with a knife to make it fit into the lever. Whew!

[elk]

I Love that you call him Sparky; that kills me!!!

I can now see why the Bike Gallery consistently wins high marks as a LBS here...the mechanics are older, the salespeople are totally NOT snobbish. I think they figured out the customer service part....

I just wish more women worked in bike shops...thats one
thing I like about River City. I ASKED for a woman salesperson, got one, and she was great. Made me try 3 different sizes of the same bike....

In the end I had to pick between a 52 that fit great but didn't have a walk through...and a 53 that did. I took the 53.

not quite sure what that has to do with it...

[sundial]

I'm waiting for Knotted to open a women friendly bike shop. She can instruct the gals how to choose the right bike, maintenance, and most importantly, good footwear with the correct insoles.

[El Hombre]

I used to manage a shop. First thing I learned was to keep my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut That policy saved my bacon daily.

Knotted - These are the wrenches you need. They are ball ended so you can get at stuff at wonky angles.

[CR400]

I can't remember having to endure this at any of the bike shops I have been to. But I usually go in acting and knowing what is going on and what I want. I hate to be pesterd by sales people until I have a question I want anwserd. The only problem I had was when I first got my bike I should have made sure it was a better fit, and had them replace the 172 cranks with 170 before I left the shop. I have been reaping this stupidity for years now.

[Kimmyt]

I recently posted on a ski related forum I go to, but this seemed relevant. I went into a ski shop to look at gear and immediately a salesman asked me what color I was looking for while I looked at the (pitiful) selection of skis they had.

I walked right back out, but then came right back in to tell the idiot that his idea of humor, wasn't.

K.

[rij73]

Once I went into a shop and started talking bikes with a *woman* salesperson. After a while, she says, "Wow, you are a TRIP! You gotta come back when the owner is in. He's going to get such a kick out of you... You've got the lingo down and *everything*!"

I wasn't sure how to react. I just laughed and told her that I tend to get obsessive over my interests. But, she was a woman who knew about bikes. Should she have acted *so* surprised at my level of knowledge?

In fact, I did come in when the owner was there. He acted as normal as could be, and we had a great talk about bikes. He didn't seem surprised at all... Go figure!

That reminds me of another story. A few months ago my car broke down and I needed it towed. I usually deal with all the car issues, since I'm home all the time, and DH is quite busy. Our car (which I adore) is a 1996 Saturn SL. It has *no* power steering and is a stick shift. Mind you, I live in Brooklyn, which requires me moving the car once a week for street cleaning rules, and I always must parallel park. This is something I'm totally used to, and don't give it a second thought. Of course it's harder than an automatic with power steering, but big deal, right?!

So, the tow truck driver gets in the car to release the brake so he can tow it. He realizes the car's "features", and gets out, looks at me incredulously, and says in the absolute most sincere way, "You mean to tell me a sweet little thing like you actually drives and parks this car in the city???" Again, I didn't even know what to say! I wasn't angry, but just amazed at how wrong that whole question even was!

[sundial]

Knotted, sounds like you have experienced bike shop Nirvana.

KimmyT, I can't believe the nerve of that person. I would have selected a ski and *accidentally* bumped his noggin with it on my way out the door. Color my foot!

Mr. Silver, I usually wrap up the deals when we buy vehicles. My husband just sits there and smiles as he watches the salesperson's expression change as I calculate his bull on paper.

[Bklynmom]

Bike shops could take a leaf from our local Jack Rabbit running/tri store.

I go to a bike shop where a coach friend works, but when he's not there it is a nightmare, just like everyone else describes.

At Jack Rabbitt (7th Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn) , the manager always helps me, even the teenagers are really respectful. I had a very informative discussion about recovery drinks with a 20 year old triathlete with zero attitude at all. And I certainly don't fit the athletic profile in terms of size and age. They are supportive and encouraging and not at all condescending at all - sometimes I just go in to buy a little something because they are so positive and they give me a boost.

All this is to say it is totally possible to have an athletic store with a great vibe -- how come there just isn't a bike store like that?