Customer Service

[Eden]

Don't worry, its not just you. I can walk into certain stores in my (real) state championship jersey and still get treated like I have no clue about what I want.

[Trek420]

Don't worry, its not just you. I can walk into certain stores in my (real) state championship jersey and still get treated like I have no clue about what I want.

Yeah, but you look like a cyclist and athlete

[Eden]

Yeah, but you look like a cyclist and athlete

and they still treat me like I don't know a thing........

Not at every shop of course, but at some of them I can just expect that kind of treatment.

[WhirlyGirl]

Wow, I'm impressed at the many responses and the great thoughts!

I do have to say the idea behind the "corner" came almost two years ago when I myself started riding. Our shop had everything it needed but on a small and limited basis, we have just finished doubling our physical space and have room for a "corner" but it is really a section of the store the space size is 15x20 and will have Womens specific information, products, clothing. Bikes will be racked with other bikes. It's just a space I want women to come to to feel comfortable, it's right by the dressing room, the wall is a different color etc. Definately DONT want anyone to feel they have cooties. But my main thought was for those women that aren't packing on huge miles, may have weight to lose, are unsure of what they are getting into, that they have a place that is comfortable with the products they need. We have a very large store with a great reputation with hard core and family types, this is our "missing link" I want the wives/moms of our current clients to be riding!!!
I will take extra caution in making women feel superior here, not a second class citizen!! Thank you all again for your input on this!

[Brandi]

I am short, or I should say my inseam is so when I got a new bike when I started seriously riding 5 years ago I started having problems cause I was not fitted right.
Then when we started looking for a higher end bike, no one had one that would fit me. I had to look else where and ended up with a frame from ebay!
I just wish my lbs had had one 14 inch frame I could have tried. They kept saying they could order one but I had to give a deposite. Ahhh how do I know it is going to work? And they wanted a $600. 00 deposite for it. Nope ,no way! Lucky for me my husband really did he's research and worked it for me. Hey have him work at your store!
Good luck!

[Andrea]

- Women's bib shorts: STOCK THEM!!!!

- Carry a wide variety of saddles (men/women/unisex), and try to provide customers with a return/exchange program for trying them out.

- A wide price range of bikes: while it's a great place for racers, the shop that sponsors my team is like the luxury car dealership of bike shops, so I end up hardly ever recommending it to newbies who don't want to spend their life savings on a carbon fiber speed machine.'

This is all I can think of for now.

P.S. Bike mechanics (male and/or female) that are easy on the eyes help, too

[mimitabby]

Yeah, but you look like a cyclist and athlete

not to everyone!

and KNOT you look like a buff cyclist to me!


bike shop, yes,... my thoughts. Do treat each customer as if they MAY know something but be there for them.
A woman's corner? are you sure that's necessary? I guess that's where you can sell the sports bras, because that's really the only thing I can think of that women need and (most) guys don't need.