Just when we were about to throw in the towel...(long)

[kenyonchris]

...or Texas.

My favorite mare at the moment is called Estrella, by the way.

[TxDoc]

...or Texas.

+1 wishing for your shop to be in Texas

[uk elephant]

or how about a branch in Wales?

[Mr. SR500]

I love my LBS, they drive me crazy sometimes, but it's "MY LBS". Since they have opened I've changed my buying practices, and now order very little via mail order.

I'm a bike shop junkie and would love to visit your shop, it sounds awesome!

Hoping for the best and hang in there. Watch cash flow, and keep delivering that awesome experience people have come to know you for. Best of Luck!

[Duck on Wheels]

Last Saturday I went to an event at my LQS (local quilting shop). A tour group -- 15 quilters and their partners -- had booked a cruise together and set up their own program, independent of what the cruise ship organized. They had quilting sessions on board, a quilt design they were each adapting to include snapshots from the trip, and their on-shore excursions were to quilt shops. Our LQS had sent out emails to local quilters for a show-and-tell session and a special morning sale. So now it strikes me: what about a laid-back bike "cruise", visiting the best LBS's, doing the best local rides ...? RM isn't likely to move her shop to California, or Wales, or Norway. But maybe some TE'ers could put together a train cruise and visit the shop.

[Biciclista]

We've done a number of those tours in our neighborhood. "We've done a 3 LBS ride" "we've done a 4 LBS ride"

:-)

Running, i do hope things turn around for you guys.

[TrekTheKaty]

or Missouri! Do you have a website? I'll put you on my places to visit while traveling for work...........

[KSH]

WOW! What a great letter! That would put a smile on anyone's face.

Hey... I'm wondering... have you priced your competition?

I have taken my bike to over 15 shops in the valley and your tune-up cost was the least expensive and most inclusive.

While kudos are great, they don't always pay the bills (but referral business does!). It sounds like you need to find a way to give outstanding service while not going into a complete black hole of debt.

Also, how are you marketing what you provide.. in a tune-up, etc.? If you are giving WAY MORE for the money... why not point that out in the shop? You don't need to put down the competition, but clearly state somewhere what they are paying for. Someone who is a serious cyclist will know how it compares to other shops.

It sounds like you two have the human/customer service aspect of this business down pact... now how to make that translate to lots of customers and money... that is the question!

How is your marketing around town? Your website? etc?

[Susan Otcenas]

WOW! What a great letter! That would put a smile on anyone's face.

Hey... I'm wondering... have you priced your competition?

While kudos are great, they don't always pay the bills (but referral business does!). It sounds like you need to find a way to give outstanding service while not going into a complete black hole of debt.

Also, how are you marketing what you provide.. in a tune-up, etc.? If you are giving WAY MORE for the money... why not point that out in the shop? You don't need to put down the competition, but clearly state somewhere what they are paying for. Someone who is a serious cyclist will know how it compares to other shops.

It sounds like you two have the human/customer service aspect of this business down pact... now how to make that translate to lots of customers and money... that is the question!

How is your marketing around town? Your website? etc?

KSH has hit the nail on the head. What you provide has VALUE. The harsh reality is that you can't give it away for free or almost free. You need to charge a fair, competitive price. You're running a business, not a non-profit organization. If you provide outstanding customer service (which it certainly sounds like you do! ) then your customers should be delighted to have such an amazing resource available to them, and should be happy to pay for that service.

If some one thinks (s)he should get it everything for free, then (speaking quite bluntly here) that is not the customer that you want to cultivate. You can't pay your employees, provide a living for you and your family, pay back your debts, and remain a community resource unless you cultivate customers who understand and are willing to pay you for your hard work.

Carrying KSH's referral comment to the next level - referrals are a wonderful way to build your business, but you don't want to be the shop that everyone comes to "cuz my buddy got a smokin' deal and a bunch of free stuff. He said you'd hook me up too." That's a sure way to go out of business even faster. You want the referral from the customer who is appreciative of your knowledge and outstanding customer service, who understands you *deserve* fair price for that knowledge and service.

I truly hope you figure out how to get through these tough times. Our communities need our local/small businesses to thrive. I'd hate to see us come out the other end of this recession with no one left standing except big box stores and ginormous conglomerates.

Susan

[Trekhawk]

I would LOVE to be in Australia.. Perth to be exact. So I can do Ironman WA, and not have to spend 10k to get there..

THANKS ALL for the encouragement. It really means alot to have your support.

If you ever make it down this way CC and I will look after you.

[Red Rock]

RM-what a great letter to recieve. I am sorry to hear of your struggles. May you be able to start bringing in some postive cash flow. If I was in AZ, I would definately be there in your shop.

I will be thinking postive thoughts for all of you.

Red Rock

[crazycanuck]

Rm-you're one cool chick & if I were in your part of the world, i'd bring ma bike to you

I'm sure you guys will find a way to stay afloat!

btw..thanks for the mtb chatter the other day. I get to test try a small Ibis next week & my shop's looking into xs mtb's for me! I'll keep drooling over the Pivots & one day I might be able to afford one

[Selkie]

That letter says so much more than what's written. You are a person of character and that defines you moreso than any sale.

This so eloquently sums it up.

I also agree with Susan and KSH. People will pay for good customer service. While I know I can get things less expensive elsewhere, I will often pay more at places where I've gotten great service. Usually one ends up spending less in the long run because a good service provider does it right the first time.

[mtkitchn]

RM,
What a great picker upper! I haven't been to an LBS in forever (not riding much this year), but maybe when I need a tune up and a ride out in the West Valley, I'll head to your shop.
Hope you guys make it.