I know small stores are struggling hence buying from LBS and not big shops. I've worked retail and know that we customers come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.

Ridebikeme, you asked if the lady needed anything else and gave specific items that were related. Awesome. I wish my LBS was like yours. As a newbie I felt like I was coming in every other day for items because I'd read about online and would go back to get it or have them order it for me. I know that would drive anyone nuts with my asking. It's hard as a newbie because you don't know what is out there and it's overwhelming at the beginning.

I have never shown up with parts from another store and asked to have them fitted nor told the store I can get it cheaper online. Those are pretty obvious no-no's. The mechanic really knows his stuff which is why I've gone back for adjustments. It takes him 5 minutes to adjust the simple stuff and when I've asked him to show me how to do it myself so I didn't have to come in so often, he looked upset. Maybe I worded it wrong and came across as a jerk. I figured they had more important stuff to work on than my simple adjustments and it would be time saving for both of us if I knew how to do it.

We need our local small businesses more than ever. I feel like if I ask for something at a LBS that they could carry full-time I come across as a jerk especially if I would be the only one using that product. I just wonder if I'm communicating wrong.