Cycle shop staff grumpy?

[Ellis456]

I've been into 2 cycle shops and both have been miserable sod's, im a newbie to bikes and they make no sense what so ever, as if im a burden. Does anyone know any friendly cycle shops in Kent?.




I treat people how I want to be treated but lifes to short to be a miserable sod!.

 

[Allirog]

I've been into 2 cycle shops and both have been miserable sod's, im a newbie to bikes and they make no sense what so ever, as if im a burden. Does anyone know any friendly cycle shops in Kent?.




I treat people how I want to be treated but lifes to short to be a miserable sod!.

Bicycle snobbery.To avoid this situation get fluent in bikespeak.Dazzle the snooty twats with patter about bottom brackets,gear inches and elevated chainstays and they'll probably consent to take your cash.Try any branch of Evans Cycles,I've never encountered surly staff there.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Or just shop online. I used to try and ingratiate myself with these people until I realised I didn't actually have to put up with miserable patronising bastards and could give my money to someone else instead. I still use friendly and helpful bike shops in preference to the internet though.

 

[Chilternrides]

Look for a shop which carries the whole range - kiddies balance bikes through to high-end racing and touring equipment; that type of shop tends to be slighly less daunting to any newcomers in my experience.



Good luck

 

[smokeysmoo]

Ah Kent, People often think I come from from Kent, I hear them whisper it as I walk past

(credit Bob Monkhouse)

 

[derrick]

Two weeks ago we toured the bike shops looking for the right bike, went into 5 shops and only 2 were helpfull, i finally bought from
http://www.lepelotoncycles.com/
we got offered a coffee before we spent any money, Paul the owner of the shop was really helpfull and done us a good deal, well chuffed, the second helpfull shop just did not have what i wanted, the other 3 i would not bother with, but it's like that whatever you buy.
Cheers Del.

 

[biggs682]

i find my bike shop easier to deal with once they have been opened for a while

 

[XmisterIS]

I find LBSs and Motorbike shops alike can really cut off their nose to spite their face when it comes to newbies.

When I started out on a motorbike, I turned up to a place called Spike Island Motorcycles in Eastleigh, told the chap that I was new to bikes, knew absolutely nothing about them, had just done my CBT and was after a 125. He was the most surley, rude git I have ever encountered, so I told him that I wouldn't be buying anything from him and that I'd tell everyone who would listen not to go to his shop. It wasn't like he was busy either; he seemed more interested in watching TV than talking to me.

Spike Island Motorcycles in Eastleigh. Don't go there!

Now, had he taken the time to sit me down and teach me the ABC of motorbikes, I would have been a grateful customer and I'd have gone back to him again.

This is my advice to you Eliis - don't be intimidated by these pillocks; tell 'em what you think of 'em, tell 'em straight and tell 'em you'll be telling everyone else too. Tell 'em straight!

 

[endoman]

I've been to branches of LBS near me. One consistently ignores you and when you finally do get attention look at you like you shouldn't be in the shop. The other was very helpful, chatty, talked about routes and rides etc.

Different people I guess, but I know which branch will get my business in the future.

 

[Glow worm]

Revells of Newmarket (and Bury- formerly Moon's) are a great LBS. I'm hopeless with bike part terminology etc and even struggle to remember tyre sizes etc. Never had a problem with them and never been made to feel like an idiot. which is saying something!

 

[Silver Fox]

A little while back when I was in the market for a new mtb I opted for a Yeti 575 and gave my business to a local LeisureLakes store. The lad I dealt with couldn't have been more helpful but the store manager was a right misery, even bollocked me for being in the workshop looking at how the bike was progressing ( after being invited in by one of his staff ). The boy needed lessons on customer relations.

My other LBS is Formby Cycles, great bunch of lads and always very helpful. Same with Evans, even though they cocked up an on-line order for me recently but that's another story.

 

[Corgi Kid]

When I was looking to spend money on a new road bike I went to Quinns on Edge Lane Liverpool. The staff wouldn't measure me for a frame unless I commited to buying from them. I decided to spend my money at Formby Cycles and what a difference. The staff there were brilliant. I was given red carpet treatment and allowed to sit on the bikes to get the feel.

 

[darth vadar]

I walked round and round Formby Cycles for 20 minutes with a wadge of cash in my pocket when I was looking to buy a bike. Not one member of staff asked if they could help me so I walked out and went and ended up getting one from Cycle Surgery on the Wirral who were excellent and their prices very competitive. I have since spent another 550 rips on another bike with them as well.

Thatto Heath Cycles in St Helens are another excellent bike shop as well.

 

[Red Light]

I find LBSs and Motorbike shops alike can really cut off their nose to spite their face when it comes to newbies.

When I started out on a motorbike, I turned up to a place called Spike Island Motorcycles in Eastleigh, told the chap that I was new to bikes, knew absolutely nothing about them, had just done my CBT and was after a 125. He was the most surley, rude git I have ever encountered, so I told him that I wouldn't be buying anything from him and that I'd tell everyone who would listen not to go to his shop. It wasn't like he was busy either; he seemed more interested in watching TV than talking to me.

Spike Island Motorcycles in Eastleigh. Don't go there!

Now, had he taken the time to sit me down and teach me the ABC of motorbikes, I would have been a grateful customer and I'd have gone back to him again.

This is my advice to you Eliis - don't be intimidated by these pillocks; tell 'em what you think of 'em, tell 'em straight and tell 'em you'll be telling everyone else too. Tell 'em straight!

When you have bought one you can always do the "remember me?" scene from the movie Pretty Woman.

 

[dellzeqq]

Brixton Cycles has always been a welcoming place - and I'm going back at least 25 years. I think that being a co-op helps. Pay in bike shops isn't great, and I think that sometimes the owners take on staff with little in the way of people skills.

It's true that women get short shrift (although Susie doesn't stand for rubbish service, and it doesn't take long for even the nerdiest bike shop person to work out that they had better sharpen up). Brixton Cycles has (I think) three women workers, which is unusual, to say the least.

Having said that......I've been so messed about by specialist distributors operating by mail order (CRC comes to mind) I've come to the conclusion that one's best bet is to pick and choose from LBS's. Then again, I'm in the fortunate position of having a dozen LBS's within five miles of my front door

To answer the OP's question - there's a shop in Rochester High Street (I think it's a Cycle King) that isn't at all smart, but is very friendly.