Cycle shop staff grumpy?

[beanzontoast]

I find most of the LBS staff I come into contact with very friendly and moreover they do get to recognise people they see fairly regularly which helps I think.

Many years back I had one bad experience with a grumpy assistant who clearly knew a lot about bikes and wasn't going to waste time answering my question about a part I'd just bought. I've been back there once in the intervening years and spent about £2 there for something no other bike shop in the locality stocked, so I'm guessing the poor way I was treated that first time probably cost them £1000+ in lost income since then.

 

[XmisterIS]

I find most of the LBS staff I come into contact with very friendly and moreover they do get to recognise people they see fairly regularly which helps I think.

Many years back I had one bad experience with a grumpy assistant who clearly knew a lot about bikes and wasn't going to waste time answering my question about a part I'd just bought. I've been back there once in the intervening years and spent about £2 there for something no other bike shop in the locality stocked, so I'm guessing the poor way I was treated that first time probably cost them £1000+ in lost income since then.

I do think it is worth pointing out to arrogant/snooty/computer-says-no shop staff that you were about to spend a large amount of money in their shop, but now you're not because their attitude to absolute shite. I always do that. Tends to leave them sitting there going, "but, but, but, but, I ... but, but, but".

 

[rodgy-dodge]

I'd like to praise two bike shops I visit in the lakes Bike Treks and Wheelbase both have excellent staff and excellent service. I'm not on comission for plugging them, I've always been met with warm friendly advise from both shops and I think its a leaf out of their book others LBS's should follow

Good service means you'll return! simple (sqeaks like mearkat)

 

[Ellis456]

Glad to see it's not just me!, shame really as we need to be in this climate even better at enticing people to start up cycling!. Thanks for all your replys.

 

[Beebo]

I note you are in Dartford, which LBS shops have you tried near you?

I find Whites Cycles in Bexleyheath to be helpful. Have you tried them? Not far from Dartford. There is also Bexley Cycles and Sidcup Cycles to try too.

The only thing I dont understand is that Whites dont open on Sunday, that must be one of the busiest days for cyclists? Maybe they are out on their bikes?

 

[TheBoyBilly]

A bit of a journey but the people at the Hub Cycle shop in Sangate nr Hythe are lovely. It's not been open long but they go out of their way to be helpful, and their rideouts have a strong following. There's a nice cafe inside too

Downland cycles in Canterbury are very good too. Sometimes it's worth a bit of travel when you're spending a bit of dosh.

 

[Silver Fox]

I'd like to praise two bike shops I visit in the lakes Bike Treks and Wheelbase both have excellent staff and excellent service.

+1.

 

[Cubist]

The only thing I dont understand is that Whites dont open on Sunday, that must be one of the busiest days for cyclists? Maybe they are out on their bikes?

The good guys are usually cyclists too. Can you really expect them to work every day of the week and not get out and ride? Besides, it makes discovering that you need a set of brake pads at 4.30pm on a Saturday a far more exciting event.

 

[Saluki]

We popped into a bike shop yesterday to ask about road bikes and the bloke immediately directed me to a small womans bike in pale blue he said that they do pink too. Lovely. At 5'81/2" I find that the womens bikes are just a touch small for me and I have always ridden mens bikes as they fit better. Bloke in shop went on and on and on and on. Not getting anything from him, however good the deal. His technical knowledge is faultless and if I hadn't been a reasonably keen cyclist before, I would have had no idea what he was saying.

Highland Bicycles is where we go for bits and bobs and where I shall get a new bike for me from, not this 'other' shop. Highland Bicycles were great, chatty too. Asked exactly what I and hubby had in mind, what sort of riding we wanted to do, what experience we had etc etc and then suggested the Giant Defy 2 (or 3, can't remember now but its written down in my diary) The Highland people couldn't have been nicer and more helpful if they had got up early and practiced.

Mind you, at least the 'other' shop spoke to me unlike the shop up the road from Highland where we were totally ignored. Won't be going there then.