Keeping the little shops open

[GrumpyGregry]

That's right. If you don't know much about bikes that's where you go. They get thousands of people into biking who wouldn't dream of setting foot inside a LBS for very good reasons (they are intimidating for most people) so in that respect they are fundamental to the successful expansion of cycling in the UK

^this
another take

If you do know a lot of bikes you go there... let me see...

late evenings, early closing day, sundays, et cetera, when the little shops with their "excellent customer service" aren't even open.

If you do know a lot about bikes you go there... to collect your click'n'collect order...

because the little shops standard response is often "Haven't got any in, can order it, will take a week, and we won't call you when it is in." and a week later "oh sorry we forgot to order it".

 

[Tanis8472]

I try to use local too.
e.g. wiper blades for my car this week
Halfords are £23 for a pair, my local factors are £11 for the pair. Both Bosch

 

[Over The Hill]

I had a very good experience in "Go Outdoors" the other day. Was only after some brake blocks and cables ended up chatting to the guy in there for over half an hour he showed me his bike and how he'd got it set up and everything.

Go Outdoors. Is that the shop where you have to pay them £5 to get a £2 discount on something?

Strangely every other shop in the world gives discount without having to give them a fiver first, so they get my business.

 

[TeeQue]

Go Outdoors. Is that the shop where you have to pay them £5 to get a £2 discount on something?

Strangely every other shop in the world gives discount without having to give them a fiver first, so they get my business.

It is and I was sceptical like you but so far I've found them to be alright. I generally just pop in there for energy gels (80p each which I think is pretty reasonable) but they do have a fair selection of bike bits and seem to be markedly better than Halfords.

 

[spen666]

I'd love to support the little shops... the hard part is finding them. Lancaster now has no greengrocer that isn't part of Tesco, M&S, Sainsburys, no record shop unless you count Sainsburys or Asda and only one proper butcher. Identikit burger/pizza/kebab shops are ubiquitous though... as are sh!te pubs. I blame the students.

What's a record?

 

[MontyVeda]

its what they used to put music on before they switched to shiny coasters.

 

[Over The Hill]

It is and I was sceptical like you but so far I've found them to be alright. I generally just pop in there for energy gels (80p each which I think is pretty reasonable) but they do have a fair selection of bike bits and seem to be markedly better than Halfords.

But what if every shop charged you a fiver to get discount? Would be rather expensive.
I really see no reason for giving them £5.

If you are happy to give away £5 to anyone then please send me one.