Why are so many LBS like this?

[Joey Shabadoo]

Well... If there was a list from the insurer, why not take it with you when shopping?

Fair point.

However the insurer uses the Sold Secure list, as does every bike insurer I found online - it seems to be an industry standard. If I go into a specialist store, not one that sells a bit of every kind of sport or one that does car parts and a few bike bits, a specialist in the field of cycling with a large area dedicated solely to bike locks I think it's reasonable to expect them to know what is suitable and what is blatantly unsuitable. I don't expect them to first try to sell me the most expensive bike lock in the County and then fob me off with overpriced, useless kit.

I used to be in retail. I quickly learned to keep my prices keen because if one item is significantly cheaper elsewhere, customers feel ripped off and if they see one item where they know they're being ripped off, they assume everything in the shop is overpriced.

 

[subaqua]

Fair point.

However the insurer uses the Sold Secure list, as does every bike insurer I found online - it seems to be an industry standard. If I go into a specialist store, not one that sells a bit of every kind of sport or one that does car parts and a few bike bits, a specialist in the field of cycling with a large area dedicated solely to bike locks I think it's reasonable to expect them to know what is suitable and what is blatantly unsuitable. I don't expect them to first try to sell me the most expensive bike lock in the County and then fob me off with overpriced, useless kit.

I used to be in retail. I quickly learned to keep my prices keen because if one item is significantly cheaper elsewhere, customers feel ripped off and if they see one item where they know they're being ripped off, they assume everything in the shop is overpriced.

decent manufacturers have the sold secure level on the packaging. the ones I have for locking my bike are Gold . although the insurance say only Silver is required.

 

[Hilldodger]

Always check online, it's a godsend. I am cheeky and use real shops to look at the item, then go online and usually buy it because even with postage it's cheaper.

And that is why so many bike shop owners get pised off. I know I did. A few months ago one guy phoned to ask if we could beat the online price for a water bottle.

 

[ufkacbln]

The lock is subjective.

If it (as most Kryptonite are) marked with a "Sold Secure" rating then the advice may have actually been appropriate and you were sold the best lock within your budget.

Several of the £30 Kryptonites pass the Silver required for most insurance companies.

I would not baulk at £80 for the right lock, and have a range of Granit X54 plus to demonstrate that!

 

[Mugshot]

Rent, rates, heating, lighting etc etc The costs of running a retail premises can be astronomical and my heart sinks whenever one of my customers mentions the internet (I don't own a bike shop BTW) because I know how difficult it is for me to compete. The discounts offered are sometimes ludicrous, with the same products being sold for very little more than it costs me to buy them. So people will come to my shop, get lots of good free advice taking advantage of the knowledge which it has taken me many years to gain, see the product they want in the flesh and then toddle off and order online.
But the tide is turning brothers, certainly in my industry, suppliers need the independents on the high streets, and they're starting to clamp down on the discounting online, they are realising that their brands are being devalued, they're starting to offer exclusive lines to us not available to online retailers, they starting to listen to us when we tell them that the independents are their shop window. When the high street dies the suppliers die with them.
Give the independents the opportunity, tell them you've seen it online, tell them how much you've seen it for, give them the chance to maybe get close. If he's taking the rise by all means walk away but if he seems to be doing his best remember the convenience of that shop around the corner, remember the service you've received, remember the hassle of returning items you've bought online and remember the fact that you moan everytime you walk down your local high street and all that's left are charity shops, pound shops, take aways and card shops.
Here endeth the sermon from an impassioned small business man

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Being something of a lion on internet forums and a mouse in face-to-face confrontations, I returned to the shop this morning and pointed out the lock was unsuitable because I needed something from the Sold Secure range. Suddenly the chap was very knowledgeable about the requirements of insurance companies so, after trying to sell me the hugely expensive one again he said "I think I might have something downstairs" and returned with a Kryptonite shackle lock with the necessary silver sold secure rating.

Not quite sure what to make of that tbh

It cost me an extra £5 and is no doubt a lot cheaper online but, purely to support independent retailers, I also paid £40 for a pair of Gore Windstopper gloves.

However, I doubt I'll go back. I've coughed up £80 for goods I could have got for £45 online and I feel I've been misled, messed around and inconvenienced.

Being a terribly nice British chap I didn't complain or make a fuss in the shop of course.

 

[Fnaar]

I was in one once (to pick up my bike following repairs) and a guy turned up (clearly an 'occasional' cyclist) with a snapped chain, asking if they could sort it out for him. Now, if I was the LBS, I'd have sorted it for him, there and then. But he was told he would have to book it in, and it would be a week before they could look at it. He left, having bought a new chain, a chain tool, and with a bewildered look on his face. I felt sorry for him, and also thought that the lbs had lost his good will and potential future custom.

 

[fuji-stu]

I totaly sympathise with this thread there are two lbs by me and another about ten miles away I always use only one of these, theres a social side to the shop they always make you feel welcome and are never too busy just to have a natter, they also organise and run two weekly rides right through the year, i buy most of my stuff there and generaly get a discount as a result of it every time i go there..however i have used the others too, the other local one really gets my back up ..they have that "I work in a bike shop and therefore will always have a greater knowlage of all things cycling and how dare you darken my door type attitude" and genaraly make you feel very unwelcome..as aresult they dont get my money and i advise anyone who asks me not to shop there..and there allot of peaple i know feel the same..its silly really they loose tons of custome because of it rant over

 

[compo]

If you people think so many bike shops are bad try some fishing tackle shops. Unless you are part of their clique you will quickly realise what poor customer service really is.

 

[redcard]

Rent, rates, heating, lighting etc etc The costs of running a retail premises can be astronomical and my heart sinks whenever one of my customers mentions the internet (I don't own a bike shop BTW) because I know how difficult it is for me to compete. The discounts offered are sometimes ludicrous, with the same products being sold for very little more than it costs me to buy them. So people will come to my shop, get lots of good free advice taking advantage of the knowledge which it has taken me many years to gain, see the product they want in the flesh and then toddle off and order online.
But the tide is turning brothers, certainly in my industry, suppliers need the independents on the high streets, and they're starting to clamp down on the discounting online, they are realising that their brands are being devalued, they're starting to offer exclusive lines to us not available to online retailers, they starting to listen to us when we tell them that the independents are their shop window. When the high street dies the suppliers die with them.
Give the independents the opportunity, tell them you've seen it online, tell them how much you've seen it for, give them the chance to maybe get close. If he's taking the rise by all means walk away but if he seems to be doing his best remember the convenience of that shop around the corner, remember the service you've received, remember the hassle of returning items you've bought online and remember the fact that you moan everytime you walk down your local high street and all that's left are charity shops, pound shops, take aways and card shops.
Here endeth the sermon from an impassioned small business man

Suppose keeping prices artificially high is one way to ensure the cash keeps rolling in

 

[Mugshot]

Suppose keeping prices artificially high is one way to ensure the cash keeps rolling in

If the cash kept rolling in, as the popular misconception seems to be, I'd be able to afford a car to get to work

 

[Boris Bajic]

If you people think so many bike shops are bad try some fishing tackle shops. Unless you are part of their clique you will quickly realise what poor customer service really is.

I have. I went into one and asked for a Campag cassette and they looked at me as if I was an idiot.

I tried the same thing in a newsagent. Same response.

It's bicycle shops every time for me!

 

[compo]

I have. I went into one and asked for a Campag rear cassette and they looked at me as if I was an idiot.

I tried the same thing in a newsagent. Same response.

It's bicycle shops every time for me!

I rest my case

 

[Longshot]

How do they do it, when the rest moan that charging top dollar is the only way they can survive?

Because not all small retailers are any good at what they do.

I work with a lot of small retailers and some of them are, frankly, clueless. They jump into opening a business without doing the necessary research. Wanting to 'be your own boss' and having an interest in a particular area does not make you a successful business person.

Like every walk of life, there are some very impressive small retailers and some not so much.

 

[trampyjoe]

5 lbs near me within a 20 minute ride:
1 - Overpriced with arrogant staff, if I had a full sus MTB they would probably be really friendly. I don't.
1 - not even looked at the prices as the staff were very dismissive when I asked them a question
1 - Overpriced and seems like they don't know what they're doing (saw a write up online where they didn't re-tighten some wheel nuts after replacing some brake pads (yes I know)).
1 - medium size chain store where the staff were just down right ignorant (a common thing in all shops these days, no 'how can i help' or 'if you need anything' just a quick glance up and sometimes watching you to make sure you don't steal anything).
1 - (the furthest away) that seems friendly enough but I've only had cause to go into once.

Or there's the internet - Cheapest and don't have to deal with twatty staff.

Edit: If I had a LBS near me that was both friendly and reasonably priced then I'd be happy .. in fact if they were just one of those things I'd be happy.