Originally Posted by mconlonx

I work in a shop, stepping down from full time mechanic/sales for about 4.5 years to part time work now.

I would do the measurement for free, with a smile. That customer will be back for more free advice. Eventually they will get into a situation with an online purchase where they bring the bike in for fixing, and then they will be charged right at shop rate for any and all repairs/adjustments, no bro-deal no matter how friendly I appear when giving out free advice.

People who ask for free advice generally lack tools and are too lazy to look online for many repairs, so they will be back to the guy/shop who has proven so helpful in the past.

I have no problem charging to build a new bike bought online, adjust a used bike bought online, or install parts bought online. Bikes - low margin; parts - reasonable margin unless price matching online deals; labor - all margin...