Fifty Plus (50+) - How do I tell my LBS?

This has been bothering me for two weeks.

I didn't buy my new bike from my favorite LBS, even though they carry Specialized. They always have such a limited selection on the floor, and I have absolutely no patience waiting for a bike to be ordered. I had tested several bikes from time to time with them, but didn't buy any.

I found my new bike at a place called Bike Warehouse, a (local?) chain. But they didn't throw in much like free lifetime tuneups, etc. So after I take the bike in today for the free tuneup I probably won't want to go back there for service - it's a bit out of the way.

So how do I tell the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles that I bought the bike elsewhere but I want them to be my service guys? They have already done a fine job on my Univega singlespeed conversion, trying to fit The Diego and getting it up to speed, as well as routine maintenance on the Cypress.

I'm probably making much over nothing. I think I'll just pop in one day, and mention that I bought another bike somewhere else on a bit of a whim. Then I'll say I hope I can bring it here for on-going maintenance -- you guys are the best. Then I'll try to guage their non-verbal behavior. :D

They will be polite and gladly accept your money to work on the bike.




I'd be real careful where I put my hands on the bike after I got it back.

They will be polite and gladly accept your money to work on the bike.




I'd be real careful where I put my hands on the bike after I got it back.
Yeah that's what worries me.

Sigh.

Just don't say anything. Bring in your bike just like any other customer would and have them do whatever work you want...no questions asked. They'll help you. It's their job and thats how they make their money.

If they know you well and ask where you got the bike from (I doubt that they would do this), you can just say it was a gift if you're really worried about what they think.

[edit: I just realized I accidentally ended up in the 50+ forum after finding this under the View New Posts link...I'm well under 50 so I'll be going now, but hopefully my advice is helpful.]

Doubt they'll ask where you got it, but if they do, just say "it's a used one", which it is now. If they assume you mean you bought it used, so be it.

So how do I tell the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles that I bought the bike elsewhere but I want them to be my service guys? They have already done a fine job on my Univega singlespeed conversion, trying to fit The Diego and getting it up to speed, as well as routine maintenance on the Cypress.


WOW...sounds like you got caught cheating on your spouse. :rolleyes: ...Its only an lbs and its a business relationship

Seriously, it shouldn't be an issue...I deal wth 3 bike shops, 2 of which carry mostly the same brands...I've bought many bikes from them and all of them do wrenching for me

I've even bought a frame at one store and had it built at another

Why?...because it's convenient for ME, or if I can save a few $ by going to the shop that offers the best value, or if I can get faster service or parts...

Like all symbiotic business relationships, it should be win-win, but at the end of the day, its my $ and they're the ones that want it...so they have to play nice

If they ask you could try, stay with me here, telling them the truth.

I know it sounds off-beat and kinda radical, but flip the situation. Would it have been more comfortable to find the bike you wanted, tested it out, made up your mind, then bought it from the outfit that didn't have it in stock?

I try to do business with my LBS, really I do, but I'm also one of those guys that has to see-feel-smell the object I want to buy; particularly if it is a big ticket item I'm not 100% sure of. We ended up buying a bike for my wife from a bike shop in another city because they had the brand on the floor to be seen and she made her decision based on seeing some of the features in person. She measured out to need a bike special ordered and we did it with them since the fitment was part of the deal.

A few days later the subject came up at the LBS and the proprietor said "I could have gotten you that bike". Well, ok, but when I had asked during the preceding weeks about options, we were shown the bikes he had in stock (another brand) and he failed to make the sale. Them's the breaks.

I'd just tell them you test rode it on a weekend fling, couldn't help yourself, fell in love, eloped and got married, and now you want them to take care of it under warranty.

Tell them it was a stray that followed you home - now it needs it's shots and perhaps a pretty collar...

Wait, are we talking about a bike or a dog?!

I'd just tell them you test rode it on a weekend fling, couldn't help yourself, fell in love, eloped and got married, and now you want them to take care of it under warranty.

Thats the way. They'll tell you where to go or accept that you are a customer they can fleece in the future.

I have no reason to believe they won't do whatever work is necessary and treat you like any other customers. However (I don't know what your relationship was before), there's no reason to expect they'll treat you like a special customer. Based on your comments you took a long time to make a decision and probably spent a lot of time with the people and bikes at the LBS. Maybe you should have considered the possible consequences prior to buying elsewhere.

I'd just tell them you test rode it on a weekend fling, couldn't help yourself, fell in love, eloped and got married, and now you want them to take care of it under warranty.

I think I like this one best of all. :)

If they ask you could try, stay with me here, telling them the truth.

I know it sounds off-beat and kinda radical, but flip the situation. Would it have been more comfortable to find the bike you wanted, tested it out, made up your mind, then bought it from the outfit that didn't have it in stock?



Honesty, huh? Does that stuff really work? :D

Seriously, that's what I'm gonna do. And if they don't like it, or treat me funny, well, then, they aren't as fine a group of folks as I had thought. Plenty of other LBS's in the area!

I hope YOU aren't going to need to have shots for picking up strange bikes...

Tell the LBS that your kids, brother, sister, uncle (whatever works for you) from New York gave you the bike for your birthday.

I only tell a lie when it is absolutely necessary...Richard M. Nixon

I don't know how you could show your face there again, traitor!

(I felt this perspective was not being adequately represented)

I would go into the LBS and tell them that your "friend" just bought this bike and you were telling him of the best LBS around to get it serviced at. Your "friend" is pretty busy right now so you thought you would help him out.

Gary,

I believe you have gotten yourself into an unresolvable situation. The only solution is pack her up and ship her to me. Then I can go to my LBS and honestly say "It came from California" ;)

Gary,

I believe you have gotten yourself into an unresolvable situation. The only solution is pack her up and ship her to me. Then I can go to my LBS and honestly say "It came from California" ;)
That's an excellent suggestion, but the bike has already been smogged and approved for California emisions tests. You'd have to retrofit a lot of things, and it wouldn't be worth it.

WOW...sounds like you got caught cheating on your spouse. :rolleyes: ...

"Don't worry dear. It's only a used model that my uncle from New York sent to me as a gift."

So how do I tell the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles that I bought the bike elsewhere but I want them to be my service guys? They have already done a fine job on my Univega singlespeed conversion, trying to fit The Diego and getting it up to speed, as well as routine maintenance on the Cypress.

I would give them a sum equal to the amount you spent on the Roubay! That should patch over any hurt feelings.

This has been bothering me for two weeks.
I didn't buy my new bike from my favorite LBS, even though they carry Specialized.

so you've already lost 2 weeks of sleep on this - how much more?


They always have such a limited selection on the floor, and I have absolutely no patience waiting for a bike to be ordered. I had tested several bikes from time to time with them, but didn't buy any.

Ah, rationalization - worth trying, but rarely satisfying


I found my new bike at a place called Bike Warehouse, a (local?) chain. But they didn't throw in much like free lifetime tuneups, etc. So after I take the bike in today for the free tuneup I probably won't want to go back there for service - it's a bit out of the way.

Ah, Bike Walmart - were you greeted? only kidding, I'm sure they're fine, downhome folks.


So how do I tell the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles that I bought the bike elsewhere but I want them to be my service guys? They have already done a fine job on my Univega singlespeed conversion, trying to fit The Diego and getting it up to speed, as well as routine maintenance on the Cypress.

Well, it prolly won't be a huge deal, since margins on bike sales are about as heavy as thinly shaved baked ham sandwich slices.
I'm sure they'll be happy to charge you the max on their 'service' rate schedule.


I'm probably making much over nothing. I think I'll just pop in one day, and mention that I bought another bike somewhere else on a bit of a whim. Then I'll say I hope I can bring it here for on-going maintenance -- you guys are the best. Then I'll try to guage their non-verbal behavior. :D

whilst wearing your blonde wig? you'll need that to pull it off
or
you can learn to do your own maintenance and be less concerned.

not tryin to preach, Dig. But you brought the subject up. Obviously because its buggin you.
Often, its not about the money, or instant gratification, its about being able to sleep at night.
flawed as I am, I have to remind myself of that constantly, like every day ...:o
am I being too harsh?

Well, you did a minor bad thing. Man up and tell them the truth. You'll probably catch a little good natured crap about it and everything will be fine after that. At least that's what my shop would do.

BTW, you could take the $125 windfall you just got from the place you bought the bike and spend it on stuff from your LBS. That would go a long way toward getting you back in good grace.

Just don't say anything. Bring in your bike just like any other customer would and have them do whatever work you want...no questions asked. They'll help you. It's their job and thats how they make their money.

If they know you well and ask where you got the bike from (I doubt that they would do this), you can just say it was a gift if you're really worried about what they think.

[edit: I just realized I accidentally ended up in the 50+ forum after finding this under the View New Posts link...I'm well under 50 so I'll be going now, but hopefully my advice is helpful.]

It's OK,no age limit,besides,you're from The Bronx !

so you've already lost 2 weeks of sleep on this - how much more?

not tryin to preach, Dig. But you brought the subject up. Obviously because its buggin you.
Often, its not about the money, or instant gratification, its about being able to sleep at night.
flawed as I am, I have to remind myself of that constantly, like every day ...:o
am I being too harsh?

It's not THAT serious to me. I haven't lost a moment's sleep. It just feels a little awkward but it will sort itself out. If I take it to Adams someday and they give me a bad vibe, I guess I'd be both surprised and disappointed. They don't seem like that kind of person.

But in retrospect, had I not been so eager to bring the bike home immediately, I would have gone back to Adams and said -- this is the bike, this is the price I can get it for, what can you do?

Oh well, I didn't and that's that. But no, I won't lose sleep over it. In the cosmic scheme of things, it just ain't that important!

Tessa? Or Bevan?

Bevan? Or Tessa?

Bubbly blonde or sultry brunette?

Chemistry? Or good old common sense?

Come to think of it, I think you could make a good reality TV show about a 50 +er with little available cash but a good retirement package, who wanders from LBS to LBS, torn between all the decisions he has to make.

Best price? Best location? Best service? Best selection? Hottest staff (sadly, I've noticed few ladies as staff in the LBS)? Reno? Or Buenos Aires? Lemond? Or Specialized? Zertz inserts? Or just throw caution into the wind and use no preventatives?

It would be compelling viewing, I tell you. I'd TiVo it.

It's not THAT serious to me. I haven't lost a moment's sleep. It just feels a little awkward but it will sort itself out. If I take it to Adams someday and they give me a bad vibe, I guess I'd be both surprised and disappointed. They don't seem like that kind of person.

But in retrospect, had I not been so eager to bring the bike home immediately, I would have gone back to Adams and said -- this is the bike, this is the price I can get it for, what can you do?

Oh well, I didn't and that's that. But no, I won't lose sleep over it. In the cosmic scheme of things, it just ain't that important!

Add to that the fact that the shop where you bought it gave you a hundert and a quarter post-sale rebate. You could always give that money to Adams...for a nice set of clipless pedals........ you ain't a roadie until, is all I'm saying.

They may not notice you didn't buy the bike from them! You think they memorize every bike they sell?

I have bought bikes and bike parts from several LBS's in the area. The ones that don't treat me well, don't get my return business. My favorites ask no questions, and provide smiling service regardless of what "stray" I drag into their shop. I have many bikes, all purchased from different shops, or online. I also have several sets of wheels, and those also came from a variety of shops. No problems. They are primarily interested in business, they would like to have all your business, but any will usually be fine.

A shop makes more $$$ on service/repairs than selling a new bike . . .

They may not notice you didn't buy the bike from them! You think they memorize every bike they sell?
Yeah, I believe my guys would notice it immediatley. They know their repeat customers and know their bikes. It's one thing to bring in a used bike from ebay, or, in my case, a yard sale bike. But if I brought in a new Giant, Redline, Haro or any other brand they sell, to my ATF LBS, I know I would receive some strange looks.
Sorry DG, I know that's not what you want to hear, but all I can say is, yeah I believe, in my case, it would have an affect on the relationship.

DG, the new shop is courting you. When was the last time anyone courted you?

Just tell them you got it for $800 and ask if they can beat it. Just saying.

WOW...sounds like you got caught cheating on your spouse.

Insted of flowers, take them a big container of chocolate chip cookies. I know there are some folks here who would recommend a pie but, under the circumstances, I wouldn't carry anything in that I wouldn't want to wear on my way out.

Yeah, I believe my guys would notice it immediatley. They know their repeat customers and know their bikes. It's one thing to bring in a used bike from ebay, or, in my case, a yard sale bike. But if I brought in a new Giant, Redline, Haro or any other brand they sell, to my ATF LBS, I know I would receive some strange looks.
Sorry DG, I know that's not what you want to hear, but all I can say is, yeah I believe, in my case, it would have an affect on the relationship.
Yeah, these guys know me, they know my bikes. :(

They already did work for you,you paid them, come clean. Buy gloves or snoop around the store and catch a deal. Act as a shill, get an aquaintance to buy a bike from them, I've even allowed one particular LBS near my job to pawn-off not so "desireable" models toa couple -few,the "clients" dug it, as a result, I was allowed to be a pest. You got it in ya !

They will be polite and gladly accept your money to work on the bike.




I'd be real careful where I put my hands on the bike after I got it back.

I do not think you have a problem. A good LBS owner appreciates a multi bike owner and knows they are not going to get all of your business.

I wouldn't lie to them, they haven't lied to you. Perhaps they are a bit possesive but they sound like good folks.
My suggestion: print out your original post in this thread. Walk into the shop and hand it to them. What can they do? Kill you?

It might be a good idea to tell them you know my wife's uncle who works the west coast for the family. His name--Sammy The Duck.:eek: :eek: :eek:

I have found that the best solution tends to be, telling the truth. The mechanics don't make any money off bike sales, they won't care where you got it. Take off the sticker from the LBS and take it in to have it worked on. Odds are that the person will just assume that you bought it from another salesman or he forgot he sold it to you.

Your LBS is a business and if they can't provide you, the customer, with what you want...a certain bike in the timeframe you are looking for...then they should expect you to go elsewhere. It is their decision to carry a limited # of bikes on the floor...why are you feeling guilty?...this is a typical buyer /seller relationship. Frankp

It might be a good idea to tell them you know my wife's uncle who works the west coast for the family. His name--Sammy The Duck.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Great moniker. Let me see if I can reel off a few:

Louis The Pie Eater
Fredo the Weak Link
Stap the Dirt Dawg
Digital "Donuts" Gee
Denver "The Wolfman" Fox
Cycle "The Spaceman" Zen
Retro "The Grouch" Grouch
jppe: The Carbon Footprint
Crosschain: Smooth
Big Paulie: Big Smooth
Tom "Bad News" Bombidil
Card: Six Easy Pieces
Blues "Chainbreaker" Dawg
Beverly: Angel (With and Attitude)

Anyone other gangsta names out there? Some of these are pretty lame, but you can't beat the price. I'd better get back to work.

The service department is more profitable than the sales department!
So don’t worry; They’ll be very happy keeping you as a customer.

The shop is probably fine with it. Most shops don't want some to order an obscure bike they might not sell if you don't like it. And only a fool would prepay (no refund) for a bike without test riding it first to see if it'll even work. If another has the bike in stock ready for you to ride, why wouldn't you buy it from them? No shop owner could fault you for that. And as has been said, that you are coming back to them for service says a lot about where your loyalty lies.

The service department is more profitable than the sales department!
So don’t worry; They’ll be very happy keeping you as a customer.

Glad I stopped by this thread. I'm a newbie and went to the LBS but ended up buying a used bike...which needs the handlebars raised/replaced and was reluctant to go back to the shop because I didn't purchase the bike there. Now that I've read this thread, I'm going to my LBS and getting the darn thing fixed today. And will go with the truth ... duh! to moi for even hesitating. *lol*

Good luck on your dilemma

My shop gives a 25% discount on labor for any bike that has a sticker on it, showing it was purchased from them. Another way to look at it is they charge a third more to people who don't purchase their bike from them. They would love to do your work.

I bought used last year. Didn't even hesitate to go back to the LBS with it. When the bike is obviously used and a few years old, no one is going to fault you if you got a good deal. It's a bit trickier when you go back in with a pretty nice, new one.

Digital Gee,

I suspect after reviewing your reputation here for beating a dead horse when thinking about buying a bike, the sense at your LBS will be one of relief... I can see the comments now...

Sales person: "Oh no, here comes Gary again to ask which bike he should get - didn't he get Blueberry Pie on that Trek last week? Took forever to get it off!"

Just don't torture them on options and life will be good - they know it won't be long until the need to buy a bike will hit you again. Just try to watch the pie stains, hmmm?

(just kidding of course, couldn't resist!)