General Cycling Discussion - LBS issues

So the guys at my LBS are a wonderful group of people but they seem to have a huge problem with being on time. I've ordered stuff from them many times and it I have never gotten it in the same week they told me I would. If this only happened once or twice I really wouldn't worry about it, but it seems to happen every time. Is there anything I can do? Should I just add 10 days to whatever time they give me? Is anyone else having this lovely little problem?

Forgive me for venting.

Complain to them. No satisfactory response? Go elsewhere.

Steve

use the internets next time when ordering...

Several years ago I changed bike shops for that very reason.

I was doing a few repairs and tune ups out of my garage. I'd order the parts that I needed through a local bike shop. Unfortunately, the bike shop owner was fixated on never paying shipping so he'd NEVER order anything unless he could make up a big enough order to get free shipping. During the off-season that might take a couple of weeks. Within reason, I didn't care about shipping costs because I'd just pass it on to my customer. I was VERY concerned about timeliness because the people who brought their bikes to me were people who used their bikes a lot and wanted them back pronto.

I switched to a bike shop who orders from QBP 52 Tuesday's per year. I know that I can order Monday morning and pick up my stuff on Thursday. I like that. During the season I even do a little wrenching for them. I like that too.

They often have to have a minimum order with the distributor before they can place the order. If anything they are guilty of not letting you know that they may experience delays.

My big problem is the lbs partially sponsors the team I'm on. Should I just talk to them, see what's up, and how to fix it? I realize that would be the obvious solution, but these guys are so nice and helpful that I don't want to just walk in there like an @$$hole with a bunch of complaints. Oh well

I have to say, my LBS, who I am very loyal too, often has this problem

It boils down to - if something comes from a line they typically carry, PI shorts or Specialized shoes or Bontrager anything, then it's safe to order from the LBS. But if it's from a line they don't carry (in my case, for instance, Deda bars and stems and Speedplay pedals), they never manage to get the parts in a timely manner.

I'd judge by a method like this, and if you're ordering something you know they just don't carry otherwise, get it on the Internets, and apologize to the LBS guys when you see them, saying something like -- I knew you wouldn't carry this and I had to have it for the Empire State Building downhill race last weekend.

my local bike store doesn't like me 'cause i don't have any money.

my local bike store doesn't like me 'cause i don't have any money.

If that's true, then the online retailers like you even less. :)

The problem is the desire to please. Your GF asks what time you will be at her house, you tell her the time she wants to hear regardless of tha actual time you figure you will show up. It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.
Just about any shop that has to have stuff done on a timeline is going to do the same thing.
Customers actually BEG us to give them an unrealistic time for parts in/repair completion. They will hound you(after you have given them a realistic time line) until you cave in and tell them what they want to hear even tho you have told them REPEATABLY that it will take twice as long. We do this just to get you out of the door so we can get on to the next thing. If you refuse to believe the truth, might as well give you a fantasy. Not joking, it often comes down to giving a ridiculous timeline just to get the customer to go away. They reject reality and insert their own.

Good to hear an LBS owner admit they lie to you and just want you to go away.