Road Cycling - LBS loyalty

How much loyalty do you have to your local bike shop? I'm just wondering if you are all intent on one place or do you shop around? I personally tend to shop around, find good deals, and things like that. There are three places near me that I have bought things from and recieved advise from, what do you all think about this tactic?

How much loyalty do you have to your local bike shop? I'm just wondering if you are all intent on one place or do you shop around? I personally tend to shop around, find good deals, and things like that. There are three places near me that I have bought things from and recieved advise from, what do you all think about this tactic?

I'm VERY loyal to my shop because they often sell me stuff at cost + GST, so, if I'm considering spending top dollar somewhere else, I let them know, just to see if they can get me the same thing, or to see if they can suggest something similar, that they can get, that they know I would like.

How much loyalty do you have to your local bike shop? I'm just wondering if you are all intent on one place or do you shop around? I personally tend to shop around, find good deals, and things like that. There are three places near me that I have bought things from and recieved advise from, what do you all think about this tactic?


I'm pretty loyal. I do tend to order things tehy don't normally stock on line sometimes though. I do often feel a bit bad when I do though, since after all the guys who work there are good folks and run a good little shop.

Only two items I shopped around for were my kryptonite skewers and my helmet.

i am pretty loyal to my "hobby" shops whether it be flyfishing or biking

i am fairly picky about what i buy and i expect good service and advice

i reward that by being a loyal customer and trying never to be a demanding or troublesome customer

i have found that even if i pay a few bucks extra to buy it from the local guy...in the end i always seem to end up with more...be it extra service, advice or even free stuff!!!

since im fairly new to the sport ive been shopping around, but i think once i figure out which is the best of the three locally.....ill stick with it

We have a great lbs in our area. My wife and I have bought 4 bikes from them over the years and have a great relationship with the owner and staff. We get great service and quick turn-around when we need it. I've even done singletrack with their best mechanic. Unfortunetely, they often cannot come near to matching the on-line prices for things like wheel sets, Fox Forks and expensive saddles. I always let the lbs compete with the on-line prices. Sometimes they come close enough and I buy from them. Often they can't come close and I order on-line. The key is I buy from other sources openly and let them participate. This has worked well for both parties over the last decade and a half.

However, it takes a good lbs to begin with. If you don't have one in your area, then a relationship may not be all that beneficial.

Al

I'm very loyal to my LBS. It's nice to have mechanical problems corrected instantly, be shown products I'm not aware of, and have people who share my enthusiasm for bicycling.

I have 2 incredible shops in town. I try to support both and check with both shops for anything I want. There have been a couple of times when I have ordered over the Internet, but they were smaller, hard to find type items or Items that the LBS couldn't come close to in prices. (Close-outs).

i am very loyal to my FBS.. So loyal, that they service my bikes for free, (yes they don't accept my money).. as we chat with the owner over some coffee...

Did I mention that the owner is a very good friend who also is a riding buddy... ;)

As much as i am to target. If i need something and they have a fair price,good. If i want something i shop around.Its just a place i spend MY money like target.

If its a new component/jersey/shorts/ etc. I'm very loyal to LBS.
I will shop a deal at some of the organized rides, and do shop
internet for vintage parts.
Other than that I use LBS.

marty

I buy most of my products from a single shop because they have the best selection, price, and great service. Unfortunatly they are not real close so I also visit 2 other shops for convenience/service and sometimes buy online for close-out deals.

Dan.

Very loyal - we have a great family run store in Albuquerque - honest and expert. Once in a while I buy elsewhere if they don't carry what I want, but, I always check them first and try to support them.

Jim

Very loyal, I had problems with one and shopped around for a new one. Parts, service, labour are cheaper and better, sometimes no charge at all. The service I receive is fast and professional and all customers are treated the same, regardless of age and type of bike. I've sent friends and recommended this shop to people on the forum. I will look around for better prices, but rarely find any. Plus the mechs all ride s/s and fixed so when I have any problems with these bikes they don't look at me like I'm crazy. Don't know what I'm going to do when I move to India.

To give you guys the other perspective. I've worked in bike shops off and on for almost 20 years. Most customers fall into one of four different categories. 1) one timers. These are customers that come in once, get what they need and never return. It's usually to buy an inexpensive bike that never gets ridden or a tourist in town for a vacation. 2) the loyal ones. They shop with you regardless. These customers get special treatment as a reward to their loyalty. Purchased parts are installed free, no service charges, or full blown tune-ups are charged at basic tune-up prices (more than 50% off) 3) the shop arounders. These are the ones that "spread their money around". They are loyal, but loyal to all the shops and try to equally spend their money. That's cool with me, I understand. But realize when you're standing at the cashier, you're not going to get the "bro" deal that the devotee gets. You'll get maybe 10% off or something to keep you happy. We mechanics get to "know" people and their bikes and what was upgraded and from where it was purchased. We'll give you a deal, but it won't be a "killer deal". Lastly are the comparison shoppers. They are the ones that quote you internet close-out deals and ask you to match prices. We'd love to, really! But when the mail-order companies are selling for LESS than your wholesale prices, a small shop can't compete. Some shop employees get pissy with these customers. There is no point. Let them buy online then when they need help with installation or with a warranty, charge them normal full price. No discounts given, no discounts earned. You wanted the deal, you got it!

L8R

Think it depends. At a few places they know me when I walk in and it makes me happier to go there (cue the "Cheers" song). Other places are closer, but they're indifferent jerks. One place charged my dad $3 to install a saddle that he BOUGHT FROM THEIR STORE! Stuff like that makes me not want to go there again.

It also depends on availability. My favorite LBS has been trying to order a Topeak rear bag for me. This is now going on 3 weeks. I could have (and wish I would have) ordered it online, or simply bought it at the 2 or 3 stores I've seen it at since. But the guys there are super-nice so I'm trying to stay loyal. Makes me feel better.

How much loyalty do you have to your local bike shop? I'm just wondering if you are all intent on one place or do you shop around? I personally tend to shop around, find good deals, and things like that. There are three places near me that I have bought things from and recieved advise from, what do you all think about this tactic?

I had a couple of paint chips on my bike. Went into the LBS to order touch-up paint. They handed me a bottle of the right color, said use what you need and bring back the rest.

I have lost a lot of weight and my shoes all of a sudden got too big. Went in to buy a new pair. The owner said to go down the street to a speciality shoe store and buy a set of inserts. Worked great. Saved about $200.

Needed a little pin for my chain. Owner handed me one and said forget it.

Had a flat a block from them and wasn't carrying a spare tube. Carried it in. Owner changed the flat, putting in a new tube. No charge.

So what do you want to bet I don't buy anything anywhere else without checking at my LBS first?

Loyal? Without question.

I'll be loyal to ChainWheel (http://chainwheel.com) as long as they treat me with respect. I don't have to get a super OMFG discount (but usually do), and they don't have to give me the store for free. As long as I feel comfortable in there - speaking with the mechanics, the owner, and all the salesguys or just milling around building a mental wish list they will get the majority of my money. I've purchased off the net a couple times (found the minipump I wanted on clearence), but for the most part I shop there.

I did visit another shop today. I've been trying to find a commuter bike for someone special, and heard that this place might have what I needed. Turns out they did. This place was basically a shack with junk (read old bikes and bike parts) stacked everywhere! Ran by a couple of really super older guys. We BSed for a bit, and they found me just what I needed, and even offered to dig up my next project for me (SS/fixed road bike). I won't go there for everything (shop #1 is my home), but I know where to stop every once in a while for a good chat and some random parts.

How much loyalty do you have to your local bike shop? I'm just wondering if you are all intent on one place or do you shop around? I personally tend to shop around, find good deals, and things like that. There are three places near me that I have bought things from and recieved advise from, what do you all think about this tactic?

I've never been to a LBS that was nice enough to me to deserve my loyalty. If anything, I like Bicycle Habitat, it's where I bought both of my Specialized's. Their staff is friendly enough without making you feel like your not worthy of riding a bike (the way Toga Bikes does).

There's one shop I really hate though, on the Upper West Side, called Bicycle Rennaissance, talk about a-holes. They're condescending and unhelpful times 10.

I find that I get much better service at the LBS than at the chain stores like Supergo and Performance. Generally (with some exception) the workers at the chain stores are unfriendly and don't seem to want my business. I think it's because they are poorly paid and do not have a vested interest in the success of the store. I've given substantial business to these chain stores because they do have better prices on their own brand products and the store is much closer to my home. However, I am now ready to give my business to the several LBS even if I have to drive an extra 10 miles and pay higher prices.

I have to go both ways on this issue.

There are four LBS in my area. (7 stores by 4 different owners) Two I just refuse to shop at because of the owners extremely poor customer relations and his constant overcharging of components. I worked on a fellow riders 1984 Peugeot that needed a new (longer) stem. I went to the above mentioned store because he aquired that store about 10 years ago from someone who ran it for 15 years and had a large supply of older parts. Wow what a deal I got on a cinelli stem marked $59.99 dated 1994 on the price sticker. He gave me $5.00 off. If the guy had any brains he would have a tent sale and get rid of all that dead inventory that could literally fill a full size truck bed. I offered him $25 for it and he went ballistic. I told him keep the f**kn stem for another 10 years and ordered one online. There have been many issues with this LBS from lost computers, poorly trued wheels, and verbal abuse in the showroom.

Moving on. Another shop is owned by a very nice guy who started out racing BMX, got a job at a LBS, raced MTB, raced road, started his own repair shop at his residence (like I did) and two years ago opened a full shop selling Guru, LeMond, Kona, KHS and one other brand. He's been there done that from the start. He's an excellent mechanic and I do some purchasing with him and we ride together on a weekly basis. He understands that I can't afford LBS prices on most levels versus mail order and I understand that he can't match MO prices on most items.

The college campus store is a pretty cool shop although they run a bit thin on supplies. I told them to order one less $2000 bike and stock their shelves with what the local riders want. Good mechanics and fun riders at this shop.

Last is the oldest shop (3 locations) in town. I ride with the owners daughter and her husband 2 to 3 times a week. They get great deals and ride HIGH DOLLAR bikes that they know they would normally not be able to afford if the situation were different. I buy all of my cables, housing, (20 at a time) from them as well as tires and tubes for people that I do work for that need their bike ASAP. I just get reimbursed from my customer plus labor.

I did bring it to the attention of all but the idiot owner that they need to serve the public with what they want (within reason) to gain customers. Nobody wants to go into a LBS and be told "We have to order it and you have to pay for the shipping." MISTAKE#1 The customer can do that at home for less. LBS need to support (not with money) local bike events and maybe donate mechanic time at a Century event or race. This is cheap advertising and you are direct marketing to your potential customers. Do repairs in a timely manner. I was in one shop when a guy brought in a Mt. bike with two flats. The mechanic filled out a ticket and said he could pick it up the next evening. MISTAKE#2 How long would it take any well trained mechanic to change two tubes. Change the tubes, get the money and send the guy off happy as can be and he'll tell his friends and neighbors about his great experience at the shop. Again, good cheap advertising. MISTAKE#3 A shop should not refuse to install anything that someone bought online. Just let them know upfront(in writing with a pre-printed form) that the shop can't warranty the part and you have to pay the full install labor price. By installing the item you just might have gained a customer and made money from the labor charge. If you refuse them what is the odds of them ever coming back.

So after all this rambling I do support my LBS to an extent but when I can build a $3700 bike for $2500 I'll have to shop around. Don't demand major discounts from LBS, ask if they can meet or come close to MO price. If it's within 10 - 20% I'll buy local. I started my own bike repair shop in my workshop and I do about $400 - $500 a month profit with repairs alone.

As for mail order places they serve their customers and in 10+ years of dealing with all of the major shops I've only had a couple of bad experiences that were quickly resolved with one short phone call. Usually if it was their mistake they will waive shipping.

my lbs gave me a really nice jersey for free yesterday....for being a good customer

they also did some repair work for the cost of parts


i will continue to be a good customer :)

my lbs gave me a really nice jersey for free yesterday....for being a good customer

they also did some repair work for the cost of parts


i will continue to be a good customer :)

This is why it is nice to get to know the guys at one shop and stick with them. From my experience although you could go online and save alittle money on the parts or accessories when it comes down to getting the good deals when you buy big items like bikes and what not you can't beat the deals you will get from a lbs when you spend a good bit of money there the rest of the time. I mean lets face it most of the bikes we ride you can't order via online.

I have a small shop up the road that is owned by and run by some really cool guys. They are super nice. I wish they had a better product selection, because I would have bought my bike from them. But they don't. So I buy what I can from them, to support the cause. But when I really need something, I go to the larger LBS. It's a chain, and they have everything I need, all the time.

I'm just starting to get into biking and I've got an LBS that marked up a Shimano LX 9-speed chain that costs $15 (online, supposedly) up to $25. On top of that, they said that they'd charge $5 to get it installed. Is this fair?

Also, if anyone could suggest a decent quality LBS in the Chicago suburbs (Schaumburg area), I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.