outashape

My bike shop just called me and I have to respond by 9:00 pm today. The offer: Would I be willing to work in the bike shop putting bikes together for the next 4 days and then get 25% on a bike of my choice. They sell Treks, Lemonds and Giants. I am looking at a Trek520. I work at a regular job, but I can get off. Would you do it?

TallRider

You'd have to calculate how much money you'd save on the Trek touring bike, how much the bike shop would pay you, and what you'd lose (in wages, and perhaps rep with the managers) at your regular job. Basic economics. Also factor in if you enjoy working on bikes, whether your working in the bike shop for four days is likely to translate into future benefits for you, etc.

A lot of people who buy the 520 for Touring end up changing lots of specs on it; I don't know if you're in position to reconsider what goes on the bike, but if you know enough to work building bikes in the shop, you might want to consider building up a Surly Long Haul Trucker (or other touring frame) with your choice of parts, depending on how much you think you'd change from the 520. Here's a link discussing various modifications...
https://www.bicycletouring101.com/Tou...keUpgrades.htm

jsharr

How much goodwill will you be building with the shop? Seems to me to be a good way to kill a few vacation days, learn a bit, make some friends, get a new bike, and set yourself for future discounts on parts,accessories, labor,etc. I would do it if my schedule allowed it and it would not affect my normal 9 to 5 gig.

seely

It sounds like a good deal to me (as a bike shop employee, even). I know what we get on bikes and yes, its better than that, but for four days work sounds like a solid deal and an avenue towards future benefits and side jobs. A lot of shops won't give you a discount the first 90 days you work there just because of how many people abuse the priveledge.

cascade168

I think jsharr and seelys' comments are right on target. This is kind of how I got started. You'd be surprised at all the things you can learn building new bikes. It's amazing at how some of the simplest bikes will leave you scratching your head. I knew nothing about BMX bikes and had to learn almost everything about those from scratch. If you think they're going to start you out on a Six13 or an Orca then you are probably going to be a bit disappointed.

That aside, the discount you discuss for four days of work is an excellent deal. I say go for it. Don't plan on getting to play the music you want for at least three months ;-))))

CHenry

No.

For a 25% discount on the MSRP of a trek 520, he is offering you $9.75/hr if you work 32 hours. What matters is whether that seems like a good rate to you. If you ask me, I think he has enough room in the deal to give you a better hourly rate than that, considering you will still be covering his cost plus a decent profit in money and labor if you take the offer.

I would recommend you ask for the bike at cost for that deal. At that rate, he still comes out ahead, and you get a better discount. (Remember, if he is marking up 100%, a fair swap would be to sell that bike to you at half his cost). Now if you are secretly wanting to buy a high-end Madone, things would be different. I suggest you establish which bike you want and how much you will pay after the labor for discount swap before you agree, even if you like and trust the shop owner. Nothing beats clarity.

operator

Yeah, i'd ask for a bike at cost rather than anything else. 25% off? Pfft.

Cyclist0383

Ten years ago I helped out at a shop for one day. To this day I STILL get an incredible discount there. They are asking for your help, and if they are good poeple it will pay back in spades.

(And I'd ignore all the cold, hard economicly minded people. There is a large bit of human interaction here that factors in that the accounts don't seem to understand.....)

outashape

My favorite wrench moved to Colorado. The guy who is left is just an okay mechanic, he is mostly a sales type guy. The new mechanic is awfully slow. They are backlogged and the manager guy is sweating it. He is probably in his mid to late 20's and his blood pressure is high. I work midnights and make decent money, so I don't really need the discount. I do need the good will. They have done a lot of work for me for free such as changing out the cassette and rear derailuer every time I go on a mountain ride out West. I have volunteered to help them in the past, and the owner would not allow it due to insurance reasons. This way I could get my foot in the door and learn how to make more repairs on my own bike (later this winter when they are not busy). I would like to be able to repair a lot of stuff when I go cross country unsupported. I think the Owner will make out like a bandit. Thanks for all your opinions.

lrzipris

So the owner makes out like a bandit financially, and you get the good will (and future free work) and a free education in learning how to do other repairs on your own bike for your unsupported trip. Sounds like a good deal for everyone. Or just think of it as doing a nice thing for someone else who has asked for your help.

ratdog

Go work out a deal for a bike of your choice at his cost & remind him he still gets 32 hours of your time even though he makes no money off your sale. Go for a over $5000 MSRP bike, turn around and sell it on e-bay and then use the money you make off the sale to buy yourself the Trek 520.

Bingo,... free bike for 32 hours of work. Why settle for paying 75% of MSRP?

CHenry

I have to believe you are referring to my comment.

Do as you please. But you should know exactly what you are agreeing to beforehand or you are being willfully ignorant. All this speculation about "earned goodwill" and learning opportunity and nice stories of long-term discounts may sound good, but it is just wishful thinking, nothing more, whether it happens or not. Understand the deal first.

Flanderflop

If you are looking at this as a financial transaction, I wouldn't do it for all the reasons above.

On the other hand, it sounds like the guys at this shop have been good to you (what with free labor and all), and is sounds like you enjoy messing with bikes, so it is an easy way to help out some guys who have been good to you. If you push the "deal" angle, and spend a lot of time negotiating, you will more than likely just annoy them which won't do you much for the "good will" angle. As a former employee and current owner, the best deals I give out are to the people who are regular customers, and nice people. The people who come in and really push on me tend to get something as a nod, but I certainally leave more in my own pocket than I would if I were dealing with someone I just liked, or had helped me out in the past.

becnal

+1

Landgolier

If you can afford to do this work-wise, why not? Even ignoring the economics of it, looking back in 5 years, you're going to remember the experience a lot more than you would those 4 days at work or whatever.

lrzipris

I've always heard that there's very little profit margin on bikes, so isn't 25% a good deal, regardless of any other, less-tangible benefits to the OP? Wouldn't 25% make it below the dealer's cost?