Non technical but you techs know best. Is opening a shop worth it?
11-06-13, 05:41 PM
#52
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Many thanks guys for all the replies, insight and advice.
I am sorry form not replying sooner. I am busy with the movers packing my stuff to head down to the Caribbean for a while.
Will be in touch from there and send you guys pics.
Thanks agin for all the help.
I am sorry form not replying sooner. I am busy with the movers packing my stuff to head down to the Caribbean for a while.
Will be in touch from there and send you guys pics.
Thanks agin for all the help.
11-08-13, 05:26 PM
#53
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Uhm, there is a ton of money to be made from repairs. It's what keeps our shop afloat. Start with fast turn around times. Offer replacement bikes (people don't want to walk). Make sure you have a good margin on parts. And, this is the most difficult part, especially if you have a lot of competitors nearby, learn how to say no.
If someone keeps whining about the price of a repair, or the parts, politely let it be known that he or she is free to go somewhere else. That way, you filter out the morons and you keep mostly level headed people who are prepared to pay a decent price for quality work (that has to be a given, of course). If you're lucky that is.
Here, even so called piss-poor students shell out to have their flats fixed, basically because they can't be arsed to do it themselves. We make about 1000 euros a day just from repairs in both parts and labour, sorry labor. Come spring, we sometimes get 1500 euro days. We can't keep up, because we're a small shop.
And then there is a smaller amount of revenue from new bikes and accesories. Also second hand bikes (student city, you know). We are thriving, because we do a lot of repairs and don't rely solely on selling new bikes and stuff. Other shops in the area did just that and suffer because of it.
Oh and don't get into electric bikes. Whatever money you make selling them, you'll lose by having to warrantee a ****load of batteries (and no, manufacturers don't always return the favour) and chargers and by the time in the workshop you have to spend on those jobs and not on regular, profitable jobs.
And with your skills and tools, fixing bikes isn't going to be a problem. Just use a smaller hammer :-)
If someone keeps whining about the price of a repair, or the parts, politely let it be known that he or she is free to go somewhere else. That way, you filter out the morons and you keep mostly level headed people who are prepared to pay a decent price for quality work (that has to be a given, of course). If you're lucky that is.
Here, even so called piss-poor students shell out to have their flats fixed, basically because they can't be arsed to do it themselves. We make about 1000 euros a day just from repairs in both parts and labour, sorry labor. Come spring, we sometimes get 1500 euro days. We can't keep up, because we're a small shop.
And then there is a smaller amount of revenue from new bikes and accesories. Also second hand bikes (student city, you know). We are thriving, because we do a lot of repairs and don't rely solely on selling new bikes and stuff. Other shops in the area did just that and suffer because of it.
Oh and don't get into electric bikes. Whatever money you make selling them, you'll lose by having to warrantee a ****load of batteries (and no, manufacturers don't always return the favour) and chargers and by the time in the workshop you have to spend on those jobs and not on regular, profitable jobs.
And with your skills and tools, fixing bikes isn't going to be a problem. Just use a smaller hammer :-)
Last edited by Batavus; 11-08-13 at 05:32 PM.
11-08-13, 08:59 PM
#54
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Uhm, there is a ton of money to be made from repairs. It's what keeps our shop afloat. Start with fast turn around times. Offer replacement bikes (people don't want to walk). Make sure you have a good margin on parts. And, this is the most difficult part, especially if you have a lot of competitors nearby, learn how to say no.
If someone keeps whining about the price of a repair, or the parts, politely let it be known that he or she is free to go somewhere else. That way, you filter out the morons and you keep mostly level headed people who are prepared to pay a decent price for quality work (that has to be a given, of course). If you're lucky that is.
Here, even so called piss-poor students shell out to have their flats fixed, basically because they can't be arsed to do it themselves. We make about 1000 euros a day just from repairs in both parts and labour, sorry labor. Come spring, we sometimes get 1500 euro days. We can't keep up, because we're a small shop.
And then there is a smaller amount of revenue from new bikes and accesories. Also second hand bikes (student city, you know). We are thriving, because we do a lot of repairs and don't rely solely on selling new bikes and stuff. Other shops in the area did just that and suffer because of it.
Oh and don't get into electric bikes. Whatever money you make selling them, you'll lose by having to warrantee a ****load of batteries (and no, manufacturers don't always return the favour) and chargers and by the time in the workshop you have to spend on those jobs and not on regular, profitable jobs.
And with your skills and tools, fixing bikes isn't going to be a problem. Just use a smaller hammer :-)
If someone keeps whining about the price of a repair, or the parts, politely let it be known that he or she is free to go somewhere else. That way, you filter out the morons and you keep mostly level headed people who are prepared to pay a decent price for quality work (that has to be a given, of course). If you're lucky that is.
Here, even so called piss-poor students shell out to have their flats fixed, basically because they can't be arsed to do it themselves. We make about 1000 euros a day just from repairs in both parts and labour, sorry labor. Come spring, we sometimes get 1500 euro days. We can't keep up, because we're a small shop.
And then there is a smaller amount of revenue from new bikes and accesories. Also second hand bikes (student city, you know). We are thriving, because we do a lot of repairs and don't rely solely on selling new bikes and stuff. Other shops in the area did just that and suffer because of it.
Oh and don't get into electric bikes. Whatever money you make selling them, you'll lose by having to warrantee a ****load of batteries (and no, manufacturers don't always return the favour) and chargers and by the time in the workshop you have to spend on those jobs and not on regular, profitable jobs.
And with your skills and tools, fixing bikes isn't going to be a problem. Just use a smaller hammer :-)
11-08-13, 11:43 PM
#55
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We do on-site servicing for commuters, and their bike is ready to ride home on that day.
If parts need ordering, 99% of the time we can keep them rolling until a follow-up visit.
Folks love that business model, and pushing a cargo bike around the city keeps you pretty fit.
If parts need ordering, 99% of the time we can keep them rolling until a follow-up visit.
Folks love that business model, and pushing a cargo bike around the city keeps you pretty fit.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
11-09-13, 05:20 AM
#56
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We do on-site servicing for commuters, and their bike is ready to ride home on that day.
If parts need ordering, 99% of the time we can keep them rolling until a follow-up visit.
Folks love that business model, and pushing a cargo bike around the city keeps you pretty fit.
If parts need ordering, 99% of the time we can keep them rolling until a follow-up visit.
Folks love that business model, and pushing a cargo bike around the city keeps you pretty fit.
11-09-13, 09:11 AM
#57
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You can book us on the web, and we offer group discounts too.
Good Cycles is a not-for-profit social enterprise.
Good Cycles is a not-for-profit social enterprise.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
11-09-13, 09:21 AM
#58
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