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People At Bike Shops...SO RUDE!

Old 03-10-04, 04:19 PM
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People At Bike Shops...SO RUDE!

Ok, so i was paying a visit to 3 seperate bike shops today. All of them, i rode my bike to. So i pull up to the first one, and the guy see's me and my bike, and i go in. First of all, i was the only one in there, and he ignored me for like, 10 mins, then as soon as someone else came in, he went and helped him right away. Then finally, i get to talk to him. And ask him about prices for new hubs, wheels, and disk brakes. And he says "oh, about 400$-500$, it doesent look like you can afford it anyways" and im like "excuse me?" and he then replies "Ok, ok, what kind of bike do you have?" i say "2003 diamondback sorrento" with that he just laughs and goes off an helps someone else. Just because im 15yr, doesent mean i should be treated like garbage. And i know my bike isen't top of the line, but it's a good bike, and i worked hard to buy it. The same thing happend to me at the other 2 bike stores. It seems if you don't have an expensive bike, they just laugh and ignore you. If you work at a bike shop, and you are mean to people who want to really get into mountain biking, then you should really get a life. I'm trying to get some parts, and they all just shrugged me off. And now, the only bike store that wasent TOO mean to me, is closing down in a week, so now im stuck dealing with @$$holes who will probably rip me off....So if you guys who own those 3 bike stores in newmarket ontario are out there, shame on you...shame on you all.

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Old 03-10-04, 04:55 PM
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It is truly too bad that you were treated like that. But you need to understand that they put up with young kids asking them all kinds of questions then not purchasing anything; not that it right to treat you like that.

Just curious, did you actually have money to spend at that time, or were you window shopping?
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Old 03-10-04, 04:59 PM
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^ I told him right upfront, "im interested in getting some prices"
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Old 03-10-04, 05:02 PM
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that sucks man.. sounds like you need to give them a heads up next time youre in there.. let them know that you have money and you can take your business elsewhere
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Old 03-10-04, 05:03 PM
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thats why i buy from the internet
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Old 03-10-04, 05:12 PM
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It's pretty common knowledge that bike shop employees are generally stuck up and rude. It's not just that you are 15, either. They consistently treat me like I've never ridden a bike before, too. There are always those few exceptions, though... you just need to search them out. I hope you find a better shop to spend your money at.
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Old 03-10-04, 05:13 PM
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I second what superjoe95 said. Most of the times its a bit cheaper too with no tax but then shipping is added on. So it has its bad sides. But we have lbs here that has great service then one down the street that is pretty bad. Looked down at me once cause i didnt have clipless pedals. Shrug
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Old 03-10-04, 05:14 PM
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i live in canada and even with shipping and converting the dollar its still cheaper for me, better selection too.
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Old 03-10-04, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackDiamond
It is truly too bad that you were treated like that. But you need to understand that they put up with young kids asking them all kinds of questions then not purchasing anything; not that it right to treat you like that.

Just curious, did you actually have money to spend at that time, or were you window shopping?
does not matter one iota if he was window shopping or not. word of mouth gets around. he may have only been window shopping but that doesn't mean he's not saving up for a major purchase. sounds to me like he's in the market for a whole new bike build or enough of one that they should be paying attention. he tells his friends about the shaddy service and people will stop going. i know i spend alot at bike shops so most around here see me coming they make sure i have good service because if they don't i don't go back. and i HAVE pulled an ower beside before and told him how much i spend in a bike shop and that i will not be coming back because of so-n-so service. they don't like hearing that but ya come back in 6 months later and low and behold they have all new staff who wait on you hand and foot.

cheers
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Old 03-10-04, 06:12 PM
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Why the heck would he blow you off? A sale is a sale right? Whether its to a 15yr old kid on a Diamond back or a professional rider on a top of the line FS.

My uncle owns a car shop and if any of his employees behaved the way you described they'd be fired so fast they wouldn't have time to complain. Needless to say, he doesn't get any complaints about how his customers are treated.

What are the names of the stores that treated you like crap?
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Old 03-10-04, 06:15 PM
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No, the reason I asked if he had cash so he could say: So this money is no good here and walk out.

I would recommend posting the shop names that treated you this way.
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Old 03-10-04, 06:22 PM
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Cyclepath
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and the one that treated me worst.. Bike Sports

All in Newmarket Ontario
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Old 03-10-04, 06:41 PM
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I would try and complain to the manager. Have him talk to the employee that treated you so badly.

You would be surprised at how many times managers don't even realize that their employees behave so badly.
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Old 03-10-04, 06:50 PM
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Yah, i know what you meen. I don't have any good bike shops around me so i have no real experiance with guys selling equipment, but i do have experiance with real jerks.
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Old 03-10-04, 07:37 PM
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Sorry, but I dont like the title of the thread. Its a very general statement, your calling me rude. Anyway, I cant believe that people at a bikeshop would treat you like they did. I would have REALLY let them have it if I got treated like that. I saw that some people in this thread are also generalizing that bikeshop employees are rude. "Thats why I only buy on the internet". Not all bikeshops are rude, but I know some can be. If you ever stopped into ours as an individual that we have never seen before, you'd be treated almost as good as the guy that has spent thousands in the store.
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Old 03-10-04, 07:40 PM
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muahahaha....wait.. didnt those guys we rode with say that they worked at one of Newmarkets shops?

hmmm... perhaps we should find them... they seemed nice enough... even when they some me on my UBER crappy bmx
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Old 03-10-04, 07:41 PM
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the one man in the one bike shop i used to go to got married,had a daughter (his wife did),moved to DC and now wears a tie for a living not a bike apron.now the only help i can get at AGEES,or any other shops is whats in stock,on sale and the flavor of the month.there is a man that just opened his own shop that has great service,prices, and expertice but not a lot of inventory,hes letting the market decide what to carry besides the basics.his shop is called Pedals, Chains&Things.if you are in the richmond-chester area he is worth the trip
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Old 03-10-04, 07:41 PM
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to dopefush...^ yeah, they did...those guys were really nice that we rode with...but i dont think they're from Newmarket
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Old 03-10-04, 07:50 PM
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teehee.. you called me 'dopefush'...

and i think they were.. cuz they hid that piece of a skid they were using as a jump for later use... implying that they did...but..anywho...
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Old 03-10-04, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by KleinMp99
Sorry, but I dont like the title of the thread. Its a very general statement, your calling me rude. Anyway, I cant believe that people at a bikeshop would treat you like they did. I would have REALLY let them have it if I got treated like that. I saw that some people in this thread are also generalizing that bikeshop employees are rude. "Thats why I only buy on the internet". Not all bikeshops are rude, but I know some can be. If you ever stopped into ours as an individual that we have never seen before, you'd be treated almost as good as the guy that has spent thousands in the store.
if the shoe fits
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Old 03-10-04, 08:20 PM
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I'm with Klein on this one, I'd hate for people to see the subject and think they're better off spending their money online.

My girlfriend and I got our bikes from a bike shop that sold the mayor of new york his bike along with a lot of celebrities. One of the employees took the time to walk us through the product line, fitted us, offered to transfer everything off the old ones onto the new ones, took us down to the shop to walk around and everything. Everytime I go there they're friendly and supportive. Even though my bike only cost $300, never did they once walk away so they could help some wall street banker buy his $3000 bike. They even let us hold the old bike their when we rode there to get a new one.

Find a good LBS and support them. When things start going wrong, I'm glad they're always there in real life to help me on the spot instead of sending my bike half way across the country to get fixed.
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Old 03-10-04, 08:24 PM
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dang. that sucks man. i woulda told the guy off.

of all the bike shops i've been to here in toronto, the employees have all been pretty friendly and helpful.

you guys need to move down to toronto heh.
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Old 03-10-04, 10:03 PM
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I've been on both sides of this argument. I've worked in shops off and on for close to 20 years. (crap I'm getting old!).

I also drive my wife nuts when we travel because I MUST stop at any shop I see.

I think there are a lot of shops that genuinely care about their customers and treat them with sincerity and respect. I've also been treated like crap when I've come in on a weekend wearing shorts a T-shirt and a ball cap. Then returned during the week wearing a shirt and tie and have had my butt kissed!

All I can say is don't spend your money where you're not respected and find a good shop and support them with all your business and give referrals as often as you can. The better shops will stick around for years and the snob shops will come and go.

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Old 03-10-04, 10:38 PM
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It sounds like you chose three elitist shops, not all bikeshops are like that. Shops like that the newbies are generally ignored until they have a question, which is in my opinion not a good way to run a business. First come first serve should be proper running order in a perfect world, but sadly it is not a perfect world.
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Old 03-10-04, 11:14 PM
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Tell them to piss off and learn to install the parts yourself. That's what I did. I haven't spent a dime at any of those dumb LBSs unless I had to. I had enough of them treating me like crap and acting like a bunch of jerks. I don't ride a low end bike, either.
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