Just got off the phone with a bike shop
03-30-05, 08:59 PM
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Just got off the phone with a bike shop
Checking to see if they had a certain make/model in stock at my size:
me: "I'm looking for that in a double, 39/53"
them: "That model doesn't come in a double, but the one that costs $800 more does."
me: "I'm looking at it on the manufacturer's website, says there's two versions, double or triple"
them: "We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
me: "Oh, okay"
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear. There are exceptions, certainly, or Shimano wouldn't be selling a Dura-Ace triple for 2005.
me: "I'm looking for that in a double, 39/53"
them: "That model doesn't come in a double, but the one that costs $800 more does."
me: "I'm looking at it on the manufacturer's website, says there's two versions, double or triple"
them: "We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
me: "Oh, okay"
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear. There are exceptions, certainly, or Shimano wouldn't be selling a Dura-Ace triple for 2005.
03-30-05, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by thewalrus
"We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
Sounds like you're getting a load of attitude. I'd look for another shop.
03-30-05, 09:16 PM
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They can't order you one? I would find another LBS, but it amazes me that they would give up a sale like that. It doesn't cost any more to special order any bike.
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03-30-05, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by thewalrus
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear.
03-30-05, 10:20 PM
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When a shop gives me attitude, I give them no more business. But if you have to deal with them ask if they can swap out components to give you what you want. I know my LBS does. If there not willing to give you what you want find a shop that will. It's your money your choice.
03-31-05, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by thewalrus
them: "We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
03-31-05, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by DXchulo
Translation: We sell bling bling to a bunch of poseurs in better financial condition than physical condition.
LOLOLOL.....good translation.
I would ditch this shop ASAP
03-31-05, 01:14 PM
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Souds like he does not want your few little dollars. Take them elsewhere, or even better go mail order. When you get the bike be sure to call them back and thank them for sending you to a mail order house. I am sure they will appreciate it.
03-31-05, 02:01 PM
#11
Throw the stick!!!!
Could always print the information off of then internet and then fax it to them. Just make sure that on the cover page you remember to put "just wanted to show you the sale you could have made."
Just out of curiosity, what bike is it?
Just out of curiosity, what bike is it?
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03-31-05, 03:19 PM
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I'm going to play devils advocate.
That triple build kit was ordered with the bike. They could've ordered it with the double ...but they chose the triple because it has mass appeal over doubles.
They could order you the same frame with a double build kit. BUT, in the world of retail (I used to be the hardgoods buyer for a ski shop) special orders means that the "buy" loses it's strength. When a "buy" is calculated there are many factors that are considered. Specialty sporting goods make buying ver very difficult. Ensuring that a shop sells through inventory is paramount to success. A shop eats bikes when the season is over because the bike is now a year old. Special orders can create a situation whereby left-over product sits on the floor at the season's end.
Considering the margin of bikes is about 30% and accessories/clothing are a "keystone" (50%) I can sympathize with the shop.
I don't think the bashing in this thread is warranted. I don't think antagonizing a merchant because you went elsewhere is warranted.
Just take your money elsewhere.
The guy on the phone? Yeah well, it's a common problem in specialty retail ...pay peanuts, get monkeys. We all look for the salesperson/technician who knows their stuff. I'd say most shops have one or two guys who know their stuff and the rest just get by. There are exceptions ...but not many.
Like I said ...devil's advocate.
That triple build kit was ordered with the bike. They could've ordered it with the double ...but they chose the triple because it has mass appeal over doubles.
They could order you the same frame with a double build kit. BUT, in the world of retail (I used to be the hardgoods buyer for a ski shop) special orders means that the "buy" loses it's strength. When a "buy" is calculated there are many factors that are considered. Specialty sporting goods make buying ver very difficult. Ensuring that a shop sells through inventory is paramount to success. A shop eats bikes when the season is over because the bike is now a year old. Special orders can create a situation whereby left-over product sits on the floor at the season's end.
Considering the margin of bikes is about 30% and accessories/clothing are a "keystone" (50%) I can sympathize with the shop.
I don't think the bashing in this thread is warranted. I don't think antagonizing a merchant because you went elsewhere is warranted.
Just take your money elsewhere.
The guy on the phone? Yeah well, it's a common problem in specialty retail ...pay peanuts, get monkeys. We all look for the salesperson/technician who knows their stuff. I'd say most shops have one or two guys who know their stuff and the rest just get by. There are exceptions ...but not many.
Like I said ...devil's advocate.
Last edited by telenick; 03-31-05 at 03:25 PM.
03-31-05, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by thewalrus
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear.
Money is mutually exclusive of fitness.
03-31-05, 03:29 PM
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Find a shop that is gonna treat you like a customer and give you what "YOU" want. Not what they want to sell. If they dont make there customers happy they dont have any customers. Plain and simple.
03-31-05, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by telenick
...and amazingly, it seems in general the more expensive the bike the fatter and older the rider.
03-31-05, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by galen_52657
I have noticed this phonom with high-end sports cars. Every time a Corevette or other top end ride passes me and I look over, some 50-60 ish big-bellied guy with a bad combover and flowered shirt or way-past-her-prime female is at the wheel.....
And the guy is driving an automatic
03-31-05, 03:59 PM
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They sound really stuck-up. They probably won't give you good service when you do go there.
Originally Posted by thewalrus
Checking to see if they had a certain make/model in stock at my size:
me: "I'm looking for that in a double, 39/53"
them: "That model doesn't come in a double, but the one that costs $800 more does."
me: "I'm looking at it on the manufacturer's website, says there's two versions, double or triple"
them: "We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
me: "Oh, okay"
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear. There are exceptions, certainly, or Shimano wouldn't be selling a Dura-Ace triple for 2005.
me: "I'm looking for that in a double, 39/53"
them: "That model doesn't come in a double, but the one that costs $800 more does."
me: "I'm looking at it on the manufacturer's website, says there's two versions, double or triple"
them: "We're different from other bikes shops... Mostly we stock HIGH END PERFORMANCE BIKES (vocal emphasis) and when we order bikes they're usually triples"
me: "Oh, okay"
Now this seems a bit odd to me, as it seems like the sort of people who buy $2000+ bikes are usually strong enough to spin up a hill in 39 front, 25 or 27 rear. There are exceptions, certainly, or Shimano wouldn't be selling a Dura-Ace triple for 2005.
03-31-05, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by ckleps
And the guy is driving an automatic
03-31-05, 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by triggersd
That always erks me. You drive a sports car. It should have a manual transmission. I hate to admit it, but my sister bought an RX-8, automatic. I guess it has tiptronic, but it's just not the same. Those poor cars, they usually never get driven the way they should. Sadly this most likely holds true for many of us on our fancy road rigs.
03-31-05, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by telenick
...pay peanuts, get monkeys. We all look for the salesperson/technician who knows their stuff. I'd say most shops have one or two guys who know their stuff and the rest just get by. There are exceptions ...but not many.
03-31-05, 05:00 PM
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"Yeah, I just recently upgraded to 10 speed automatic after I got hair plugs and gained 40 pounds"
I thought I got an automatic when I built my new bike with Campy Record ergo-shifters. At least that's the way it seemed when upgraded from downtube shifters.
I thought I got an automatic when I built my new bike with Campy Record ergo-shifters. At least that's the way it seemed when upgraded from downtube shifters.
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03-31-05, 05:14 PM
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I had automatic on an old friction shifting bike after there wasn't so much friction left in the friction shifters. 
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03-31-05, 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by triggersd
That always erks me. You drive a sports car. It should have a manual transmission. I hate to admit it, but my sister bought an RX-8, automatic. I guess it has tiptronic, but it's just not the same. Those poor cars, they usually never get driven the way they should. Sadly this most likely holds true for many of us on our fancy road rigs.
I agree with everyone else, ditch the shop.