Originally Posted by
monsterpile
Why couldn't he have taken down your credit card info and wrote up a reciept for you? Thats something that would take less than 5 minutes a very simple solution and would have had you on your way. Hopefully for their sake they realize they didn't treat you very well in this instance and offer you something to keep you coming back like a discount or accessories like other posters have mentioned. Word of mouth is the best/worst form of advertisement and for a few bucks he could keep you as a customer and you will also not steer people away from them. Some business owners don't get that concept though which isn't surprising in the moment I guess.
If you decide to leave maybe its time to spend the few dollars on the tools to work on your bike. They don't take up much space at all (you don't need a workstand) and don't cost much either. Of course I am sure some other LBS would be happy to have your business as well which would be great.
Yeah I have worked retail, it would have taken him 5 minutes to take care of me and get me out the door with my bike. He didn't want to do that for me, it will be his loss. As a result of this I will start buying tools and do the work myself, and if something is too much to handle take it to the other shop up the road from me.
I've got no kids, do mt biking, road biking, tri's, and have disposable income and am wrapping up my science degree. That was an expensive five minutes. Not to mention I have a lot of friends who are also biking enthusiasts. And I work part time at a business that guides bikers, whitewater rafters, and does paintball on a large scale(thousands a day on weekends) and is the second largest employer in the county. I've been there years, know everyone, etc. I will be sure to make my opinion in this business known when it comes up in the future.