Originally Posted by j-law

I hate this apologetic attitude. If I'm going to be spending $1k minimum for a toy (and the crowd on this forum is likely spending $2-4k+) I should be treated nicely and subject to redicule and abuse by the salespeople.

Bike shops are failing because, at many, you don't get decent customer service unless the customer does the work to build the relationship. I find this completely unacceptable.

Other retail stores either earn your business with good customer service or understand that they will only be competing on price and will have to deal with online competitors. When I go shopping for a new TV, I wouldn't deal with the salesman being rude to me while talking about what I like/dislike in a TV, why is it any different in the bike shop?