Originally Posted by
RollCNY
Broad brush strokes are great, so let's paint the house.
Since 93% of statistics are made up on the spot, here are some more. The people that walk into a bike shop fall into the following categories:
20% - people looking for a tube, or a flat tire change, or some other thing that they could do themselves with 5 minutes of effort. They expect to pay $3 and will be annoyed if not serviced immediately.
10% - people looking for that thing that goes on the dohicky holding the seat to the wheel.. they speak gibberrish, look at other bikes to show an example, can't find it, and wander out confused.
40% - people actually looking for the best bike Walmart prices can buy. They become offended when they see bike shop prices, act shocked and outraged that anyone would charge that for a "BIKE!" and leave.
5% - looking for a warm place to survive New York winters. Typically they stop coming in around June but pick back up in September. This may be a regional thing though.
10% - expect to buy a bike on-line but want to use the shop for a free fitting and test ride.
15% - actual customers in the right spot actually looking to purchase a bicycle with an appropriate budget. They are checking multiple stores, asking questions, and comparing data. Most will not buy that day, most will say I'll be back and won't. Of these, half are educated and experienced cyclists, while two thirds walk in knowing they want a bike but know nothing about bikes in general (it is important for made up numbers to not sum out correctly).
So what's my point? The OP absolutely received poor service, and shops should treat everyone well. But I think sales people become frustrated, act inappropriately, and then wonder why they didn't get the sale on that small percentage that was saleable. But don't categorize every bike shop with the same scope. There are great ones and crappy ones.
I agree but that is sales. That is the job. Like it or get a different career. Sales is not for everyone, and buying a $2000 bike is like buying a car for most people.
A salesperson need to treat every customer well so they can sell the bike to the 10-15% that actually wants to buy one. LBS 's have a hard time with online sales. I mean we aren't talking about a hundred bucks difference, we are talking hundreds even thousands in some cases. If you want a consumer to pay more, that much more you have to give them something they won't get from an online store.
If A newbie spends $1500 on a bike, the LBS should be happy to fix a tube, swap a stem, tighten a couple bolts if I stop by on a ride. A good shop WILL do this. indo thisnwhen I can for people and it takes 2 minutes! It's what happens after the sale that keeps people in your store. (I'm not a bike store employee and not a bike tech expert).
I fell into the 15% that was going to shops to ask questions and get fitted and then buy online because of the inflated prices. If you want me to spend $400 more on the same bike there needs to be a fearing reason! Fortunately ther was a good shop. They were better than all the other shops customer service wise. It made me want to buy a bike there, like you were now a part of the family. Ya some of it is to make a sale, some of it not. In any case I was willing to pay more for the bike and DiD!