Originally Posted by
dwmckee
The 'Greedy LBS' owner probably clears $35k a year if he is lucky. I meant greedy, but in case of LBS - unsuccessful business behavior. The guy that runs my LBS does not even take a salary anymore. The seasonal business sits nearly idle for 6 months in winter with the only reduction from summer costs is to lay off the mechanics. If we want te LBS around in the next decade to keep us rolling, we have to consider maybe we need to support at least the good ones that do deserve our support. Paying an extra $3 for a set of gloves is a very small premium to me to ensure I have someone around to adjust my gears and BS with about the new DI2 systems and great old steel rides. Amen to that. What has become of 'relationships' in this online world? If I am in a pinch my LBS will fix my bike while I wait and even show up early for me so I can pick up something I need on the way to work. Try to get that from Performance Bike. And hanging out in my LBS is a pleasure I occasionally indulge in on a Saturday morning when I want to get out of the house for a while. When I do that I also pick up a set of tires I do not need or buy another new seat. They earn my money far more than Performance does, even if they are a couple of bucks more expensive. My relationship with LBS is non existent. Performance Bike is the only place I feel important as a customer. I guess It's just a personal luck.
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I wonder if anyone knows any bicycle brick and mortar store that is doing great and growing in a nice rate each year. I'm not talking about big, national chain, or the ones that do mostly online sales... I believe that some in big cities or the ones on university campuses have their chance to grow.
I see a lot of talking about saving local stores, but I don't see us sharing names and good experience with them. Help your lbs to get more business using this forum. The best and the most flexible will survive.