Originally Posted by
keiththesnake
At the not-so-nice shop, some guy was working there actually made fun of my first commuter, calling it a "toy." Okay, so it was a department store bike. Not much, but that's what I had. I was interested in budgeting for a better bike, but I hadn't felt comfortable then buying something used off craigslist. I wasn't mechanically inclined. I told him that. It was my first stop into his shop, because it's close, so I figured my first bike-shop bike would be from there. I guess he decided against that idea, so he treat me like I'm some kind of bum. He speaks for the company, I can only assume. I've gone in their twice since that first encounter in the last two years. I still can't shake that feeling, so I leave and buy my stuff elsewhere.
YES!
Last month I went shopping for my first "real" bike, and I found that one of the really large local bike shops with the very best prices had absolutely no connection to its customers. I saw a couple of bikes I was interested in and went there THREE TIMES to check them out. The first salesman was just disinterested in helping. The second was knowledgeable, but also seemed to be laughing to himself when I'd describe what I wanted or asked questions (I think I even caught him laughing when he thought I wasn't looking). The third guy was friendly but not particularly helpful otherwise.
Three chances where I was ready to buy. Three different sales people blew it.
I must have tried 6 or 7 different shops. The one I bought from was the one with the best attitude. Helpful without being condescending. Enthusiastic without excluding beginners. Also, making suggestions instead of saying "Yeah, sure, you can do that."
Like when I seemed dead set on meaty 700x42 tires to handle my commute, the good shop strongly recommended thinner tires because I seemed overly cautious about gravel and the rolling resistance would be a bigger factor. They didn't go for the quick sale, they wanted to make sure I got what was right for me. After taking my new bike on the commute, I see they were 100% right, and I trust them that much more because of it.
Also, they negotiated. I had a $450 budget. The bike I wanted was $500. I didn't even ask...I was just ready to leave because every other shop I went to refused to bargain. But when I said, "Too bad this one's too much. I really can't go over $450," he checked the invoice and met me at my price.
I'll be going back there for anything else I need. I won't be stupid about price, but if they're atleast competitive, they have my support.