I rode my Checkpoint to the LBS where I had purchased it for a brake inspection. The LBS is about 8 km away, and I planned to walk home. Upon arriving, I was told that it needed pads and some minor adjustments and would be ready the next day. I asked the guy at the service desk to hold onto my helmet as I was walking home. He said they do not hold helmets, and after some back and forth, I pulled a Karen and asked to see the Manager. The Manager reiterated that they have a no-helmet-holding policy because if they drop the helmet, it must be replaced, and if the helmet has an issue, they could be liable. I pointed out that there was a freaking shelf behind the service desk and that I could walk over and put the helmet on it. NOPE, "we have a policy, sir".

So I walked home carrying the helmet, wishing that I had taken my bike and told him to shove his policy up his ass.

If you ditch your LBS, I'll bet they break out the champagne.

Doubtful, I'm the type of customer that gets their VIP end-of-season tune-up, which costs almost as much as a Walmart bike

You're making a big deal out of nothing. Every business has a right to have certain policies in place. Also replacing brake pads is a simple DIY job which can be done at home. Their argument about dropping a customers helmet and possibly damaging it is a valid one. Respect it and get on with life.

There’s a couple other bike shops on Bloor near where I took it. Next time I’ll take it there and see if they have same policy.

Sounds like you are the type of customer this policy exists for.

You would rather walk 8 km than spend 5 minutes (max) changing brake pads?

Do you have other people dial your phone?

Shhh!

If Mikey tries to change his own brake pads, can you IMAGINE how many threads that will require?

I don't blame the store in this litigious age, and agree this is a customer that isn't needed. I dropped my LBS because they double charged me for a repair, and the owner admitted it, but didn't refund the extra charge.

Mr. Deason has special needs that must be accommodated. He is "that type of customer".

Guessing an LBS loves someone who doesn’t want to mess with pads and adjustments.

that’s how they make $$$

lol

would have tackled just pads but wanted things checked out properly.

I like a pro to verify brakes. They’re kinda important

General Forum is Deason's personal blog circa 2002.


MikeDeason - not everything that can be shared is worth sharing. Best of luck finding a shop that will cater to whatever random desire you happen to have in the moment.

"Pulled a Karen" is too much self-knowledge, methinks.

This is ridiculous. I was waiting for the punchline and it never came. OP is serious?

Yea. Thanks.

I will try other shops next time. If they have the same policy I will return to the original shop.

Otherwise F them. They could just put it on the shelf.

No, they couldn't just put it on the shelf for the very clear reason they gave you.

Moving past that though, allow me to encourage you to not update the board as to whether you find a new shop that caters to your every whim or you continue to search for one.
Nobody cares, so you don't need to update the board.

What a horrible burden to have to carry a helmet while walking. It's not like he could have just carried it on his head. Oh, wait....

When I managed a bike shop I implemented a similar policy, but more extreme. Any bag or bottle on the bike had to go with the customer and could not be left on the bike. We also would not hold on to a customer's helmet. Why? A customer accused us of losing the saddle bag on their bike. Trouble is the bike did not have the bag on it when they dropped the bike off. We gave him a shop branded bag, which was a very nice bag, and let it go. Kudos to the guy for returning our bag a week later as he had found the saddle bag he accused us of losing. Took a bit of crow eating to do that, it also took a bit of integrity.
I'm with the shop on this one as it is not an unreasonable policy.

Yeah. No amount of business is worth "him".

I’ll be checking other local shops. If it’s a standard policy I’ll let it slide.

Otherwise, they could just put the damn helmet on a shelf overnight.

Ditching my LBS

I think this is what's known as a win-win outcome.

Sometimes the customer needs to be terminated (fired).
I would accept the policy as sound standard practice in a highly litigious world.

Oh to be a fly on the wall listening when he comes in with that bizarre request.

I would not be stupid and leave my helmet there. I would ride to the store with, you know, a backpack. Barring that, I would tie the helmet around my neck as if I were transporting handlebars.

Considering they have a policy specifically as it relates to helmets, I’m guessing it’s not that bizarre.

Likely many customers ride their bike in for service then take the subway or bus or walk home.