supersmasherjoe

Hmmmm...Yeah, I can understand both sides of this story. I work at a shop too, but have also been to shops where i've have not been treated well. I guess the most important thing is not not loose faith in IBD's (independent bike dealers) because they do need you. I agree with the others in saying go to the manager and talk to him. I know I've been rude to people before, but it's not something i'm proud of. Sales people are people too, we are not perfect. Maybe you just caught people on a bad day. Granted, that would be three people's bad days, but it could happen. I guess to summarize, don't lose faith, and take some action.[FONT=Arial]

leadbutt

I agree that you shouldn't write off ALL LBS's...It seems EVERY bike shop I walk into has a different personality. Of the three local ones here, 1) is really cool, easy to deal with, gives you educated answers, but their prices aren't always comparable (I buy here cause the service far exceeds the extra dollars) and 2) is pretty cool, but you never know what to expect: somedays it's the flavor of the month, somedays everything's right there at a good price and 3) is the typical "if you look like money, we got time" shop

I've bought from all three, but I only go back to one regularly now...They pretty much understand I'm broke as a convict but I'm also a bike junkie...they also understand I dig building/rebuilding/tinkering with my own stuff...I only ask for free advice when I NEED it...I don't ask unnecessary prices...I tell them what I'm looking for and get THEIR recommendations, then the price...then I tell them when my wife gives me my next allowance, I'll come see em'...(they usually get a kick out of that)...

Fact of the matter is...give the shops another chance...the same dude that told you to basically "get lost" was probably in your shoes at one time...he may even feel bad about doing what he did...but honestly, some of my best friends are people that blew me off/ignored/disregarded/disrespected me when I first met them...It's really weird how it happens, but it does...

THEN if you have a REAL friend in the shop, not just someone who recognizes you for your dollars, you can get almost anything you want when you want...just like any other relationship, it takes time, an investment of time, to build it correctly...

and at 15...what else have you got but time?!??!? (just pickin' with ya...)

Al.canoe

It's not just bike shops and young folks. I've walked out of two stores in the last month because of poor responsiveness and I'm 64. Many people are just not suited to work with the public and that's just the way it is. One of the places I left lost a $700 sale. I ordered the truck tires on the WEB instead. I'll have them installed at a small shop that does good work and wants my buisness. I'll save a little ($100) too.

A smart way to deal with young folks is to consider that if you treat them well, weather they are just wanting information or going to purchase something, is that they could be good customers when the become adults and have more discretionary spending money. My local LBS has endured many "information only" visits from me over the years. It's paid off in a lot of buisness. They really like to talk to me now. If any store employee won't provide "just" info, I'll shop somewhere else.


Al

Albino_Litigato

This is a bigger issue than just a bike shop issue. It is an issue about how people in our society treat those whom we perceive as not being able to fulfill our short term needs. In your case, the salesperson perceived that it was unlikely that he was going to make a sale, and therefore snubbed you. It was unfortunate that you were treated that way. Most people find that, as they go through life, they are treated poorly at some step of the way. For many men, that step is when they are adolescent males. (I assume you are male.) It is my hope that you will learn from how you were treated, and do not treat people in the same manner as you get older. You may be a leader or other boss some day. Treat your subordinates well. Be nice to the person who makes your coffee. Hold the door for an old lady.

In my experience, the biking community is not as bad as the soceity as a whole, so I hope that you will stay a member of the biking community as you mature. Once you are in the workforce, it is unbelievable how rude people are.

leadbutt

Amen Albino...I just started working a public job after working for myself for 7 years...It's unbelieveable how rude and self-centered MOST people really are...but if you look at it as test of patience, you can come away better from it...

Al.canoe

While that may true for you, it's not borne out by my or my wife's personal experience. When we are on our road rides, either together or individually, we rarely get our waves to fellow bikers acknowledged by even a nod. The reason? We aren't cool. We ride touring frames, have fenders, wear Capilene silk weight vice fancier bike shirts and we are old (64). I cruise 16 miles an hour, use STI's and typically do 35 to 40 miles, so I'm not riding junk or going too slow.

On the other hand, I find the mountain bike folks more friendly, but not more so than the general population.

Al

AquariaGuy

Hey, well the cyclepath here in Kitchener Waterloo sucks. First, i walk in with my Giant Yukon, and they say, where did you buy that? I said I bought it in CyclePath in Toronto (Yonge/Finch) and the guy laughed and said haha, they sell sucky bikes. We sell Jamis which are better.

Also you know what's funny, it's supposed to be 5 yr warranty at ANY CyclePath, but the guys in kitchener said i can't do any work there. ****in losers. There's no point arguing with them, because if i bring it in the end, they will just fark up my bike even more and tell me they replaced some parts so i have to pay for it.

Also, where do you ride in new market? You should come to Toronto to buy your parts, their so much better and i heard there's a lot of good stores downtown. I have to shop at Cycle solutions, dukes and the others one day.

GT_ATB32

****** my LBS montgomery cyclery sucks, i wish they didn't put wright bros outta buisness

collin

here in victoria we have many bike shop:

Marty's cycle: they have a good selection mainly MTB, Brodie, Banshee and I think some Oryx, if you know lots about bike and have some cash they will be very responsive.

Chain chain chain, very small local store mainly focused on DJ, trial, urban and such again if you know your bikes they'll be talkative and if you have cash too

Reckless bike: biggest store in town 2 locations downtown, they sell pretty much every bikes from roadies to mtb, Brodies, Oryx, Rocky Mountain and some others, good price the staff is really great, I'd go there anyday in fact I'm gonna spend about 100$ more on a bike just cause it's from there.

there are other shops too but can't exactly remember them, which means the service wasn't incredible either

FLYBYU

I find that when you know more then the salesman/mechanic, then you get what you want, and some respect too. There are about 5 LBS in my city, I've only gone to the 2 closest ones so far and was not impressed. However when I'm talking to the salesman about a new bike I usually know more about it then he does, this really throws them off when they are trying to sell you something that you know is crap. For instance, they might be going on about what a great fork such and such bike has on it, same one used to race and all the other BS they tell you. Then I usally pipe up and ask, yes but isn't this the same fork that everyone is having the crowns breaking on lately. Usually they turn red and say, "I haven't heard that" or "We haven't had any problems with that yet" Then they usually move on to another bike that they hope you know nothing about. In a way bike shops are like used car dealers, you can always spot the rooky buyers getting suckered into a fancy new hybrid by the salesman. So my advice, get some knowledge, knowledge is power, so do some research on bikes and components before you visit the LBS.

Al.canoe

Another way to get great lbs service is to bike with the senior mechanic. He and I do single track once and a while. We have a great time discussing bike stuff too. Also, by belonging to the local bike club gets me extra attention and an automatic discount. If a major purchase is significantly cheaper on the WEB, I let the lbs bid on it. They more often than not come close enough. They know we shop online, so this way they can compete if they choose.

Al

BurntJoker

I can't believe that the employee would actually say something like that. I worked as a bike mechanic when I was 16, definitely a good way to learn the trade, and make some cash at the same time. But, on a side note, is the sorrento even set up to take disc brakes?

Hunter

What a shame. There is no excuse to treat anyone that way. If you have questions they should answer you. You are equal to anyone else who comes in there. At our shop it is encouraged to ask questions, hang out as long as you like look at everything. We have numerous manufacturers catalogs out mechainc shop is open so you can see what is being done, etc. Our social area is setup with Coffee pots, sodas, TV videos music etc.
Anyone who comes in is, is a customer, and is paying the bills, so one needs to accept that and show gratitude for it. It is that simple.

hooligan

Biking is biking, no matter what age, what money and what you ride, you are a customer. Bike shops like that go OUT of buisness once their top-buyers leave town. I hate shops like that. "Oh if you don't gots no money get out". Those are TRUE idiots. You may just want to take a look at parts, and bikes and the latest news. The cyclepath here at danforth is pretty good. The guy asked me when I was to hit grade 9 and offered me a job oppurtunity. I love biking, and would want to work in thier shop, but Im aiming higher .

trekkie820

The shop here in town is great. They have true experts(the one guy designed his own Seven trials bike). They are very helpful, and insightful, and awesome guys to hang out with. I had to get some spacers for my SS project, not only did he give me the spacers for free, he actually put them on, even though i didn't ask him to. Cool guys. They do not mind if you don't have much money or anything.