briscoelab

[Rant]

So, today is my birthdday.... my girlfriend got me a new Bell Sweep R and a Polar CS200cad (woohoo for me ) Then she told me we were going to drive to a bike shop that carries Cervelos so I could see some in person. The shop is about an hour away... no big deal. After the drive over, we go into the shop.... never nice looking store... pretty bikes all over the place. They carried not only Cervelo, but Bianchi and Orber as well. They had a soloist and a carbon fiber soloist sitting there, that I of course began drooling over I really wanted to talk to them about the bikes and see what sizes they had in stock. We stand there for abotu 10 minutes looking at the bikes, and NO ONE will come over to say hello or anything..... There were a couple of other people in the store... but they weren't swamped or anything. Even if my LBS is really busy, they always tell people hello when they come into the store.... or say "we're really busy right now... but we'll be with you in just a few minutes" I was totally floored. After a couple more minutes, we just walked out the door and left! Screw them! When we got in the car, it was bothering so much I called them and told them that I was just in their store... no one even said hello... blah blah blah. That the lost any potential business from us. The guy never said he was sorry... just got all $hitty and defensive. He asked "we'll,,,,were we busy or something?" I said, "Are you busy right now" He said "No".... I just said... "we'll we were in there 5 minutes ago and no one could even say hello" What a ****** bag. I guess I should have felt honored for being in there store or something..... maybe kissed their shoes.

[/Rant Done]

It's just really sad to see customer service like this from a place selling nice bikes. Cervelo deserves better of their dealers. The really crappy part is that I have to drive like two hours to get to the next closest Cervelo dealer. But, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing they didn't talk to us.... that Carbon Soloist was looking VERY sweet

snookdude

I've had that same problem before. The trick is to go in with a necklace made of hundred dollar bills. Then you'll have their attention.

Snookdude

(ya, I am bitter about this subject. If we are going to frequent the LBS, instead of ordering online, they should show us a little curtesy.)

marcelinyc

Seems to me like you are too good to walk up to a sales man....or maybe you are scared of them...boooo

bigbossman 

Any saleman that sees potential customers standing around and does nothing is in the wrong business.

SDRider

I had that problem at my local Trek store. I'm not some young kid who looks like he couldn't afford to rub two nickels together either. I went in there 3-4 times and only once had someone talk to me. You don't get customers that way guys.

I ended up buying my bike from another LBS just around the corner that caters more to mtb but they are getting more road stuff in. In fact, I was in there today and they said they are going to carry a complete line of LOOK bikes and more Campagnolo!

When I walk in that store everyone says hi and they all know me by name. In fact, I've done a few rides with some of the employees. That's the kind of shop I will always go back to.

briscoelab

Riiiiiiiiiiight.....

It's more like wanting something refered to as customer service...... I don't expect them to kiss my @ss... but a simple "hello.... how are you today" wouldn't have been a bad idea. But, that's fine... I don't have to spend any money there

onRoffR

I'm a little unclear why you didn't talk to the manager while you were in the store, instead of calling after you left. If the store has a problem acknowleding customers I'm sure this would have been helpful to them as well as you guys, letting them know. there are all kinds of reasons why you may not have been acknowledged. if I would have driven an hour to this shop I would have requested service when none was offered.

geist

Happy Birthday. Uh, why didn't you just ask for some help? Seems like kind of a waste of yer time and gasoline to drive an hour each way. Well, at least you saved some cash by walking out without buying anything.

briscoelab

That's exactly how my LBS treats us. Been on rides with them, they know us by name... always give us great deals. We just wanted to see some Cervelos in person so we could consider picking up a couple.

Employes of the store saw us standing there, looking at and playing with the bikes.... they just seemed like they didn't give a $hit..... Maybe we should have asked why no one was interested in talking to us while we were there. I honestly just didn't care at the time.... It just got under my skin after we left. I wasn't crappy on the phone with the manager.... just told him our experience and that we were disapointed. I think the least he could do was say he was sorry. But either way it didn't really matter at that point. There was no way we'd spend a dime in that store. They have the right to deal with customers how ever they want.... and we have the right to spend our money where we want Those two lines just didn't converge on this one. hehe

I posted about it on here, because I was floored over the experience. Was curious if other peole had been treated like this. None of the local places I've gone to have acted like that. And I'm pretty sure if somone acted like that at our primart shop.... they'd be fired very quickly.

CastIron

My #1 rule as a paying customer anywhere: The harder you make me try to be a customer, the more likely I am to fail.

You shouldn't have to try to be a customer, just willing.

briscoelab

Thanks for the B-day wishes

Maybe it was a little bit of a waste... but we ran some other errands while we were over there. Plus, after seeing their actions in the first few minutes in the store.... Asking for help wouldn't have made any difference in my mind. I still wasn't going to spend any money there after that. It doesn't take long to get a feel for the atmosphere in a shop. Their's was just crappy. Not all shops are good.... and I had to find out one way or another.

msheron

I would have asked someone for help. I see fault on both sides. While we expect to have someone welcome us, and when they don't, we get offended. But when they say hello and stand by your side, we hate that too. Just say, hey you, Mr. Bike Selling Guy, I have money to spend and I love bikes.

Doctor Who

I prefer to be left alone when I'm out looking at bikes. A "hello" is all that is necessary, usually. If I have any questions or have any problems, I'll ask.

Too many times I've gone to shops and have had someone stand right over me, when all I wanted to do was kill 30 minutes looking at bike stuff.

I'm more of the exception, rather than the rule, but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from.

briscoelab

I totally understand where you are coming from. A good sales person can tell how you want them to treat you. We just didn't even get a hello... But, it was still nice to see those Sexy Cervelos in person. Honestly, that was worth the drive on it's own! This shop was pretty big... no one right there to even ask a question to. But there were def a couple of guys sitting on their cans yacking and looked over at us a few times.... but never smiled or nodded or the like.

I'm not wanting people to feel sorry for me, or wipe my butt! I'm a big boy... I just needed to vent a little Enjoy your weekend guys!

furiousferret

Well, not to totally defend them but this is not a car dealership where the employees are making a percentage of commision, if the owner isn't there, its probably a bunch of employees who make around $10 buck an hour, which you aren't going to find quality help there.

I'm the opposite though, I dont like to be bugged while shopping. I just stare at stuff, and if I want something, I approach them.

'nother

I don't have anything useful to contribute on the bike shop angle (people are people...) but just wanted to say happy birthday. It's mine, too . . . hope you got a good ride in at least!

briscoelab

Thanks! Happy B-day to you as well. Sadly, I had to ride on the trainer today.... 28 deg and snowing right now. Blah....

Warblade

Well you could have atleast walked up and asked for some help? And if they gave you bad customer service you could have just walked out. Thats what I would have done. Happy Birthday too! 21st one right?

-=(8)=-

When I lived in a place that had bicycle shops I
was just the opposite....annoyed at the constant,
never ending questions after the "Thanks, just looking".
"Any questions yet ?", "Do you wanna ride anything ?",
"buy something and we install at 1/2 price"
AAAAAARRGGGHHHH........ I JUST ASKED FOR THE
ABSOLUTE CHEEPEST TIRE YOU HAVE IN THE STORE, DO YOU
REALLY THINK I AM INTERESTED IN BUYING THIS TREK MADONNE ????


20 year old kids telling me what I 'need' is pretty funny though......

briscoelab

21?? HA...I wish. trying to insult me or something?? Try 27 I guess I'm getting cranky in my old age! hehe

briscoelab

Agreed! But at least someone asked I honestly want to strangle them when they keep at you after you say just looking. We weren't looking for hand holding... just some basic service. Good sales people are are to come by though. I know that I REALLY want a carbon soloist now though Just not from them. hehe

Exeye

SDrider....
Trek stores in Vista or Clairemont perhaps? i've had the same experience in both stores...
theres a similar thread about ****ty service floating around. Sounds like Trek has a bit of track record in not paying attention to their customers. i like the the look of their bikes, but the pretentious associates have pretty much ensured i wont spend money with them.

anybody remember those Saturn commercials, advertising how they let customers walk around freely and peruse, so much so that some would walk away because no one approached them? maybe its like that...

-=(8)=-

I also think that after a period of time salesman develop
a sense of who is a buyer and who isnt. They are usually
right on. Wrong in your case, obviously. I wouldnt want
to engage in LBS bashery 'cuz I have seen more good ones than
bad. And, when they arent around, you really miss them !
Good luck on your upcoming new ride !

baj32161

Last year when I was shopping for my new bike I went to a shop near my house that was a Cannondale, Giant dealer (I always liked Cannondales). I saw a few nice cannondales in my price range but the staff was just impossible to deal with. They acknowledged me but their attitudes were so condescending that I was immediately turned off. I didn't think they wanted to be bothered with a newbie....and I had $1700 cash to spend. Needless to say I went to another shop.

You are perfectly right not to spend your money in a place where you feel it (or you) is welcome. I also don't think you should have had to walk up and ask for help. It seems that one of those guys could have, at least, greeted you.

Cheers,

Brian

briscoelab

Yea.. I couldn't deal without my LBS.... those guys are great. They are a Specialized dealer... if they only carried Cervelos!! I'm still thinking about a S-works Tarmac from them... but man those R3's and Soloists are HOT