Banzai

Aside from the long hours and low profit margins...

I'm selling a fork on e-bay right now (it's a C'dale Ultra fork, for a road bike...this makes it road cycling related) and a potential buyer just asked me to go measure the steerer in inches for him.

The cut steerer length in millimeters is already in the listing.

After a got over my incredulity at the inability to use a popular search engine or do basic math, I thought about unloading that incredulity and then forbidding the individual from buying the fork.

I just don't have enough patience with people to run a bike shop.

roadiejorge 

Good that you recognize that customer service is not your strength.

ptle

I feel like I would have the same problem. Too many ignorant people. However the ones that think they know it all aren't very fun either. Also I'd feel bad about the prices. I've seen "basic tuneups" that cost about $50. It would probably take me less than half an hour to give a bike a basic tune up... and the skill/knowledge required is very minimal.

However if I were to run a bike shop, customer service would be my number one priority. I feel like most LBS get lots of money from returning customers or referred customers.

I don't ever spend money at a bike shop, because I can't afford it (well I could, but I can usually get parts for cheaper). Also, I do my own labor. However there is one LBS in town that I would have no problems spending money at because the owner is very, very friendly, unlike other big LBS store that only cater to the rich (which I'm not).

grepdot

Just explain to him that it's a metric fork...

ultraman6970

I think the OP should write back to thepotential buyer saying, "Looks like your skills with math are pretty poor and probably to watch TEAM UMIZUMI every morning will help you a lot, thanks!!"

ultraman6970

Probably the sucker don't even know what metric system is, it is a waste of time in my opinion

grepdot

Ask him to measure his head tube in millimeters so that we might better assist him (these things can be tricky what with MKS, CGS, SI and so forth...). A simple answer might result in a purchase he would regret after all, and we wouldn't want THAT...

RJM

I understand frustration with people, I used to run a tire and vehicle repair shop so I know intimately how clueless and rude customers can be. But really, was his question that annoying to you? Was it really that big of a deal? Sometimes you just have to step back, take a breath and realize the sun will come up tomorrow and soon you will have cash in your pocket from selling your fork. Sometimes you just really have to look at the positive side of things. Of course you could just continue being cynical.

Sixty Fiver

A basic tune up usually includes an inspection, lubrication, basic adjustments of the brakes and transmission, and minor wheel truing... and at my shop I also test ride customer's bikes whenever possible as some issues only manifest when the bike is under working loads.

If you can do all this in under 30 minutes on every bike that rolls into my shop I'll offer you a job as you can do what I do for a living far faster than I can with what I assume is far less experience.

lechat

Ebay buyers are pretty savvy. If you find anyone interested in that heavy ass fork. I'd go the extra mile to keep him on the hook. Anyhow, safe to say cyclist are easier to deal with than, say, auto customers. To mention one.

colombo357

Shunning ignorance is sales suicide. In the retail world, which includes bike sales, your mere existence will bring in some sales.

A guy who quickly glances at your ebay auction and misses the steertube length in millimeters (giving him the benefit of the doubt) is likely the same type of guy who would buy a product from you without checking your competitors' offerings (prices, shipping policies, return policies, etc). They see what they want, determine if they can afford it, and buy. In other words, the perfect customer.

You're right, you could never run a bike shop, or any business for that matter. And it looks like most of the people on BF are the same way. Really, not something to brag about.

patentcad

My long term relationship with my LBS (and they're not so local to me, they are 40 miles south of here) is because the co-owner, Glenn, is the most patient individual on God's Earth.

patentcad

Fixed.

nahh

Yeah, I hate trying to be nice to people when I'm trying to sell them things

383

You'd fit in at most bike shops.

scotch

I have three LBSs. None employ impatient, condescending d-bags. Go figure.

383

Really? Of the three LBSs that I frequent, that is the only kind of person they employ. You're missing out.

Edonis13

so instead of hitting up google and doing the conversion, telling the guy how you got the measurement to educate him on how to do it for himself in the future and possibly making a sale on your fork, you come here and spend more time *****ing about it. classic BF snob.

oilman_15106

It would take the patience of Job to run an LBS. Down there one day. Guy calls and has some kind of 30 year old folding bike and wants the LBS to give him an appraisal over the phone of the price of the bike he is going to list on scambay. Next guy comes in at least 100 pounds overweight says he needs a higher handlebar. Gets quote for parts and labor and is totally incensed that someone would charge him to put the parts on. This is just in one hour! Think about dealing with this 6 days a week.

Scooters

Requires a passion. Bottom line. www.scootersbikeshop.com And agreed with above poster we almost need a mechanism to screen calls referring to wal-mart bicycle repairs.

unterhausen

a lot of bike shops stay in business repairing walmart bikes.

I think a lot of the attitude we feel as bike enthusiasts in bike shops comes from the general ignorance of the people that walk in there on a day to day basis. It's not obvious who knows what about bikes. And there is a lot of ignorance even among enthusiasts. It's not an easy job.

unterhausen

duplicate post feature kicks in again

frpax

Or use a ruler that they probably have in their house...

BengeBoy 

Mrs. Pcad's ranking of "most patient individuals on earth" is:

1. Mrs. Pcad
2. Pcadette.
3. Glenn.

tkehler

Not enough information. The buyer could be a completely ignorant or lazy dork, or someone nice but in a hurry.

If you want to sell something you got to follow the adage that the customer is always right. On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with replying that this is a special fork that is both imperial and metric