Lamabb

I have been a frequent customer of my LBS for the past 4 years, buying everything from my cycle clothing to three new bikes from them. I recently found myself ready to invest in an expensive road bike and after months of research, I settled on this one particular bike; one which my LBS does not sell (They don't sell that brand.) I ended up buying it elsewhere. The thing is, I have mentioned to them in the past that I was going to buy a high quality bike, and they will probably see me riding it at some point because they ride the same roads I do.

Here is my question: did I just ruin my relationship with them? I have still given them plenty of business and I would like to continue going to their shop. I know the next time I go there they are going to ask me about my past interest in buying a high quality bike, and I'm not sure what to tell them.

rpenmanparker 

I would have asked them if they could have gotten the chosen bike for you explaining that was the only one you wanted. If the answer, as expected, was no, then you would have been off the hook. If yes, and the price was right, you could have stayed with them. Either way, you wouldn't have been in the current predicament.

As it is, I don't think you have a problem. One approach is to be bold and take the new bike into the old shop to show it off like you would do with any "friend". That would be assertive. You would be telling them they are important to you, you just couldn't do this deal with them. Sweeten the visit by buying something significant while you are there. I think they will understand you value the relationship. In my experience shops are very gracious under such circumstances. This would be better than sneaking around hoping they won't see the new bike.

NoTrail

They are bike fanatics too and would probably appreciate seeing the new ride. Besides, you're going to keep getting all your other cycling needs from them, right?

coachboyd

I find it funny that a lot of people view the relationship with a bike shop like a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and if they buy something from anywhere else that they are cheating on their bike shop. Competition exists and if they don't carry something you want then you should feel free to buy it where you can. You would never feel bad about buying a computer part at Staples when you normally go to Best Buy. The bike shop should understand.

That being said, there is a big increase in people going into a bike shop, trying out equipment, and then ordering it off Amazon or some other web outlet to save a few bucks. That is something that I would be pretty upset about as a business owner.

cycledogg

You did not ruin your relationship with the shop by buying a different brand of bike than what they sell. Just continue to use their service as you have in the past. Shops carry different bike brands based on several facts. One is, the brand they carry has a better business relationship and service then other brands and so they "chose" to sell that brand. Sure they would have liked for you to buy the new bike from them, but it was not your fault they do not carry the brand of bike. You stated you have already bought several bikes from them, so this shop already knows they have your dedicated business.
Cheers

thechemist

+1

99Klein 

Agree with all of the above. I purchased my CAAD from another LBS. My shop is a Specialized shop. My CAAD fell apart on the second ride. Took it back to where I purchased it and it fell apart again on the next ride.

Sheepisly took it to my bike shop, explained the fantastic deal I got and my problems, and just like always, excelent service. No issues. I buy a lot of stuff from them and am happy to pay for service. Though they don't usually charge me much.

lsberrios1 

Well, that being said, I tend to be very loyal to my bikeshops, motorcycle shop, even restaurants and bars. However, since I moved from my old place I've found another place where I get 20% off retail on absolutely everything! that is hard to beat by any LBS. So I still go to my LBS to say hello and probably buy some stuff (clothes that are on sale) but not for expensive stuff like wheels, powermeters and such because I save such a huge chunk at the new shop. The new shop however does not carry the bikes I like and I know I'll be in business with my old shop for that.

I feel a little bad when I take my bike with new wheels and power meter to the old shop for a tune up but then again I spent close to $7k in a short period of time on their shop so they shouldn't be that upset that I get some stuff elsewhere. I don't know.. it sucks sometimes. the new shop cannot get the Black prince pads without the metal inserts and that makes a difference of 50 bucks. While I feel terrible not buying the pads from them I dont think it is reasonable to spend double the money just to make business...

UtahRider

You should be fine, if not find another place.

Clipped_in

Boyd nailed it!!!! But I think it's great that you have such loyalty to your shop. You don't need to have a guilt complex 'cause you bought a bike somewhere else. The girlfriend analogy was good. You sound like you feel that you cheated on them. If buying a bike they don't carry at another store destroyed your relationship with them, then your loyalty is misplaced IMO.

lsberrios1 

What happens if you want a bike like a lynksey, crumpton, parlee or english? You just spent most likely 15k on a bike. Where do you take it for servicing? Many bikeshops don't appreciate dealing with bikes that aren't their own....

MegaTom

Are we talking about a bike shop or spouse. I can see why you'd be concerned about the spouse's feelings, but the bike shop.....

MegaTom

Really?

lsberrios1 

Yes.. I think this is something bikeshops have created themselves. It's like we owe them a favor... or else they wont treat your bike with the same amount of care.

MegaTom

I've never experienced that. Not with a single one of at least a dozen or so shops up & down the east coast that I find myself in on occasion, and not even at the hoity-toity guys out in Cali. In fact, the hoity-toity guys seemed to admire my Lynskey more than anyone else. Seems to me that my dollar is worth just as much at any shop, no matter what I bring them, even my son's Motobecane.

RPK79

Don't bike shops make crap margins on bikes and make it up in accessories and service? Why would they care where you buy your bike if you're giving them the better secondary sales?

Cyclosaurus

When I go to any local business, my decision whether to full-on "showroom" their stuff and just buy from Amazon is directly tied to the level of service. If I go into an LBS or any store and they are aloof, unhelpful, or seem uninterested in helping me, hell yes, I will feel free to do it. I may do it pretty openly depending upon how bad. I've even told people at a couple of local stores (not LBS) that I'm just going to buy from Amazon because they weren't helpful. Welcome to the free market. But if I get good service, I'm happy to pay what I know is a premium over buying online. And in that case I often do let them know that I decided to buy at their store rather than go online because their service was good.

wheelreason

Bike shop "relationships" can be one way or mutual (or non existant). We've had this several times, and with the mutual relationship, you get lots of ribbing and left behind on a few hills with comments of your new "slow" bike, all in fun. With a one way relationship, you get charged for adjustments and repairs a la carte. Win, win.

Cyclelogikal

The way I see this as I understand the way my LBS works if they don't deal in that brand then they don't deal in it. Not their fault or yours. You bought the bike you wanted and no one will blame you or they should not! Don't sweat it catdaddy and don't feel like you owe them anything. Sounds like you have given them alot of business so they can't complain on that either.

Still get it tuned there if you don't wrench yourself. Either way if they are perturbed then don't go back to them.

unionmade

Boyd's comment on people conflating their "relationship" with a bike shop is something that I've found that shops use to their advantage. I personally would not try out an item in a bike shop and then buy on line. I think that is wasting the shop's time. However, I bought my road bike on line (I've purchased several other bikes at area shops). I have had it serviced at several bike shops in the boston area. In each instance, I was told "friends don't let friends buy bikes on line." I can't think of a single other consumer product where a shop owner would treat a customer with such attitude off the bat. My response has been to learn how to do most wrenching myself, and I found a guy who runs a repair shop out of this garage for the stuff I can't handle (he's a hell of a mechanic but has a rage disorder that's gotten him fired from just about every shop around).

nesdog

I'm considering doing the same thing, with the LBS whose shop ride I do every weekend. I buy what I can from them, test rode a bike but it's simply not what I'm looking for. I do feel bad about it, but not so much that I'm going to sacrifice purchasing what I want. I look around me at the folks that show up each Saturday. The majority aren't riding shop brands.

PhotoJoe 

This was my understanding. I truly don't think you have a thing to worry about. You show up to buy ANYTHING, they will most likely just be grateful for your business.

I deal with one shop in my area primarily. They're really cool. The manager remembers what we talk about and asks how rides were the next time we're in. We bought PhotoJoanne's Quik there and a bunch of accessories, but not my Lynskey (no, I didn't spend 15k on it!). There was one time I took it back to the service counter and immediately got swarmed by the mechanics. They were enthusiastically checking it out. The lead mechanic even asked me if he could take it for a short ride. I let him. He came back all smiles and said he wants one. They dialed in my gears at no charge and sent me on my way. So, my experience does not support your opinion. YMMV.

lsberrios1 

This is what I'd like to hear . good to see they can appreciate a good bike and treat it with respect. I am starting to consider saving up for "one of those bikes" for my 30th birthday (4 years from now) and I'd be really mad if I had nobody to trust with my jewel...

darb85

no. we understand we wont always get your business for everything. We are going to be fine. A little good natured rubbing on how your new bike isn't as good as ours but other than that, we will be fine.

at least that's how we handle it here. that way maybe we will get your next one!

SirHustlerEsq

You don't worry about it because they either understand your decision, or they don't.