drulu

any nyc people ever get the condescending vibe from certain bike shops when you ask what may actually be a "stupid" or just a beginner question? especially when referring to fixies.

Ceya

Yep! When you ask a question that you may know already to test their knowledge , you find they don't know squat!

S/F,
CEYA!

spectreman

oh yeah - this is not only a problem in NY....i've been so turned off by the jerks at my LBS that i only go in to the places when i absolutely have to. otherwise, through the years i just have taught myself how to do repair, and now i just order parts from bike stores in other cities - (where i'm sure they are "superior" too, but at least i don't have to talk to 'em)

did you ever notice this attitude coming out of record stores too???

bikes & records - what's the connection?

timmhaan

yes and no. don't be too discouraged though, there are good shops in and around the city. it makes it easier to stay loyal to those good ones you find. i've had great luck with chelsea bikes, they have a number of track bikes and parts and i've been impressed with the service so far.

luckycat

Don't forget your local independent video store as well. Ever go to Kim's on Ave A? Lots of angry, underpaid, overeducated folks there as well. Or comic book guy on the Simpsons? He could easily work in a nyc shop, hell, he could be Emey!

drulu

bike shops, record shops, video stores. there definitely is a consistent pattern of attitude at all three. whenever i go to kims and ask what cd is currently playing in the store, its as if they're doing me a huge favor by pointing at the cd case on the counter. man, i just want to listen to good music, ride the streets and watch some good ******** movies. can't all that happen without the attitude?

when i bought my mks toe clips the young dirty hipster sales dude who was helping me literally said, "well..if you want to buy whats 'cool' you should probably get these mks clips...all the kids will think you're cool if you buy these," being very glib. i was just like, what the F*** man, just tell me what the F*king benefit of these over the plastic ones are and i'll decide NOT based on whats cool.

F*CKERS.

Sorry for the vent.

s2sxiii

They're probably pretty elitist, but have you considered the "sick-of-answering-the-questions-of-every-posenger" possibility? I'm sure they get a ton of people coming in everyday who want to jump on the fixed bandwagon. Lots of questions to be answered like "Why are these metal clips better than plastic ones?" I bet those questions never get annoying.

timmhaan

agreed - but it's their job. they are being paid money to be in the shop answering questions and helping people. if they don't want to deal with everyday people, they shouldn't work at a bike shop in the first place.

s2sxiii

so prove your ego's bigger -- write a letter, organize a boycott. You'll show those cursed elitists what's for. Show them the power of the mediocre, uneducated "everyday people" and bring their world to a screeching halt.

If you're really hurt by their ego dinging yours, then do like Ceya said. Research one question, go ask them, and if they get it wrong, point and laugh, and say "hahaha my knowledge is bigger than yours you elitist bike shop/record store/ video rental employee!" I promise you'll leave smiling and feeling good about yourself.

s2sxiii

T.S. Quint: Haven't you ever heard "the customer is always right?!?"

Shannon Hamilton: Let me tell you a little secret; "THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS AN ***HOLE!!"

drulu

i wasnt aware that there was a fixed bandwagon to be jumped on. why cant people try something new and like it without being tagged a poser? and if people are tired of answering the same question all the time, then they should get a new job. i sympathize with the frusration of having to answer beginner questions because i work in film and always hear the same questions from students. but i tend to be more on the encouraging side. if i were them i'd be happy to see more people taking interest. it would essentially mean more money for the shop, the industry, and their own job security.

but then again i guess i can see why they'd think people are just tyring to be cool and jumping on a bandwagon. i've been jumping bandwagons all my life. jumped the rock bandwagon when i first heard zepplen. jumped the film bandwagon when i first saw taxi driver. and jumped the fixed bandwagon when i jumped on a fixie at my cousins house.

timmhaan

i'm just talking about people doing their jobs correctly. customer service is what working at an LBS is all about. at least if you work on the floor. part of the job requires a person to have patience to deal with everyday people asking the same questions all day long. if i'm being an ahole of a customer, i don't expect much. but if i'm just asking a simple question, and I’m willing to spend money, i expect some competence from the employee otherwise i'll just go somewhere else.

FixednotBroken

i have to agree: there is a general level of attitude at nearly all NYC bike shops that i find less than endearing.

that said, they seem to have good and bad days - saturdays and sundays seem to be busy times, and i do my best to avoid lengthy questions when they're overrun. i've also figured out which mechanics to avoid altogether (don't know how they keep their jobs, to be honest), and which ones are likely to be helpful.

i'm not really excusing them, 'cause i still find it infuriating at times, but once they know you, i think you'll find they can warm up.

i'm doing my best to learn how to do most things myself, so i don't even have to deal with the bullsh*t...

gravelpot

bike stores, book stores, record stores, video stores...

my theory (and I've thought about this a lot) is that the common thread is that these kinds of stores are staffed mostly by people who are passionate about the product (or "family" of product), not about people. I worked in a bookstore for three years, and almost without exception, the people who knew the most about books were the worst with customers, and vice versa.

for the wages that service jobs like these pay, I think you can get expertise or people skills, but rarely both. people who have both have higher earnings potential and rarely stick around for long.

just to throw out another pet theory, I think some people seek work in these kind of jobs because they enjoy being a part of that "surly attitude" workplace culture. and if they're not the one paying the bills, they don't have to worry about the effects that has on customers, who if they're anything like me are much more likely to quietly disappear and never return rather than make a fuss. my experience in the bookstore was that customers who made a fuss were generally jerks to begin with.

mcahill844

It won't do you NYC guys any good, but I really love my LBS in Cincinnati...'Jim's Bicycle Shop'. They have helped me through a number of small repairs and provided small old parts for very cheap. The owner is actually excited that I'm so into bicycles and loves to show off his little projects and check out mine. The last project he showed off was a custom bicycle built by waterford for a woman who 'was all leg with virtually no torsoe'.

jjsinglespeed

I agree,maybe its a smaller town thing ,,,, but my LBS Charleston Bicycle Center is very easy to work with. Heck I've never ever bought a bike there but the owner has always been helpful & doesn't charge a arm & a leg either,,, there were a couple snob-racer shops in town a few year ago but they all seemed to disappear----JJ
www.vailcycleworks.com

x2mars

Also guitar stores on 48th street, what a bunch of jerks in that Sam Ash. Manny's aint much better.
However, there's a real nice bike store in downtown Philadelphia. They owner is really helpful and friendly.

Rev.Chuck

I always try to help out a customer, espicially(sic.) if they are new to the fold(fixed or single). I want them to try it and like it. I want everybody to try any kind of bike and like it, $200 cruiser, $4000 composite. ENJOY. You don't do it by running people off. That being said, I hate the question "Do you work here?" It is a STUPID question. I am behind the line, tools in hand, greasy, bike in front of me, store name and my name on my RedCap (Look at my freaking avatar.)

That, and the statement"Anybody can fix a bike, why does "X" cost $10. Makes me want to hand them the tools and let em go. I saw a guy play "Stairway to Heaven" once, doesn't mean I can do it.

skitbraviking

Many Chicago indie record shops have a similar problem.

Poguemahone

I hate bike shops in general (sorry Rev.), after one too many snide comments from them... although the last time I was in one, they asked to see my 67 PX, and admired the clunky old UO8 fixie I was on, so they ain't all terrible. On the other hand, if I'd run into a good one earlier, I probably never would have learned to fix a bike on my own, so I guess you could call it a blessing.

On another note, I worked at a record store for about five years, and I can testify that it was owned by Satan, and that all the other record stores in town, if not owned by Satan, were/are at least owned by his closest disciples. Working for the Prince of Darkness tends to put one in a foul mood. That's my theory and I'm sticking with it. Now onto the next beer.

blendingnoise

What shop are you talking about. Been looking for a nice place for a while now.

OneTinSloth

the metal ones are better because they don't ****ing break as easliy. i've got a set of probably 20 year old clips (that have been through probably 2 other riders before me) that are still in perfect condition. my toe straps could use some replacing though...

OneTinSloth

heh...we generally answer "because our time is valuable, and we're performing a service for you. if you don't like it, you don't have to have us do it for you anymore."

Paraleisure

Boulevard Bikes in Chicago has a great owner who's helpful, really knowledgeable and not snide. The two shops in my neighborhood have some jerk owners so I take a nice long ride up to Boulevard when I need help. He just gave me a good deal on a mismatched Superbe Pro 165mm crankset (black drive side, silver on the other arm), and ordered me a matching black chainring and a Campy BB for straight chainline.

It's worth the long ride to not be treated like a little kid. I do most of my own work, so I appreciate that he doesn't talk down to me when I need something more complicated done. He also has stayed open late since I have to ride up after I get off work.

Agent_Embryo

my friend and i went to this bike shop off stanyan in sf (american cyclery, i think...) and the guy there was more than happy to set up a fixed for us to check out. totally friendly and nicer than most shops i've been too..... guess we got lucky. but hey, if i decide to buy parts, i'll probably go back to that shop.... so they get what they give, righ?