tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post6733536493786362006..comments2024-03-19T05:40:22.017-04:00Comments on Sprinter della Casa: Life - Bike Shop LearningAkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430651087205849350noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post-42933497206339696282008-08-06T22:50:00.000-04:002008-08-06T22:50:00.000-04:00Working in a bike shop does have its negative side...Working in a bike shop does have its negative side. Customers equip-ment always break either the night before a race/ride and or that new high falootin part/tire that they read up on and had you order doesn't quite measure up to their high expectations. And, AND every broken part should be warrantied, cuz the were "just riding along" when it broke. Never mind they were riding in the local race and crashed taking a turn too steep.<BR/>But it does have its bright side. Discounts, no. Because you will spend your whole paycheck buying that new high falootin new part. You get to work on the latest and greatest. Baloney! You have to fix those Huffy's, Santa Fe's, and every bike left in the back of the garage until 2 days before that big "race/ride". And don't forget every flat mtn bike tire with dog crap on the tread needs to be fixed.<BR/>No, what I'm talking about is a pure and simple joy of talking to people about the 2 things they love to talk ad nauseum about. Themselves and bikes. You've been in my store, and we spent over an hour talking about.......you, bikes, racing, and life. That is why I still remain in the business. Everyday is different. Friends, old and new, stop by everyday and talk bikes or themselves. Alot talk to me about racing. Some of the biggest thrills for me is not the $5k-$10k bike sale, which is more of a challenge. I'm trying to get the customers money, he/she wants a discount, even though you know that if they are looking at a bike priced like that they can afford it. So its always a game. The real thrills are selling that 16" kids bike to a first time rider, or even showing someone how to ride a bike for the first time. Those are the real fun sales.<BR/>I don't give discounts to people who think they deserve one. I don't give discounts to bike clubs either. I do give discounts to repeat customers who frequent the store. I also do my best to help out distressed customers and some racers. I see them at the races, and I usually pass on my discounts or freebies to them. A set of tires here, some new shorts there, and always some free labor on my part. There are times when I will get in early, 6:30am-7am, to make sure a customers bike is fixed in time for the big event. I try never to stay late because of the girls. <BR/>Yeah, you do learn alot about people in bike shops. You also learn alot about life. Want to make a million dollars owning a bike shop? Then start with 2 million.<BR/>I have sought out owners of other stores, just to see how they do things. I have gone into other stores and "stolen" from them. Not in the traditional sense, but with my eyes. I do my own market research, but I'm always learning. The bike biz hasn't changed all that much Aki, except for the average price, but the premise always remains the same.<BR/><BR/>Treat the customer, as you would want to be treated. This is a mantra I have tried to tell my guys for over 20 years. And notice how you are treated at other retail establishments. Always ask youself, is this the way you would want to be treated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com