Comments on: Real Value: Why Real Salespeople Matter http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/ It's like reality TV. Except it's real. And there's no TV. Fri, 04 Mar 2022 03:21:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Kristen http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668756 Kristen Tue, 03 May 2016 21:34:23 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668756 I agree with you with one caveat -- kids bikes. Most bike shops (a) have a horrible selection of kids bikes and (b) know almost nothing about them. I get emails from parents all the time that have been sold a crappy bike from a salesperson that they trusted. Most of the really good kids bike brands--Woom for instance--aren't even available in retail stores. While I'm all for supporting local bike shops, this is one area that 90%+ of LBS salespeople do a horrible job with..... I agree with you with one caveat — kids bikes. Most bike shops (a) have a horrible selection of kids bikes and (b) know almost nothing about them. I get emails from parents all the time that have been sold a crappy bike from a salesperson that they trusted. Most of the really good kids bike brands–Woom for instance–aren’t even available in retail stores. While I’m all for supporting local bike shops, this is one area that 90%+ of LBS salespeople do a horrible job with…..

]]> By: Kristen http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668755 Kristen Tue, 03 May 2016 21:33:30 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668755 I agree with you with one caveat -- kids bikes. Most bike shops (a) have a horrible selection of kids bikes and (b) know almost nothing about them. I get emails from parents all the time that have been sold a crappy bike from a salesperson that they trusted. Most of the really good kids bike brands--Woom for instance--aren't even available in retail stores. While I'm all for supporting local bike shops, this is one area that 90%+ of LBS salespeople do a horrible job with..... I agree with you with one caveat — kids bikes. Most bike shops (a) have a horrible selection of kids bikes and (b) know almost nothing about them. I get emails from parents all the time that have been sold a crappy bike from a salesperson that they trusted. Most of the really good kids bike brands–Woom for instance–aren’t even available in retail stores. While I’m all for supporting local bike shops, this is one area that 90%+ of LBS salespeople do a horrible job with…..

]]> By: Mark H. http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668713 Mark H. Tue, 26 Apr 2016 22:22:44 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668713 This is one of the best comment discusions I've seen on the Internet. Ever. Respectful, well-reasoned, and solidly written. As for my thoughts - I love my LBS. But, have started to look both non-local and online after getting laughable quotes for a new mountain bike. I don't expect my shop to match the lowest quote I can find. However, I do want to feel like I'm not being ripped off. That my many years and dollars spent at the shop mean something. Loyalty goes both ways. I can't spend a few thousand dollars more for the exact same high-end bike I can get elsewhere. Just can't. This is one of the best comment discusions I’ve seen on the Internet. Ever. Respectful, well-reasoned, and solidly written.

As for my thoughts – I love my LBS. But, have started to look both non-local and online after getting laughable quotes for a new mountain bike. I don’t expect my shop to match the lowest quote I can find. However, I do want to feel like I’m not being ripped off. That my many years and dollars spent at the shop mean something. Loyalty goes both ways. I can’t spend a few thousand dollars more for the exact same high-end bike I can get elsewhere. Just can’t.

]]> By: spaceyace http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668712 spaceyace Tue, 26 Apr 2016 19:20:39 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668712 When I started riding eight years ago, the best advice I got (from a relative) was "just buy a bike. When you've been riding for a couple years you'll know enough to actually appreciate the higher-end bikes." I got an $800 entry-level road bike from REI and it's served me well. Eight years may have been too long, but here I am ready to drop a couple thousand on a new one, and completely dreading the process, because I hate going to my LBS. I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon and Nashbar, but I also stop by an LBS pretty often, because who has time for shipping when it's a good day to ride today? Also, I sometimes have questions. My experience has been spotty in every LBS I've visited. Sometimes friendly and helpful, sometimes condescending and don't-bother-me attitude. In some instances, I'm pretty sure it's because I'm a)female and/or b)a true 'fat cyclist.' Jim got it spot-on. I love supporting local businesses, and I *will* spend more for consistent good customer service. I would love a 'Tough Love for the LBS' post. Or even better yet, a 'How to Find an LBS That Consistently Treats You Like a Human' post. When I started riding eight years ago, the best advice I got (from a relative) was “just buy a bike. When you’ve been riding for a couple years you’ll know enough to actually appreciate the higher-end bikes.” I got an $800 entry-level road bike from REI and it’s served me well. Eight years may have been too long, but here I am ready to drop a couple thousand on a new one, and completely dreading the process, because I hate going to my LBS.
I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon and Nashbar, but I also stop by an LBS pretty often, because who has time for shipping when it’s a good day to ride today? Also, I sometimes have questions. My experience has been spotty in every LBS I’ve visited. Sometimes friendly and helpful, sometimes condescending and don’t-bother-me attitude. In some instances, I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m a)female and/or b)a true ‘fat cyclist.’
Jim got it spot-on. I love supporting local businesses, and I *will* spend more for consistent good customer service. I would love a ‘Tough Love for the LBS’ post. Or even better yet, a ‘How to Find an LBS That Consistently Treats You Like a Human’ post.

]]> By: Bob S. http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668687 Bob S. Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:56:05 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668687 People who say, "I buy all my bikes at my local dealer, but buy accessories, etc. online", realize they're not doing a lot for their local dealer, right? The money is not in the bikes. It's in everything else for the dealer. <blockquote>That's an excellent point. - FC</blockquote> People who say, “I buy all my bikes at my local dealer, but buy accessories, etc. online”, realize they’re not doing a lot for their local dealer, right? The money is not in the bikes. It’s in everything else for the dealer.

That’s an excellent point. – FC

]]> By: Joe http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668683 Joe Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:11:37 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668683 In our community we have a slightly different wrinkle in this LBS conversation. We have 2 bike shops. The first is owned by the family of a famous cyclist. That is a good place to go to find out how much you do not know about cycling. It is stocked with whatever the famous cyclist is riding or promoting at the time. It doesn't matter what they said (or sold) last year, the stuff on the floor now is the absolute best you can buy and you'd be an idiot for even considering anything else (including last years products). The staff is condescending and the repair shop is marginal. The other is owned and operated by a local guy. He's an affordable OK mechanic. But his shop is merchandised by a bike company. Everything, bikes, components, computers, gloves etc. This guy has very little input into what goes into his store. He can request certain models based on sales history, but in reality the rep comes by and tells him what he's going to be selling this season, which models, how many etc. As a result there is not much passion and product knowledge is pretty thin. As a result most people go out of town or order online for their bikes and components. Personally I have been lucky. I found a mechanic in a neighboring town that has maintained my bikes for going on 20 years. I am dreading the day I stop in and he says he's going to retire. He is knowledgable, friendly and affordable. And yes, I am loyal to his business. In our community we have a slightly different wrinkle in this LBS conversation. We have 2 bike shops.

The first is owned by the family of a famous cyclist. That is a good place to go to find out how much you do not know about cycling. It is stocked with whatever the famous cyclist is riding or promoting at the time. It doesn’t matter what they said (or sold) last year, the stuff on the floor now is the absolute best you can buy and you’d be an idiot for even considering anything else (including last years products). The staff is condescending and the repair shop is marginal.

The other is owned and operated by a local guy. He’s an affordable OK mechanic. But his shop is merchandised by a bike company. Everything, bikes, components, computers, gloves etc. This guy has very little input into what goes into his store. He can request certain models based on sales history, but in reality the rep comes by and tells him what he’s going to be selling this season, which models, how many etc. As a result there is not much passion and product knowledge is pretty thin.

As a result most people go out of town or order online for their bikes and components. Personally I have been lucky. I found a mechanic in a neighboring town that has maintained my bikes for going on 20 years. I am dreading the day I stop in and he says he’s going to retire. He is knowledgable, friendly and affordable. And yes, I am loyal to his business.

]]> By: fat bike racer http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668672 fat bike racer Thu, 21 Apr 2016 01:29:06 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668672 Wow, pretty cerebral, nice post. Hows that diet? <blockquote>Down to 167 today. Thanks for asking! I gotta get better about including my weight in the post. - FC</blockquote> Wow, pretty cerebral, nice post. Hows that diet?

Down to 167 today. Thanks for asking! I gotta get better about including my weight in the post. – FC

]]> By: Bill H-D http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668667 Bill H-D Wed, 20 Apr 2016 19:08:47 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668667 Not surprised that I agree with Elden. My advice - which I wrote down a while back after getting asked for it a few times - is here: http://billhdmarathon.blogspot.com/2014/07/buying-new-bike-do-dont-do-and-faq.html The TL;DR: the most expensive bike is one you don't ride. $1400 is no bargain if you aren't crazy in love riding that thing. Not surprised that I agree with Elden. My advice – which I wrote down a while back after getting asked for it a few times – is here: http://billhdmarathon.blogspot.com/2014/07/buying-new-bike-do-dont-do-and-faq.html

The TL;DR: the most expensive bike is one you don’t ride. $1400 is no bargain if you aren’t crazy in love riding that thing.

]]> By: the Putti http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668663 the Putti Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:34:46 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668663 I just spent an hour with my LBS talking about hubs, I learned more than I could have reading the board posts on any biking website. I just spent an hour with my LBS talking about hubs, I learned more than I could have reading the board posts on any biking website.

]]> By: Micha http://www.fatcyclist.com/2016/04/18/real-value-why-real-salespeople-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-668661 Micha Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:08:13 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=16004#comment-668661 Thanks for the comments about my crash. I'm doing well. And still ride. Thanks for the comments about my crash. I’m doing well. And still ride.

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