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Samsonite BLB is like a skate shop where they're dicks to you the first time. You know the type, shops that complain about non-skaters buying skate shoes - yet they still sell them to them.

They get better, but 'customer service' doesn't seem to be a word they're too familiar with.

I didn't find BLB too bad - they're better than most. The only shop I've ever had really excellent service in is Cavendish Cycles.

Bike shop service is, in general, a joke, and it's not clever. If I have the choice of traipsing round a bunch of shops only to be treated like an imbecile or ordering it online for cheaper from people who seem to want to take my money, I'm going to go for the latter option. I'd like to support local businesses, but only if they want my custom.