LBS vs Online stores

This thread...

I thought so.

Blah blah blah/snip.

This thread has made me realise the truth. I do not buy £1k or £2k bikes from them. I do not take my shiny new bike in for a full service every 6 months. Therefore they do not give a fuck about me, therefore I do not give a fuck about them.

It's safe to say that I've spent some money on bikes over the past few years.

My most recent project has come with a price ticket which even I had not anticipated- and every single part has been sourced from the best value supplier which I could locate, sometimes after significant research.

I've spent a lot of time arranging for parts to be shipped- in one notable case in a friends luggage, in another parts have been shipped to a friend in the US then shipped on to me as the supplier would not post internationally.

The bike workshop I use most regularly know what bikes I have, what I am in the process of building- are you saying that they are unfailingly polite and friendly because they hope that one day I'll buy an expensive bike from them?

This would be tricky as they don't sell bikes.

I buy small parts from them all the time (and a lot of coffee), and I get them to do small jobs for me frequently as it's very convenient.

I also like supporting a local business which I feel is staffed with good people, people with whom I am, in the main, on first name terms.

There's no way they'd change a bottom bracket for £5, and I'd not ask or expect them to- for the level of faff involved that's a ridiculous amount of money to charge.

I don't know where I'm really going with this as I got distracted by the cat, but in general I think what you are failing to grasp is that you need to try to have a bit of respect for the people who you ask to perform work for you, and not try to beat them down to the lowest price.

Frequently people will perform in line with their expectations of payment in these circumstances - even if they don't get the money directly.

tldr, Jeez stop being a cock.

Or Ed might take an unhealthy interest in you.

Jeez, just listen to what Dammit says yeah?

(2) I asked for a BB to be removed. It is only now, a month later, that I have realised that the price that they quoted was their price for a BB removal and replacement.

So basically you did a Dammit by not checking the price until a couple months later?

Seriously, who on this thread works in a bike shop?

I do.

I also like supporting a local business which I feel is staffed with good people, people with whom I am, in the main, on first name terms.

Stick to the coffee, pies and small bike parts - avoid the sandwiches.

This thread has made me realise the truth. I do not buy £1k or £2k bikes from them. I do not take my shiny new bike in for a full service every 6 months. Therefore they do not give a fuck about me, therefore I do not give a fuck about them.

With you behaving like that, I won't give a fuck about what bike you want if you walk into my shop.

We could all have made about £1000 collecting empty beer cans for scrap metal over the course of time this thread has been running, in which case LBS service charges become rather irrelevant... Judging from the pile of cans in front of me I'll probably make twice that without having to leave my chair :)

Jeez, there's no point haggling over £15 for a job like that.. You'll get a shit service.. Find a friend with tools and time to help you out, please. Don't assume the LBS and their staff are out to swindle you.. Be absolutely clear what you need, though and what the problem is.

btw I've never bought a bike from a shop... parts yes, service yes.. gloves occasionally, food sometimes, beer often, coffee definitely, tee shirts and caps, of course why not? Cycling is a big distraction, sad but true.. I've even cocked up a few repairs, destroyed parts, learnt to be more careful especially around carbon frames using torque wrenches. It's all about knowledge and appreciating good service.

Everything else from tools, major parts, wheels, clothing, books all bought on-line or ebay. On average £1k per year. Don't need to give all to one LBS and they shouldn't expect me to. And im sure im not the only one who gets 10% discount from one store on grays inn road ;)

PM me if you want the £15...

I blow my nose on £10 notes..

I blow my nose using £10 notes in a slightly different fashion...

I save the twenties for that ;)

threads like these are when i wish we could have tags back

#margaretthatcherspenis

Don't even know what that is... Well I do, but I don't understand the function of tags.

Underhand cowardly insults.

They were quite popular.

Bring 'em back then... You can't beat underhand cowardly insults.

they went too far it is true but damn some were funny

Has this been removed yet?

not for that crazy money

so i'm looking for LBS's in London that are worth visiting... In town for a week, central London and am looking for a nice steel / ss frameset to take home with me. also easily convinced to purchase little hats and other bits i don't need... So, what are some awesome LBS's in central London that I can give my business to while there? Preferably ones with NOS vintage etc to extract my cash... thanks all.

all depends, do you want a BB installed in that NOS/vintage frame as that is going to cost you.

I'd say BLB are probably one of the best places for a good selection of NOS. They also have a nice stock of old Italian steel. I think week day time is your best shot at good service.

Sargent up in stoke newington has some lovely old bikes too.