Bad Attitude and the LBS

"Mattboy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not the first time I have found a LBS to react in this
way....so whats there problem......is there somthing I am
missing!

Perhaps you were not wearing the "right" brand of
sunglasses?

Mattboy said:

Went to my LBS today as having done 3 months on my hybrid
I am thinking its time for a road bike....wow what a bunch
of [censored], ignored me at the counter while they chatted
over some race or other, evenyually talked to me, showed
me a couple of bikes - a Giant and then a custom build
both well over a grand, explained my budget was about 500
- 600 quid, at which point he lost interest told me to
have a look over the back and went back to his
conversation with his mates!!!

My LBS is soon to open an entire floor with nothing but road
bikes - you'd be spoilt for choice!

--
Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 16:04:08 GMT, Mattboy
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[LBS arsiness]

Quoted message said:

Not the first time I have found a LBS to react in this
way....so whats there problem......is there somthing I
am missing!

Nah, they're just elitist, rude gits. Ok, the LBS might
attract more of the 3000quid bike, fully clued up pro than
the 300quid tootler but that's no reason to all but ignore
someone, even if they're just in to buy a puncture repair
kit. There are a number of LBSes around here but there are
only a select few I considered, from word of mouth advice
and checking them out in person.

If you don't like their service don't shop there and go
somewhere else. If anyone asks dissuade people from going
there. If they're just assistants and you otherwise like
the shop write to the manager about them (if he's any
sense he'll know that a sale's a sale, even if it's a
cheaper bike).

Support good shops, avoid bad ones, like any other area.

Frink

--
Doctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail' See his mind
here : cmp.liv.ac.ukfrinkOpen ↗ Annoy his mind here :
pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook "No sir, I didn't like
it!" - Mr Horse

"Mattboy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Not the first time I have found a LBS to react in this
way....so whats there problem......is there somthing I am
missing!

Some LBS's are good, some aren't. Why not name and shame the
shop, maybe someone on the group knows a much better (if not
so local) alternative.

5 or 6 hundered is more than adaquate for a good Road Bike.

Mattboy said:

Went to my LBS today as having done 3 months on my hybrid
I am thinking its time for a road bike....wow what a bunch
of [censored], ignored me at the counter while they chatted
over some race or other, evenyually talked to me, showed
me a couple of bikes - a Giant and then a custom build
both well over a grand, explained my budget was about 500
- 600 quid, at which point he lost interest told me to
have a look over the back and went back to his
conversation with his mates!!!

So off to Halfords where the assistant understood what I
wanted, let me try out a couple of bikes etc..etc...

Not the first time I have found a LBS to react in this
way....so whats there problem......is there somthing I am
missing!

Matt

--

I used to work in a LBS (Now defunct sadly) and anyone who
wanted to buy a bike be it a £60 kids bike or a custom built
Roberts was treated as special. Not only did they come back
but so did their friends. Heck I started off as one of those
customers! The best course of action in a shop such as the
one you describe is to tell them loudly how rude you think
they are and go elsewhere. Good luck with your new bike.

Stan Cox

If you can stretch to £699 then you can get a cracking bike from www.sjscycles.com. It's the Thorn Brevet. They'll make sure you get the right size and they'll set it up for you.

That said, there are good LBS's out there. £600 will get you a good bike and a good LBS will make sure you get the right thing.

I would urge you not to buy from H*****ds.

If you can tell me what location, I will try to find a good shop for you.

Ian

[email hidden] (Doctor J. Frink) wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

(if he's any sense he'll know that a sale's a sale, even
if it's a cheaper bike).

And that for every 1000 quid bike he sells, he probably
sells three or four 500 quid bikes.

Graeme

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Frank X
"Mattboy"
Some LBS's are good, some aren't. Why not name and shame the
shop, maybe someone on the group knows a much better (if not
so local) alternative.

I agree. It would be useful if there was a source on this forum listing good and maybe bad cycle shops around the UK.

From my experience -
Wheel-base in Whitchurch (Shrops) seems good but has limited stock.
Stan Jones cycles in Shrewsbury was helpful & where I ultimately bought from.
I have no allegiance to either and am prepared to try others if anyone has recommendations.

Not sure about legal ramificatiions of naming & shaming but I'm claiming blow-fly induced insanity brought on by screaming past the pig farm with my mouth open.

Hello!

Fat Lad <[email hidden]> wrote in news:Y6Tzc.58163
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm claiming blow-fly induced insanity brought on by
screaming past the pig farm with my mouth open.

Ah, another "mouth breathing past the pig farm" person.
There's one out by the Pentland hills that I used to
cycle past. On certain days the smell almost knocked me
off my bike!

Graeme

"Fat Lad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Frank X said:

"Mattboy" Some LBS's are good, some aren't. Why not
name and shame the shop, maybe someone on the group
knows a much better (if not so local) alternative.

I agree. It would be useful if there was a source on
this forum listing good and maybe bad cycle shops
around the UK.

I like Geoffrey Butler in Croydon and Chris Compton in
Catford is OK too.(cheap).

I won't ever be going in Bromley Bike again.

Graeme said:

Ah, another "mouth breathing past the pig farm" person.
There's one out by the Pentland hills that I used to
cycle past. On certain days the smell almost knocked me
off my bike!

Loads of pig farms round here, they smell okay to me. But
the chicken sheds, OTOH, are pretty barfsome :-(

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Peter Clinch

BGraeme said:

Ah, another "mouth breathing past the pig farm" person.
There's one out by the Pentland hills that I used to
cycle past. On certain days the smell almost knocked me
off my bike!

Loads of pig farms round here, they smell okay to me. But
the chicken sheds, OTOH, are pretty barfsome :-(

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗ [/B]

Someone has to do it. don't you mean the chicken shed are a bit foul?

IGMC

Bryan

Fat Lad said:

I agree. It would be useful if there was a source on this
forum listing good and maybe bad cycle shops around the UK.

I often point people towards
<http://www.poolekites.freeserve.co.uk/> when a similar
subject is brought up in rec.kites.

Further into <http://www.poolekites.freeserve.co.uk/> are
<http://www.poolekites.freeserve.co.uk/surveys/index.htm>
for flying areas. Clicking on the county takes the browser
to a list of traders in that particular area.

Dicky Nourse's kite pages are perhaps somewhat out of date
now. Anyway, I see no reason why something similar could not
be attempted for LBSs.

James

Frank X said:

"Fat Lad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I agree. It would be useful if there was a source on
this forum listing good and maybe bad cycle shops around
the UK.

I like Geoffrey Butler in Croydon and Chris Compton in
Catford is OK too.(cheap).

I won't ever be going in Bromley Bike again.

Roy Pink in Newport Pagnell was friendly and helpful, even
though I was only getting a 200quid bike.

Frink

--
Doctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail' See his mind
here : cmp.liv.ac.ukfrinkOpen ↗ Annoy his mind here :
pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook "No sir, I didn't like
it!" - Mr Horse

Peter Clinch <[email hidden]> wrote in news:cap2fh$1n9$3
@dux.dundee.ac.uk:

Quoted message said:

Loads of pig farms round here, they smell okay to me. But
the chicken sheds, OTOH, are pretty barfsome :-(

You get them a lot around West Lothian. A plane I was on
bound for Glasgow was diverted to Edinburgh. Although I was
oblivious to this (I slept the whole flight) I knew I was in
Edinburgh when I woke up as the chicken farm stench was all
encompassing :-/

Graeme

Matt, having canvassed views from my colleagues in the bike trade, I know there are bike shops that will take the time to help you get the right bike, even with a lot less than £500 to £600 quid to spend.

I hope this experience doesn't put you off the independent bike dealers.

Tell us who the culprit was and I'll find you a good shop.

Ian

I have canvassed opinion from my colleagues in the bike trade.

Many of then have adult bikes that start at around £150, some start at about £200. There was a difference of opinion about what you have to pay to get a "quality" bike. Some said £200, some said £250, some said £300. Most agreed that you need to pay more if you want a bike that will stand up to off-road use.

There was a general disdain (not surprisingly) for elitist bike shops that only want to sell you expensive bikes. Most said that they spend time with customers making sure that the bike is right for them and making sure it is put together properly.

My advice would be "avoid the elitist shops"

Ian

wheelsgoround said:

I have canvassed opinion from my colleagues in the
bike trade.

Many of then have adult bikes that start at around £150,
some start at about £200. There was a difference of opinion
about what you have to pay to get a "quality" bike. Some
said £200, some said £250, some said £300. Most agreed that
you need to pay more if you want a bike that will stand up
to off-road use.

When people say "you need to spend x pounds to get a decent
bike" is that *just* for the bike, or does that include
other bits like suspension, etc?

I just spent 200 quid on a Discovery, which is pretty much
no frills and I think I got a good bike. You could spend 200
on a bike with suspension and so on and they could all be
subpar components.

Frink

--
Doctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail' See his mind
here : cmp.liv.ac.ukfrinkOpen ↗ Annoy his mind here :
pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook "No sir, I didn't like
it!" - Mr Horse

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Doctor J. Frink

When people say "you need to spend x pounds to get a decent
bike" is that *just* for the bike, or does that include
other bits like suspension, etc?

I just spent 200 quid on a Discovery, which is pretty much
no frills and I think I got a good bike. You could spend 200
on a bike with suspension and so on and they could all be
subpar components.

Quite right Dr Frink. 200 quid spread across a bike with full suspension, disk brakes and other fancy bits 'n' pieces is 200 quid spread pretty thinly.

Ian