#!markdown
My saddest LBS moments this last year.
1\. My GF needed new brake pads on a 2yr old bike. I am too busy to help her
so I tell her to go to the LBS and take the old pads with her to show them so
she gets the right ones. She comes back with pads for different model of
brake. 🙁
2\. I go down to the same LBS with the old pads to return the incorrect pads
and ask for new pads. I'm told by the sales guy that Avid no longer makes pads
for these 2yr old brakes. I say that's not possible. I am told yes that's how
it is. I walk out, drive home and order those pads online [takes 5mins to find
and order them] and they show up 2 days later for 60% of the cost I'd pay at
the LBS. 🙁
I wish I could say these are the only experiences like this I have had, but
they are not. I do try and spend money locally although I stick with service
items mostly that I don't want to buy the tools for or are messy to do at
home. I don't mind paying more to grab something locally, but my time in
precious and the more I waste getting jacked around and then having to end up
ordering stuff online anyways the less interest I have in supporting a LBS. 🙁
When I do find something in stock or bring my bike in for service I don't
haggle for price. People have to eat. Stocking something locally costs more
than selling it to me online. I get that. Just make the mark up reasonable and
give me professional service.
Sept. 16, 2016, 12:16 p.m. - Vik Banerjee
#!markdown My saddest LBS moments this last year. 1\. My GF needed new brake pads on a 2yr old bike. I am too busy to help her so I tell her to go to the LBS and take the old pads with her to show them so she gets the right ones. She comes back with pads for different model of brake. 🙁 2\. I go down to the same LBS with the old pads to return the incorrect pads and ask for new pads. I'm told by the sales guy that Avid no longer makes pads for these 2yr old brakes. I say that's not possible. I am told yes that's how it is. I walk out, drive home and order those pads online [takes 5mins to find and order them] and they show up 2 days later for 60% of the cost I'd pay at the LBS. 🙁 I wish I could say these are the only experiences like this I have had, but they are not. I do try and spend money locally although I stick with service items mostly that I don't want to buy the tools for or are messy to do at home. I don't mind paying more to grab something locally, but my time in precious and the more I waste getting jacked around and then having to end up ordering stuff online anyways the less interest I have in supporting a LBS. 🙁 When I do find something in stock or bring my bike in for service I don't haggle for price. People have to eat. Stocking something locally costs more than selling it to me online. I get that. Just make the mark up reasonable and give me professional service.