It’s very simple. Hobby shops have the same work hours you do. Who wants to work late? It’s not their fault you’d rather stay employed than sneak out of work to buy hobby supplies. As for why hobby shops keep going out of business, that’s anyone’s guess. ?
Kudos to RIDE Cyclery – Encinitas, for being open at 7:00PM on a Saturday a few years ago, saving me from a DNF on a 200km brevet when I lost a bolt on a seat mount.
This is exactly why the mom-and-pops on Mainstreet USA fail, and continue to fail. Open at 10, close at 4:45, and not open on Sunday. Big box is open all the time, guess why people go there?
Zorba, feel free to stick to BigBox. People have real life and real family whom they care about. Working until midnight and working the weekend is impossible, unless you do not give a rat who works these hours
I wouldn’t trade Bear Creek Bicycles in Dalton GA for all of the big box stores. They went way above and beyond the norm to correct a fit issue that popped up about a year after purchase. They are truly service oriented and are constantly providing value to the community.
Find a career you love and you will never work a day in your life.
Most good LBSs follow this rule, and that’s why you will find them open earlier than 10:00 or later than 4:45, and able to help you when you are in a jam. Try that with your “big box store” next time you need to get a spare inner tube (presta valve) for a 700×18 tire, or replace a disc brake pad, or get someone to true up a wheel for you the night before a big ride.
One hand washes the other. Support your LBS, and they will support you.
Every time I go to my LBS’s I feel like my time was wasted. I mainly use them for the occasional need for a specialty tool. But when i want to order a part, they search the same amazon listings I’ve already found and charge me an extra 40%. I’mean I know they need their cut, but I can’t justify the hike in price.
I’ve also noticed that when it comes to brand recognition, if it’s not already on the brand of bikes they sell, they don’t know what you’re talking about. The owner/mechanic of the last place I went had never heard of Shimano Hollowtech II cranks. He kept trying to correct me by saying “Octal” but Octalink is NOT the same!
Also, I swear I will lose my mind if they keep telling me about mountain biking related topics. They usually start the interaction with “what kind of bike do you ride?” and if you say “road bike”, they will assume you meant to say “mountain” and continue to tell you all about the awesome gravel and hilly wooded trails in the area.
2 of the 3 in my general area are mom and pop places, the 3rd is a small chain, but all are equally the same as far as service. Nice people, but I leave each shop disappointed nearly every time.
That’s how we used to do it in the old days.
Now, we just pull out our smartphone because there’s an app for that.
I understand that hobby shops use a similar system.
It’s very simple. Hobby shops have the same work hours you do. Who wants to work late? It’s not their fault you’d rather stay employed than sneak out of work to buy hobby supplies. As for why hobby shops keep going out of business, that’s anyone’s guess. ?
Kudos to RIDE Cyclery – Encinitas, for being open at 7:00PM on a Saturday a few years ago, saving me from a DNF on a 200km brevet when I lost a bolt on a seat mount.
This is exactly why the mom-and-pops on Mainstreet USA fail, and continue to fail. Open at 10, close at 4:45, and not open on Sunday. Big box is open all the time, guess why people go there?
Zorba, feel free to stick to BigBox. People have real life and real family whom they care about. Working until midnight and working the weekend is impossible, unless you do not give a rat who works these hours
I wouldn’t trade Bear Creek Bicycles in Dalton GA for all of the big box stores. They went way above and beyond the norm to correct a fit issue that popped up about a year after purchase. They are truly service oriented and are constantly providing value to the community.
Find a career you love and you will never work a day in your life.
Most good LBSs follow this rule, and that’s why you will find them open earlier than 10:00 or later than 4:45, and able to help you when you are in a jam. Try that with your “big box store” next time you need to get a spare inner tube (presta valve) for a 700×18 tire, or replace a disc brake pad, or get someone to true up a wheel for you the night before a big ride.
One hand washes the other. Support your LBS, and they will support you.
One hand washes the other, and they both wash the face.
Every time I go to my LBS’s I feel like my time was wasted. I mainly use them for the occasional need for a specialty tool. But when i want to order a part, they search the same amazon listings I’ve already found and charge me an extra 40%. I’mean I know they need their cut, but I can’t justify the hike in price.
I’ve also noticed that when it comes to brand recognition, if it’s not already on the brand of bikes they sell, they don’t know what you’re talking about. The owner/mechanic of the last place I went had never heard of Shimano Hollowtech II cranks. He kept trying to correct me by saying “Octal” but Octalink is NOT the same!
Also, I swear I will lose my mind if they keep telling me about mountain biking related topics. They usually start the interaction with “what kind of bike do you ride?” and if you say “road bike”, they will assume you meant to say “mountain” and continue to tell you all about the awesome gravel and hilly wooded trails in the area.
2 of the 3 in my general area are mom and pop places, the 3rd is a small chain, but all are equally the same as far as service. Nice people, but I leave each shop disappointed nearly every time.