Support your LBS
I had a fall from my bike on the Grand Slam which resulted in a damaged frame and written off bike so the past week or so I've been dealing with an insurance claim and looking for a replacement. The first place I took the bike for a repair quote was my LBS The Bike Station at Hove, I reckon it's the best bike store in town, but I'm sure we all have our favourites. Noel dealt with the assessment and quote quickly and the insurance claim was approved.
I'd more or less made my mind up to buy a brand not normally stocked at the Bike Station (another Scott) and called in today to let Noel know which way I was going to proceed. He told me he can get the Scott and at a far better price than the other store I was going to use. So the upshot is my bike will be replaced with a better specced model than the one I killed, at an unbelievable price. Just shows if you build up a good rapport with a LBS you can reap the rewards, I couldn't be happier.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Darren S. on -
Absolutely have to agree with this. I have been a regular at Mega Bike in Hyde Park for the last 10 years and the lengths they now go to for me is second to none.
Recently, they have managed to deal with their suppliers to get my 2 year old, relatively worn SRAM S40 rims replaced, free of charge, due to a problem in trueing the rear wheel. One of the staff even loaned me a $1,500 race wheel for the state masters road race. I quite often get tweaks done on the bikes (refining the shifting, braking etc) whenever I feel like swinging by, regardless of how busy they are. Special orders of lines they don't stock are normally placed and available within 48 hours, always at a special price.
As you said, if you build up a good rapport with your LBS, they will look after you :)
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Permalink Reply by Gillian on
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Pat you would have just about worn the old bike out by now anyway. Hope there was no damage to the engine? We'll never catch you on a new beastie :-)
I've yet to make a big purchase at Bike Station but Noel is always price competitive. His advice on all things cycling saves me plenty as I no longer do the trial and error purchasing that I did prior to finding him. He has never tried to upsell me into anything that I really don't need. But wait .....there's more....you can actually get to speak to the mechanic Lindsay - and that is just priceless!
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
I spoke with him about a couple of bikes I was considering, some he said to stay away from, others he recommended, and these were bikes he didn't sell. The service from some stores ( the bigger franchised type) was in stark contrast to Bike station and Mega Bike, both of whom were great to deal with.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
Went shopping there myself this morning for some new tyres...ditto about the service :)
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
Never been to either of these shops but I have the same enthusiasm for the owner manager independent LBS that I use.
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Permalink Reply by REIDY on
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I'm going to have to make a special trip down south land to check out this Bike Station place everyone raves about:)
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Permalink Reply by Kara T on
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Ditto, planning on going down there Saturday. This site is good advertising for them!
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on
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Kara, that would be after a nice warm up flat ride with Gawler Wheelers.
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Your subtle Clive :) Sorry got a bushwalk planned for Saturday, rain and 14C is perfect weather for a bushwalk.
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Permalink Reply by Lorraine C on -
prob won't be raining way north out at Gawler
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Permalink Reply by Deborah d'Avigdor on -
Yes, I agree, I've always been a supporter of my LBS, told everyone I know that they should too, put heaps of business their way, refused commission for that, have been co-opted into running the shop women's riding group (not always personally convenient!) and today found out that the favour is not returned, and I have to wait a long time for a bike build, like a MONTH! so it seems that the support may run one way only :-(
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