bike shop condundrum

Bike been in for more warranty work, shop say they are paid a basic amount for the work by the manufacturer, but I’d like to contribute something to the staff. Being for the most part fit cyclists I find the idea of giving them chocolate, biscuits or beers a non starter, as maybe half of them won’t eat/drink it or like the type I’ve bought (I was regularly ‘paid’ in nice wine by someone.. I don’t drink wine, my partner loved them). I do keep asking the manager what I could bring, but he’s very much no, it’s part of the service, there’s no need.. any thoughts?

Coffee and cake of course

I regularly take a crate of beers into my LBS. Hadn’t considered the calories…

O thought the whole point of riding bikes WAS to eat and drink shit all day long?

Guinness 0.0

Anybody who doesn’t like it isn’t worth trying to please.

I always take bags of sweets for my LBS

Most workshops I use have a tip jar.  I think a good job should show some appreciation regardless of what they get paid.

If I’m passing at any time I will drop in cake and sweets.

I also tend to have some jobs done that I could do myself as if we don’t support them we may loose them

Rider is I only use ones I can trust.

Few packets of nice biscuits 🙌🏻

I also tend to have some jobs done that I could do myself as if we don’t support them we may loose them

This is how I support them. They changed a chain and sprocket this week as part of a press-fit BB replacement. I could have done that in minutes, but I chose not to and was happy to pay the extra for parts and limited labour, rather than buy the same cheaper online and whip out the chain whip.

ew packets of nice biscuits

But not Nice biscuits, obvs.

Chocolate Hob-Nobs a safe bet.

I also tend to have some jobs done that I could do myself

One of the reasons that I’ve learned to jobs myself is because my LBS have been so variable in the quality of the jobs that they’ve done.

there’s no need

This. Slab of beers otherwise.

Why don’t you just give them some money, £10 each would go a long way.

I have been given money, beers and pastries on several occasions when customers have been happy with me. Once I got a bottle of champagne, after I told the customer I put wrong grease into his coaster hub by mistake when tired, and it started squealing soon when the grease burned off. Customer said “nobody ever admits they made a mistake, so here is a bottle for you!” after I fixed my mistake for free – customer was ready to buy a new wheel or anything, since he knew nothing about bikes.

Nowadays, I do not drink any alcohol, but coffee, tea or vegan candy would work – you know, there are vegan mechanics… But a cash tip may be very well appreciated as well.

Speaking from the other side of the bench, I don’t think there is a correct answer!

There will be someone who doesn’t drink alcohol. Someone who can only eat gluten free food. A bloody vegan (me….) etc. The sales people will drink all the beer 30 minutes before closing, while the mechs who earned the beer have steam coming out of their ears trying to get work done. Or someone will stay late to work on their own bike, and will drink all the beer.  There will be a Shop Ride, and customers will come back to the shop and drink all the tip beer. Heh heh….

Could leave a great Google review, and recommend the shop to all your biking buddies?

I’ve often been thanked with things I don’t consume. However, the fact that someone made the effort is what counts. You can always find a home for stuff you don’t use.

It really is the thought that counts.

The trouble with vegan mechanics is they’re often so tired they keep putting the wrong grease in things 😁

I get a nice coffee from the good cafe down the road for my LBS sometimes, occasionally with some cake or similar. He’s there on his own so rarely gets the chance to nip out for treats. I pop in with a coffee for each of us, we chat for 5 minutes and I get to see the pile of disasters that pass for bicycles that he has to work on.

In return, he’ll always give me a discount on work done or let me use the workstand during a quiet time.

I now feel bad that we didn’t give the (not very) local bike shop something when they sorted my partner’s Rail when it had a loose chainring. I gave them a bum steer about a missing washer too (I’d seen it on t’internet!) and they took 2 other bikes apart to find one!! I did apologise for causing them hassle, but they didn’t seem to mind. Should’ve given them a packet of Hobnobs though, in hindsight. Next time we pass eh 🙂

Cheers, I reckon @walleaters comment is exactly how I feel it goes in any organization, someone always feels left out from any ‘gift’ given, but still good advice

I do always & am happy to recommend RaceCo in Halesowen https://racecouk.com Rich the shop manager is a legend.

They do get a lot of well deserved love on social media already, as there renown e-bike specialist, but I hadn’t given them a google review, so I’ve done that too. Opted for hobnob’s/jaffa cake, rocky bars and some easy peel oranges 😀