bit of a cheek buying all the gear elsewhere and getting the shop to fit it for ya, dontcha think? maybe he would have taken more time over the work if he hadn’t felt used and cheated out of a sale?

Don’t you think the £125.00 is enough? He quoted me for the work specified, I accepted. The work was not done properly. I’m assuming you think this is because he felt disgruntled through the lack of opportunity to mark up the parts?

these shops and their overheads, eh! how dare they try and stay in business! it’s not them marking up; it’s the online stores discounting 🙂

RRP is still RRP…

Mrk mkill made a good point, how much did you save on getting the parts off the net?
Most good LBS would fit for free or do a very good deal on fitting parts you get from them.
But then if your paying for a service it should be done right.

As for LBS getting stock in it, it’s a lot more involed than most people think, Some places have a min order and we talking more than a £100 or so. Theirs P&P charge,(but I think LBS should take a bit of a hit on P&P) even making sure the suppler has it in stock in the right size etc, Also most places ask LBS to order stock in mths before hand, so they can keep their stock down aswell and if a size/model sales really, the suppler be sold out and they might not restock (norm end or year) or you have to wait mths to get it.
This is where the “bigger” online stores with lots more space can order more stock in more sizes etc.

My local bike shop is thriving. They place a high value on selling the right stuff and delivering the best service. It’s a family shop, it’s a fun shop, it’s a lovely shop. The good ones WILL survive.

Just out of interest Captain, how are they on prices?

Very good indeed. They price match, as many are driven to, and they will always reward loyal customers!

I think some people have not read the OP – where it is clear that these muppets were either incompetent, or decided out of spite to fit the stuff badly because they hadn’t sold it.

I feel very grateful in that I have a fantastic LBS in Phils in Ipswich. Phil is great, very knowledgeable, friendly and always takes the time to chat.

internet aint going away. and there will always be an online shop willing to sell stuff silly cheap. in my mind it really depends on your lbs. if the guys there are good and the mechanics too it makes sense to keep them in business. if everyone buys online and the lbs becomes a thing of the past it would be a real shame. good shops are a hub to meet and go ride. i have met so many good guys to ride with because of my lbs. and if you keep going back they really do take care of you.

I think it’s fairly safe to say they didn’t fit it wrong out of spite. Like I said originally I want to use LBS. As far as how much I saved on the RRP by buying online it wasn’t a great deal:

Shimano XT Chainset M770: RRP £159.99 CRC Price £127.99 20% Discount
Shimano XT Cassette 9 Speed M770: RRP £59.99 CRC Price £43.99 27% Discount
DMR V8 Grease Port: RRP £27.99 CRC Price £24.99 11% Discount
Dr Sludge Self Sealing Inner Tube: RRP £5.99 CRC Price £4.99 17% Discount
Dr Sludge Self Sealing Inner Tube: RRP £5.99 CRC Price £4.99 17% Discount
Easton EA70 Monkeybars 2008: RRP £56.99 CRC Price £28.00 Discount 51%
Shimano HG93 Chain 9 Speed: RRP £29.99 CRC Price 16.99 Discount 43%
Hope Headset: RRP £70.00 CRC Price £60.99 Discount 13%

So aside from the handlebars which are two years old, and the chain which is a high stock item the discount is only what I would expect to be able to negotiate given the total item sale.

Fundamentally the reason I am complaining is not because of the cost of the labour, merely the lack of competence in the LBS, and for this reason I am unlikely to use it again.

Had a poor experience today with a not so local bike shop. Took my new Nicolai Helius frame to a dealer about 30 miles away to get a new CK headset and a BB as they specialise in Nicolai and I thought I could discuss my build and buy a few bits that they might recommend.

I was already spending about £150 with them and wanted to buy a £300 Stans Arch wheelset but instead of friendly service all I got was an arsey rude attitude because I’d not bought the frame from them.

So so stupid. I’ll get my wheels from elsewhere. The mate I was with and myself now think they’re ignorant idiots and won’t spend a penny more with them.

If he’d been a) friendly and b) knew how to sell he could have had £500+ worth of business off me today and a happy customer. Instead he got £150 and someone who left feeling poorly dealt with and will not recommend them to anyone (even though the actual service provided was excellent in terms of price and fitting while I waited). What a shame.

To be fair to the lbs in question, I contacted them to let them know how I felt and they sent a well reasoned reply and were genuinely surprised they’d given that impression. They’ve redeemed themselves in my eyes.

Well today I spoke with Trisports in Letchworth as I had taken the bike to get the chain issue sorted. Wholely different to the origonal shop, friendly, informative and reasonable. I will use them again 🙂

A bit off topic but in reply to some of the above 💡

I am the worlds worst customer, i want everything at a reasonable price and i want it yesterday, sometimes thats just too much to ask from a shop that doesent keep massive stock but there are ways & means !

In response to customer service i found out a long time ago that young lads who work in any LBS i have EVER been to do not make the best salesmen ! especially when they would rather be out riding and especially when they cant find the part that says there is 3 in stock and the phones ringing AND then some bloke emerges from the changing rooms clad in lycra smuggling a budgie asking for a size smaller who said young lad was serving 5 mins before you walked in and and and !

At that point i wander off pretending to look at helmets or t-shirts.

In response to the ill fitted parts well theres no excuse there.