The stupidest thing you've heard at a bike shop...

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Calnago
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by Calnago

Ugh! Yup... there’s a lot of stupid stuff one can overhear in shops these days, and I feel sorry for the customers who don’t know any better, and why would they, they come to the shop to learn. Unfortunately the level of expertise is often sorely lacking, but what do you expect at those wages...
Cal’s Kitchen would have your Campy stuff singing in no time... :)
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ultimobici
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by ultimobici

Retail has always been poorly paid. But now the cost of living is such that the quality of applicants is lacking and few can stay long enough to gain experience


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RTW
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by RTW

tymon_tm wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:51 pm
few weeks ago I bought a 24" bike for my niece. picked one from the shop, paid the price (no discount given or asked for) and we agreed I'll pick it up next morning (I was on my bike) which I did. I packed it into the car, just took of the front wheel and the seatpost off. put a nice big bow on it and took it straight to her birthday party. I haven't noticed anything untill she decided to try it out round the house and said gears don't work - which was the least of problems. stem bolts weren't tighten enough, brakes and shifting weren't calibrated at all. I had to re-check every freakin bolt, even tires weren't inflated properly... as it was already saturday afternoon I just did it myself and piss angry returned to the joint monday morning. and guess what - instead of "sorry I don't know how it happened" or smth like that, I was almost shouted at because "I haven't paid for bike assembly" :unbelievable: "you need to pay extra to have your bike prepared, it's a standard procedure" shop owner said without even blinking once. so I did what I always do in such circumstances, which is take the issue upstairs - I called the producer and explained whole situation in details. as a result I got a nice discount coupon for my next purchase directly from the factory, and said shop lost it's dealership status. apparently it was a standard practice - demanding extra money to make a new bike even remotely rideable, or - like in my case - just selling a bike they took five minutes tops to kinda put together...
If that was UK, they may even be in hot water legally.

mike
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by mike

dgasmd wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:32 pm
A few months ago while in a town an hr away visiting a girlfriend, I passed a bike shop and noticed the big Sign on the window “Campagnolo spoken here”. Surprised and please I stoped and walked in. Lady greets me and introduces herself as the shop owner and manager/mechanic specialist. I browse around and check out all the nice Scott, Cérvelo, and other bikes they have for sale. Not a single Campy item to be seen in the entire shop. This is a town btw that has a very big and strong cycling/racing population not to mention very affluent where it’s not uncommon to see a 60y.o obese customer pull in driving a Ferrari, buy 2 seriously overpriced $12k bikes, and then proceed to complain that they want to charge him $20 to deliver the bikes!!!

Me: noticed the Campagnolo sign on the window. Do you guys work on Campagnolo? I have 2 bikes that I’d like to have the rear deraileur/gears adjusted as I find it tedious and don’t have a lot of patience to get them perfect sometimes. They are 11Sp SR.

Them: yes, you’d have to leave it because I’m the only one that works on Campy here and I’m very busy for such a large job to be done on the spot. Besides, Campy doesn’t make any 11Sp things, they don’t have anything “super”, and I head they are going out of business anyway. So, I’d suggest we just put new Shitmano high end stuff there.

Me: Really?? Just curious, but would that cost me?

Them: labor included it would be close to $5k because we have to put new wheels too so they are compatible.

Me: not a word as I walked out of there......
i am guessing that is in naples florida!

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dgasmd
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by dgasmd

mike wrote:
dgasmd wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:32 pm
A few months ago while in a town an hr away visiting a girlfriend, I passed a bike shop and noticed the big Sign on the window “Campagnolo spoken here”. Surprised and please I stoped and walked in. Lady greets me and introduces herself as the shop owner and manager/mechanic specialist. I browse around and check out all the nice Scott, Cérvelo, and other bikes they have for sale. Not a single Campy item to be seen in the entire shop. This is a town btw that has a very big and strong cycling/racing population not to mention very affluent where it’s not uncommon to see a 60y.o obese customer pull in driving a Ferrari, buy 2 seriously overpriced $12k bikes, and then proceed to complain that they want to charge him $20 to deliver the bikes!!!

Me: noticed the Campagnolo sign on the window. Do you guys work on Campagnolo? I have 2 bikes that I’d like to have the rear deraileur/gears adjusted as I find it tedious and don’t have a lot of patience to get them perfect sometimes. They are 11Sp SR.

Them: yes, you’d have to leave it because I’m the only one that works on Campy here and I’m very busy for such a large job to be done on the spot. Besides, Campy doesn’t make any 11Sp things, they don’t have anything “super”, and I head they are going out of business anyway. So, I’d suggest we just put new Shitmano high end stuff there.

Me: Really?? Just curious, but would that cost me?

Them: labor included it would be close to $5k because we have to put new wheels too so they are compatible.

Me: not a word as I walked out of there......
i am guessing that is in naples florida!
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
So they have a sister store then!!!

Vagabond
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by Vagabond

Calnago wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:50 pm
Ugh! Yup... there’s a lot of stupid stuff one can overhear in shops these days, and I feel sorry for the customers who don’t know any better, and why would they, they come to the shop to learn. Unfortunately the level of expertise is often sorely lacking, but what do you expect at those wages...
Cal’s Kitchen would have your Campy stuff singing in no time... :)
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:thumbup:
Colnago e Campagnolo

bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

On a lighter a stupid thing came out of my mouth today while sorting out a customer bike with the mechanic I bring in, I wonder I think a 99 speed bike is possible. Shall we do it- yes.

No that is stupid but it could be fun.

bikeboy1tr
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by bikeboy1tr

dgasmd wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:32 pm
A few months ago while in a town an hr away visiting a girlfriend, I passed a bike shop and noticed the big Sign on the window “Campagnolo spoken here”. Surprised and please I stoped and walked in. Lady greets me and introduces herself as the shop owner and manager/mechanic specialist. I browse around and check out all the nice Scott, Cérvelo, and other bikes they have for sale. Not a single Campy item to be seen in the entire shop. This is a town btw that has a very big and strong cycling/racing population not to mention very affluent where it’s not uncommon to see a 60y.o obese customer pull in driving a Ferrari, buy 2 seriously overpriced $12k bikes, and then proceed to complain that they want to charge him $20 to deliver the bikes!!!

Me: noticed the Campagnolo sign on the window. Do you guys work on Campagnolo? I have 2 bikes that I’d like to have the rear deraileur/gears adjusted as I find it tedious and don’t have a lot of patience to get them perfect sometimes. They are 11Sp SR.

Them: yes, you’d have to leave it because I’m the only one that works on Campy here and I’m very busy for such a large job to be done on the spot. Besides, Campy doesn’t make any 11Sp things, they don’t have anything “super”, and I head they are going out of business anyway. So, I’d suggest we just put new Shitmano high end stuff there.

Me: Really?? Just curious, but would that cost me?

Them: labor included it would be close to $5k because we have to put new wheels too so they are compatible.

Me: not a word as I walked out of there......
Wow that is jaw dropping. I wonder how many Campy ppl walk out of there shaking thier head and spread the word. Makes you wonder how a shop with such uneducated ppl can even survive.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=154188
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vanillaflyweight
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by vanillaflyweight

I was doing a custom build and requested a 172.5mm crankset. The first salesman said, "You would suit a 175mm crankset?" Then about a minute later another salesman said, "You would be thinking 170mm wouldn't you?"

Obviously they were running low on 172.5mm cranksets :roll:

avispa
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by avispa

dgasmd wrote:A few months ago while in a town an hr away visiting a girlfriend, I passed a bike shop and noticed the big Sign on the window “Campagnolo spoken here”. Surprised and please I stoped and walked in. Lady greets me and introduces herself as the shop owner and manager/mechanic specialist. I browse around and check out all the nice Scott, Cérvelo, and other bikes they have for sale. Not a single Campy item to be seen in the entire shop. This is a town btw that has a very big and strong cycling/racing population not to mention very affluent where it’s not uncommon to see a 60y.o obese customer pull in driving a Ferrari, buy 2 seriously overpriced $12k bikes, and then proceed to complain that they want to charge him $20 to deliver the bikes!!!

Me: noticed the Campagnolo sign on the window. Do you guys work on Campagnolo? I have 2 bikes that I’d like to have the rear deraileur/gears adjusted as I find it tedious and don’t have a lot of patience to get them perfect sometimes. They are 11Sp SR.

Them: yes, you’d have to leave it because I’m the only one that works on Campy here and I’m very busy for such a large job to be done on the spot. Besides, Campy doesn’t make any 11Sp things, they don’t have anything “super”, and I head they are going out of business anyway. So, I’d suggest we just put new Shitmano high end stuff there.

Me: Really?? Just curious, but would that cost me?

Them: labor included it would be close to $5k because we have to put new wheels too so they are compatible.

Me: not a word as I walked out of there......
Let me guess... was this at a Miami , FL bike shop? Most of them have the attitude...

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tymon_tm
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by tymon_tm

my new Madone is about to ship in (finally!) so I went on to look for some shallower, easier wheelset for climbing, just for kicks - I ordered XXX 40smth and I don't think I'll need anything else, but had a free afternoon so I decided to look for some premium content for this topic... and I wasn't disappointed! :D

entering this shop with Spec and kinda nice stuff, some CF deep wheels hanging on the wall..

me: do you have any shallow, light, clincher wheelset, anything below 1500g?
salesguy: what you need it for?
me: for climbing mostly
sg: you won't climb here...
me: (f not) no obviously not, do you have anything - say max 30mm deep?
sg: what bike?
me: road bike (you moron)
sg: what kind?
me: I've just ordered a new Madone and I'm thinking about 2nd set of wheels...

2nd salesguy joins in

2ndsg: new Madone? you need aero wheels for that!
me: ...yeah, I already have them...
2ndsg: (handing me some disc brake shit) ...like these!
me: sure but I'm looking for shallow, light, typical climbing..
2ndsg: (interrupting) but for an aero bike you need aero wheels, and you dont' have to be affraid to use them, we all ride deep carbon wheels..
sg: (nodding)
me: ...as I said I already have such wheels and I'm looking for climbing, rim brake wheelet...
2ndsg: (interrupting)..but the new Madone comes with discs, you can't put old (I kid you not, he said OLD) type of wheels in!
sg: yeah I'm pretty sure they won't fit...
me: (in full metal jacket mode) nope, it's with rim brakes..
2ndsg: no, impossible...
me: look, I now what I've ordered and what I need...
2ndsg: (interrupting) but sir, you got it all wrong, the new Madone...
me: (interrupting him) no, you're wrong. you've obviously have no clue about what you're talking about so let's save ourselfs our time and leave it here, thanks
2ndsg: why are you so rude, we're just trying to help!
me: ($#%^&%&$!!)
kkibbler wrote: WW remembers.

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themidge
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by themidge

And then, the whole room slow-clapped it out :wink:

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FIJIGabe
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by FIJIGabe

tymon_tm wrote:
Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:45 am
me: do you have any shallow, light, clincher wheelset, anything below 1500g?
Yeah, see, that's where you went wrong! :wink:

I've long-sinced stopped asking shops about their opinion on products, and just tell them what I want. In my experience, most of the employees don't know or keep up with all of the latest information (and to be honest, it is a lot to keep up with), and will try to steer you to what they have/know, rather than what's you need.

Oh, and BTW: look out for a set of the older Bontrager RXL wheels (the TLR version, not the older ones). They aren't as wide as the Paradigm, but are under 1500g and have DT Swiss internals, so they should be identical to what you've got on the Aeolus XXX 4's.

bikeboy1tr
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Location: Southern Ontario Canada

by bikeboy1tr

The shop I use to frequently visit had changed ownership and location but I still went even though it moved even further away from me. I was talking to the owner and a guy brought in a high end bike and as this guy came through the door the owner said, "why the hell is he bringing that thing in here" and I am like what do you mean. He says the guy didnt purchase the bike here and now he wants me to service it. I was rather shocked and thought what difference does that make and I wonder what he says about me as I have never purchased a bike through his shop and never dragged it in for service as I do most my own. The owner didnt turn the service away but when I left I thought, why is it I come all the way here for a few parts that I can get online. Thats when I slowly started to do more and more online shopping. There is no shop in my town so I have to drive for an hour to get to one and the last few times I did get parts they were the wrong pieces. I do occaisionally go to some bike shops just to check out the bling but it is getting rare for me to venture out. I have more nightmarish stories to tell but maybe for the next thread.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=154188
2018 Colnago V2R Rim Brake
2019 Colnago V2R Disc Brake
2014 Norco Threshold Disc Brake
2006 Ridley Crosswind Rim Brake

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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dgasmd
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by dgasmd

avispa wrote:Let me guess... was this at a Miami , FL bike shop? Most of them have the attitude...
No, It! Wasn’t Miami. I’ve been to the usual suspects there too and can see why you thought it was though!!

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