Delivery times, marketing bla and staff issues. The shop owner takes the stage to rant.

Being a bike shop owner is not easy these days. There is the internet to compete with, delivery struggles and not to forget the struggle to find decent staff. 

Getting a good mechanic these days is almost impossible. With all the youth pushed to become pencil pushers (or keyboard pushers maybe?) There are few that understand the beauty of repairing stuff. I’ve got two good ones now though, they’re my savior. They know their stuff and can repair anything that rolls into the workshop. I just hope they won’t injure themselves racing DH over the weekend or decide to work for the other bike shop down the road because he offers a few cents an hour more.

The Internet has truly changed the game. The customer now thinks he knows it all because some youtuber or keyboard warrior on a forum typed something, and of course we are always too expensive. Next day delivery times and prices that are even lower than what we pay at the distributor make it hard to compete, but when they mess up they always know how to find us. You wouldn’t believe how many people order the wrong stuff and try to exchange it at the shop.

It’s funny how you hear people moan that their local shop has no stock and are too expensive, but aren’t shy to come in and try out the helmets, shoes and clothing before ordering it online. Just to save a couple of bucks. Can’t they see that extra cash is going straight to the local youth we sponsor, the events we organize, races we help and trail fairies we support?

Then there are the brands and distributors. Some are great to work with but others… They have no stock, you can never reach anyone on the phone and always demand a crazy pre order to be a dealer of a brand. Some brands have more than 230 different models, sizes and colorways but somehow expect me to know which ones I'll sell. And if I don’t give them an order in August for at least 150 bikes, I’m sure to receive nothing throughout the year. 

It’s lovely how I get to take all the risk, store all those bikes in various lock-ups and attics and garages while they can be late on delivery one, two, three months without penalty. If they would be able to inform me at least, that would be a little plaster on the wound, but no. Instead of doing what I love, I am constantly chasing up where my bikes are, when they will be delivered, if they are delivered at all. I love calling my loyal customers to tell them their bike that was due delivery last week is postponed for another 4 weeks. 

Covid is now largely past us, but here in the industry the pain is still there. It was great to sell so many bikes and get so many new people into the sport, but it’s tricky to keep the business running with no product to sell or replacement parts for the workshop. 

There’s plenty of more stuff to moan about, but hey, a customer just walked in and he’s trying on some shoes, so it’s time to go over there and help him choose which ones he’ll order online tonight…

By IMB

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