Can anyone tell me why bike shops only open for half a day on Sunday?

[R-Soul]

I will keep this simple
Deus Ex Machina..... I bought lunch, took photos, and bought a t-shirt. Lucky I didn't have have $30K burning a hole in the back pocket or else I would have also walked out with a bike. Also I paid PREMIUM for all the items I bought ($50 for lunch, $60 for t-shirt)......
Prob the only thing I miss from Sydney.

I went there after reading about it here. its nice in an arty kind of way. Buts is not a buike shop or bike goods shop. Yes, it sells the odd retro look bike as rideable "art" , but it did not have serious bike kit. Even the leather jackets sold there did not have armour in them.

It is a themed boutique (admittedly with nice clothes) witha coffee shop on the side. They had a large screen TV, and lots of space for various themes, and a glass window onto the workshop, showing the (very clean and tidy) workshop. Nice idea - chuck in dyno and TV screens showing outputs...could be reeaaal cool.

But if these guys can afford this as part of their business selling normal clothes (in an out of the way area for normal public walk through), surely bike accessory shops can do it when their customers have a burning desire for a new item of gear/bike?

I wanted to take my wife there for coffee (and as an excuse to check out gear etc) . Didn't make it this time, but will probably do so in the future. Just a pity they did not have real kit...

[avgas]

I went there after reading about it here. its nice in an arty kind of way. Buts is not a buike shop or bike goods shop. yes it sells the odd retro look bike as rideable "art" , but it did not have seruious bike kit. even teh l;eather ackets sold there did not have armour in them.
It is a themed boutique (admittedly with nice clothes) witha coffee shop on the side. They had a large screen TV, and lots of space for various themes, and a glass window onto the workshop, showing the (very clean and tidy) workshop. Nice idea - chuck in dyno and TV screens showing outputs...could be reeaaal cool.
But if these guys can afford this as part of their business selling normal clothes (in an out of the way area for normal public walk through), surely bike accessory shops can do it when their customers have a burning desire for a new item of gear/bike?
I wanted to take my wife there for coffee (and as an excuse to check out gear etc) . Didn't make it this time, but will probably do so in the future. Just a pity they did not have real kit...

I completely agree with everything you said.
But you walked into the store didn't you. You walked into a boutique themed store - for what reason?
Could this be adapted to a more bike orientated store?
So one could assume that the old rules don't apply any more it seems?
I still don't buy the "I didn't work in the past - so it won't work now" mentality of shops in NZ. Fact of the matter is the game has changed in the last 20 years....and I think there is huge potential for increase in the bike industry in NZ
Imagine how popular red bull would be if they just sold a sugar drink?
Who would go to starbucks if they just sold filter coffee?
Who wants to go to bike shop that is closed when you get time off and only sells the same old gear?

[R-Soul]

Oh yes, it got me in there, and will probably get me in there again, just to show my wife. But a real bike store with decent gear would get me there much more often.

Something done really well would even encourage me to take my visiting family members there, to show them what a cool store we have...

[SS90]

Just to clarify, this "boutique" store didn't get any business from you, but you are going to take your wife in for a look?

[Big Dog]

In my considerably less than humble opinion it was a great place to go an look at some interesting things and have a coffee until all the "trendy" types started going.
If you don't know who I mean then you are one of them.
The kind that have a latté and ignore the bikes or give them a distain filled look. Then proceed to sit as far from anyone with riding gear as possible. It is great interacting with the other helmet bearers and talking to those who "once had a bike you know way back...".
Still is interesting to look at lot of the curios and reading material. Just now I know better than to go during peak times.

Sure is funny to see that we get better service when we are all geared up than when we went in the car.

[R-Soul]

Just to clarify, this "boutique" store didn't get any business from you, but you are going to take your wife in for a look?

Thats right. I am prolly not their target market for boutique clothes (i.e. munter), and I did not have time for coffee - although I hear its good (from upselling from their salespeople). I would prefer to spend money on bike gear.

The point is that they GOT ME IN. And I am not even their target market.
And will prolly get me in there again, with wife in tow.
Now if they offered decent gear, I would be pushing to go every other weekend.

[SS90]

Now if they offered decent gear, I would be pushing to go every other weekend.

Do you buy bike gear "every other weekend, or just look?

[Ixion]

Oh yes, it got me in there, and will probably get me in there again, just to show my wife. But a real bike store with decent gear would get me there much more often.

Something done really well would even encourage me to take my visiting family members there, to show them what a cool store we have...

Those in the demographic they have targeted would say the gear is 'decent'. They aren't concerned about armour in leathers. Likewise, they have lots of crash helmets. But not a full face in sight.

The people running it know their business- they have identified a market, and are supplying to that market.

But, someone could take the same model - replace the non-armoured leather jackets with toothpaste suits, the retro helmets with Shoeis and the cafe-racer accessories with racing stuff, and the Goldie with a Gixxer, and it would work just as well then for sprots bike riders. It's the business model that is the key, not the stock. Identify a market: identify what that market is willing to pay good money for: make it a pleasant experience for that market to buy .

[merv]

I like it that this thread is still going but note that (I presume out of respect for the closed shops and their business model) no one posted anything here over the weekend lol.

[DMNTD:Me]

I like it that this thread is still going but note that (I presume out of respect for the closed shops and their business model) no one posted anything here over the weekend lol.

...or maybe they were out RIDING

[Headbanger]

...or maybe they were out RIDING

In winter?

Madness.

[Hiflyer]

...or maybe they were out RIDING

Na mate that's impossible, Half the people on Kiwibiker seem like they spend more time bitching on the net as oppossed to riding.

[Murray]

...or maybe they were out RIDING

Or out shopping!!!!!

[DMNTD:Me]

Or out shopping!!!!!

I know I'd rather go riding being a motorcyclist and all

[Murray]

I know I'd rather go riding being a motorcyclist and all

Friday night bought some new bike pants from "living the Dream" who work from home. Previous Friday night went to Quasi's with friend and bought jacket & Friend bought 2 sets of gloves. Sunday I had some dosh to spend and went up sh22 to the bikes bbq and blues festival. hoping for sale items there, but no go. Me and missus can't get to bike shops mon-sat 8.00 to 6.00pm so "shopping" limited to Sundays and hometraders. (Don't buy clothing over internet)