The chance of a lifetime: You are asked to start a bike shop. How should it be done?

[sidecar bob]

So, nobody wants very much as usual, no $80 per hour bullshit, courtesy bikes for menial 15 minute jobs, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of parts stock for outdated models, a full stock of riding gear in all sizes to try on so they can be bought off the net, etc etc.
Most of the "experts" here would go broke trying to sell ice creams, let alone a multi faceted highly skilled operation with huge overheads.

[Kiri]

just to add to my last post:
4. qualified mechanics (I can maintain my own bike, I don't need a small engine mech to tell me to change the oil ...)

Thanks again.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If I owned a bike shop I would be open both days on the weekend. Being the only bike shop open on Sundays for a full day would make you the busiest bike shop around and it would probably be your busiest day of the week.

you and your wife prepared to staff it? because none of your staff will work those days: particularly your mechanics.

[mattian]

you and your wife prepared to staff it? because none of your staff will work those days: particularly your mechanics.

My wife....... hasnt arrived from the Ukraine yet. I think she got lost in the post.

[HenryDorsetCase]

By the way, compared to what I charge an hour, $80 is very reasonable. Presumably thats Plus GST?

[HenryDorsetCase]

My wife....... hasnt arrived from the Ukraine yet. I think she got lost in the post.

she's got your PIN and bank account details, and she's hoovered your bank. By the way, her name was Boris, "She" was 5 ft 1 and 260 pouunds, hairy and halitosis, and a known soap dodger. I'd just like to be the first to offer my congratulations.

[Pussy]

So, nobody wants very much as usual, no $80 per hour bullshit, courtesy bikes for menial 15 minute jobs, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of parts stock for outdated models, a full stock of riding gear in all sizes to try on so they can be bought off the net, etc etc.
Most of the "experts" here would go broke trying to sell ice creams, let alone a multi faceted highly skilled operation with huge overheads.

Can't be arsed reading the whole thread.... but that sums things up nicely, bob!

[mattian]

she's got your PIN and bank account details, and she's hoovered your bank. By the way, her name was Boris, "She" was 5 ft 1 and 260 pouunds, hairy and halitosis, and a known soap dodger. I'd just like to be the first to offer my congratulations.

I dont even want to know how you knew what her/his breath smelled like. I wouldn't let it get that far.

[bogan]

So, nobody wants very much as usual, no $80 per hour bullshit, courtesy bikes for menial 15 minute jobs, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of parts stock for outdated models, a full stock of riding gear in all sizes to try on so they can be bought off the net, etc etc.
Most of the "experts" here would go broke trying to sell ice creams, let alone a multi faceted highly skilled operation with huge overheads.

Well my last wof took over an hour, I aint complaining about the time, in fact I prefer they do a thorough job, but i would have been greatly appreciative of even a scooter to go about my buisness with, this appreciation would have transfered into recomendations to mate and my continued buisness. Bugger all cost to the shop I would have thought. I think that sort of thing is what conquiztador made the thread for, get some ideas to help bike shops out, but it seems all those in the industry are getting all on the defensive. And I agree that some are unfeasible, like sub $80 an hour rates, so don't take that advice.

[Kiri]

I'm posting here because I want bike shops to IMPROVE. sorry for shouting but wtf? why take it so personally - it's really not directed at any one person. As far as I can tell this is an opportunity to get feedback and maybe improve sales because of it.

OMG - sorry for the rant... anyway, essentially NZ is at the bottom end of it, in terms of getting what other countries have to offer - regardless of industry. That said we could and can improve service - because that's all we really have control over in the end anyway.

[Kiri]

Well my last wof took over an hour, I aint complaining about the time, in fact I prefer they do a thorough job, but i would have been greatly appreciative of even a scooter to go about my buisness with, this appreciation would have transfered into recomendations to mate and my continued buisness. Bugger all cost to the shop I would have thought. I think that sort of thing is what conquiztador made the thread for, get some ideas to help bike shops out, but it seems all those in the industry are getting all on the defensive. And I agree that some are unfeasible, like sub $80 an hour rates, so don't take that advice.

Yea, I'm with you Bogun

[sidecar bob]

Well my last wof took over an hour

Really!! are you sure? & how much did it cost? aprox the same as a mechanic for an hour?. No, i thought not.
They take 15 min, i know this because i am a licenced w.o.f inspector.

[Mom]

Really!! are you sure? & how much did it cost? aprox the same as a mechanic for an hour?. No, i thought not.
They take 15 min, i know this because i am a licenced w.o.f inspector.

My fav place to go to for a car wof is the local wreckers. Man they are speedy testers. Makes me laugh everytime I see them drive out of their yard honking the horn and using the wipers and washers while indicating both left and right till they settle on left, all inside about 20 mtrs! They are fair testers too, fail anything unsafe in an instant, but offer realistic repairs options for your old bomb cars. Tests last but a short time. Last WOF I got there cost me the thick end of $500 and took about 10 mins for the test.

[bogan]

Really!! are you sure? & how much did it cost? aprox the same as a mechanic for an hour?. No, i thought not.
They take 15 min, i know this because i am a licenced w.o.f inspector.

this is exactly the attitude I was referring to, despite me being there and waiting for over an hour (i remember this cos i was bored for 30 mins, the other was spent looking at the fancy bikes on the showroom ), this plonker tries to tell me it didn't take that long. WOFs are a flat rate item so it doesn't matter how long it takes you get billed the same, or are you going to tell me I somehow got billed for more than I paid too?

[Movistar]

Attention to detail - If I take my bike in for work I expect to get it back in the same condition as I took it in there. No semi-greasy hand marks, no superficial scratches, just as clean and appealing as it was when I dropped it off. I'm a fussy Mofo when it comes to my motorcycle and I would like to think people who have to work on it respect that.
In the showroom, nice clean stock (accessories and bikes (new and used)). Doesn't have to be immaculate, but tidy. Actually it has to be appealing. Like someone actually gives a shit. No piles of outdated stock sitting in a heap waiting for 'someone' to do 'something' with it.

PK (Product Knowledge) - It's very frustrating when you ask a seemingly intelligent question and get the response "I don't know."
There's nothing wrong with not knowing, but there is something wrong with saying "I don't know" and not even trying to make an effort to indicate that you will find out so that you do know. What's even worse is getting an answer that is completely wrong.

Fair Price - I don't mind paying a fair price for anything. I'm sure we are all in the same boat here.

Excellent Communication - not just towards me, but to other staff and suppliers (it does work both ways 'cause it's a two-way thing). I detest having spoken to one staff member (either by phone or face-to-face) say for example purchasing something and agreeing on a price, then going to collect the goods only to find that staff member is out, and there is no record of the agreed price anywhere (just an example). Why is it that (most) retail shops send their staff to lunch at 12.00pm which is possibly one of there busiest times of the day! Just because it's called 'lunchtime' doesn't mean everyone has to have lunch then...

- All this from every staff member - it needs to be the culture of the company that all the above is adhered to.

Surely that's not too much to ask?