I hate bike shops

[Mike.Gayner]

[removed my personal rant, just needed to get it off my chest]

[Jeeper]

Why would I go to a local bike shop instead of buying parts online? Ideally, because they can give you good advice, help you get the right parts, and offer help and service. And hopefully because they stock the parts you want, but they never ever do.

All I want is a 15t sprocket for my Husky. Local bike shop ordered me one two weeks ago. Went to pick it up a week later and it's the wrong part - it's for a BMW and has a totally different spline count. Brought it back to them, and they ordered another. I gave them the exact JT part number I need (or equivalent). A week later I go to pick up the new one, and they've re-ordered the same damn part.

I went to the local KTM and just asked them for a 15t sprocket for a KTM 690 SMC because it's the same part. Dumb and Dumber at the counter spent the next 10 minutes pacing between the parts cupboard and the computer trying to figure out if the sprocket in stock was right for the 690 (a bike they sell and have sitting on the floor in the shop). They eventually came to the conclusion that it's not the right part, but they can order it. The shopkeep was bewildered when I declined and told him I don't trust shops to order the right parts.

How is this so hard?

Minimum wage. No hands on working experience on the bike (or cars).

[pete376403]

Something I learned in my time working in the motor trade (cars and earthmovers, but still counts) a good parts guy is worth his weight in gold.

[actungbaby]

Something I learned in my time working in the motor trade (cars and earthmovers, but still counts) a good parts guy is worth his weight in gold.

yep i still remember the good ones by first name . saw ash the other day been
maybe 20 plus years long retired yet we still knew each other .
my cousin left his work 3 times and all ways took him back.
from ordering my parts online its real easy to make a number wrong.
so i double check . but if you can get somone to do that cool. and just
ride to shop and pick up gold. saves the high postage too.
Small one bloke biz here in manawatu . all i say is what i need he does the rest. he might ask the year. and shows me in the book its right.
even has the parts right there most times. worked out was cheaper than ebay.
he gets to support his family and i get great service win win.
I go ther to buy tires batterys . oil . i be prepared to pay more money as its supporting a local biz.plus i learn stuff from him about restoring bikes
Like . when i brought a second hand chain for the cbr 900rr . and had trouble with never crimping a joining link on . i asked him if he chould do that for me . ended up both working on it. and learnt as well.not like some places make it. like its a mystery. he like this is how and its secure as . u feel cool . next time i can do myself with complete confidence . i give him 20 bucks its all good.

[AllanB]

Ordered a lock last weekend, shop sorted a good deal. Picked it up today.

[pritch]

I read the original rant before it vanished. That hasn't been my experience, the parts guys (and girl) have been switched on people.

[YellowDog]

Fair enough Mike, however there are also some damn good bike shops around, providing an excellent parts service, whom employ 'Happy to Help' enthusiasts

I recently had the misfortune to drop by a North Shore Repco. I may as well have been speaking Chinese. Two chicks, with nice tits, but didn't have a clue

[Jeff Sichoe]

yeah ok the first situation is a bit shit, sounds like a DB stuff up if they are trying to order a specific part # and then something else shows up...

I just make sure I have done my due diligence, have a part # or equivalent and go from there. The best bike shops have an active / competent person on e-mail, which makes life MUCH easier when you don't have the time to call or visit the shop all the time

[Madness]

I wouldn’t want to carry stock of products that the majority of potential customers for said products were already privately importing, that’s nuts. Drop-ship sites like motozone.co.nz are a good option for avoiding having to deal with a human who doesn’t possess the item you require whilst keeping your money in Aotearoa.

[Owl]

Generally hasn't been my experience with NZ parts people and I've normally found them pretty good overall.

However there are always exceptions. One that comes to mind is a local parts guy that wouldn't sell my missus a tank bag because it had no price on it. Question; "Can't you find out"...Answer; "No, it doesn't have a price on it".

That encounter cost them a new bike sale a few weeks later, not to mention the other local shop that got a tank bag sale.

[caspernz]

Shame the OP removed the original rant...can see how one could get frustrated at such a situation.

As some have already commented, personal experiences vary, mine certainly have been more positive. Maybe it's because I buy lot of stuff locally, instead of importing myself?

My bike goes to dealer/service agent for the major services, I book 'em in advance and if the bike needs stuff like chain and sprockets I make sure service crew know when I book in. Never an issue.

[F5 Dave]

I realised quite a few years back I was more clued up than the guys behind most counters. Which is a bit sad.

Seemed a real shame as my mate Darrin was a parts guy for years in PNth and had encyclopedic knowledge. He took pride in knowing the product. But his sort has long gone replaced by transient quasi enthusiasts.

Fortunately the situation here at our local Hutt TSS changed when Andrew and then Jay started.

[jellywrestler]

people don't give a fuck, just went to weekend event where there were twenty portaloos with not one single light, why don't the hire company simply as if they are used at night, not rocket surgery?

[AllanB]

people don't give a fuck, just went to weekend event where there were twenty portaloos with not one single light, why don't the hire company simply as if they are used at night, not rocket surgery?

A solar powered light would cost them fuck all. And no doubt would result in a lot less cleaning .........

[F5 Dave]

I went to a trail ride yesterday and there was only the farmers long drop. Middle of the day and pitch black. Was under cover. Didn' they think to whap a roof board out?

Had to do things by feel and approximation.