Bike shop

[shafty]

- the provision of a loaner bike - a scooter would do - to get home oin when taking my bike (Beemer) in for a service, or
- a well promoted offer to "run me home"
- online/snail mail newsletter
- build a data base of clients incl birthdates, e-mail/mail clients on birthdates with a special offer (20% off accessories?) on their birthday
- organise rides/runs/tuition - tie that in with your website/newsletters
- Good luck Mate!

[beyond]

Some great ideas and suggestions.
My two pence worth.

I spent a year dribbling over bikes in different showrooms. I probably came a across as a bit of a tyre kicker especially on the second and third occassions without buying anything.

I did a lot of research online before narrowing my bike choice down. Then when I actually got real serious, I took two bikes for a test ride. One was a Bandit and one my current GSX1400. Took the missus with me as well.

After the test I bought the 1400 within ten minutes of coming back.

What am I saying: Service service and service. Even if you look like a tyre kicker, everyone in bike shop looking at bikes, is more than likely going to buy one soon and how you treat them is the deciding factor on if and when they buy off you.

How you treat people in your shop is so important and this goes for all staff.
I know that sales people and or mechanics etc, are busy and do get sick of the same old questions, but if these people treat everyone like they were the first person they ever dealt with and wanted the customer to be completely satisfied, they would have customers for life.

I know when my bike is in for service, just getting a bit of paper with the total bill falls a little short. I like to speak with the mechanic briefly just to see how everything is or what needs looking at short term etc. You learn a lot about your bike in those few minutes.

Also, the expense of demo machines is a big overhead, but hardly anyone is going to buy a bike just off someone else's online review. People want to make sure that what they buy is suitable. I would be very reluctant to order and buy a bike without having taken one for a demo ride and I know many more people are like that.

[White trash]

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this or not but I can't be fucked waiding through 18 pages to check.

Everyone wants knowledgeable, friendly, honest service. So you want motorcyclists staffing this wonder shop.

Alot of people (including the thread starter) have said that they want Sunday trading. Right-Oh. So you want McDonalds staff working there.

Which one's it going to be.

Bike shops should not be open Sundays in my oppinions. Simply because the staff should be motorcyclists and therefore out riding with other motorcyclists.

[Swoop]

Bike shops should not be open Sundays in my oppinions. Simply because the staff should be motorcyclists and therefore out riding with other motorcyclists.

So they cannot ride on a Saturday, or even through the week - when the roads are quieter and the rozzers might be shuffling paper in the office?

[White trash]

'Course they can. All by themselves while their mates work. Sounds like fun, where do I sign?

[Ixion]

Well, of course , many motorcyclists do ride alone. And "sunny Sunday only" riding may not inspire great confidence in the depth of his experience?

[Lou Girardin]

I don't understand this compulsion to shop 7 days a week, get a bloody life.
We used to be able to do all we need to do in 5 working days, and I'm damned if I'll give up my Sundays, I'll quit first.

[The_Dover]

And most of us go to church on sunday anyway.

[sAsLEX]

Bike shops should not be open Sundays in my oppinions. Simply because the staff should be motorcyclists and therefore out riding with other motorcyclists.

You dont need the full complement in there on a Sunday, so mix the working week up a bit give someone a mid week or friday day off to complement working on Sunday, they can have a day on deserted roads or spend it with the kids while the mrs works? Dont need your staff working 7 days to have the shop open for that.

And most of us go to church on sunday anyway.

Might start when I am in the UK next year!

[White trash]

You dont need the full complement in there on a Sunday, so mix the working week up a bit give someone a mid week or friday day off to complement working on Sunday, they can have a day on deserted roads or spend it with the kids while the mrs works? Dont need your staff working 7 days to have the shop open for that.



Might start when I am in the UK next year!

Fine, so your service suffers. Sorry, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

[sAsLEX]

Fine, so your service suffers. Sorry, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

What do people want on a sunday? You have one mech instead of two to cover emergency repairs etc?

[Lou Girardin]

You dont need the full complement in there on a Sunday, so mix the working week up a bit give someone a mid week or friday day off to complement working on Sunday, they can have a day on deserted roads or spend it with the kids while the mrs works? Dont need your staff working 7 days to have the shop open for that.



Might start when I am in the UK next year!

So you'd be happy with some part-timers who don't know their arse from their elbow to advise you on your new kit?
Besides, I want my Sunday's to spend with my wife if I want to, not have a week day off while she works.

[SARGE]

So you'd be happy with some part-timers who don't know their arse from their elbow to advise you on your new kit?
Besides, I want my Sunday's to spend with my wife if I want to, not have a week day off while she works.

hey.. wassamatta with zit-factory part timers ?...


McDonalds uses them

[The_Dover]

Besides, I want my Sunday's to spend with my wife if I want to, not have a week day off while she works.

I think there is something wrong with your marriage Lou.

That kind of behaviour is not normal for a man of your vintage.

[Fatjim]

Tyres, tyres, tyres. Thats what I end up needing in the weekend, especially the long ones. Nothing pisses me off more than a puncture saturday morning just before the bike shops shut!

Hey dover, what bike is in your avatar?