Bike shop

**SARGE** · 18th May 2006, 15:30

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Don't forget the cafe with the award winning Barrista. (Free cafe that is.)
Good Luck.
PS Gizza job?
?

shit .. where do i sign?

**Switch** · 18th May 2006, 15:31

I think all up friendly and prompt service would be good. But don't be nice to people who are rude and obnoxious (sp). Even if you can't offer service straight away, offer them to choose another time that suits them

**SARGE** · 18th May 2006, 15:35

Originally Posted by mattmacaskill

But don't be nice to people who are rude and obnoxious

that cuts MOST of you out right away

**Switch** · 18th May 2006, 15:36

Originally Posted by SARGE

that cuts MOST of you out right away

haha carefull, they might know where you live

**SARGE** · 18th May 2006, 15:39

Originally Posted by mattmacaskill

haha carefull, they might know where you live

ask around sparky.. i'm not too worried..

**FizzKid** · 18th May 2006, 15:46

I know myself and a couple of other riders who have been caught out by Red Baron being shut early sat afternoon. I have to agree with previous posts on the long consistent weekend hours thing...

**Paul in NZ** · 18th May 2006, 15:47

Being mr sensible...

You need to realise that you can't be all things to all people. If you try that approach you will probably fail because you will satisfy no one. So some potential customers are always going to be unhappy!

What you could consider is providing services that are slightly outside the norm. It's a point of difference thing.

Being open sunday is a bloody good idea.

A mid week late night to act as a ride destination is another one. Wednesday night ride to blah blah blah motorcycle barn, half price coffee if you come on your bike. This might be a summer thing?

Cruiser night... Couple of big screens showning cruiser stuff or a re run of Easy Rider?

Sportbike night.. Lastest round of WSB or summat.

Classic night.. bring out your treasures...

Dirt bike night...

Accessories... You know, munt that has no specific use but looks cool...

Suspension classes, advanced riding classes followed by a bbq at the shop.

Loyalty scheme with a monthly ride that earns you points towards a discount.

Rider recovery scheme with bike friendly recovery vehicle.

If you need help with the tech side of screens and networks, let me know. I'm flasher than a rat with a gold tooth mate.. (bling)

**imdying** · 18th May 2006, 15:51

If you have a cafe, open till 9pm would be nice.

On the flip side, please don't open late, it's easier to drop the ride in for a service before work... 10am opening time (for example) would make it a pain, if you see what I mean?

Sunday trading isn't necessary, but I've worked in parts sales for a while, and opening before 10:30 in the morning can be a bit of a wait. There's always someone on the doorstep at 8:30, but 95% of customer don't even get out of bed till 10

11am-4pm on a Saturday would be super

As for Brands... Suzuki sell a shite load of bikes here in NZ, would be a good brand to get? Ask the department of stats for info on what brand bikes get imported the most. They'll charge you, but PM me if you'd like me to do some checking for you.

**SARGE** · 18th May 2006, 15:54

im shocked that nobody has mentioned a Dunkin Donuts on site....

**Damon** · 18th May 2006, 15:54

I think selling up market brands will exclude alot of customers, having a good range of second hand bikes will bring in alot more customers, when i buy a bike i look for the best deal not what going to make we look like the biggest

and you'll sell more accessories with the bigger customer base.

Open all weekend is a good one too, nothing worse than a puncture killing your sunday ride and no one open to fix it.

Somewhere to hangout, eg meeting point for rides or a few drinks after work.

A large accessories dept, and cempeditively (sp?) priced, everytime i go looking for gear i shop around and always find myself back at cycletreads, it doesn't take long before i just started going there every time, they may not make as much profit on markup but they'll make more from total sales.

**The_Dover** · 18th May 2006, 15:55

Originally Posted by SARGE

im shocked that nobody has mentioned a Dunkin Donuts on site....

I'm not shocked that you did!!

**imdying** · 18th May 2006, 15:59

That's not a bad idea... although that and a cafe is turning into a food court. I hate to think what the franchise startup costs are for that.... maybe get some capital off of Finn

**SwanTiger** · 18th May 2006, 16:00

As some have already mentioned to degrees, having more involvement with certain biking communities would not only help the store financially, it would also enhance the biking community as a whole.

I'm with Sarge on the Dunkin Donuts, why not buy a Pub and throw that in the mix as well, it'll be a 24/7 operation.

Customer service is always the key. Honesty and RESPECT.