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

**SS90** · 18th March 2010, 01:50

Originally Posted by R Sole

To my mind, a plumber has even less time to screw around in a bike shop during the day when each hour not worked is an hour not earning. At least some lawyers work on salary. And salaried lawyers are less likely to be clock watched.

Never worked in sales have you?

Have you ever tried ASKING the "old boys" what time would suit them?

They don't complain. They respect that we are "working class" too

I would have thought that the ego driven lawyer would demand the latest models more often? Perhaps tehy jsut dont come back to YOUR shop for the second to the 12th bike...

Nope...... generally one big purchase (co-incided with their bonus for the year), but granted, their mates might be then inclined to purchase from you........that's sales...and every customer is just as important as the next.....

Keep making all the excuses you like. Motorbikes are for everyone now - from commuters to Hells Angels, chicks to kids, road bikes to MX, all ages all sizes, all attitudes. Some of them have no intention of buying into the poser HD lifestyle. some ofthem are in it, and want to be out.

Everyone....yes, but only one small, yet noisy group, no

You need to be there for all of them. Forging the relationships.

No disrespect intended, I just want to point out that the new breed of motorcyclists don't yet understand that just because they buy a $20,000 bike, doesn't mean the shop puts $20,000 in their pocket.....this isn't property development you know!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 18th March 2010, 07:26

Originally Posted by wild_weston

I got fed up before by crasher's response to Ixion's suggestions which I saw as an irrational response to constructive criticism. If the retail bike industry cannot handle constructive criticism then it is really FUCKED (for want of a better word).

The bit I don't agree with...is that the bike industry is not at all fucked. Not even in the slightest. We have dips and highs...but always have...and always will. Those doing it properly will always surive, and survive well.

**SS90** · 18th March 2010, 07:42

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

The bit I don't agree with...is that the bike industry is not at all fucked. Not even in the slightest. We have dips and highs...but always have...and always will. Those doing it properly will always surive, and survive well.

I agree, I concede that the NZ industry needs to bring itself more in line with (some) customers expectations, however, I also feel there expectations need to be tempered with a little reality.

Margins are tight, longer (7 day weeks) have been tried, and we have seen time and time again that they don't work.

If it did, I assure you every managing director in the country will demand a 7 day week from their (increased) staff.

CFWB didn't "chose his words correctly", but, he got his point across.....some times it is a little hard to constantly be slagged (as a group), as has been done in this thread....that said, it does seem that a few people are writing clear intelligent points that we all should take note of (oh, from both sides of the coin, let's get that straight)

**Eyegasm** · 18th March 2010, 08:25

Dear God, This thread has been going for way too long.......

......I wish this thread was Emo, then it would cut itself.

**merv** · 18th March 2010, 12:04

Originally Posted by Eyegasm

Dear God, This thread has been going for way too long.......

......I wish this thread was Emo, then it would cut itself.

So why'd ya look at it then? God doesn't mind how long we talk about stuff does he?

**Lurch** · 18th March 2010, 12:57

Originally Posted by merv

So why'd ya look at it then? God doesn't mind how long we talk about stuff does he?

God rains gravel on someones favourite corner every time this thread is posted in.

**merv** · 18th March 2010, 14:45

Originally Posted by Lurch

God rains gravel on someones favourite corner every time this thread is posted in.

Great that will let Motu get sideways.

**avgas** · 18th March 2010, 14:54

Originally Posted by SS90

No, that's incorrect, that subject has been discussed to death....... I know 4 shops that tried it, and now all are back to 6 days, closed Sunday.

If it worked, it would happen.

The market dictates opening hours.

The end.

Consumers market, or employee's?
Not really slamming your argument - but don't want you to blatantly think that consumers do not exist outside operating hours (this whole argument).
Fact of the matter is I have walked into bike shops during the day (nothing gets me over sickness like motorbikes), and it has been a ghost town - the staff looked like they just wanted to go to sleep (and I don't blame them either).
So while I think you guys should work the usually 40 hours......why not have it as 2 shifts or something on 1 day......make yours and our lives easier.
Or even not open until 11am and close at 7pm?

**SS90** · 19th March 2010, 00:52

Originally Posted by avgas

Consumers market, or employee's?
Not really slamming your argument - but don't want you to blatantly think that consumers do not exist outside operating hours (this whole argument).
Fact of the matter is I have walked into bike shops during the day (nothing gets me over sickness like motorbikes), and it has been a ghost town - the staff looked like they just wanted to go to sleep (and I don't blame them either).
So while I think you guys should work the usually 40 hours......why not have it as 2 shifts or something on 1 day......make yours and our lives easier.
Or even not open until 11am and close at 7pm?

Simple mathematics......Paying double staff working half the time is not the same as paying half the staff working double the time.

**Scorp** · 19th March 2010, 08:03

Originally Posted by Lurch

God rains gravel on someones favourite corner every time this thread is posted in.

Which god?

Maybe this one...

Itzli, the Aztec god of stone (so maybe gravel) and... erm sacrifice (ouch!).

**onearmedbandit** · 19th March 2010, 08:32

Just been over in Melbourne, seems the busiest bike store right in the middle of town (www.peterstevens.com.au) adheres to this flawed business model as well, what with being closed on Sunday. Gee I wonder how they manage to stay open at all?

**merv** · 19th March 2010, 11:26

Peter Stevens, open until 7pm Fridays during daylight saving - that'll help, and until 5pm Saturday.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 19th March 2010, 12:01

Originally Posted by merv

Peter Stevens, open until 7pm Fridays during daylight saving - that'll help, and until 5pm Saturday.

But Merv...Melbourne has 3.5 million people to serve!

**merv** · 19th March 2010, 12:08

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

But Merv...Melbourne has 3.5 million people to serve!

Yeah agreed, and they aren't the only shop on Elizabeth Street, and many year's ago I wrote a story of going to those shops, one to try and buy an accessory for LB's Ducati as she'd asked me to. WMMC is like heaven compared to what I ran into there, so Pete we really still aren't bagging you, but it is as shame there is always a reason for why we only get what we get in NZ.

FYI check that thread out here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...elbourne-but!?

p.s. Carl looked after us pretty well as usual the other night at Motorad for our AGM.