Posts
302
Joined
9/14/2012
Location
San Diego, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
5/4/2016 7:00pm
Working at a bike shop was definitely one of the most fun jobs I ever had. Most of the time we had a rad crew of employees, the job was rewarding and at a few shops we'd all enjoy a couple beers once the doors were locked and just shoot the shit. We'd all ride together, from trail to night time road rides with plenty of beer stops between miles, generally it was all good times.
But, it's not always that way... There's always that one customer who thinks they're right, no matter how wrong they are. Some shops get a steady flow of "skizzles," who were basically drunk, crazy homeless dudes who smelled like pee and needed tools to work on their own bike in front of the store. One shop I wrenched at had this old mean-as-hell lady that would come in on her motorized chair, pull her hemorrhoid cushion out from under her and tell me to air it back up. This happened every week or two. And then there's the backyard bikes that sometimes come in for repair... you know, the ones rusted to all hell, covered in dried leaves with black widows jumping out from under the seat and shifters... the stuff nightmares are made of. Oh, and tri bikes... covered in electrolyte goo, piss and salt build-up from being drenched in sweat.
So, I'm curious, as a shop employee / wrench, what was your biggest pet peeve while working at a bike shop?
But, it's not always that way... There's always that one customer who thinks they're right, no matter how wrong they are. Some shops get a steady flow of "skizzles," who were basically drunk, crazy homeless dudes who smelled like pee and needed tools to work on their own bike in front of the store. One shop I wrenched at had this old mean-as-hell lady that would come in on her motorized chair, pull her hemorrhoid cushion out from under her and tell me to air it back up. This happened every week or two. And then there's the backyard bikes that sometimes come in for repair... you know, the ones rusted to all hell, covered in dried leaves with black widows jumping out from under the seat and shifters... the stuff nightmares are made of. Oh, and tri bikes... covered in electrolyte goo, piss and salt build-up from being drenched in sweat.
So, I'm curious, as a shop employee / wrench, what was your biggest pet peeve while working at a bike shop?
-The customers who think they're sly by wanting to try on shoes, or find out what their "bike size" is, so they can buy out online. I'm amazed I can sniff these people out now.
- When customers watch you doing your work - I don't want them me seeing performing my "art" as i slam a hammer into a BB removal punch on their $8k carbon fibre wonder machine.
They always say 'how much?'
"About $200 for parts and labor"
'I only paid $150 for it"
Well its a piece of shit.
I also once worked for a super skeezy "pro shop" where the first meeting I had at the shop, one of the deranged owners told us how we "need to suck the customers cock" and then proceeded to fellate an invisible dong. He also spray painted spokes white and sold them to a customer for a "custom" wheel build. I also once watched him have a 16yo female try out a bike for size as he balanced the bike by the seat so that his thumb was in her ass crack when she sat down, and this was right in front of her father. He also sold dozens of Santa Cruz bikes illegally and internationally to "friends", violating contracts, avoiding customs duties & taxes, and subsequently had his dealer license revoked because of it. Eventually he lied his way back into dealing that manufacturers bikes. He also insisted on having the largest college club team possible, many of whom would openly showroom products like shoes, and then brag to me about what a great deal they got online, even though we were giving them almost as good of a discount. They would also come in to the shop and start helping themselves to tools and workspace, and when I suggested that this was hurting the shops margins and productivity, I was chastised for not understanding how critical it was to have them as customers. I'm not going to say the name of the shop but it rhymes with my personal nickname for the place - "Life Psycho"
I've also worked for a shop whose owner installed numerous surveillance cameras so he can creepily watch over his employees via his computer or cell phone, Big Brother style.
Besides the megalomanic shop owners who treat their employees as indentured wage slaves and use fear or threats as "motivation", my biggest pet peeve has to be customers who insist on watching, distract me with extraneous questions, or those who want to receive instructions as I fix their bike so they can learn how to "do it themselves next time". Then there are those who want to stand right next to you, hover around, or offer to "help", as if this is a normal thing to do at any business you patronize. Imagine how a cook would react if you walked into the back of a kitchen to ask if you could watch them make your souffle to your specifications or to learn how to do it yourself. Throat punches would ensue.
The out of touch owner's spouse that comes in and thinks it's their shop too.
The Service Manager that thinks they don't have to take out the trash or perform simple repairs because it's below them.
The Sales Manager that thinks they don't have to change tires or take out the trash because it's below them.
The kid who only works there because their big brother worked there and got them the job, but the big brother has left and you're stuck with the kid wondering what you did wrong to deserve it.
The former employee who comes back to the shop expecting current employee treatment.
Any triathlete ever.
The "what time is the noon ride" customer.
The "I bought this online, can you install it for me" customer.
And lastly, THIS GUY, who instead of realizing how great working at a shop was, spent time to recall all the annoyances of what was most likely one of the most fun jobs ever.
The people who don't understand, you need to wipe off the excess chain lube, and their chain looks like its covered in motor oil ( oh and that guy who actually does use motor oil)
lucky for me i have now trained them all ( i have stripped any ones bike that has done this and since they are useless with tools had to beg another mechanic to build there bikes back together as i refuse to )
that and moron sales staff that cant/dont fill out job cards with dates properly
- The customer who says "take your time, I don't need it till next week", then calls the next morning and says "I am in the neighborhood and I was wondering if my bike was ready".
- The customer who never cleans their road bike because it doesn't get muddy. I'd rather wipe down a bike covered in mud then a bike covered in sweat.
- The guy who inflated his tubeless tyre to 60psi to get it to bead, then left it in the back of his car on a very hot day, to which the tyre eventually exploded and warped his rim. He wanted us to buy him a new wheel.
"It costs how much? All you're doing is turning a couple screws!"
I had one guy bring a wheel in for a flat fix, who neglected to tell me his tire had dog shit on it. When I pointed it out he actually told me, "I know. That's why I brought it in, otherwise I'd have fixed it myself".
Don't get me wrong there are are good kids out there who will get there wallet out and give you their last bit of cash but most expect everything for free!
Bad manners..... Manners cost you nothing, bad manners cost you extra!
Ill never understand the strange elitist attitude some guys have as if they cant be replaced at the drop of a hat
1. Customers that don't want to pay for you to fix their flat and decide to fix it right there in the shop. Eventually they need help, tools, or a new tube; usually the later.
2. INSTALLING ANY BIKE RACK ON ANY CAR
3. I've heard other wrenches don't like working with me because I keep a dozen tools in my pockets.
4. Grease on every piece of clothing...
5. Packing bikes for shipping...
6. "Can my bars go higher"
7. "Your seat can't go any higher, it's past the safety mark"
8. Having to watch kids so they don't steal
9. Installing babyseats and lights...
10. Having to work on a **PERFECT** day after multiple days of rain.
But I suppose if you get enough sales staff coming back stealing your tools or rounding out bolts along with dumb customers you'd probably feel elitist too. lol
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