How to talk to the Bike Shop Employee - A Consumer Guide

I've had many customers tell me that they feel snubbed when they step into a bike shop. They feel inept, foolish, and ridiculed. Shop Guy doesn't want you to look foolish. The last thing he wants is for you to have a negative experience in his store. He's on your side.

This is not to say that there aren't bad shop employees who will go out of their way to tear a customer down, there certainly are. Assholes exist in every walk of life. However, I find that good people are more common than bad. Bike Shops are no exception, and many of the embarrassing or frustrating exchanges that I've witnessed could have easily been avoided if the customer simply knew what questions to ask and what information to give.

It's about building relationships, and that requires effort on both sides of the fence. However, since you cannot control Shop Guy's actions, the ball is in your court to help make a good relationship happen. Shop guy will more than likely do his part, if he's doing his job.

The following are all things you should never say to Shop Guy, and some things you can ask, say, and do to make your time in the bike shop far more productive. If my tone offends you, feel free to be offended. Then get over it and read on. This is all, ultimately, for your benefit.

Never Say to Shop Guy:

"I just want a good bike for the money."
Don't we all? You're at an Independent Bike Dealer (IBD) instead of the local 'Mart, so your cost-benefit savvy is already showing. Shop Guy doesn't want to sell you a bad bike for the money. He knows that if that happens, he'll be fixing it frequently, you'll be disappointed in the bike he sold you, disappointed with his shop, and possibly disappointed with cycling in general. Shop Guys like to put you on a bike that they themselves would be content with for the needs you describe versus the dollars you can spend. And most don't work on commission, so they have no reason to sell you more of bike than you can use.

Instead: Tell him what you want from a bike. In turn, he'll tell you which bikes he believes will suit you and what you can expect from each individual model. Don't be surprised if the model you like, and that he recommends most is not in the store. Most shops have several hundred individual models available to them. Having a complete size run in every bike they sell is flat out impossible, even for the largest shop. Be open to a special

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