today's observations..

[Joeman]

Today I discovered a previously undiscovered bike clothing shop close to my house so took my two year old daughter for the ride in the car.

I was in there for at least 15mins browsing, and only when I walked towards the door to leave did anyone speak to me and ask if I needed assistance.

Ive had this a few times at other stores. I dont know if it's because I had a toddler with me, or because I wasn't wearing biking gear..

Considering going back on my bike to see if it makes a difference??

[Guest]

Today I discovered a previously undiscovered bike clothing shop close to my house so took my two year old daughter for the ride in the car.

I was in there for at least 15mins browsing, and only when I walked towards the door to leave did anyone speak to me and ask if I needed assistance.

Ive had this a few times at other stores. I dont know if it's because I had a toddler with me, or because I wasn't wearing biking gear..

Considering going back on my bike to see if it makes a difference??

I wish all stores were like this.

...I guess women have the opposite effect on these store workers... I had the opposite experience to yours. The bloke stayed with us for the 30mins we were inside! Wouldn't go back for fear of harassment.

[Whitey1984]

I think theres a happy medium, local store i sometimes use, greet you on the way in with a nice "alright mate, after anything specific or just come for a butchers" if i ask for something specific they point out where it is, if i just say im looking they leave me alone to look, if i want any help then i ask and they help.

I would say they remember me but this happened on my first ever time in there and nearly every time since.

When a bolt fell out my exhaust and left it dangling on the way into work, i bought a bolt from them to sort it and they lent me the tools to put it back myself "otherwise we'd have to charge you an hours labour" ( said in jest)

I love friendly bike shops.

[BikerMooFromMars]

Tbh, I like a friendly greeting, maybe can I help you, and that's it. Or a genuinely friendly chat about bikes etc...I'm more inclined to leave if someone hassles me/follows me around/watches me. There's a place not far from ours with a bike garage downstairs and gear upstairs where I got the damage estimate for Ermintrude (/Erminturd!) done after that guy reversed into her. I walked around looking at the gear and ended up just buying neckwarmers as the guy hassled me constantly. Given some time alone, I would've likely tried on a few jackets as I really need a new winter one, and I was genuinely interested in some converse-style waterproof boots and tank protectors, but didn't bother.

Sounds like I need to borrow a 2yr old when shopping in Camden market next time, see if it makes a difference there too...only reason I avoid the market stalls is because you are hassled constantly .

I am surprised tbh, defo go back alone in your gear and let us know what happens. And inform them at the end if you did notice a change in approach. Just because you have kids doesn't mean you aren't a hardcore biker!

[humbucker]

There is a largish bike shop in Alicante where I took my 24 yr old daughter who was interested in a CBF600. We looked over their one model for about 15 minutes and not one of the sales staff came over to enquire if we needed any help. That wasn't the best of it. Whilst my daughter was obviously engrossed in a closer look at it, a mechanic came out of the workshop, without saying a word, lifted it off the stand and wheeled it away. We looked at each other in disbelief.

I followed the mechanic and asked if the bike was sold. Without turning round he just shook his head. I asked him if he didn't want us to look at it or something, he ignored me.

I went back into the showroom and approached the sales desk where I related what had happened. The man there didn't even look up, shrugged his shoulders and pretended to make a call. I asked loudly if there were any non mutes that worked there. An older man came over with a smile and asked if there was anything wrong.

'Yes', said I, 'You need a sign on the outside of your display window saying 'Ignorant bast*rds work here'. That made them all look up.

'Oh we thought with you being English, you wouldn't speak Spanish so no one bothered you'.

'So what was the excuse when it was obvious that I can speak Spanish?'

No reply

What a fecking attitude.

Count your blessings folks.

On the plus side, the other dealerships and clothes shops are top drawer, friendly and one even offered my daughter a female member of staff to come out and help her with clothing.

No prizes for guessing where our money went. Shame she hasn't got the Honda yet but she will. She will.

[BikerMooFromMars]

Wow - that doesn't even make any sense!! Definitely money better spent elsewhere...

[humbucker]

The problem is, the staff here will not jump on you as soon as you walk in the door. The Spanish are far less inhibited and customers tend to go straight up to the staff and start talking, irrespective of what that person is doing if they need their services. We see it as rude, they see it as simply getting something done. Of course, the opposite side of that coin means that when you do not speak to the staff, they just assume you do not want their attention and will blithely ignore you. Because I did not immediately make a fuss at the mechanic, he just went ahead with whatever it was he needed the bike for. My question about it being sold had no bearing on what he was doing.

The salesman however was just being a jerk. We all meet them. To get their attention, you have to act like a local and 'do one'. I have always found the service in Spanish shops to be top notch, because usually I play it by their rules. Having my daughter with me and being conscious of her enthusiasm, I took my eye off the ball. You do have to be far more up front here, holding back and waiting for a moment to speak gets you nowhere. The British DNA tends to over ride that but it works.

And don't get me started on the 'please and thank you' scenario.

[Fozzie]

I like to shop quietly on my own, I'll look up and almost signal for when I want the sales person to come over as when I'm in the shop, I've usually done research and don't need much further info.

In most I'm left alone, but I've noticed if I appear and I'm not scruffy, like a decent pair of jeans and a nice shirt I tend to get people swooping in to lure me towards more expensive products.

If I take moo, a male assistant will be over in seconds being all friendly. It's a useful tactic if I want to get good service at least

So I think you are weighed up on looks. If you have a young daughter Joeman, chances are he thought "bored dad on a day off just browsing". Same way when I'm in gym kit for instance they just see "kid probably owns a ped and has no money". People judge, but it's fun if you can use it to your own devices.

[fq-craigus]

I like to be left alone and if i need help ill ask. I was followed round a bike shop once and anything i looked at i got the dull rundown on it whether i wanted it or not, i had to send her away three times

[fullscreenaging]

I like to be left alone and if i need help ill ask.

 

Exactly the same. The only downside to this is sometimes, just sometimes when I am looking for assistance there is no one about.

[fq-craigus]

I like to be left alone and if i need help ill ask.

 

Exactly the same. The only downside to this is sometimes, just sometimes when I am looking for assistance there is no one about.

yes i know what you mean, currys has to be the worste for this

[NeilM]

I had a really strange experience a couple of months ago.

I had my daughter with me 10 yr old but knows what's what with bikes.

We called to place local to me where previously I'd bought helmets, gloves etc.

We were looking at the bikes prior to me then having a look at their alpinestar jackets.

As we are walking round Grace asks if she can sit on this little white scooter 125 thing. She asks the salesman who says " it's not a toy" really narky.

I respond if she can sit on my bike she can sit on your poxy scooter....

long story short.

Will never ever shop there again.

Purely due to one persons stupidity.

In the last 4 month I have spent around £400 on clobber which would have most likely gone to them.

As you can tell it still pixxes me off now.