In my constant quest for excellence and in hopes of crushing my bike shop competition, I thought I’d ask anyone who checks this blog out… what do YOU look for in a bike shop? What is your hierarchy of needs? Do you demand a high level of customer service? Is the repair area most important to you? What about product selection?
What’s important to you? What makes you want to come back to your shop of choice? Please let me know by leaving a comment on this post. Thanks a ton!
PROBIKEWRENCH 
I always look for friendly knowledgable people in the service area. If they are not busy are they willing to chat with you even when you are not buying something that day. If they are passionate about bike as you hate dealing with someone who is just doing his or her 9-5. Now if I can only get my LBS to put a couch on the floor with wifi I’d be set
Good customer service and product selection are typically most important to me. Customer service above all!
My needs are unique as I am “in the industry”. I don’t always look like a cyclist or somebody in the industry – I like to eat – what can I say. Some chucklehead looking at me like I am idiot and trying to show me a hybrid bike when I come in for a tube of Vittoria Mastik One is a huge turn off. Bring in a $500 track fork to get a crown race pressed on and being told “We can have it back by Tuesday” is a sure way to make sure I never show up again. I’m no better or no worse than anybody else out there, but I do know how long it takes to put a crown race on. I know that fat people can ride $5000 bikes and I know a $2400 bike wont hold anybody back at all… be honest, be open and be openminded – that’s the key!
Trust–knowing the job’s going to be done right the first time. Coupled with genuine customer appreciation. That’s why I’m willing to drive 2+ hours to have a certain ProBikeWrench work on my bike rather than take it to the LBS.
Knowledgeable staff that is approachable and open to experienced and non-experienced riders. Quality selection. Honest recommendations from sales staff.