Why are some shop mechanics so arrogant?

Pearl

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
i dont drink tea or beer, what else do i need to do to be good at working on bikes?
 

SmooveP

Well-Known Member
I blame the shop owner for this. Mechanics are kept in a back room for a reason. You're lucky you didn't lose a finger. Or your last shred of faith in humanity.
 

olegbabich

Well-Known Member
I decided to learn how to fix my own bike, after 2 guys behind the counter were making fun of my Garry Fisher Tassajara.

I was standing there, waiting to pick the bike up, that was in the shop for a tune up.

They were talking about how sick their next build was going to be. That shit was funny and sad at the same time.

I'm fine if the shop lacks people skill, but they must back it up with great service. Unfortunately for me I could not find either.
 

wonderturtle

Well-Known Member
“Askhole”

Never heard that before. I like it. I think i might be one but I like it. ?

I ask a lot of questions. Not because I’m doubting the mechanic but because I want to learn. So, yeah I’ve asked questions like “but I saw on YouTube that I should be doing....” I’m not doing it to question what the bike shop guy just told me but I learn when he explains why what I heard was wrong and the reasons his suggestion is better.

The bike shop guys who understand the difference get my business
 

Patrick

Overthinking the draft from the basement already
Staff member
“Askhole”

Never heard that before. I like it. I think i might be one but I like it. ?

I ask a lot of questions. Not because I’m doubting the mechanic but because I want to learn. So, yeah I’ve asked questions like “but I saw on YouTube that I should be doing....” I’m not doing it to question what the bike shop guy just told me but I learn when he explains why what I heard was wrong and the reasons his suggestion is better.

The bike shop guys who understand the difference get my business

yeah, i have that disease too. i'm asking a question, but it sounds like i'm questioning why they did something.....
i try to bring m&ms, swedish fish, beer, oranges, pears, etc to make up for my general weird approach.
on the other hand, when i ask, 'what ....do i want?' i never question the answer. they get a green light, and
i'm never disappointed.
 

roc

Well-Known Member
yeah, i have that disease too. i'm asking a question, but it sounds like i'm questioning why they did something.....
i try to bring m&ms, swedish fish, beer, oranges, pears, etc to make up for my general weird approach.
on the other hand, when i ask, 'what ....do i want?' i never question the answer. they get a green light, and
i'm never disappointed.
Where do you go, that your never disappointed? That’s big. I usually go to marty’s In Motown, and they are pretty good to me, but sometimes, I know it’s a 10-15min fix and they want me to leave it for 2 weeks? Usually when that happens I drive to the Martys in Randolph and they fix it really quick for me. Most of the time, they tell me it’s time for a new bike.
 

Patrick

Overthinking the draft from the basement already
Staff member
Where do you go, that your never disappointed? That’s big. I usually go to marty’s In Motown, and they are pretty good to me, but sometimes, I know it’s a 10-15min fix and they want me to leave it for 2 weeks? Usually when that happens I drive to the Martys in Randolph and they fix it really quick for me. Most of the time, they tell me it’s time for a new bike.

Halters and Hilltop Summit. i divide my business because the owners and/or employees have always
treated me well (fred for lyfe) - they know i just "participate" in races, but like to have decent equipment, so they
choose bikes/accessories that make sense for me at my price point. I also bring stuff in that i purchased used, and no biggie.
But the relationship is established - i'm not just showing up expecting them to chat up my $5 cable problem.

If i need it now, i do it myself, otherwise i drop it off. if i don't have the tools, i don't need it right now.....which is usually
the case. i don't want to go down that rabbit hole. i have a pedal wrench, chain whip, cassette tool, and torx/hex keys,
and of course sockets and wrenches. if i can't do it with those, it is going to the shop!

some people don't know how to do triage - and get a "simple" fix out the door now or overnight - it has to sit in the queue and wait
its turn....that is a mgmt problem, not a wrench's.

BTW - it is time for a new bike.......:D
 

A Potted Plant

Honorary Sod
Where do you go, that your never disappointed? That’s big. I usually go to marty’s In Motown, and they are pretty good to me, but sometimes, I know it’s a 10-15min fix and they want me to leave it for 2 weeks? Usually when that happens I drive to the Martys in Randolph and they fix it really quick for me. Most of the time, they tell me it’s time for a new bike.

I've been rubbed the wrong way by some shops, I chalk it up to me since I'm short and to the point in conversations where I need and will hand cash over for it. Martys in Randolph is about a 7 minute drive for me if I wait for the light... They have always been kind to me with my parts needs,so they get my $$$.

I have yet to go to an REI shop that has left me with the warm and fuzzies.
 

Leftymuk

Well-Known Member
Real mechanics drink RedBull........... and they recognize customer needs even if their bikes just hang on the wall....
Hilltop in Summit will get my business everytime
 
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extremedave

Well-Known Member
Team MTBNJ Halter's
I have an extremely short list (3) of people I trust to do a better job on my junk than I can. All of them are also friendly and personable. Coincidence?

FWIW, horses for courses. The very best mechanic we had at the GM dealership was a surly, brooding bear of a dude. But he could diagnose anything and was never expected to deal with the customer.
 

Mathers

Well-Known Member
Hilltop bicycles in Summit
I dropped my bike off twice last week for unrelated issues and it was done in hours not days. The 2nd time was pretty minor but I just showed up without an appointment and had it back 2-3 hours later.
I also bought my SJ there and they were great helping me out when I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for.
 

Rocksrgood4u

Well-Known Member
Dealing with rude/stupid customers all day must suck. Retail is a struggle these days.

That being said, I have heard enough rude comments and bs from mechanics that I rarely patronize shops anymore. My favorite-- Me: "Is my steerer tube too short (2-3mm)?" Hotshot mechanic: "You might break your teeth when your stem snaps off..." Let's say I'lll never visit that shop again. (You know who you are.)
 

Magic

Formerly 1sh0t1b33r
Team MTBNJ Halter's
Somebody needs to start up an automatic bike wash business where you just send it through on a conveyor and it comes out shiny and lubed. Ain't nobody got time for that.
 

Johnny Utah

Well-Known Member
Hmmm......I wrenched for a bit and feel I can chime in here (plus I have a lovely attitude at times).

I firmly believe the Burger King method of "having it your way" has ruined humanity.
While most customers are great and yes the lifeblood of the shop, the amount of annoying questions, comments, observations etc. can be irritating to say the least (any industry).....it has become our culture in the modern internet society. This is elevated when a customer has a tiny bit of knowledge in a world where everyone on the internet wants to change your beliefs that their product/service/knowledge is the best and everyone else is wrong.......... But in modern times retail partners (which the wrench can be at times) have to smile and nod in excitement to some mooks banter. This is especially tough as the bike shop is a place for the customer to get away and enjoy their passion. For most at the shops they enjoy what they do, but it is a still a job. Just like everyone else they would like to go home, relax and enjoy some quiet time. While many wrenches are very personable, they get just are irritated but know to keep their mouth shut as it pays the bills. Here are a couple of sample customers as I remember:

The Quick Fix:
It is almost bro time to get your shred on with the boys at the local park, but your gears are out of whack and not shifting right. Time to stop by the local LBS for a quick fix on Friday at 5PM. When asked to come back you become irate as you don't understand why they cannot do a quick cable tune to get you running. Only issue is your cable is frayed to turd, hanger bent and your pulleys barely have any teeth left but in your mind none of that matters. You pride yourself in getting "the maximum" mileage out of your gear by covering it in oil which you do not clean off prior to your quick fix stop in. In your mind people that leave their bikes for days don't ride (and you ride so you are not leaving your junk for repair), and the shop doesn't need to stand up to their commitment and get those tags done in time as well as build several bikes for the Miller kids that Mr. Miller just purchased five minutes ago to have home for the weekend so he can be dad of the year (and make up for the comments he made to Mrs. Miller) then go back to going out to work dinner five days a week and not being home. Not to mention, you have to be the only one that came in for a quick fix today because no one else is bro's with the shop like you #fistpound

The Wheel:
That sick Carbon dream machine is finally hitting 1K, you are killing the Strava game and can be the next Richie Rude, only without the drugs. Only thing is this beast squeals like a pig when you cut through the long travel. Of course you have bought your wrench dude a six of some good IPA, of which you drank four while he rebuilt your suspension. It's cool though because you told him all about your racing year and you know he looks up to you. You guys stayed late and closed the shop, all good now. But he had the audacity to hit you with a $180 bill....... No worry, cause Stan your riding buddy is just as equally appalled by the bill as he does all his work himself. After your ride with Stan the next day there are some issues with your headset, and Stan (eager to prove his wrenching skills) is on point to adjust it. He gets those bearings PUR-FECT! Upon your satisfaction he also has to let you know that the shop that installed your suspension bearing probably didn't use the right grease on the pivots (only he is very wrong)......but he has you covered. Stan tears that beast down and gets you ready for the smoothest ride that bike has ever seen.......only it's not. He snaps two bolts in the process of not torqueing everything down right (because he needs to use his sick new Milwaukee power wrench). After cursing your bike as a POS and telling you to go to Any Town Cycle and buy the latest and greatest as that is the only place Stan would go you proceed to delete Stan's contact info. As you pull into your driveway you seen your neighbor Tim working on his pro street car and remember he has a set of tool like to other. So you ask him to fix your snapped bolts, after some quick knee slappers about how your skinny ass should grow a up and ride a bike with a motor he is quick to extract the bolts and get your pivots all greased up with the good stuff, Valvoline Wheel Bearing grease......good to go, now you owe Tim a lobster lunch at Clancy's for all the trouble he saved you. Fast forward several weeks and the bearing are covered in dirt, slow as shit, with the hardware backing off. You know you can't afford another lobster dinner at Clancy's with Tim, and you no longer have Stan's number.......next best thing....drop it back off at the bike shop and ask why the mechanic work all went to shit after the $180 you spent on the work......

The Window Shopper
Your local shop has just got in two of the absolute sickest demo fleets in the world. Guess what else......you just got your bonus for being the best at sales.....your significant other is so product they have told you to frost yourself with a new toy (after you pay off the Visa bill). The kids are off with your significant other for the day and they have told you to head to Anytown Cycle and figure out which one of those carbon beauties you are taking home. 9am Saturday you roll into Anytown Cycle with a fist full of peso's and a ten thousand dollar smile knowing you are the salesmen's dream. After a lengthy discussion about how it is time for a new machine with several of the employees Kim decides she will help you out. She sets up several bikes for you, and after five hours of demoing your legs are fried. Your friends are loving your Strava feed as they see new PR's and some pictures of one of the many bikes you may buy. Today is your day, you are an internet hero. You still have plenty of time to head home and have a glass of vino and respond to all of the attention.....which bike are you heading home with....they will all have to wait and be surprised! As you suit up Donny, an old high school buddy rolls in to pick up his kids beach cruiser that should have been done three days ago but kept being delayed (please see previous two scenarios) and he tells you about the new intake kit he put on his Audi, man does it have some pickup now.......your ears perk as you have the same Audi and dreamed about racing cars.....after all you re the only one that knows how to drive the Parkway every morning as you head to Metro Park. When you ask him how much the mod was you are astounded, it's $500 for the kit and takes an hour or two to install if you have the tools........The wheels are turning, how can you make this work with the bike and not have the significant other frown on the purchase. WAIT, you can buy the bike online and save a couple of hundred, once you factor in all the accessories you had Kim show you the savings will easily ad up to $500. F**king genius, this is why you got that bonus in the first place! You kindly thank Kim for her time and let her know you will be seeing her soon. Kim's co-workers are thrilled because she can now go back to assisting the line of customers as well as eat the bagel she brought in for breakfast six hours ago. You roll in, pour a glass of the Kendal J and order your favorite bike from the day. As you sit back and answer all the social media comments you dream of your new ride. Three days later the bike arrives! Time to load the box up and bring it to Kim at Anytown Cycle so she can set it up just like your demo..........you make sure to remind her you need it by the end of the day and double check she will still be able to take care of the warranty if there is issue, after all Anytown sells the same Carbon Master you purchased. You are #thatguy

The Champ:
Your mamm or sir are a beast. Quads like no other, everyone in the shop knows you by name, and those that don't soon will. You have dropped considerable coin at the shop, and you (and everyone else) knows it (mostly because you don't stop talking about it). Mechanical......not a problem. You are willing to wait, and want everything to be JUST. RIGHT. I mean perfect, because if your shift, spoke tension or tire pressure isn't just right......you can feel it. Races, yep, you've done them. And owned them. Krispy at Anytown is your wrench, they know you, they know your bike and they know your style. You tag them and Anytown on any and every post you make online, why? Because just like you, they are the best. Every Friday in the summer your CPA firm closes at 2PM and you rage on your carbon death machine. I mean like 29mph average down to the shore against the wind.....what's the hurry? You need to catch a slice and a Yerba at the pizza joint next to Anytown Cycle. Not only do you grace them with your presence, but you grab them a pie to have during conversation on this 98 degree full sun day. Your not selfish, so you also share your body fluid all over the perfectly clean display case that houses the same Dura Ace drivetrain you preach about online. You make yourself at home, and can't figure out why no one wants to sit down or get within ten feet of you........a hotshot salesmen quickly makes a joke about your Yerba, like why wouldn't you have a soda, they go great with pizza. But you don't get to be a beast by putting garbage in your body on a regular basis, that includes aluminum based deodorants. #smellofvictory

I have to go back to work now
 
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