7 November 2008 - 18:28A Rant
It goes something like this…
A woman comes into the shop with a wheel. This wheel has a flat tire.
“I’d like to get this fixed please, it’s for our stationary bike. We can’t get it to work”
“No problem, it will be $4 for the tube, and $5 for labor”
“OK great, I’ll pick it up later.”
She leaves, I change the tube. She comes back later. She pays, all is well, no sweat.
About 15 minutes later, I get a phone call from the husband.
“Why did you charge my wife $5 to change the tube?”
“$5 is our minimum labor charge, just about all shops will charge you labor for this type of job”
“yeah? Well ***’s doesnt” and hangs up.
Two things get me to DEFCON 1 immediately, one is slamming doors, the other is being hung up on. And as the owner of this fine shop, I can’t exactly be rude to the guy. But I have this blog. So here is my statement to this guy, and others like him.
If you were smart enough to change a bicycle inner tube yourself, you wouldn’t have to pay the $5 would you? So why, if you can’t do it yourself. balk at a minimal labor charge, when I spend my time, use my tools, my electricity to run the compressor, and use my expertise to ensure that the tube is installed correctly. Isn’t my time worth $5 to fix your inner tube? When the valve of the old one had been torn off because the last tube had a presta valve rattling around a schrader sized hole. Probably something you didn’t figure out before which is probably why the wheel ended up in my shop anyway?
Well next time, pal, feel free to drive the 20 miles to ****’s Bike Shop to avoid this labor fee. While you are driving there, think about how much a gallon of gas costs. Think about your 40 mile round trip to save $5. Oh but wait, I changed the tube correctly. You won’t have a problem with it. And if you do, and it’s my bad, it’s covered.
So in parting, I’d like to present the middle fingers of both of my hands and offer you a heartfelt “screw you buddy, you can fix it yourself next time”.
Rant mode off.
5 Comments » | Tags: Rant
07 Nov 2008 - 18:53
If it makes you feel any better, I drove 30 miles to have you change my tire, and I’m happy to pay the service charge to have it done right and avoid a nasty flat! Thanks again!
07 Nov 2008 - 19:03
Thats right send them to @$#)’s or the (&* #(@!, just make sure you don’t send them to us. We got enough lunatics ourselves.
jason
08 Nov 2008 - 23:46
Ha ha ha!!! G – this is the best damn post ever!!!! I definitely couldn’t have done a better one althought I have seen a few things from customers that make me want to give the double finger many times! Most of the time I laugh at them and say “Are you serious?”
I concur….double fingers was a definite requirement in this case!!!!!
11 Nov 2008 - 22:37
I was in your shop last summer and was treated so well I would come up from MD to get work done, you have to pay for good service. Some people LOVE to be mad and let other know it, I am sure ****’s would charge if he treated them the same way, and I am sure some day he will.
17 Nov 2008 - 13:15
In NJ we charge 8 for a tube and 8 for labor. You should see what they charge in NYC!