[Argyle]

have read a few threads as of late complaining of the treatment they are getting from their bike shop

I was interested to see ideas of people if they could open their own bike shop


My idea would be this:

-how about a shop that greeted you with a smile and your name when you walked in

-what if all the shop did was bike repairs, no bikes for sale , no salesman running around in their fancy dancy suits selling you stuff

-the shop would phone you on a daily basis to keep you apprasied of what work is being done and why there is a hold up, how long does it take to make a phone call???

-if the shop calls for a parts order and it isnt available, he would pick up the phone and call another supplier until said part was found, not wait three weeks on a back order

-the shop would pay the mechanics what they're worth, one place I heard paid $17.00 dollars an hour, this is uphauling to me, considering shop rates being $85.00 hr <<< no wonder they don't give a shit

-the shop would be centerally located in New Westminster, access to sky trains, buses, so you dont have to worry about how your getting back home. Unfortunately to keep costs down no loaner would be available

-hire mechanics for specific makes/models, so we have some specialization

-this shop would only service the main brands kawasaki,yamaha,Suzuki and honda

-customer service, customer service, customer service

**Yes, I'm tired of being treated poorly, and being given a disgraceful product, that I have paid Big dollars for



**an unamed shop just charged me 650.00 for a reg service and brake pads all around, how can you hand someone a bill with a straight face in that ammount !!!! **

please feel free to add what youd like to see for a bike shop for the people who ride the bikes

 

[Vili]

Well, for me 5th gear seems to be pretty close to what you describe, granted nowhere near skytrain and they do sell bikes, but dont push them on you

 

[miraclejoe]

The problem is not the lack of shops.

The problem is the crappy customer base and the lack of trully good mechanics.

 

[Argyle]

As I understand , mechanics make no money, why should they bother doing a good job

I agree fifth gear has this concept but, location, is difficult to get back home from as its in the middle of no where

fifth gear's service is top notch though

 

[dann]

I agree fifth gear has this concept but, location, is difficult to get back home from as its in the middle of no where

fifth gear's service is top notch though

Jump the fence to the freeway and hitch-hike.

 

[Dalma]

What you are talking about is an ideal situation. You would need to sit down and work the numbers to see just how much business volume you would require.

Here are some of the points to take into account.

At best you would be paying jobber prices for most of your parts which you would need to order from Honda, Kawi, Suzuki and Yamaha dealerships. You would also need to rely on them for actually stocking or ordering the parts you require.

You would need to ensure that the space you bought or leased for your shop was priced right so you could actually generate enough revenue to pay for it.

You would need to ensure that your shop rate paid for management labour costs, inventory carrying costs, heat, electrical, telephone, advertising, license, govt fees, accounting, computer systems etc along with the above mentioned leasing costs as you have decided to not sell bikes, accessories and the like.

You would also need to factor in the fact that very few people ride from Oct - May and hence your volume of work would be very low during this period of time.

Basically you need to build your business plan and work the numbers. I think you would have much better likelyhood of succeeding in taking your business plan to an existing dealership and sell yourself as a service manager with the hopes to have a chance to purchase a portion of the business.

 

[Boydfish]

-how about a shop that greated you with a smile and your name when you walked in

Good idea in principle, but hard to make a realistic goal. Even setting aside the first time a customer walks in, the fact is that the staff are supposed to motorcycle experts, not the Amazing Kreskin.

-what if all the shop did was bike repairs, no bikes for sale , no salesman running around in their fancy dancy suits selling you stuff

The problem is that people like having "one stop shopping". While I agree that high pressure sales are about the dumbest thing a business can do, having other business lines is often a good idea.

-the shop would phone you on a daily basis to keep you apprasied of what work is being done and why there is a hold up, how long does it take to make a phone call???

The mechanic can turn wrenches or dial a phone. Your call.

-if the shop calls for a parts order and it isnt available, he would pick up the phone and call another supplier until said part was found, not wait three weeks on a back order

Sometimes, there isn't an option to find a part locally because there isn't said part locally.

-the shop would pay the mechanics what there worth, one place I heard paid $17.00 dollars an hour, this is uphauling to me, considering shop rates being $85.00 hr <<< no wonder they don't give a shit

First, money isn't a factor in poor job performance. People are either motivated or they aren't. As well, the $85 shop rate covers more than just the mechanic; it covers things like the lights, heat and rent. As well, the amount also has to cover defaulted repairs, etc.

-the shop would be centerally located in New Westminster, access to sky trains, buses, so you dont have to worry about how your getting back home. Unfortunately to keep costs down no loaner would be available

Central locations are desireable, but that means higher rents/leases/mortgage payments. Perhaps a shuttle service?

-hire mechanics for specific makes/models, so we have some specialization

Specialists in any trade cost more.

-this shop would only service the main brands kawasaki, yamaha, Suzuki and honda

Businesses, especially ones starting out can't afford to turn away any business.

-customer service, customer service, customer service

Agreed.

 

[k_vist]

A somewhat related idea my friend and I were discussing:

What about starting a store at a mall location (Metrotown, etc) that sold gear, accessories, and custom stuff. No repairs or bike sales. Had shopping mall hours (ie. open late) so it would be accessible to working people who don't get off until after the shops close. Open Sundays and Mondays? Could be a branch of RMS or the like...

 

[g_spyder91]

A somewhat related idea my friend and I were discussing:

What about starting a store at a mall location (Metrotown, etc) that sold gear, accessories, and custom stuff. No repairs or bike sales. Had shopping mall hours (ie. open late) so it would be accessible to working people who don't get off until after the shops close. Open Sundays and Mondays? Could be a branch of RMS or the like...

+1 A boutique shop. How about a place with a nice lounge area for when you are waiting for your bike. A pool table, T.V and a couch, maybe even a small coffee bar. Might generate some extra income as a new "hangout."

 

[Miguel]

Meh, whatever... I like 5th Gear, their prices and the work they do. The location is a little harder for me to get to, granted. But the location isn't a big deal at all, hell, you're riding there most of the time anyway so whatever. And the only time I ever had a hold up at 5th Gear. I called, inquired... and they had the bike done the next day because that is what I needed. No complaints what so ever.

 

[5thgear]

have read a few threads as of late complaining of the treatment they are getting from their bike shop

I was interested to see ideas of people if they could open their own bike shop


My idea would be this:

-how about a shop that greated you with a smile and your name when you walked in

-what if all the shop did was bike repairs, no bikes for sale , no salesman running around in their fancy dancy suits selling you stuff

-the shop would phone you on a daily basis to keep you apprasied of what work is being done and why there is a hold up, how long does it take to make a phone call???

-if the shop calls for a parts order and it isnt available, he would pick up the phone and call another supplier until said part was found, not wait three weeks on a back order

-the shop would pay the mechanics what there worth, one place I heard paid $17.00 dollars an hour, this is uphauling to me, considering shop rates being $85.00 hr <<< no wonder they don't give a shit

-the shop would be centerally located in New Westminster, access to sky trains, buses, so you dont have to worry about how your getting back home. Unfortunately to keep costs down no loaner would be available

-hire mechanics for specific makes/models, so we have some specialization

-this shop would only service the main brands kawasaki,yamaha,Suzuki and honda

-customer service, customer service, customer service

**Yes, I'm tired of being treated poorly, and being given a disgraceful product, that I have paid Big dollars for



**an unamed shop just charged me 650.00 for a reg service and brake pads all around, how can you hand someone a bill with a straight face in that ammount !!!! **

please feel free to add what youd like to see for a bike shop for the people who ride the bikes

That's a good write up , good to hear stuff like this.

You don't need a mechanic who specializes in one brand. A good mechanic can fix anything. My one mechanic makes $500 a day doing special effects when not here. He can imagine and build anything . After wrenching for a 15 plus years all bikes become the same

In any business you try to greet customers ( why wouldn't you ? ) unfortunately bike shops are seasonal. When your busy your swamped so it's hard to greet someone walking in when there's a line up of 5 and 3 people on hold. You can't make everyone happy but you try.

As for paying $650 for a tune up ?? . Too bad I don't feel sorry for anyone who takes there bike to another shop and gets hosed. We've never charged that much ever and if you've never seen our ads and events on this site then must not be able to read. But if everyone wants to go somewhere else then that's business. You can only help out those looking for it.

 

[Argyle]

Meh, whatever... I like 5th Gear, their prices and the work they do. The location is a little harder for me to get to, granted. But the location isn't a big deal at all, hell, you're riding there most of the time anyway so whatever. And the only time I ever had a hold up at 5th Gear. I called, inquired... and they had the bike done the next day because that is what I needed. No complaints what so ever.

no argument 5th gear rocks

shuttle service good idea but labor intensive

yeah big thing with bike shops...starve in winter bike shop/ski shop maybe

 

[J_Scott]

As a friend of mine in the industry told me last week "It's hard to make money in this industry as people are so passionate about bikes they'll do so much for free"

It's a double edged sword.

EDIT: this is just a pit-stop to take a shit, I'm actually out riding today!

 

[Argyle]

That's a good write up , good to hear stuff like this.

You don't need a mechanic who specializes in one brand. A good mechanic can fix anything. My one mechanic makes $500 a day doing special effects when not here. He can imagine and build anything . After wrenching for a 15 plus years all bikes become the same

In any business you try to greet customers ( why wouldn't you ? ) unfortunately bike shops are seasonal. When your busy your swamped so it's hard to greet someone walking in when there's a line up of 5 and 3 people on hold. You can't make everyone happy but you try.

As for paying $650 for a tune up ?? . Too bad I don't feel sorry for anyone who takes there bike to another shop and gets hosed. We've never charged that much ever and if you've never seen our ads and events on this site then must not be able to read. But if everyone wants to go somewhere else then that's business. You can only help out those looking for it.

if they told me up front I was going to be paying that much, I would have told them where to go and how fast to get there

when your handed a bill and told to bend over and take it up the tailpipe, what are you going to do


have heard nothing but praise for you Bill and your establishment, you have a great business concept, keep up the good work, and you can add another customer to your list

 

[Silent Scream]

if they told me up front I was going to be paying that much, I would have told them where to go and how fast to get there

when your handed a bill and told to bend over and take it up the tailpipe, what are you going to do

Ever thought of asking a shop for their rates ahead of time?

If you don't ask, it's kind of your own fault if you end up paying more than you bargained for.

 

[Argyle]

Ever thought of asking a shop for their rates ahead of time?

If you don't ask, it's kind of your own fault if you end up paying more than you bargained for.

rates 85 per hour so what... they dont tell you how long its going to take.... i can change oil plugs sync carbs in an hour...youd never pay that

avg shop charges 65 bucks for a simple oil change, my hands are tied i live in a strata condo, cant turn a wrench w/o a fine

 

[kingklay]

Customer Service

Its all about the customer service!! I would rather spend a little bit more and get treated like a customer should. A little unrelated but the other day I purchased trailor park boys from Future Shop and i actually felt like appologizing for the purchase. The girl behind the counter looked so upset to take my money, i guess it was because she acutally had to do something. I also feel that way when i go into Pacific Yamaha which i will never ever do again.

 

[Argyle]

go to Pac Yam get ready to bend over

 

[bafflebrain]

I have not been to 5th Gear to see for myself but GPD was close to what you mentioned. I also like what the guys over at Adrenaline Co-op is doing in Victoria.

I don't thing a shop with all the criterias you listed could exist...if it does, it only last a few months before going broke. I hate to say it but the majority of sportbikers here are cheap bastids...providing services only without new/used sales and accessories would not be viable. As seen in many repair shops:

Cheap, Fast, Good...pick any two.

 

[Guest]

it all sounds reall good till you actually do it and see the futility of it all,dont get into it to make money ,,everyone wants the best deal for the cheapest price .Maybe harley shops have it good ,but sportbike shops barely keep the lights on ,You gotta do it for passion not profit or fame.It really sours you to people and drives you nuts the hrs you have to work for the end result.DO it for you and the prospect of always getting better skilled and faster .

it sounds great til its a sunday everning and you havent been home for a week and a pile of bills sits in front of a pile of work and you have to soldier on ..Its not all bad but its not as glamorous and youd hope