My last day of employment

Shavedlegs

As from 7pm I'll be an entrepreneur. Hoping to become to a bike mogul/tycoon/baron I'm unsure which is the best.

Trying to be excited but actually I'm plain scared.

Alex

Doobz

all the best dude and hope you get where you wanna be

adios
doobz

geoff_ss

Good luck. If you're entering the retail trade you've picked a hard row to hoe.

Geoff

Cajun

Good luck !!!

Remember these keys to success:
Treat your customers as you would want to be treated.
No sale is too small to give attention to the customer....the odds of them returning for bigger sales is based on how well they are treated in your establishment..

My father once told me: " You can buy your groceries anywhere, but you will always buy them at the store that is the most friendly and respectful....regardless of the distance traveled." (90% of our business was repeat-business).

fidbod

Good luck - the website looks like a promising start

As a resident of the same area as you - Stockwell, there is definitely a gap in the market. I.E. a road bike shop where I can go and spend money I don't have on bike bling.

Finally just to echo everyone else, customer service is king. My LBS get my trade on the basis of how well they have treated me. I could source bits and bobs cheaper from Wiggle but i would rather go into them. Build that into your customer base and you will win

daniel_b

Best of luck Alex, I'm sure if you have the drive, you'll make it work.

What is the website addres by the way?

Dan

clanton

Good luck! Somewhat jealous that you've had the guts to actually do it rather than just sit at work and sulk like I do!
One tip from me re customer service - keep your promises! Don't make promises you can't deliver on and deliver on the promises you make. That's the one area of (shoddy) customer service that drives me up the wall more than any other.

johnnypipe85

hi alex,
I have PM you,

Jon

lateralus

Good luck mate. Enjoy being your own boss!

il_principe

Where is the shop going to be? I'm based in Pimlico and looking for an LBS that's handier than Sigma!

Shavedlegs

As a little token of my appreciation for all the support recieved below is a 5% discount voucher for my new website:http://www.shavedlegs.co.uk Valid for April, any comments on the site are very welcome.

radar08

You just need to enter the code at the checkout.

Best wishes and thanks again.
Alex

McBain_v1

I might order a Selle Italia Gel Flo saddle from you - just to test the water. Not sure if the one on your website is the most up to date model, will check when I get home tonight

Shavedlegs

It should be.
If not let me know and I'll update the site and check if I have the new ones in stock.

Any comments on the site or service are very welcome.

McBain_v1

As long as it is available in white to match my beloved 1993 Raleigh 631 frame

homercles

Yes, all the best - I'll do my best to support where I can.

Particularly enjoyed this on the website...

CAMPAGNOLO Groupset SHIMANO Groupset
CAMPAGNOLO Record no comparison

doobie919

Congrats and good luck to you. I'm getting ready for college next year, and will be in the business department. Hoping to open a bike shop eventually as well.

Try to get to know the repeat customers, it's always nice when I walked into my LBS back in the states and got a "what up sean" from all the mechanics and staff there. Shoot I used to go just to look at parts and still got the attention the person buying the $4 grand bike got.

heavymental

Whereabouts is the shop or is it web only?