Job in a Bike Shop?
Comments
-
I know a girl who manages a fairly busy bikeshop and she says that for every customer who comes in and spends an extra £1k because he doesn't want to look cheap in front of a girl, there's one who can barely disguise the look of incredulity on their face when they ask to speak to someone about bikes and she says "how can I help?" On balance the good/bad stereotyping works itself out
Then there's the vast majority of customers who don't care who they speak to so long as they're not feckin idiots!
The important thing is to just be yourself, tell them that you're willing to learn outside of works time and that you genuinely believe you'll be able to help the business look after customers...0 -
ooo thats a really good point! i wonder if they'll think of that while interviewing me?? hehe!
the thing im gonna push most is that im keen to learn in and out of work, and am willing and ethusiastic... but im pretty convinced that not going to win me over a guy (or girl) who maybe knows everythingggg (or more than me) about bikes lol0 -
you'd be surpised, most people will take someone willing to learn over a know-it-all gimp0
-
ooo maybe
just spoked to my mummy hehe and ive been told to show personality, and make them remember ME not what i KNOW lol 
just hope i dont get something awkward and look like a douche! lol!
fingers crossed!0 -
Helen-mtb wrote:I've applied for a job in a bike shop, but only have experience working in whsmiths... (woo.)
i also only know the basics about bikes, but ive been told by other riders/friends that im at an advantage as im female?
Any advice for interviews??? if i even make that.. lol
would love to work in a bike shop soooo much!
wat shop is it hunn. i live ins soton my self. Not that i wanna work in abike shop rather pay the shops to fix my bike as i am lazy0 -
Helen-mtb wrote:ooo maybe just spoked to my mummy hehe and ive been told to show personality, and make them remember ME not what i KNOW lol just hope i dont get something awkward and look like a douche! lol!
fingers crossed!
Well said! Roll in on that bike. Make them think why they shouldn't employ you. Confidence, not cockiness with a bit of background learning and of course that will to learn.0 -
Girls are an asset in any retail business.
I got my Trek from PedalOn and because Trek don't allow delivery over a certain value I had to go to their shop to pick it up. About 100 miles there and back.
I arrived with all my finance documents sorted out which I had to sign infront of them. I had to take a long photo ID, so I took my driving license.
There was a nice young lady there who helped me out, I had full podium points so I was going through all the stuff I wanted and she was helping me out.
When it got down to the business of paying for it all (after we had spent an hour picking the things out I wanted) there was a problem. My driving license had a different address on it than my finance details. The store manager was adamant that they wouldn't proceed with the purchase and that I had to come back with 'proper' ID. A passport. I pointed out that a passport does not have an address on it and that it shouldnt matter.
The young lass agreed with me and argued my point with her manager. The manager still wouldnt budge, so she decided to call the finance company. After a tense 20 minutes on the phone they agreed and I could use my photo driving license.
She was awesomely helpfull. If you can be anything like that you will be awesomely helpfull too.
So +1 to the lady at the pedalon store! It saved me another trip back to Reading and huge embarassment.
(Also to anyone, take your passport instead of your driving license )
Good luck Helen.0 -
-
Heyy guys! Though i'd say a huggggge THANK YOU for all your awesome advice!
I got the job!! (silly me worrying i dont know enough about bikes... he asked if i could fix a puncture as thats a 'little rule' they have of course i needed to know the basics though (go to walk out the shop and realised i had a puncture... needless to say i went out back to fix it lol!)
"i'm overwhelmed by your enthusiasm!"
"(giggles) Do you not get a lot of "enthusiastic" applicants then? or females?"
"we had 2 females, didnt mention bikes on their cv or seem too interested, you rocked up on an awesome bike and showed lots of enthusiasm for the job...."
...i start tomorrow!
thank you guys! x0 -
Brilliant news! Congratulations! 0
-
-
Good work. Which shop is it?0
-
Thank You guys! and Hargroves0
-
Helen-mtb wrote:Ohh i see! i thought you kinda meant they gave you a saddle and just said "sell it to me." that makes it a little easier! They could ask me about anyyy bike part.
I dont have a clue about some things though which is pretty worrying. i could sell a saddle lol, pretty self explanitory... but anything too complicated, like a crank set or anything to do with gears, and im pretty much fooked. lol!
i hope they ask me to sell a saddle or a mud guard! did you get the job? sorry if you've already said and ive just havent noticed!
Hi Helen,
Good luck with your interview.
When they ask you to sell them a certain item (I dont work in a bike shop but this is a well used sales technique) think ''features & Benefits.'' Try and sell it to them by working through the features of the product and the benefits of having the item and/or upgrading to this item.
Hope this helps.
TinoSpeciallized Allez 09...great bike shame about the wheels!!0 -
bit late there tino, but helen well done! if i'm ever in southampton i will know where to go for decent bike shop service! and i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say if you ever need any further advice or information don't hesitate to post a topic or PM us well done!0
-
-
Good luck & well done, I was in the same sort of situation when I started a weekend job at a bike shop. I rode a lot but apart from knowing a bit about bikes & being enthusiastic about them I had never built or maintained my own bike, preferring to just pay the LBS to do it.
Don't expect to be building bikes straight away as even if you read about how to set them up you really still need hands on practice before you feel confident enough to work on customers bikes.
If it's anything like where I work you won't be expected too anyway, if you show interest they should allow you to pre build bikes, then move onto being shown the set up routine, then onto setting them up under supervision, then onto doing them on your own.
Focus on learning about the bikes & parts the shop sells, who they are aimed at, what suits what type of customer & their budget.
Perhaps pop in today & memorize where all the products are kept, as lots of q's are 'point me to the .......'
Also If your not sure about something a customer asks then don't be afraid to ask a colleague for help, this looks better & really you can't be expected to know everything.
If your interested in eventually working there full time it's possible, take me for example, after starting 3 years ago with little knowledge I now have a full time job as a mechanic. Hands on experience built up over time & a willingness to learn got me the job.0 -
Haha thanks guys! i wasnt asked to do anything like that... was just a general chat about me lol! and i can talk about that QUITE well
Hehe thanks Blake! You'll know who's me (im the girls 8) )0 -
Girl :oops:0
-
And yeah they said i wouldnt be doing that sort of thing yet, and i was there today for my interview had a sneeky look around, trying to take things in lol!
after a few weeks hopfeully i'll be fine! got a 3 months contract, then, "if they like me" i get a longer one. spose that gives me time to learn the ropes and show them what i can do 0 -
Learn how to fill that kettle first ;-)0
-
Don't be under too much pressure to impress, if you don't know something then say so It's better to admit naivity! You'll do fine! Congrats again. 0
-
oooohh bikeradar sexism! my workmate makes the coffee normally not the girly, we call him coffee b!tch0
-
Gratz lass0
-
blakef111 wrote:bit late there tino, but helen well done! if i'm ever in southampton i will know where to go for decent bike shop service! and i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say if you ever need any further advice or information don't hesitate to post a topic or PM us well done!
Apologies for this, I am a lazy git and did not bother to read all of the posts :oops:
Pleased you got the job and good luck with it.
Cheers,
TinoSpeciallized Allez 09...great bike shame about the wheels!!0 -
Haha come down one saturday and say your "BFG" from bike radar or add me on the old FB
Well, i have to say guys, i didn't expect a day at work quite like this! it was AMAZING!
I sold 3 bikes, helped a lot of people out and only got stuck ocne or twice
Oh and i HAVE to add... i built TWO bikes! On my first day! Absolutely love it! No one thought i'd be doing that yet haha! Didn't make one cup of tea, but had quite a few made for me!
x0 -
Fantastic news Helen !
A HUGE Congrats 0 -
Sheesh! We sold one bike today the bloody rain stopped everyone going out shopping did have to do a saddle fitting for a lovely young lady that made it worth it again well done but to put it in perspective how old are you? 0
-
I'm 16!
Only had one job before and it was an xmas temp jb in whsmith lol! (fun :? )
This is awesome though! Still can't believe i've been building bikes! Honestly didn't think they'd let me yet but they are soo friendly in there! 9 hours felt like nothingg!
Was saying to one of the guys that it doesn't feel like i'm working because i love being there and it just seems like a load of fun and learning lol!
x0
