Working in the bike industry...

errorist
errorist Posts: 169
edited October 2010 in The bottom bracket
Does anyone here work in the bike industry? Retail? Development? Marketing? etc.

Got to the point where I've realised I truely hate my job and want to do something that genuinely interests me. I know the grass always seems greener but its got to be better than what I do now.

Anyone got any advice about where to start, whether it pays and if they enjoy it?!

Many thanks

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Presuming you're not looking to earn your fortune then! Most people in the trade do it for the love - competition is tough and margins tight - most businesses are small, family-run affairs, particularly in retail. Product development opportunities are limited because no-body makes much anymore! Employers are going to be looking for transferable knowledge and skills from other business - you might have to spend some time in retail to understand how the industry works and get to know the major players / distribution models etc and supplement it with some appropiate qualifications if you want to get ahead. Others start out with a good product idea and start from there - for every one success there's probably 99 failures - good luck!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • errorist
    errorist Posts: 169
    Not looking to make a fortune, just improve the quality of my working life. At the moment work just depresses me.

    Think so retraining may be in order!
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    You could always get a job as a bike mechanic, they don't seem to have much training.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    antfly wrote:
    You could always get a job as a bike mechanic, they don't seem to have much training.


    Only if you work at Halford's
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Not just Halfords, from my bitter experiences.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    antfly wrote:
    Not just Halfords, from my bitter experiences.


    While I don't doubt it - let's be fair. There are some very good mechanics out there too! You obviously have been unlucky.

    Still - it's why I do all of mine at home now! Can only blame myself if something goes wrong. :oops:
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    What do you do now? Why do you hate it?

    There might be an easier alternative....
  • one_bad_mofo
    one_bad_mofo Posts: 86
    Okay I spent quite a bit of time in the "industry". SAles staff, mechanic, shop manager, jourtnalist and finally importer have al featured on my CV. Would I do it again? Probably not as it really is difficult to make a decent living. The money isn't great and you spend some much time involved with bikes that you end up not wanting to ride when you have any time off.
  • errorist
    errorist Posts: 169
    @one bad mofo: THought that might be the case. Think it may well be a case of the grass being greener!

    @Monkeypump: Currently work in environmental due diligence for the commercial property industry. I could explain what it entails but its pretty dull.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    I'd be careful with something like this. I have a number of friends who during the time they worked in bike shops hardly rode their bikes.
  • discurio
    discurio Posts: 118
    one_bad_mofo wrote:
    Okay I spent quite a bit of time in the "industry". SAles staff, mechanic, shop manager, jourtnalist and finally importer have al featured on my CV. Would I do it again? Probably not as it really is difficult to make a decent living. The money isn't great and you spend some much time involved with bikes that you end up not wanting to ride when you have any time off.

    this man speaks the truth.

    i got a job in a motorcycle shop because i was racing at the time. and after a few years i really couldnt be bothered with it anymore. To the point when out i dont tell people i sell motorbikes so i can avoid the "ooh i want to buy a scooter/motorbike /helmet" or "you know sonny i used to ride a motorbike in the 1950's........"

    hence i now cycle everywhere which annoys the hell outta the rest of my workmates.
    I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information
  • errorist
    errorist Posts: 169
    Hardly get a chance at the moment though as I'm stuck in the office writing reports about industrial estates Swindon!
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Look at the jobs posted on www.bikebiz.com and decide if you can take the pay cut!

    I may have considered this myself to change jobs, but I'm still doing what I'm doing as the pay would actually over the rent.
  • errorist
    errorist Posts: 169
    Sod it I might just open one of those trendy cycle cafes and make a mint selling espressos and biscotti to all the south west London MAMILs!
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Errorist wrote:
    Hardly get a chance at the moment though as I'm stuck in the office writing reports about industrial estates Swindon!

    Just think there are bike mechanics up and down the land who dream of being able to write reports like that :D
  • White Horse
    White Horse Posts: 161
    Errorist wrote:
    Hardly get a chance at the moment though as I'm stuck in the office writing reports about industrial estates Swindon!

    Are you based in Swindon? There's a bike shop in Swindon recruiting for an apprentice mechanic.
  • errorist
    errorist Posts: 169
    Nah, I'm based in South West London. Spose there's always Evans...!
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    You remind me of him:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-26fiidREnQ
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Don't you mean him? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlWaiX4 ... playnext=1
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    Have you thought about/done one of those bike mechanics courses? It may give you an insight into the sort of people/workplace you will be encountering. Every industry has its own code of behaviour, style of operating which will contrast with your present set up.

    It is fairly common to feel that there are better ways to pass the time but matching your present income may be tricky. At least the bike business is on the up :)
    The older I get the faster I was
  • pidism
    pidism Posts: 32
    https://www.bikebiz.com/jobs/job/2136/b ... tore-staff

    Bike lab in SW London advertising! :)

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