Bicycle repair/servicing
Discussion
I run my family owned convenience store on a busy bike commuter route.
Right now the business is struggling, we just cannot seem to generate a larger customer base.
I am a perfectly competent bicycle mechanic, previously done it as a job.
I have come up with the idea of providing repairs or servicing from within the store. I have the relevant tools and skills.
Space and time are non issues as I am in the shop anyway and if I don't have customers to serve then I can be focusing on any repairs/services.
What I would like to know is, are there any regulations/insurance issues that would prevent this? Can I do the odd job on someone's bike without having to jump through any hoops?
Ideally if this proves to be a good successful idea then I'd try to start selling spares etc... Obviously I'd carry a basic range of spares like tubes, brake pads and cables etc...
Can anyone give me ideas? I need to do something to generate extra footfall and cash for the shop.
We don't want to lose it.
Any ideas are greatly welcomed!
David
Right now the business is struggling, we just cannot seem to generate a larger customer base.
I am a perfectly competent bicycle mechanic, previously done it as a job.
I have come up with the idea of providing repairs or servicing from within the store. I have the relevant tools and skills.
Space and time are non issues as I am in the shop anyway and if I don't have customers to serve then I can be focusing on any repairs/services.
What I would like to know is, are there any regulations/insurance issues that would prevent this? Can I do the odd job on someone's bike without having to jump through any hoops?
Ideally if this proves to be a good successful idea then I'd try to start selling spares etc... Obviously I'd carry a basic range of spares like tubes, brake pads and cables etc...
Can anyone give me ideas? I need to do something to generate extra footfall and cash for the shop.
We don't want to lose it.
Any ideas are greatly welcomed!
David
singlecoil said:
I've got an idea, just do it.
If there are any regulations, which I doubt, and if they are enforced, which I also doubt, someone will be along to tell you that you shouldn't be doing it until you've filled in a form, paid a fee etc.
Obviously you will need liability insurance, apart from that I can't see any problems.
Start today.
That's a great idea!If there are any regulations, which I doubt, and if they are enforced, which I also doubt, someone will be along to tell you that you shouldn't be doing it until you've filled in a form, paid a fee etc.
Obviously you will need liability insurance, apart from that I can't see any problems.
Start today.
Seriously, that's been a gentle kick up the arse. Thank you.
I will have to speak with our current insurers and see what is required by them.
Ideally I'd like to push our shop as a regular stop off for the many cycling groups that normally pass right by.
Are you a cyclist? What would attract you?
Cheers
David
Ok, thanks for the great ideas.
Today I allocated space in the shop for carrying out any work, shelving for keeping tools and spares on. I will be setting up a basic workstation over the next couple of days.
I threw together an advertisement for a bicycle safety check and servicing/repairs. I have also been mentioning it to my regular customers and it would appear that they think it's a good idea with some saying that they themselves would be interested in trying it out.
I like the idea of providing a pit stop so to speak. I will see what I can come up with.
Outside the shop we have a very large paved area, I am going to suggest to the local council that installing a rack or 2 would be beneficial to the residents, also it would help cyclist feel safer leaving their bikes locked up outside if they just want to nip in for a snack or a chat.
This may just work!
Any other suggestions and or do's/dont's are welcomed.
Thanks again folks
David
Today I allocated space in the shop for carrying out any work, shelving for keeping tools and spares on. I will be setting up a basic workstation over the next couple of days.
I threw together an advertisement for a bicycle safety check and servicing/repairs. I have also been mentioning it to my regular customers and it would appear that they think it's a good idea with some saying that they themselves would be interested in trying it out.
I like the idea of providing a pit stop so to speak. I will see what I can come up with.
Outside the shop we have a very large paved area, I am going to suggest to the local council that installing a rack or 2 would be beneficial to the residents, also it would help cyclist feel safer leaving their bikes locked up outside if they just want to nip in for a snack or a chat.
This may just work!
Any other suggestions and or do's/dont's are welcomed.
Thanks again folks
David
rhinochopig said:
Just make sure yourcontents insurance covers you. 5 or 6 bikes in the store could equate 15-20k.
That is something I will look into. I do however have my doubts that I would be dealing with bikes of those values. I think It will be more of a 1 or 2 beaters at a time situation just to make a little extra cash while I am running the convenience side of the business.You never know though, it could take off. Especially if I can market the shop to suit cyclists in general.
Thanks for all the replies.
We are open between 7am and 10pm all week anyway so pick ups and drop offs shouldn't be an issue. If there is ever a demand for this then it is something I would look into.
Customer service, Well in my opinion we have it down to a T already. There is always room for improvement though.
I really do hope this proves to be beneficial, as I said in the OP, our shop is struggling with so much competition around us. If I can transform it into a cyclists hub then fingers crossed we'd be onto a winner.
We are on an arterial route direct to the city centre and pretty much nothing else before us on the way in!
All suggestions are welcomed.
David
We are open between 7am and 10pm all week anyway so pick ups and drop offs shouldn't be an issue. If there is ever a demand for this then it is something I would look into.
Customer service, Well in my opinion we have it down to a T already. There is always room for improvement though.
I really do hope this proves to be beneficial, as I said in the OP, our shop is struggling with so much competition around us. If I can transform it into a cyclists hub then fingers crossed we'd be onto a winner.
We are on an arterial route direct to the city centre and pretty much nothing else before us on the way in!
All suggestions are welcomed.
David
Again, thank you for all the replies.
I'd like to say that I am under no illusions that I will be competing with a real bike shop.
My goal is to provide a basic service to the local community and passing cyclists.
If someone walks in with £5k of bike wanting all moving parts replaced them I will be honest with them and tell them that I simply cannot supply them.
I intend on having a small selection of tyres, tubes, pads and cables. I am thinking along the lines of emergency replacements. If people want specific items then id try my best to source them.
With regards tthe the nutrition side of things, well that is something I have already thought of. I see they can be bought In bulk online.
I already do a massive range of flapjacks, oat bars etc...
I don't know how I stand on the qualification side of things, 10 years ago I worked for a sporting goods supplier and was sent for bike specific training by them. Cannot remember with who though!
Apologies if I've missed anyone's points. Typing on my phone right now.
Cheers for all suggestions
I'd like to say that I am under no illusions that I will be competing with a real bike shop.
My goal is to provide a basic service to the local community and passing cyclists.
If someone walks in with £5k of bike wanting all moving parts replaced them I will be honest with them and tell them that I simply cannot supply them.
I intend on having a small selection of tyres, tubes, pads and cables. I am thinking along the lines of emergency replacements. If people want specific items then id try my best to source them.
With regards tthe the nutrition side of things, well that is something I have already thought of. I see they can be bought In bulk online.
I already do a massive range of flapjacks, oat bars etc...
I don't know how I stand on the qualification side of things, 10 years ago I worked for a sporting goods supplier and was sent for bike specific training by them. Cannot remember with who though!
Apologies if I've missed anyone's points. Typing on my phone right now.
Cheers for all suggestions
Hello folks,
Sorry for not responding sooner. I wish I could say it is because I have been over run with bikes.
I have made up a couple of notices for my idea, internal and external at the shop. Plenty of customers have been asking about it and saying its a great idea but still nothing has materialised.
As I said earlier I am not expecting much, was just hoping for a few bikes a week to pass the time and bring in a bit extra cash.
To be honest I am feeling a bit deflated. We are barley scraping by.
The business is advertised for sale. Premises are rented.
My mother is the owner and has decided that it is no longer sustainable. To be honest, I agree with her. Wow.
Anyway, We will continue to operate as a convenience store and if I am lucky then a few bikes may come through the doors. Maybe not.
If anyone has any bright ideas on how to save a dying convenience store then please, please let me know.
I guess at some point the supermarkets will obliterate all small stores.
Just realised I said deflated, pun central.
Thanks for all the help guys.
David
Sorry for not responding sooner. I wish I could say it is because I have been over run with bikes.
I have made up a couple of notices for my idea, internal and external at the shop. Plenty of customers have been asking about it and saying its a great idea but still nothing has materialised.
As I said earlier I am not expecting much, was just hoping for a few bikes a week to pass the time and bring in a bit extra cash.
To be honest I am feeling a bit deflated. We are barley scraping by.
The business is advertised for sale. Premises are rented.
My mother is the owner and has decided that it is no longer sustainable. To be honest, I agree with her. Wow.
Anyway, We will continue to operate as a convenience store and if I am lucky then a few bikes may come through the doors. Maybe not.
If anyone has any bright ideas on how to save a dying convenience store then please, please let me know.
I guess at some point the supermarkets will obliterate all small stores.
Just realised I said deflated, pun central.
Thanks for all the help guys.
David
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff