[buildyourown]

Let me preface this by saying that Supergo IS my local shop so don't deride me for not supporting my LBS. The staff there is just as knowledgable as the asshats at the smaller LBS.

I stepped out at lunch to grab some stuff at Supergo and got sucked in by the super cheap stuff. It got me thinking, I don't shop at Wal-Mart because of there many deplorable business practices. I will shop at Fred Meyer many because I know the pay union wages and offer decent benefits. So, anybody ever work at a Supergo store. Do they pay any worse or treat thier employees worse than any other bike shop? (is that even possible)


ps: I know this doesn't belong in the dh forum, but I don't ever go to the otehr ones. So live with it.

 

[s1ngletrack]

Supergo is now owned by Performance who I (gasp) worked for for a while - they don't treat their people too bad - I was in the store here in CO recently though, and several of the people didn't know sh1t - I had to explain to one of the employees what a bash guard was for - in the mean time she was trying to sell me an Ironhorse SGS expert based on it's (seriously) "9 speed Hayes, Shimano compatible derailluers" - She asked me if I was into "the freestyle stuff" when she first saw me checking the bike out.

 

[buildyourown]

Supergo is now owned by Performance who I (gasp) worked for for a while - they don't treat their people too bad - I was in the store here in CO recently though, and several of the people didn't know sh1t - I had to explain to one of the employees what a bash guard was for - in the mean time she was trying to sell me an Ironhorse SGS expert based on it's (seriously) "9 speed Hayes, Shimano compatible derailluers" - She asked me if I was into "the freestyle stuff" when she first saw me checking the bike out.

That's pretty bad CS. I went in to our local store skeptical. I had a long list of specific small parts. He know what everyone was and was very helpful.

 

[profro]

It doesn't only happen at big stores, some of the locals shops are just as full of sh!t. Even the ones that think they are into the sport.

 

[NastySid]

What you must realize is that the Dirtjump, downhill and trial people are in some places a very small group of people. Keeping stock costs money and takes lot's of effort to get and figure out what goes where etc.

If you are a enthusiast you probably take the time to figure out what a bashguard is and what you need a shinguard for. However if you are only in it for the paycheck you concentrate on the regular people and go on about your buissnes...

Sure standard small parts is something any deecent stuff should have but that stuff is expensive to build up and takes a while. After you get warmed up and you get the hang of what goes and what's doesn't it get's easier to keep stuff in stock.

If you don't do that much repairs there is no big need to keep "everything" in stock.

Still no excuise for ignorance and bad attitudes tho.

Qualified personel that knows about bikes are very hard to find

 

[Megan Black]

Let me preface this by saying that Supergo IS my local shop so don't deride me for not supporting my LBS. The staff there is just as knowledgable as the asshats at the smaller LBS.

I stepped out at lunch to grab some stuff at Supergo and got sucked in by the super cheap stuff. It got me thinking, I don't shop at Wal-Mart because of there many deplorable business practices. I will shop at Fred Meyer many because I know the pay union wages and offer decent benefits. So, anybody ever work at a Supergo store. Do they pay any worse or treat thier employees worse than any other bike shop? (is that even possible)


ps: I know this doesn't belong in the dh forum, but I don't ever go to the otehr ones. So live with it.

Word. I have to say, Supergo SUCKS.

 

[binary visions]

What you must realize is that the Dirtjump, downhill and trial people are in some places a very small group of people.

I agree entirely, but a shop should be knowledgable about the types of riding they support with their stock. Therefore, in s1ngletrack's case, if they had an Iron Horse SGS in stock, they should have enough knowledge to sell it and whatever accessories might go along with it.

Of course, the other side of this issue is that service is all an LBS has to offer - there's no way they can compete price-wise with mail order. So having those specialized pockets of knowledge becomes extremely important when you're talking about trying to get someone to pay 20% or more over what they could get it for online.

It doesn't take much.. A couple hours a week poking around in mountain biking forums or reading the latest magazines can teach you a tremendous amount.

 

[DVNT]

It doesn't take much.. A couple hours a week poking around in mountain biking forums or reading the latest magazines can teach you a tremendous amount

uh yeah, just ask that RC dude.

 

[buildyourown]

I was talking about Supergo the Mega store, not Supergo the mailorder catalog. Can anyone give me a good reason why I shouldn't shop at the store. The smaller LBS is gonna have to work hard to get me in their store.

 

[binary visions]

uh yeah, just ask that RC dude.

Ask RC, of course, being a place where you can be lead astray

 

[Instigator]

personally if Supergo is a local store, they show good customer service and knowledge than why not shop there? Heck cheeper prices is just the bonus.

 

[profro]

Why should I buy a $65 rear derailleur at a LBS, when I can mail order/internet get it for $35? I can do all my own service down to everything except wheel builds and I have a guy for that who is 1000 miles away. So I don't need the service part. I have a friend that got quoted over $300 from a local shop to get the parts to upgrade his bike with new things. He told the shop that that was too much just for parts, could he buy them mail order then bring them to him to install. Needless to say he didn't know this was the biggest LBS no-no. After getting laughed out of the store I told him to get the stuff from Jenson and I'd install it for him for free. He spent around $120 and was much happier. Why should he spend close to $400 for that?

 

[binary visions]

Why should he spend close to $400 for that?

If you do all your own service and never need to stick your head in the door of your LBS, there is no reason for him to.

I make expensive purchases online and shop at my LBS for things they have good prices for, or things that it's not losing out on a lot of money if I pay extra. That keeps a good working relationship with my LBS (so they'll still cut me good deals, and allow me to use things like headset presses that I am too poor to buy), and still keeps some cash in my pocket...

 

[Kornphlake]

Like you eluded to, it's tough to treat a shop employee any worse than how they are treated at any LBS. Supergo being part of the corporate giant that it is most likely has the ability to pay their employees a wage comparable to what any other shop would and maybe a couple of extra benefits for guys who stick it out for a few years. If they're your LBS why not support them, they're just trying to do their job and if they do it well corporate ownership should make no differance.

[pointless rant]It sounds like maybe you support the union thing, which is fine by me but could you imagine what would happen if there was a bicycle retailers union? It would take twice as long and cost twice as much to get any service.[/pointless rant]

 

[WestCoastHucker]

.....................- in the mean time she was trying to sell me an Ironhorse SGS expert based on it's (seriously) "9 speed Hayes, Shimano compatible derailluers" - She asked me if I was into "the freestyle stuff" when she first saw me checking the bike out.

OT but i was a car dealership the other day, i asked the salesperson how many speeds the car had.... he stuck his head in the window and said..."reverse, drive, 1 and 2. so, it's a four speed...."

 

[Kornphlake]

LOL, actually it's a 5 speed the guy just forgot to count neutral

 

[Megan Black]

personally if Supergo is a local store, they show good customer service and knowledge than why not shop there? Heck cheeper prices is just the bonus.

because they SUCK. i don't know if there's a local supergo near you, but went into the Seattle store and realized they are dumb as stumps.

NO customer service skills, for a pair of gloves i wanted in XS, i had to call up specialized myself to verify they had the size (because STUPIDgo didn't believe me) and practically do all the ordering myself.

plus, their prices SUCK too. i gave them a second chance by asking about getting the Race Face/Roach pads and they were "on sale" at the store and said if i wanted to order my size, they couldn't get it for the "sale" price. i looked around other bike shops and stupidgo's "sale" price was the same as everyone else's regular price

all around BAD place for DH

 

[DVNT]

Ok supergo sucks,

Why does it make you feel dirty?

 

[Megan Black]

Ok supergo sucks,

Why does it make you feel dirty?

I don't know if you were asking that question to me or the guy who started this thread, but I'll tell you one thing...your Avatar makes me feel dirty!

 

[DVNT]

I don't know if you were asking that question to me or the guy who started this thread, but I'll tell you one thing...your Avatar makes me feel dirty!

You know I meant you baby!

sorry i thought it read Gimp under your name not chimp

 

[Megan Black]

You know I meant you baby!

sorry i thought it read Gimp under your name not chimp

tell your Avatar to stop looking at me like that...

 

[buildyourown]

because they SUCK. i don't know if there's a local supergo near you, but went into the Seattle store and realized they are dumb as stumps.

NO customer service skills, for a pair of gloves i wanted in XS, i had to call up specialized myself to verify they had the size (because STUPIDgo didn't believe me) and practically do all the ordering myself.

plus, their prices SUCK too. i gave them a second chance by asking about getting the Race Face/Roach pads and they were "on sale" at the store and said if i wanted to order my size, they couldn't get it for the "sale" price. i looked around other bike shops and stupidgo's "sale" price was the same as everyone else's regular price

all around BAD place for DH

Megan, The Seattle store is the one I'm talking about. It is also the store in which I had a favorable CS experience today. Have you been in Gregg's lately? There sales staff is as bad as it gets. How about DHZ for DH stuff. Now that is some great CS AND great prices.
Some of the in-store prices are pretty awesome. DH tubes for $5. I don't know about you, but I am tired of Seattle's local shops. Supergo is the best one I have been in.

And Kornflake, I only half-heartedly support unions. I had a friend who worked at fred meyers and was making $14 an hour. A little high for a cashier, but he could pay his rent and tution. Wal-Mart comes into town and payes $6.50 and gives you 39 hours a week so you don't get benefits. Unions have there places. I've had plenty of experience with unions in the aerospace industry. Completely different story.

 

[DVNT]

tell your Avatar to stop looking at me like that...

he has a mind of his own

 

[buildyourown]

Ok supergo sucks,

Why does it make you feel dirty?

I just felt filthy like I shouldn't have been shopping there. When I got back, I did some research to see what there business practices were to make sure they were a company that I wanted to continue supporting. I at least try and make an effort to put my money where my values are.

 

[Megan Black]

Megan, The Seattle store is the one I'm talking about. It is also the store in which I had a favorable CS experience today. Have you been in Gregg's lately? There sales staff is as bad as it gets. How about DHZ for DH stuff. Now that is some great CS AND great prices.
Some of the in-store prices are pretty awesome. DH tubes for $5. I don't know about you, but I am tired of Seattle's local shops. Supergo is the best one I have been in.

Different people, different experiences, I guess. I wonder what would happen if DVNT's Avatar walked in and tried it out...

 

[DVNT]

:nuts: He'd make 'em his biotch!

 

[OGRipper]

The LBS v. mail order/behemoth debate will go on endlessly. At least until all the LBSs are run out of business.

I worked in bike shops for around 15 years and still have close connections with quite a few. Yeah they want to make a living but most of them are not in it for the money but rather because they are passionate about bikes. They are also more involved in supporting the cycling community, trail access, bike lanes, and similar things at a local level than national and international chains.

Personally I support my LBS even though I do my own work and can order stuff at cost whenever I want. If you are treated badly at an LBS chances are good you can ask for a manager or an owner who will make good on the mistreatment, because they understand customer service and the power of word-of-mouth in the cycling community (at least more than some flunky minimum-wage earning summer help).

Not to get all lofty about it but for me it's about the bigger picture of cycling as a community with roots at the local level as opposed to a short-sighted (if understandable) desire to save a few bucks. Since I don't have the time or much desire to attend meetings on trail access, bike lanes, etc., I support the businesses that do.

Think of how Home Depot has caused many local hardware stores to close. Yeah you get better prices and selection but when you really need advice you're taking a chance that there won't be anyone there to help. Maybe they'll refer you to a website or some other helpful resource but they won't have first-hand experience. And other than low-paying jobs the money being made is probably not going back into the local economy.

Having said all that, if the LBS is not supporting the community, is staffed by a bunch of clowns, and you don't need their help with service, vote with your wallet and take your business elsewhere, market forces should work to weed out the bad apples. And I agree that it would be very hard for every salesperson to be knowledgable about every kind of bike. How much do most of us here know about road bikes? But they should never try to bull**** you, if they don't know much about a particular product or riding style they should admit it and try to find the answers or someone with more knowledge.

Sorry for the off-topic rant, I don't know much about Supergo...so I can't really help you with that unclean feeling.