My LBS is doing me a HUGE favor taking in my bike today for some urgent work and promising it will be done before a race Saturday. How can I show my gratitude? Buying a bunch of stuff there I don’t really need doesn’t seem like the right thing… greasing the palm of the mechanic (who didn’t make the call) doesn’t either. Any ideas?
Buy some beers and doughnuts for the staff.
Telling them they did a nice job to their face and thnking them is a huge gesture too. We always hear about the mistakes we make, and we all make them. But it really makes your day (week?) when someone shows gratitude for missing a night’s sleep to get bikes ready for a race.
Donuts aren’t a bad idea either… Coffee too. In general, stimulants are good. A customer gave me a case of Red Bull last week when we hooked her up big time. That was awesome.
Oh, it should be noted that services rendered by bike shop guys, even above and beyond the call, do not necessarily require any additional remuneration. It is a refelction of your good nature that you are willing to consider such a thing, and that speaks well of you…
But it should never be expected by bike shop guys.
Thanks Tom, appreciate your response here and to my question last week about the Hed 3 wheels that I was having problems with (wouldn’t spin freely after some serious rain mis-treatment). Here is what Andy at Hed replied:
I think you will want some grease. If you race this weekend, you can’t do any
damage, but the bearing might start to get tight again. It is a cheap part,
only about $5, most shops have this size bearing around. it is a 6001 size. If
you go to a shop, tell them not to remove the cassette body to do the work. It
can be done without removing the body - IF THE BODY IS REMOVED, THE WHEEL WILL
NEED TO COME BACK HERE FOR RETRUING. Retruing is only $20, but the time and cost
of shipping the wheel back and forth are a hassle. -Andy
This is the work (along with a now squeaking pivot on the Softride beam - also probably related to the rain ordeal) the LBS is doing. I think I’ll go with the Red Bull idea - thanks again.
Milo
Food and beverage (I have sent a case of beer or two) usually goes a long way. Plus email or write a t’you note–