Do you buy beer/beverages for your lbs/mechanic/store?
#1
velo-dilettante
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 3,114 Times
in
1,683 Posts
Do you buy beer/beverages for your lbs/mechanic/store?
so do you buy beer or beverages for your local lbs/mechanic? if so, what do you tend to bring over?
i usually try for a six-pack mixer of at least two different beers-a lager and an ale-if current reefer/fridge inventory
allows for it. sometimes it's just straight lager(s) or ipa's.
i usually try for a six-pack mixer of at least two different beers-a lager and an ale-if current reefer/fridge inventory
allows for it. sometimes it's just straight lager(s) or ipa's.
#3
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,515
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,396 Times
in
2,056 Posts
I don't
#6
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4356 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
I will sometimes buy beer for co-workers or will share various candy. I would ask your LBS employee what they like though because I have co-workers that don't drink a drop or like me rarely drink.
Thank you for buying stuff for folks like us. We generally try and work hard to get your bike in order.
Thank you for buying stuff for folks like us. We generally try and work hard to get your bike in order.
#7
Member
I tip my mechanic with cash. He does an amazing job and gets me out of jams quickly.
#8
Non omnino gravis
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 398
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have followed my mechanic for 23 years. I was 220 and he was the first guy who built a wheel that lasted more than 2,000 miles back in the late 90's. Great mechanic and finally opened his own store a few years ago. I don't deal with mechanics much at all now that I build my own wheels and bikes. But if something ever stumps me, this guy can do it or has seen it, heck he might have even invented it.
I have taken treats before when he has worked on my bikes. Few months ago I stopped in to say hi and took him a couple of sandwiches from a nearby deli. Cool dude and if I need anything, he drops what he's doing and hooks me up!
Once I walked into his shop, he dropped the job he was working on, rebuilt my rear tandem hub right there on the spot and only charged me $10!
I have taken treats before when he has worked on my bikes. Few months ago I stopped in to say hi and took him a couple of sandwiches from a nearby deli. Cool dude and if I need anything, he drops what he's doing and hooks me up!
Once I walked into his shop, he dropped the job he was working on, rebuilt my rear tandem hub right there on the spot and only charged me $10!
#10
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
No I don't, I work on my own bikes. I avoid LBS unless I need parts or if I plan on purchasing a new bike. Bike shops are just like any other business out there and I don't feel any obligation to give them special treatment.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
so do you buy beer or beverages for your local lbs/mechanic? if so, what do you tend to bring over?
i usually try for a six-pack mixer of at least two different beers-a lager and an ale-if current reefer/fridge inventory
allows for it. sometimes it's just straight lager(s) or ipa's.
i usually try for a six-pack mixer of at least two different beers-a lager and an ale-if current reefer/fridge inventory
allows for it. sometimes it's just straight lager(s) or ipa's.
Tip your LBS
Personally, I think tipping in anything but cash is condescending. As described above, I have a congenial, but respectful relation with all the mechanics at my shop, but I don’t think any of us have intentions to be “buddies,” and share some brews, bourbon, doughnuts, or whatever; or even know their preferences.
Imagine offering a non-cash tip to those workers who are traditionally tipped in cash…waiters, hotel bellmen, cabbies, hairstylists…For me, my bike mechanics provide a vital service that I think about for example when hurtling down a steep hill, secure that the bike won't fall apart.
Personally, I think tipping in anything but cash is condescending. As described above, I have a congenial, but respectful relation with all the mechanics at my shop, but I don’t think any of us have intentions to be “buddies,” and share some brews, bourbon, doughnuts, or whatever; or even know their preferences.
Imagine offering a non-cash tip to those workers who are traditionally tipped in cash…waiters, hotel bellmen, cabbies, hairstylists…For me, my bike mechanics provide a vital service that I think about for example when hurtling down a steep hill, secure that the bike won't fall apart.
PS: I actually don't eat the Christmas candy myself, but bring it home for the family gatherings at Christmas time.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 01-09-19 at 07:01 AM. Reason: added PS
#12
Cycleway town
Zit cream and a book on how to fix bicycles - for beginners.
#13
Senior member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 8,118
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Liked 658 Times
in
371 Posts
I have been on the receiving end when working in the bike shop. Always appreciated but never expected..
Last edited by Dan Burkhart; 01-21-19 at 10:33 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,239
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,550 Times
in
7,330 Posts
I have bought cases, but not in a while.
Going to get one for a LBS that has been good to me over the years. Free stuff, and they do things like walk my boxed bike around the corner to the FedEx/Kinko's store when I ship with BikeFlights.
Going to get one for a LBS that has been good to me over the years. Free stuff, and they do things like walk my boxed bike around the corner to the FedEx/Kinko's store when I ship with BikeFlights.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
Are they doing something for a reduced or free rate for me, or in some way going well out of their way to service me? Are you staying late to squeeze my work in? Moving me to the front of the service line? Are you going well above and beyond to address me specifically? In that case, I would consider it if the situation called for it.
In general? No. Its a business transaction, you do the work, I pay you, like any of the other numerous business transactions I do on a daily basis. I've personally never understood this necessity of friendship that people will put into their local hobby shops. I stop at my local McDonalds every morning for a breakfast sandwich on my way to work, I know the folks at the counter as well as I know my LBS employees, and I don't think a single person here would think it normal for me to drop off a six pack for them as thanks for their work.
In general? No. Its a business transaction, you do the work, I pay you, like any of the other numerous business transactions I do on a daily basis. I've personally never understood this necessity of friendship that people will put into their local hobby shops. I stop at my local McDonalds every morning for a breakfast sandwich on my way to work, I know the folks at the counter as well as I know my LBS employees, and I don't think a single person here would think it normal for me to drop off a six pack for them as thanks for their work.
#16
Non omnino gravis
That's just depressing. Fast food, having some of the highest turnover of any industry, means the face in the drive-thru window quite likely won't be the same after even 3 months. I've known the head mechanic and a couple of the managers at my LBS for over 18 years. It's a family shop. I drop in during rides at least 2-3 times a month, if just to hang out for a bit. I also buy a whole lot of stuff there, because I don't want it to ever go away.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,550
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
side note: just before Thanksgiving while my Mech was replacing a spoke & truing a wheel for me, he turned off the "open" sign & shared shots of Limoncello & pear liquor with me & his elderly Mom!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
That's just depressing. Fast food, having some of the highest turnover of any industry, means the face in the drive-thru window quite likely won't be the same after even 3 months. I've known the head mechanic and a couple of the managers at my LBS for over 18 years. It's a family shop. I drop in during rides at least 2-3 times a month, if just to hang out for a bit. I also buy a whole lot of stuff there, because I don't want it to ever go away.
#19
Non omnino gravis
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,794
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 326 Times
in
204 Posts
People actually tip/buy drinks for employees of their LBS? Really? I had no idea this is was a thing.
I agree with @jefnvk. The LBS has a price for a service, I pay it. End of story. I also don't tip the people who sold me my shoes, or my pants. I don't tip my auto mechanic either.
I agree with @jefnvk. The LBS has a price for a service, I pay it. End of story. I also don't tip the people who sold me my shoes, or my pants. I don't tip my auto mechanic either.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,239
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,550 Times
in
7,330 Posts
Doing something nice in return for extraordinary treatment is a nice gesture and can result in continued extraordinary treatment. I'm talking about things like emergency service on the spot. Free and/or discounted parts and/or labor.
As I noted above, I use a shop to pack my bike, racks and other stuff when I head out west for tours. I ship via FedEx purchased through Bikeflights. I pay to have the bike, etc., boxed. The charge does not include dropping off the bike for shipment, but my LBS does that for me free of charge even though it could say "We'll let you know when it's done so you can make a second trip to the shop and take the box to be shipped." I think that's worth beer. But then again, I don't look at all commercial interactions from a strictly monetary point of view. It's part of what makes me human.
As I noted above, I use a shop to pack my bike, racks and other stuff when I head out west for tours. I ship via FedEx purchased through Bikeflights. I pay to have the bike, etc., boxed. The charge does not include dropping off the bike for shipment, but my LBS does that for me free of charge even though it could say "We'll let you know when it's done so you can make a second trip to the shop and take the box to be shipped." I think that's worth beer. But then again, I don't look at all commercial interactions from a strictly monetary point of view. It's part of what makes me human.
#24
Senior Member
I'd be embarrassed to admit that I can't do my own bike repair. Never had a local shop make a repair.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,239
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,550 Times
in
7,330 Posts
One shop I frequented before it moved would serve beers one evening around the holidays. One time my ex-GF locked up a bike in the house and then lost the key. One of the shop's mechanics stopped by the house after work with cutters and cut the cable. She gave him $20. He said it he'd put it in the shop's beer fund.