Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Can one open a repair shop without a fortune?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Can one open a repair shop without a fortune?

Old 09-19-22, 12:44 PM
  #1  
MarcusT
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,617
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times in 340 Posts
Can one open a repair shop without a fortune?

I am starting to look into a sideline after retirement and considering a small investment bike repair service.
Understandably, tools are the biggest investment and proprietary tools are part of the game.
But then one has to consider the bigger investment of replacement parts. The number of disc brake pads alone are immeasurable. If one wants to carry only half of the existing brake pads, it's still an investment of $ thousands. Not to mention discs.
Dozens of bearings, spokes, cables, tire sizes, chains, cassettes are also out there.
Ordering parts is not really convenient if a customer has to wait a week for a tire replacement.

Is there anyone in the business who can comment on this conundrum?
MarcusT is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 01:17 PM
  #2  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,765
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,872 Times in 4,637 Posts
I'm not in the business. But it seems to me that, if you don't already own most of the necessary tools, you might not have the necessary skills.

As for the inventory costs: if you're the only game in town, you might get away with ordering in parts as needed...But you would need a wholesaler account with a large supplier (or multiple suppliers). Here in the US, it would be a company called QBP; I don't know about Italy.

Also bear in mind that most shops make some of their profit on sales of new bikes and accessories. Just doing repairs will not be lucrative.

Last edited by Koyote; 09-19-22 at 01:21 PM.
Koyote is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 01:18 PM
  #3  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,848

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2302 Post(s)
Liked 2,737 Times in 1,497 Posts
In the US Business license, liability insurance, blanket insurance policy if working out the house, quarterly tax returns are not bike items that need to be considered

Not sure how it is in Italy for the above

maybe a model of keeping most common stuff and ordering as needed.

currently in the US with supply chain issues bikes shops are often having to order parts or offer this is what we have for tires, select what we have
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 01:21 PM
  #4  
HillRider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
There is more to it than just tools and parts if you are going into business. Set up an LLC to protect your personal resources and you will need a retail license, sales tax exemption, etc. and, most important, liability insurance. Do some research before spending any money on inventory.
HillRider is offline  
Likes For HillRider:
Old 09-19-22, 01:26 PM
  #5  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,771

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,149 Times in 1,313 Posts
Originally Posted by MarcusT
I am starting to look into a sideline after retirement and considering a small investment bike repair service.
Understandably, tools are the biggest investment and proprietary tools are part of the game.
But then one has to consider the bigger investment of replacement parts. The number of disc brake pads alone are immeasurable. If one wants to carry only half of the existing brake pads, it's still an investment of $ thousands. Not to mention discs.
Dozens of bearings, spokes, cables, tire sizes, chains, cassettes are also out there.
Ordering parts is not really convenient if a customer has to wait a week for a tire replacement.

Is there anyone in the business who can comment on this conundrum?
I'm not in the business, and you're in Italy and I'm in Southern California, but there is a local bike garage, not a co-op, that seems to be the perfect setup. It is called Orange County Bike Garage...

https://orangecountybicycleservicegarage.com/

They are located in a single bay of an industrial complex. They are an authorized Park Tool Learning center and offer classes. The entire operation reminds me of a low key independent auto repair shop. I do almost all my own work, but I have used them on occasion. I've pick up Park Tools from them and they seem to be good people. At one time I think they offered bench space if someone wanted to work on their bike. Their reviews are very good.

Not sure if you want to contact them or if they can give an guidance, but it looks to be a well run, but lower budget, operation.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Likes For 70sSanO:
Old 09-19-22, 01:45 PM
  #6  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,544

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5703 Post(s)
Liked 2,430 Times in 1,343 Posts
Assuming you have the skills, and a place to work like a garage in your home, the investment need not be too large. You need only the fairly basic tools that are needed for 90% of the work, and buy the rest as needed, probably financing them from those repairs themselves. Likewise, start with a thin stock of the most common, universal parts like brake and gear cables, spokes in the most common lengths, basic pedals, most common disc pads.

When accepting repairs that require stuff you don't have, quote a lead time long enough to buy what's needed.

As you use your stock, replace it and add extras to deepen or broaden the selection as needed. Likewise with tools, as you make a few Euros you can reinvest them to expand tour capabilities, but do not fall into the trap of trying to be able to do everything.

Assuming this is strictly a sideline, and you don't need the added cash to live daily, you can defer taking it, and build thee business off the sweat equity of the first few months, then slowly begin to withdraw as the immediate needs taper off.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 02:30 PM
  #7  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times in 801 Posts
Depending on location, including availability to other options, I am sure it is doable. What do your really want out of it? If you just want a side hustle to give you a bit of spending money, and have the time and interest in working on others bikes, and you are a viable option for those looking to have work done, probably could work. How much do you want to deal with other people, how are you going to handle it when a customer is not happy, or when you screw up? I like working on my bikes fine, I make mistakes and it impacts only me.
delbiker1 is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 02:31 PM
  #8  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,809

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
A lot of stuff on a bike is just adjusting. No parts needed. And you'll be surprised how many can't patch their own inner tubes or change the tube if they have a flat.

Whether there is enough out there to make it a sideline will be on you. Are you considering working out of a van and being a mobile shop?
Iride01 is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 02:50 PM
  #9  
Trakhak
Senior Member
 
Trakhak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,337
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2428 Post(s)
Liked 2,883 Times in 1,645 Posts
Don't know about Italy, but in the U.S., many bike shops trying to stay in business in the face of increasingly razor-thin margins have trouble finding and holding onto young employees, many of whom can find better-paying jobs elsewhere. Love of bikes can keep bike shop workers around only so long until they need to make a decent living wage. That might be opening a door for retirees who like the idea of keeping busy by working on bikes.

Maybe that's the case in bike shops in Italy, too. If there's a shop where you've established or can establish a relationship with the owner, you might consider talking to that owner about the possibliity of working there, even if it's only part time and only doing simple repair jobs, at least at first. You'd learn a lot about the bike business on the front lines and be better equipped to evaluate the practicality of the idea of opening your home-based repair business.
Trakhak is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 03:03 PM
  #10  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18319 Post(s)
Liked 4,488 Times in 3,337 Posts
When I was in Italy in the 80's, finding the used market of stuff was difficult.

But, all of that may have changed with websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, etc.

Around here there are quite a few people who work out of their home. Buy, or are given good project bikes. Fix them up and resell. That takes away some of the needs to carry a big diverse inventory.

However, buying a few things in bulk may save a considerable amount of money. So you should be able to get tires, tubes, brakes, etc, at least at half the cost of new.

A unique market is stripping and shipping (Ebay).

If you can get popular big-name items for cheap in Italy, then it may pay to ship them to the USA or elsewhere. Think Colnago, Pinarello, Merckx, Campagnolo, etc. The higher quality the better.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 10:13 PM
  #11  
MarcusT
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,617
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times in 340 Posts
Thanks for the input. I have a few years still before I retire, but always checking my options. It would be nice if clients were the the older folks with their older bikes, but Italy is definitely "keeping up with the Jones".
Unfortunately (and maybe fortunately) the nearest full service bike shops are 40 mins away. Bike touring has really taken off here and I see dozens of riders a week pass in front of my house. I've considered the mobile repair shop, but still in dreaming phase.
I predict much of my client base will be transients, I believe they will not be willing to wait a around for a few days for their part to arrive
I have a good hand on the tech side, also a large selection of tools, but the parts supply has me concerned.
Plenty time to think and plan.
Thanks again
MarcusT is offline  
Old 09-19-22, 10:34 PM
  #12  
Rogerogeroge
Full Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 355

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR 9; Moots Routt YBB; Trek Fuel EX8+; LeMond Poprad

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 176 Times in 100 Posts
When four of us opened a shop 24 years ago, one of the first things we did was create our inventory list in a database (just do it in a spreadsheet). You can also do it for your tools, and you'll quickly see what those costs are.
Rogerogeroge is offline  
Old 09-20-22, 08:24 AM
  #13  
Crankycrank
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,649
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 1,053 Times in 739 Posts
Since you mentioned many tourers pass by your house, try putting up a "Bike Repair" sign in front for now and see what type of repairs people are needing and just start out slow offering services that don't require large investments in parts for you. You'll most likely be turning away some customers due to lack of higher cost parts but you'll get an idea of what your customer base needs. We have a husband and wife team running a very busy small shop for several decades near where I live in a So Cal beach town. Just does beach cruisers, BMX and kids bikes and sells inexpensive parts. No road, mountain or mid-high dollar bikes. They just take care of what is popular in our area and have more business than they can handle.
Crankycrank is offline  
Likes For Crankycrank:
Old 09-20-22, 06:06 PM
  #14  
Ghazmh
Senior Member
 
Ghazmh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,020

Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 693 Post(s)
Liked 903 Times in 486 Posts
Will you be offering a discount to Bikeforums members?
Ghazmh is offline  
Old 09-20-22, 11:05 PM
  #15  
jccaclimber
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFBay
Posts: 2,334

Bikes: n, I would like n+1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 133 Times in 108 Posts
It doesn't work so well with the nearest shop being 40 miles away, but I used to run a small business as a side gig in an unrelated hobby. It was heavily service based, and additionally I kept the main consumables (eg. tires, cables, tubes, loose bearings) on hand. I did have a wholesale account, but only made orders every couple months as shipping on wholesale supplies is a killer unless you have large orders. As a result I ended up getting quite a few parts at retail pricing from the local brick and mortar, though it was only 15 minutes away. For something I didn't have on hand my pricing went something like this:

Lowest price, ready in X weeks, ie after my next wholesale order comes in.
Medium price, ready after the weekend as I typically swung by the hobby shop weekly anyways. It was unfortunate having to pay retail for the part, but I made up for it with the service cost.
Highest price, I'll go pick it up tonight, but you're paying for my time.

For the price conscious regulars or those with spare time but lacking the skills, you get the part to me however you want, I'll install it. I would charge my regulars a lot less for this than a new customer though because I didn't want to spend time running down warranty claims if something went wrong with the part.

I share the above concern that while doing quality work in a reasonable timeframe is entirely learnable, if you don't already own the tools you may have a bit of a learning curve.

After my father retired he simply opted to start volunteering at the local bicycle co-op, but then again he's on a pension and doesn't have any expensive hobbies.
jccaclimber is offline  
Old 09-21-22, 06:24 AM
  #16  
Chris_W
Likes to Ride Far
 
Chris_W's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 2,344

Bikes: road+, gravel, commuter/tourer, tandem, e-cargo, folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
I live in Switzerland and I just went through this process, opening a repair shop in January 2022. I work alone in a small workshop with very cheap rent in a village on the edge of a large city. I've sold a few custom-assembled bikes, but I don't sell bikes and I make almost nothing from the small range of accessories that I stock. Almost all the income is through repairs.

I'd previously worked in 2 of the larger bike shops in the region in 2011-2019. In 2020-21, I was occasionally doing repairs and custom builds for friends, working out of my basement, so I was stepping up from that by opening a proper workshop. My large network of contacts in the local bike community certainly helped a lot, and then I've had a decent amount of business from the local community where the shop is.

After being open for 6 months, I was able to recover the money I invested in setting up the shop. Fortunately, I already owned 90% of the tools including some of the specialist ones. I also had some of the furniture for the shop or got things from friends/second hand. Even so, initial outlay was significant and more than I'd hoped.

It wouldn't have worked as well if I didn't have knowledge of what I would need to buy for stock based on working in local shops for so well and already knowing some of my clientele. Also, Swiss Post is very good, so orders from local distributors arrive the next day (if they have stock), some orders I have to place with German websites, with about 1 week delivery, which often means I don't always make a lot of margin on parts.

Fortunately, my wife is the main earner in the family. Without that, my modest income wouldn't be enough. I have pretty low profit goals, but I have been able to meet/exceed them each month so far, but there is a lot of uncertainty all the time and not a lot of profit involved.

I haven't regretted it yet, but it's only worked out because of many factors in my favor. I wouldn't recommend it to many people except in certain situations.

I'm very happy working by myself and I can figure out all the administration stuff. I don't mind making less money than I could do worry-free being a salaried mechanic in a local shop. The income will hopefully improve in coming years, but even in the 1st year it's been enough to make it worthwhile.

Good luck! Here's my website: https://ridefar.ch/
Chris_W is offline  
Likes For Chris_W:
Old 09-22-22, 02:50 PM
  #17  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,844

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
I don't remember who said it:

The way to make a small fortune with a bike shop is to start with a large fortune.
pdlamb is offline  
Likes For pdlamb:
Old 09-22-22, 06:52 PM
  #18  
Andrew R Stewart 
Senior Member
 
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,003

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4172 Post(s)
Liked 3,791 Times in 2,270 Posts
Originally Posted by Chris_W
I live in Switzerland and I just went through this process, opening a repair shop in January 2022. I work alone in a small workshop with very cheap rent in a village on the edge of a large city. I've sold a few custom-assembled bikes, but I don't sell bikes and I make almost nothing from the small range of accessories that I stock. Almost all the income is through repairs.

I'd previously worked in 2 of the larger bike shops in the region in 2011-2019. In 2020-21, I was occasionally doing repairs and custom builds for friends, working out of my basement, so I was stepping up from that by opening a proper workshop. My large network of contacts in the local bike community certainly helped a lot, and then I've had a decent amount of business from the local community where the shop is.

After being open for 6 months, I was able to recover the money I invested in setting up the shop. Fortunately, I already owned 90% of the tools including some of the specialist ones. I also had some of the furniture for the shop or got things from friends/second hand. Even so, initial outlay was significant and more than I'd hoped.

It wouldn't have worked as well if I didn't have knowledge of what I would need to buy for stock based on working in local shops for so well and already knowing some of my clientele. Also, Swiss Post is very good, so orders from local distributors arrive the next day (if they have stock), some orders I have to place with German websites, with about 1 week delivery, which often means I don't always make a lot of margin on parts.

Fortunately, my wife is the main earner in the family. Without that, my modest income wouldn't be enough. I have pretty low profit goals, but I have been able to meet/exceed them each month so far, but there is a lot of uncertainty all the time and not a lot of profit involved.

I haven't regretted it yet, but it's only worked out because of many factors in my favor. I wouldn't recommend it to many people except in certain situations.

I'm very happy working by myself and I can figure out all the administration stuff. I don't mind making less money than I could do worry-free being a salaried mechanic in a local shop. The income will hopefully improve in coming years, but even in the 1st year it's been enough to make it worthwhile.

Good luck! Here's my website: https://ridefar.ch/
THIS! It is a long time understanding that, to be in the bike repair business a long time, having a smart and successful spouse is a very good thing. This is your path to (at least here in the USA) health insurance, bank loans and retirement accounts.

As a former shop owner I learned that the being successful is greatly helped by any of these three preexisting conditions. Owning the building. Inheriting the business and being independently wealthy.

I have resisted in joining this thread for a few days. So many people have rather pie in the sky ideas about this stuff. I strongly suggest seeking some professional help (and not in the usual psychic reference) from any small business consulting non profits. here in the USA we have SCORE (or had 35 years ago when i started my shop). While i didn't carry on with their continuing help attending the first few free classes was very eye opening. In many occupations the actual skill we sell is a small part of running a business that works. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
Andrew R Stewart is offline  
Old 09-22-22, 07:17 PM
  #19  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,848

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2302 Post(s)
Liked 2,737 Times in 1,497 Posts
Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
THIS! It is a long time understanding that, to be in the bike repair business a long time, having a smart and successful spouse is a very good thing. This is your path to (at least here in the USA) health insurance, bank loans and retirement accounts.

As a former shop owner I learned that the being successful is greatly helped by any of these three preexisting conditions. Owning the building. Inheriting the business and being independently wealthy.

I have resisted in joining this thread for a few days. So many people have rather pie in the sky ideas about this stuff. I strongly suggest seeking some professional help (and not in the usual psychic reference) from any small business consulting non profits. here in the USA we have SCORE (or had 35 years ago when i started my shop). While i didn't carry on with their continuing help attending the first few free classes was very eye opening. In many occupations the actual skill we sell is a small part of running a business that works. Andy
In my areas, the long term shop own the building, are multigenerational (one is at 4th generation now). The other thing these shops do is surf the current trend, whether it be cruiser, fixies or ebikes. the last time I went into one the only drop bar bikes to be found were the not for sale display high on the wall bikes.

I think a better model for the OP to compare with is people doing mobile bike repair. Limited space for parts and accessories, profit from service
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Likes For squirtdad:
Old 09-22-22, 07:32 PM
  #20  
Andrew R Stewart 
Senior Member
 
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,003

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4172 Post(s)
Liked 3,791 Times in 2,270 Posts
Originally Posted by squirtdad
In my areas, the long term shop own the building, are multigenerational (one is at 4th generation now). The other thing these shops do is surf the current trend, whether it be cruiser, fixies or ebikes. the last time I went into one the only drop bar bikes to be found were the not for sale display high on the wall bikes.

I think a better model for the OP to compare with is people doing mobile bike repair. Limited space for parts and accessories, profit from service
Agree that knowing how currently working shops handle their business model and the market is another very good research tool. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
Andrew R Stewart is offline  
Old 09-25-22, 04:58 AM
  #21  
bark_eater 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,149

Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....

Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 752 Post(s)
Liked 732 Times in 419 Posts
I couldn't find the the exact service I was thinking of, but there are a couple "Uber for bike mechanics" schemes around. The one I read up on was mostly offering advertising and insurance for mechanics and clients. I think there was a sweet point in there for a part time volume of work. If one of these schemes could get wholesale pricing for "members" it could be a thing.
bark_eater is offline  
Old 09-25-22, 11:54 AM
  #22  
Andrew R Stewart 
Senior Member
 
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,003

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4172 Post(s)
Liked 3,791 Times in 2,270 Posts
Here in the USA most all wholesalers have tightened up their rules as to who they will sell to. Pretty much a location, a resale license (and thus sales tax paid to the state), liability insurance and a phone book listing are required. If they sell to a person without at least the sales tax and liability insurance the supplier can be on the hook for a lot of $ when the crap hits the fan.

When I had my own shop I required a resale certificate or a non profit sales tax exempt form to be provided for my records. It was interesting how many "churches" and claimed non profits couldn't provide them.

The other issue with how to resale and how much to "mark up" the products is how you want to be treated by the for profit LBS community. If you want them to be helpful when you are in a jam or need a part/tool that you can't source I suggest not trying to undercut them with their customers. The local non profit here doesn't cater to the usual LBS customer and thus has pretty good relationships with the LBSs. But as a former shop owner when I hear of unlicensed "garage shops" undercutting my retail prices and don't pay back into the system of supporting our community (sales tax collection and state payments) I get pretty mad. You are taking away my and my employees' incomes. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
Andrew R Stewart is offline  
Old 09-26-22, 01:17 PM
  #23  
grantelmwood
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 123
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 169 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 19 Posts
I would start small.
Run the shop out of your garage and advertise locally
Grow by word of mouth.
If it catches on, then you can expand
grantelmwood is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.