I feel we're in an especially delicate situation locally here because the only bike shops in our city are very small family operations that deal partly in used bikes and really basic stuff, so even our limited tubes and tires and whatnot kind of cut into their business. There are lots of bigger, larger inventory shops several miles away, and our relationships seem mostly positive, ranging from support to indifference. We're just getting started in a set location here so we're kind of establishing our relationships. We do refer people to the closest shop and other shops regularly, and emphasize to customers and other shops that we are mainly about education and community service.

In the last couple weeks we've been putting together a bicycle swap meet and it's been a bit of an exercise in relationship building because I've been going into a bunch of bike shops in the area and introducing myself and the organization. We waived the small ($15) booth fee for the local shops that aren't living large as a gesture of goodwill. It looks like several bike shops are going to be coming out so perhaps it will be a good stepping stone for future coexistence.

- Paul


The Bicycle Tree
shop: (714) 760-4681
811 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
http://www.thebicycletree.org
info@thebicycletree.org


Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:17:34 -0700
From: wormsign@gmail.com
To: ron.kellis@velocitycoop.org; thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Impact of Co-ops on Commercial Bike Shops

The bikerowave has had an exceedingly good relationship with local bike shops. We have taken active steps to cater to utilitarian bikes and not as much to the racer/ fixie crowd. We have also set prices so as not to undercut local bike shops for the parts we both carry. A lot of our donated used parts come from generous shops around the area. The only times there have been problems are when some local shops thought we were carrying wide tires to undercut them on the then new trend of fixie trick riders using wider tires but I think their shop was just having some financial or managerial problems and were looking at us to blame. I think the bike coop scene overwhelmingly puts more butts on bike seats and brings together the bike scene in such a way as to benefit local bike shops and their niche or higher-end focus.

I personally have trouble recommending some local bike shops in the area when I see them trying to sell patrons on completely unnecessary parts or services. I don't respect needless up-selling and/or used car salesman type tactics and think they are reprehensible and overall damage our community. I think it would be damaging to your coops reputation and community building efforts to endorse local bike shops that follow such practices. I would like to find a productive way to approach such shops and explain these frustrations at some point but as for now I just don't direct folks to these places.


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 12:26 PM, Ron Kellis <ron.kellis@velocitycoop.org> wrote:
To second Mike, I have a "Two paragraph intro. I give when it's busy and I'm the only one in the coop. The relevant part is: 

We don't compete with the local bike shops and try to maintain a good relationship with them. We only keep basic repair parts in stock, tubes, cables, some tires. For the most part what's needed to keep a bike safe. Anything else you need to go see them. 

So the answer to most "Do you have  . . . ?" retail questions are "Nope, sorry. We aren't a regular bike shop."

I like the "Wear parts." idea. Sums it up well.

If necessary I grab a bike route map and show them where the shops are. 

Ron


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 2:15 PM, Stephen Andruski <swandruski@gmail.com> wrote:
Its great to hear that a proactive approach worked. That's exactly why I'd like to do the same thing. Building the bike community should help everyone. And I like the idea of making it clear what the co-op does and does not do. I can imagine someone using the co-op to get an old bike back on the road and get back in shape. Then the person finds they're getting more serious and wants a new bike. This benefits the co-op, the commercial bike shop and the cyclist. I also like to think that knowing more about how a bike works and talking to experienced riders makes people smarter shoppers when they do go to the "real" bike shop.
 
Steve Andruski


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 2:02 PM, Kevin Dwyer <kevidwyer@gmail.com> wrote:
Here in SLC we take a very active approach to engaging the local shops. When our new ED was hired, we toured the local shops to introduce him. We generally pitch the idea that we perform functions that shops can't but, that build a cycling community that the shops depend on. Some examples of programs like that are:

Bicycle valet for events
Used parts for those too poor or bikes too old
Bicycle social events
Bicycle safety and commuter advocacy
Youth and adult mechanics training

As a result, we frequently get valuable donations of parts and tools from these bicycle industry partners. Some shops have a bin they throw old parts in then forward to us. Be clear that you don't buy used parts or bikes and limit sales of new goods to "wear items," and I think you'll be surprised how much support you get. Co-ops/collectives/community shops often provide services that shops rather would not.

We plan to display a directory of local shops (with brands) for those wanting warranty service or seeking goods and services we can't/don't provide.


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 11:14 AM, mpattisall <mike.pattisall@velocitycoop.org> wrote:
Our Co-op's  former location was less than a block from a real bike shop.  At first the bike shop owner was peeved but soon realized that many of our customers were coming to them for parts we did not have.  Also, the bike shop was sending the co-op customers with bikes that " weren't really worth fixing".  Co-ops and regular bike shops are two different animals and we get along pretty well with the shops near us  ( Spokes, Big Wheel, Bicycle Pro Shop, Performance)


On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 12:33 PM, Stephen Andruski <swandruski@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm in the process of starting a bike co-op in the Rockville, MD area. Once we are established, I want to go and talk to the managers of the commercial bike shops in the area. Since I can foresee some potential antagonism based on the perception that the co-op will compete with them for repair business, I want to go armed with information. Does anyone know of any studies that show the economic impact of bike co-ops on the commercial shops in the same area? Along the same lines, does anyone have personal experience on the reaction of commercial shops to the start up of a co-op in "their" area? The more specific you can be in the responses, the better, though I can understand if you don't want to throw someone under the bus.
 
Any information would be helpful. We're still a few months away from actually needing this information, but I'd like to be prepared. 
 
Thanks,
 
Steve Andruski

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

~ Abraham Lincoln

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