What is a sliding scale bike shop?
My name is Ryan Kelley. I live and work at 1823 Marine St. I almost never leave and very attached to my business. As I am the principal decision maker for Standard Bike Repair, I get to have leeway in what the business charges for its parts and services. We are also considered a “hidden bike shop”. While overhead is low compared to a Pearl St. bike shop, walk-ins are low. As such, we are almost exclusively “by appointment only”. That having said, not only do I realize that often times, a bike repair can cost as much as a bike, I am also seeking to bring more eyes to the parts of the store inventory. We don’t make a profit if the stock doesn’t move. I have been looking at too many bike parts for too long. Come and get them.
What qualifies you as “needing a sliding scale” price?
Everyone gets on the sliding scale. If you truly cannot afford the posted part price or service charge, then ask. I am not guaranteeing that you will qualify for a lower price simply because you have a good sob story. Though, I am easily entertained. Because, I have a high frequency hearing loss, I am considered “disadvantaged” by the State of Colorado. The Standard Bike Repair state appointed business consultant joked, “The Republic of Boulder is the only place in the state where sliding scale is okay and accepted”. Now why that is needed in this relatively wealthy town is a conundrum of facts, realities and hypothesis.
Am I more likely to offer sliding scale on parts or service?
That depends how valuable the part is, how long it has been sitting, and what you are offering. With service, I am stringent. However, if you come in, stay the 1-2 hours that it takes to repair the bike, put the aprons and gloves on, then there is a high chance that I am willing to work with you.
Do I barter?
Bartering is tough. If you have something serious to offer, then by all means. Depending on business needs, what’s in the fridge, my mood, what event I want to go to, how well the bills are being paid, is highly dependent on the acceptance of a barter.
What does it mean when someone says “I have no money”.
Saying that “I have no money” is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. I worked at a bank for four years and saw many people’s bank accounts. Saying “I have no money”, “I am poor,” means about 18 different things. Besides the penniless bum asking for change for the day’s beer, few of us are truly broke.
At what point do negotiations start?
We get most of our bike parts at “wholesale” cost from J&B Importers, the largest bike parts distributor in the U.S. For a more expensive item, it is sometimes cheaper for a customer to go online, pay shipping or not and receive it later. I have seen things online for less than and just above wholesale.
How do I mark prices on new parts?
Many items that cost less than $100 are marked up 100%. That is traditional bike shop theory. Simple things like bar tape, bells, chains, cassettes are bought for prices like $10 and sold for $20. More expensive things like 9speed cassettes are not simply doubled. We compete with local bike shop prices and online.
How do you price expensive items?
When an item is valued enough for a customer to slough off the convenience of running to their local bike store, I weigh the wholesale cost, online price points: high, low and averages, and rough guesstimate the customer’s opportunity cost of shipping/patience/waiting for the product vs. what they would likely be willing to buy conveniently.
Why mark prices up at all?
Bike shops do live off labor alone. It is somewhat common for the bicycle repair portion of the bike shop to lose money, and make money on new bikes sold and cycling accessories. We are only a bicycle repair service shop. Thus, it is imperative for survival to balance profit, reasonable prices, and community relations. Long term, a bike shop will only survive with quality and friendly pricing.
If I pay full price, will my service be better?
All bikes are given the same amount of elbow grease, thought and time. If you pay full price, then you support Standard Bike Repair, local Boulder business, my income and the economy at large.
How are bike parts like the NYSE?
We buy quality products that are we know will sell because they are common or rare. Common bike parts move quickly. Rare ones sell for good prices.
Do you have any other questions?
Come by 1823 Marine St, Boulder, CO 80302, call or text: 720-837-8984, email: bikes@standardbikerepair.com Find me on Facebook: Ryan Kelley or Standard Bike Repair’s Facebook page.
