Bicycle Shop---the positive ROI---

Why do customers go back to the same grocery store?
Why do customers go back to the same bank?
Why do customers return to the same barber?
Why do customers return to the same burger joint?
Why do customers return to the same pizza place?

Now the flip side--

Why don't customers go back?
Why don't they return?
Why don't they purchase again?

My thought is,  it all boils down to one item and one item only---do they [business] put "People First"??????

When we as the business put others first and our needs second, we win in the long run--

I worked at a million dollar convenient store in Cincinnati for six years while in high school and college--Earl, the owner would say if a customer is less than a dollar short, allow them the purchase.

$1 is not much--but if 50 customers a day would do that, it equals 50 bucks....Moreover, was the thought that 99% of all the customer shopping there were returning customers. Yes, some I had never seen before--not much though. The store was surrounded by 1000 homes---1000 homes, two parents and minimum of three children. Soft-serve ice-cream, ICEES, frozen pizza, charcoal, beer, chips, baby food, diapers, fresh veggies and fruits all were flying off the shelves.

Cincinnati is a hilly town, cold winters and sometimes harsh winter storms.

Earls philosophy was if the store is open, then in bad weather, power outages, we will remain open with a flash light and good old fashion math....

Earl taught me and the other young men over the years that putting customers first is and always will be how you create and maintain a business. If it flips, you will loose.

Bike shops are the same key as the convenient store---thousands upon thousands of bike shops are living, breathing on the notion of giving patrons so much more than just a sale....

"Cant say enough about the customer service. They are very friendly and go out of their way to make the buying process great"---M. Hart via Google review on Performance Bicycle--Tampa, FL.

"Staff is very helpful knowledgeable and really want to earn your business. I have purchased several bikes from them and they provided exceptional service".---Pablo R. via Google review Flying Fish Bikes -- Tampa, FL. 

 "Fast service, excellent quality, extremely affordable. Too bad the rest of the world can't operate with the same standards."--Google user via Google review via Joe Haskins Bicycle Shop. Tampa, FL.

For the record--I was watching Sports Center and they wee talking about the Tampa area--so I chose to choose a few bicycle shops from that are to read up on the reviews....Very impressive reviews on all the shops in that area--but only have space for three today.

I love my bicycle shop here in Indiana, I spoke on this numerous times---not having a clue about cycling and wanting to go from Indiana to Orlando in less than 150 days was a huge task to take on--however, the bond and attachment I felt with the folks working there is off the charts....They built me up from nothing to something on good old fashion customer service.......excellent service is NOT hard to find these days,  it is still alive and well.

Bicycle shop--stop by yours these week---Christmas is getting close and tell Santa a bike from a shop will come with superior customer service......YOU will get a excellent return on investment, trust me and the millions of others who adore their shop and their friends.