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It's frustrating to see some local bike shops seemingly more focused on pushing expensive upgrades and new bikes than actually helping people maintain what they already have. I understand businesses need to make money, but when simple repairs are met with recommendations to replace entire components or bikes, it feels disingenuous. anyone else feel like the knowledge and experiance of bike shop staff should be used to keep people riding, not just to upsell them?
I witnessed a guy recently bring in a bike with a slightly bent derailleur hanger. Instead of offering to align it, they instantly quoted him the price of a new derailleur and hanger. It's those kinds of interactions that make people feel like they're being taken advantage of. Are there shops out there striking a better balance between profitability and fostering a real cycling community, or is this just the direction things are headed? What are some signs a shop values its customers over just thier wallets?