Let's call it the tale of two bike stores.
Loraine decided she needed a new bike.
She's been using her current one for thirty years now, and while it's
in pristine condition (and while she can kick my butt when we're out
riding, even though I use a bike a lot more than she does), she
decided it was time for an upgrade, for a bike that would kick my
butt even more. So she went online, did her research, and found the
perfect model. She also found that there were two stores in
Marquette that sold them.
And that's when the fun started.
We went into store “A”, and asked
about the model for which she was looking. At first, the guy working
there wasn't sure they even carried the particular model; after
consulting a co-worker, they figured that they did, but not with some
of the stuff she wanted. They then proceeded to tell her why she
shouldn't want the bike she wanted, even pointing out that her
preferred choice was a “man's” bike, and “wouldn't she rather
have a model designed for women”? And in describing the features
she SHOULD be looking for they were very condescending, as if they
didn't think she knew anything about bikes at all. I tried to hint
that she's a monster on two wheels and knows of what she speaks, but
it didn't seem like they were buying it.
Finally, they said that the model year
was changing over, and she might be able to get her bike of choice
when the new ones come out this fall. We left store “A”, quite
disappointed with both the news and the way she was treated.
Now, if you know Loraine, you may know
that once she sets her sights on something it gets done. So we
decided to head to store “B” and see if things would be
different. And trust me—they were.
First of all, we were waited on at
store “B” by a young woman who listened to what Loraine wanted,
and found the exact bike. She quickly figured out Loraine knew what
she was talking about, let her take it for a little ride, and then
had the bike quickly tuned up before Loraine wheeled it out the door
and back to our apartment. No hemming, no hawing, no excuses, no
nothing. As frustrating as shop “A” was the experience she had
at shop “B” was smooth and enjoyable.
The difference between the two bike
stores was amazing.
So now Loraine has her new bike, and
with any luck it'll serve her for as long as her old one. I already
know that she can now kick my butt on a bike even more than she did
before, but I'm okay with that. And more than anything, I'm glad
there's at least one place in town that got her what she wanted and
made the whole experience something for which she's grateful.
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