Modern Buddy

I went to my local shop to get some stuff the other day. My warranty is up, so I started doing some of the simple maintenance myself.... oil changes, belts, and soon replacing sliders. I went through them for tires and will still take it in for major work as needed. I know they are very busy with jobs and there is usually a several day wait for servicing. They've become more of a business centered primarily on servicing. It's in an offbeat industrial park with just a few scooters in the small retail area and a few selections of apparel and helmets. I will say they are very reputable in the DC area for doing great service work and the owners are very knowledgable and riders themselves.

I occassionally stop to pick up some small accessories, filters, and recently a drive belt. I got a strange vibe like I was putting them out or being a burden. I know there is a small mark up that they get and I'd rather support the local business if I'm able to. I also don't want to feel like I'm slowing down their service work or buying parts that they have stocked for their use. My wife suggested that and I was in agreement. How do some of you feel about going to the local shop for parts and not coming in much for work orders? My buddy has been very reliable for as much as it's gone through with me, but I just can't justify paying for simple things that I can do them myself.

We get whatever we can through our shop. Even if it's a part or accessory that could easily be ordered from, say, Scooterworks or ScooterWest... if we buy from the shop, they get to order it at a dealer's price, and sell it to me at about the normal retail price, so they make a profit on it... and I don't have to pay the shipping. It's kind of a win-win for everybody, if the dealer is already making an order from said place.

At least, that's how I've been shown to look at it. I can't speak anything to vibes hanging around though. Off day? :/

My guess it that's an issue with the individual you're dealing with. They might have the attitude that you're hurting the shop by doing your own fixes, but that's pretty short sited. You might consider contacting the shop owner with your concern. One employee with an attitude can drive away a lot of business. My own experience has been pretty good. I just bought tires from a local shop this weekend. They not only happily sold them to me, but they gave me a tip about breaking the bead and a little baggy of tire grease. Now when I need parts or actual service, I feel good about that shop and will continue to patronize them.

Our dealer actually doesn't seem to mind doing the service but when it comes to parts I get a cold feeling when trying to order parts eventhough I will usually go ahead and let them get the part for me. The parts mgr. actually said to me "I hate scooters because none of the parts seem to be standard". Oh well

NoHo actually promotes its parts business and even offers "how to" help to weekend wrenchers. How much business do you think they have earned because they are so helpful? Plus when the amateur wrencher screws up his scooter, who do you think he'll take it to for help?

I say if the shop you go to is giving you attitude you could simply ask them if they mind selling parts. If they do just say no problem you'll buy elsewhere or online instead. But I can't imagine that any business would be so foolish to turn away sales. Especially these days.

when I owned a shop I never minded a customer doing their own work. we even encouraged it. Do what you can when you can, and bring it to the shop when its harder than you want to tackle. If you buy parts for the service there they are making some profit. we were very much a "mom & pop" store, but loved what we did and our repeat customers were what kept us alive.
we only closed up shop due to the area going to hell and crime (break-ins) getting so bad..

But yeah, just chat them up one day and mention that just what you did here...Some days when I was getting my butt kicked by a bike in the back (service) I didn't always have the best face on when I had to stop to wait on a customer...maybe thats all you ran into...Grumpy tech. syndrome we called it LOL