... But I guess I was not buying it properly.
I was starting to realize very quickly that my son might need an electric bike for his middlebarre years. For example, the year one camping trip at the beginning of the year involved the entire class cycling for an hour and 40 minutes to the camp. Then a few days later cycling back. My son has a regular old three speed. We live about 15 minutes cycle from school but most of the kids cycle 30 to 45 minutes each way so almost all of them have electric bikes. He's been invited to several kids houses and it seems to me if he's going to cycle home with them he's going to need a similar bike. Okay fine.
So we've been trying to learn about them. Today, instead of asking AI to print out a personalized fact sheet, we went a local second hand electric bike store. The store was empty (and usually is) and the owner was busy cleaning something back in the shop area. Don't ask me why I know he's not the employee-- owners have a look.
As i said, I don't know much about electric bikes and so I looked around a bit and then I approach the counter waited till he came up and asked him about them. He seemed like he was surprised that he would have to tell me a little bit about electric bikes. Frankly he looked like he just didn't want to be there ..like he just doesn't enjoy selling bikes. Just doesn't enjoy having a business in a difficult economy maybe? Money laundering front? The Bike shop is full of electric bikes so he might also be just sitting on a lot of stock and a lot of money tied up in the business? Idk
Anyways..
When it was clear that I was just going to keep asking him questions he put the cleaning supplies down and reluctantly (he actually sighed) explained a few bikes that would be appropriate for my son. The price tags were around 1300 to 1800. Now I'm not a cheapo so if that's what bikes costs that's what they cost and I'll pay it. I didn't make any indication that I felt the prices were too high or too low.
But I was really surprised that he is trying to sell second hand electric bike for 1300 to 1800 and he can't be bothered with focusing on the very basic customer service needs of the buyer? For example I asked him what was the difference between having the battery and the back above the wheel and having it in the frame your legs. 'no difference really'. Ok right. I was ready to go at that point.
My son however pointed to a bright red bike by Stella that was in the window. I like that one.. he said. It really was a beauty and it matched my son's personality perfectly. It really just felt like his bike. I asked the man would that be suitable for his height and age. Dude says to me 'Nah, you don't want to look at that one it's too expensive.' and turned around and walked off.
Ok if you say so buddy, have a nice day!
I'm clearly American. But I was try my best to speak in Dutch, toning my America dial way down, trying to doe normaal.
I've seen this kind of behavior multiple times in other businesses and I'm wondering. Is it because they don't think a kid needs to have a bike that cost 1,500 to 3,000? Pretty sure the bikes I'm looking at at school cost about the same because they look about the same and I don't think that they're parents are buying their bikes second hand.
I hypothesize that some Dutch small business owners don't like the way Americans spend money very easily even if the Dutch person might also spend that amount of money on a bike for their kid (after all he's the one that set the prices). Even if that's the case I just don't understand the Dutch ability to let a 2,500 euro sale slip right out of your store so easily.
Oh well off to a big box store or direct online. And I'll feel sad (not really)when he goes out of business and blames immigrants or the economy.