Hostile staff. All but push me out the door
One of the most unwelcome places I’ve spent money in.
It was my first time cycling to work since the easing of lockdown restrictions. It was great day to cycle in London. Not cold or wet but not especially hot. Was just right. Did I say not wet? Well London being London of course the rain will fall, forecast be damned.
Only noticed my mudguard had vanished. Thinking about I really could not say if it was on the bike on my cycle commute in to central London. In any case it’s can to live where so many other bits of my by has ran off to over the years. It will be missed.
Trying to limit the amount of road muck on me I sought out the closest bike shop. The London bicycle workshop was the closest. I wanted to continue on to Cycle Republic where I originally bought my bike but it just want to get home out the rain.
The welcome by the staff, was frosty to say the least. As black man in London I’m used to being followed and closely monitor as a prepare to hand over my hard earned money for the privilege.
There was a really nice set of mudguards that I wanted but I would rather swim in London road sludge than to give that much to a place like this. Yes, that’s the one. Simple*. Cheap. Cool. Swedish design at it’s best. ‘Ass savers’. I’ll take one ☝🏿.
Darn it. It will be night before I get home and I need to replace my emergency back lights with some decent ones. Oh, they have the cat eyes had before. Ok. Add those. At least fake a smile guy. Customer service -10.
Ill quickly put air in my wheel. Fix the light to the bike. Ffs. I’d be like to buy som triple A batteries. Light done.
Now I did describe the mudguard as simple. Design wise it most definitely is. But fixing it beneath my saddle is a right faff and it seems I’ve over stayed my welcome in the, till now, empty shop.
A young man, hitherto I’ve only seen glimpses of, with hitler youth, hair stamped over to where I was. ‘You need help? You are taking forever’. ‘I’ve never done this before, it’s quite fiddly. I’m trying to flip the end to lock it in place.’
Frustrated and wanting the shop, I gave it to the gentleman next to me with the look hostility on his face. I suspect he believes I’m scaring his customers with brown skin, skinny jeans and button downs. ‘I see them fall of many because people don’t flip the back to lock’. ‘Precisely what I was trying to do’. He locks it in seconds. ‘Look I did it in seconds.’ ‘Well done you’ I said. ‘My first attempt versus, you doing it for a living.’ I continued as I exited, ‘you must feel clever’. I sigh as a wave of regret washes over me. I just gave these kn*bs my money. I’m outraged!
17 May 2022
Unprompted review
