Yakima acquires RackandRoll multi-sport trailers

If you own a vehicle that is completely rack incompatible (BMW Z4, Dodge Caliber, etc) you had zero options, until RackAndRoll came along. They make trailers to carry bikes, and are lightweight. They even fold flat for easy garage storage. Pretty Cool!

MSRP is $2,149 for the basic model, and you must not own something so unusual that a trailer hitch can't be mounted to it. Wow. Suddenly the Q-tower system seems really affordable.

Yakima RackandRoll Trailer site

How be an Expert again. Let a newbie show you the joy!

Let me give you a little background first. I’ve been riding mountain bikes since 1980. If that predates your birthday, just keep that to yourself please. I’ve worked with all kinds of customers, and ridden with a very wide variety of people. I may have become a little jaded when it comes to bike riding, I can admit it. My attitude a month ago to hitting the trail may have been very “whatever”.

In the last two months I have been a better friend to a few people. One of them, in his mid-40’s, has really discovered mountain bike riding for the first time. He’s ridden motorcycles in the desert for years, and was getting burned out on the whole experience. Go to the Airport for Race Fuel for the motos, fuel up the truck, load and hook up the trailer, drive an hour and half, and unload the bikes. Put gear on, ride motorcycle for 3+ hours. Get back to rig, stow ride gear, load trailer. Drive an hour and a half home, unload everything. Clean the trailer and bike. Park trailer, disconnect, park truck. It makes me tired just reading all it takes to go ride!

Compare this to; grab helmet/ Camelbak/ shoes/ bike. Put in truck, drive 15 minutes. Ride 90 minutes. Drive home, stow gear, lube chain. Feel good, have the rest of the day available. Do it again the next day. Easy!

After you’ve done a sport for some time, it can be easy to take some things for granted. Riding with this guy is just fun. Even when he feels like barfing because the hill climb was so steep, he radiates happiness in being there. He dreams of mountain biking. He doesn’t quite know it yet, but he’s gonna snap and buy a $3,000 bicycle in a month or two. He has got “it”. By helping this person into the sport, now I have “it” again. In fact I’m getting the better part of the deal, I think.

What am I suggesting in relating this to you? You will get something from mentoring a person, even if they’re older than you. Get involved, and make a difference. It may make you an expert all over again.

Tough times don't last. Be the Team Leader.

There is a lot of concern and discussion in our stores about the economy. You may not have been working with Sport Chalet in the days after Sept 11, 2001. Although the country bounced back quickly after that tragic event, our company learned a valuable lesson. Sales went down, but customers kept shopping. When they gained confidence that the country was recovering, sales came back up. Our customers that wanted to be outside running, swimming or skiing a year ago still want to do that. The desire for what we sell has not changed, and the customer will satisfy their needs and wants soon. The customer in your store today is here solely because they want to buy a product. They will buy it, and they’ll buy it from you if you’ll speak with them.

 

Keep your focus. We are in the customer service business.