I N V E N T O R Y

[Elizabeth Hunter]

I don't love the helmet idea either. We've had helmets in stock in the back as long as I've been at the BRW and I've never heard of one selling. Maybe they're gone. I don't know, I got so used to looking at them that I stopped noticing.

Don't get me wrong, I wear a helmet, but I think most people want more selection than we can reasonably provide in that area. We don't have much money to invest in inventory so I think we've got to put it into things we know will sell.

I'm all for BRW stickers!

[karlas Juju]

Can we get some ankle reflective straps in the $3 range, and also spoke tensioners for sale for ex: the multi-size inexpensive keychain-styled ones.. Yeaay. On another note, we sold a Small Silver Helmet on Wednesday night. The customer was also inquiring about gloves..

[JB]

Amen to what Karla said, since I was the one asking for spoke tensioners (This kind -
http://www.megamedics.com/spoke-wrench-item-510-1001-p.html?utm_source=froogle).  Those are SO handy.

Speaking of inventory, aside from the list on the door, is there a list of things we usually try to keep in stock that we could put up on the web, or at least make people more generally aware of?

We'd probably turn over inventory faster and make life easier for Bikerowave visitors if they knew what they were likely to be able to obtain here vs. having to go to the bike shop for, especially since our weekday hours are mostly after the local bikeshops close.

If anybody thinks this is a good idea, let me know how I can help, as people offering solutions for OTHER people to implement is way lame.

[faultymonk]

Amen to what Karla said, since I was the one asking for spoke tensioners (This kind -
http://www.megamedics.com/spoke-wrench-item-510-1001-p.html?utm_source=froogle).  Those are SO handy.

Probably http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?id=BPC113306 are better.

We'd probably turn over inventory faster and make life easier for Bikerowave visitors if they knew what they were likely to be able to obtain here vs. having to go to the bike shop for, especially since our weekday hours are mostly after the local bikeshops close.

I thought the idea for Bikerowave was to not compete with bikeshops?  Personally, I would prefer things that aren't easy to find at local bike shops.

[david_f]

...Speaking of inventory, aside from the list on the door, is there a list of things we usually try to keep in stock that we could put up on the web, or at least make people more generally aware of?...

Good idea!

...If anybody thinks this is a good idea, let me know how I can help, as people offering solutions for OTHER people to implement is way lame.

I'm thankful for good ideas regardless of their source.

[Elizabeth Hunter]

Amen to what Karla said, since I was the one asking for spoke tensioners (This kind -
http://www.megamedics.com/spoke-wrench-item-510-1001-p.html?utm_source=froogle).  Those are SO handy.

Probably http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?id=BPC113306 are better.

We'd probably turn over inventory faster and make life easier for Bikerowave visitors if they knew what they were likely to be able to obtain here vs. having to go to the bike shop for, especially since our weekday hours are mostly after the local bikeshops close.

I thought the idea for Bikerowave was to not compete with bikeshops?  Personally, I would prefer things that aren't easy to find at local bike shops.

Legally, that's only a concern if we're a 501c3, which we are not (and do not plan to become in the near future).

Practically it makes a lot of sense for the BRW to stock basic items much more so than exotic items.

[JB]

Actually, I was looking for this one, http://www.megamedics.com/spoke-wrench-item-510-1001-p.html?utm_source=froogle), or something similar, as I'm looking for something I can throw in my seat bag and do the occasional field truing for myself or somebody on a group ride, who may have different sized nipples.    Plus, it's half the price and metal not plastic.

Maybe we should order a few of each, they are really handy to have around.

As for competing with bike shops, it would be awesome if there were a bike shop open until 10pm, but there isn't (if there is PLEASE tell me), so we're not really competing with them time-wise. 

I didn't mean to have a full bike store inventory, I just meant having a set of basic parts and supplies and making people aware of what our basics are so people can get a better sense of what they can get here and what they'll need to stop at the LBS for beforehand.

I'll set up a separate thread for list of new things we have / should have in stock, called Basic Stock List.

[Steve Mattson]

Orange 20 is open until 11pm, when it's open.
I bike the idea of focusing on basic items that are needed in repair, tubes, ferrules, lights, brake bits (esp. for old brakes), nuts, bolts, cables, etc., replacement brakes (27" to 700c conversions) maybe axles, maybe bottom brackets.
It would be great if we could order parts and accessories, like anyone going to a bike shop, and actually get them in a timely manner.
I think we should steer away from helmets--where would put them? 
The merino wool jerseys for volunteers as a purchasable option--now that's something I could support....

[Gern]

well...
I have been building such lists for awhile, and it is nowhere near as fun as riding a bike!
So let's do a "Basic List".  How do we manage such a list?  On this forum.  Seems to me google docs would be better.  All my stuff is in Excel, so it will go to google docs fine.  Is this list still going to be me looking at 36+ posts to piece together a list, or better yet, an order?  With appropriate info like the suppliers merch order #, cost, page number of the catalog?  I love the IDEAS, but I REALLY love the ACTIONS!
If you have the ideas, I've got the goods, please call me, get together with me, and let's set up an awesome system.  Action bikers, action!  We biking need ACTION, to eliminate the double work of data entry, and painfully slow ordering.  Byy the waay, Sunday I'll be at the BRW doing inventory, around 1pm, call me before you arrive.  Looking forward to seeing ya'll.

[steveby3]

I thought the idea for Bikerowave was to not compete with bikeshops?  Personally, I would prefer things that aren't easy to find at local bike shops.

i think we need to keep the stuff that will allow people to complete their projects, whether or not we compete with bike shops.  basic safety gear (lights etc) are important too.  i don't think we should start importing dutch cyclocross frames just because you can't get them at local bike shops.  for prices, maybe we should be a couple dollars more than bike shops since we're open when they aren't and we don't really want to compete with them. so the bargain hunters can go to the bike shop.. the lazy and/or charitable people can pick it up from us. volume is less important than making sure we aren't losing money on a particular transaction.