Help your dealer

While bike stores are still allowed to accept repairs by appointment, in Switzerland they will have to stop selling on site by April 19, 2020. But where there is no money, the store will eventually grind to a halt. With "Support Your Local Bike Shop!", Trailworks, the Swiss importer of Santa Cruz bikes, is launching a voucher system to help out your trusted dealer.

To this end, bike store vouchers can be purchased at santacruzbikes.ch. Such a voucher is like an investment that gives the specialist retailer some liquidity in difficult times. Later, when normality has returned, these vouchers can be used for various services such as repairs or products at the retailer.

This idea originated in the USA, where some specialist retailers are already implementing it successfully. This model should also be of interest to the wider Swiss bicycle industry.

Phone advice instead of a bike store visit

Many people would like to go bike shopping now. Due to the measures adopted by the Federal Council to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, preferred dealers are not allowed to offer on-site advice. Here, too, more and more companies are offering a remedy.
The Rhine Valley bike manufacturer Koba relies on telephone advice. After making an appointment by email, the desired bike is discussed on the phone and configured on the computer. The bike is shipped by courier.

The Santa Cruz and Ibis importer Trailworks relies on a similar system. Here, the specialist dealer provides the usual advice over the phone and helps to configure the model. The bike is then assembled, tuned and delivered directly via Trailworks. Sales and invoicing remain with the specialist dealer.

The outdoor wholesaler Transa is also stepping up its online activities. In order to maintain sales via mail order, customers are advised by telephone and chat. The ordered goods are shipped via Swiss Post.

These services are currently exceptional services that are often handled by smaller teams than in normal day-to-day business. So please be patient if the lines are busy.