I know that there's already been a book written about life in the bike shop, and it's a good one, written by our friend Maynard Hershon, available here. But this is something that plays out nearly once or twice a week, but with out the dramatic ending, usually. So I couldn't resist...

So here's the request:
If you've been searching for weeks on end for some bizarre, N.L.A. part that hasn't been made in like 43 years and you find it, EXPECT TO PAY A BIT, OR A LOT, MORE FOR IT! This is S.O.P. for any N.O.S. part. (If you don't know these acronyms, then you probably don't give a shit about what I'm writing...) If you're a cheapskate, keep that info to yourself- shit, man, enough people already know it about you, so what's the point in getting more press?
Your friendly and knowledgeable bike shop guy, contrary to popular opinion, is really invested in your situation, at least in the moment. The good stores pay (or at least try to pay) decent money for the guys that know their shit, and when you nickel & dime the store for something you've "been looking all over for" you dis-respeck all of their time spent living and loving the sport, and that's not cool.
Thanks for putting up with my crap.