Folding Bikes - Bringing Merc to the USA

Thanks Wavshrdr for the images & review of your new Merc, I'm impressed.

I will try to get the Merc in for sale in Santa Fe. Tonight I wrote to Sheeaune Limited in England. Best I can tell they are the ones that bring in them in. If you know of any other contacts, please let me know. Perhaps, there is a direct Asian source.

I'm still waiting for our first shipment of Downtubes, hopefully they will be in next week.

WPF

Talk to Anita there. Here email address is anita.clare AT mercbike DOT co DOT uk . I did it that way so the SPAMBOTS don't pickup her email address. Tell her I sent you her way. I was pretty easy to deal with. They made a lot of progress in this bike. I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I have so far. If it keeps up the way it has so far and is reliable it will be in second place on my favorite folder list.

Talk to Anita there. Here email address is anita.clare AT mercbike DOT co DOT uk . I did it that way so the SPAMBOTS don't pickup her email address. Tell her I sent you her way. I was pretty easy to deal with. They made a lot of progress in this bike. I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I have so far. If it keeps up the way it has so far and is reliable it will be in second place on my favorite folder list.

Thank you very much. I just wrote her.

Talk to Anita there. Here email address is anita.clare AT mercbike DOT co DOT uk . I did it that way so the SPAMBOTS don't pickup her email address. Tell her I sent you her way. I was pretty easy to deal with. They made a lot of progress in this bike. I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I have so far. If it keeps up the way it has so far and is reliable it will be in second place on my favorite folder list.



It looks like we'll probably be able to get them. Pricing will be largely dependent on shipping costs. My goal will be to market them in the USA cheaper than they be can be shipped in from England.

they look interesting , i could be a player

Talk to Anita there. Here email address is anita.clare AT mercbike DOT co DOT uk . I did it that way so the SPAMBOTS don't pickup her email address. Tell her I sent you her way. I was pretty easy to deal with. They made a lot of progress in this bike. I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I have so far. If it keeps up the way it has so far and is reliable it will be in second place on my favorite folder list.


I know the review is coming.... looking forward to it.

I may be interested in one or two.

+1

I am still working on the details of bringing in the Mercs. Shipping cost, as is usually the case, is the hangup. Right now it looks like it will run 90 GBP per bike which is equivalent to $158 US dollars, then there is still customs to apy.

I am looking into the shipping issue. I think there are ways to get it down.

Do the customs/duties fees run per item, or per shipment? If some of the charges are the same regardless of whether it's one bike or one cargo-container of bikes, then economies of scale may be good.... but as a small-business owner, I'd be frightened to take on such a large shipment of an unproven name-brand (at least in the US).

In another thread, someone mentioned the possibility of folding bike manufacturers forming a retail association..... I think this would be a good thing, especially if it allows small-business owners to co-operatively order large shipments of product, and split them up once they reach US shores.

Double reply, sorry. It'll be really swell when the new forum servers get their traffic handling down. :)

Do the customs/duties fees run per item, or per shipment? If some of the charges are the same regardless of whether it's one bike or one cargo-container of bikes, then economies of scale may be good.... but as a small-business owner, I'd be frightened to take on such a large shipment of an unproven name-brand (at least in the US).

In another thread, someone mentioned the possibility of folding bike manufacturers forming a retail association..... I think this would be a good thing, especially if it allows small-business owners to co-operatively order large shipments of product, and split them up once they reach US shores.

the duties are based on the value of the shipment, but there is a little savings in port fees etc. with combined shipments.

We will be getting our first Merc order in soon. However, after consideration of shipping costs, we will not be able to sell them retail at any significant price saving over what an individual can buy them for directly from England. Nonetheless, it wil be good to have Merc on the showroom floor. The 3 speed is the only model currently available to us; the 6 speeds should be ready later in the summer.

Any idea when you might be getting the Merc's in. I would rather support a fellow member and US retailer if the price is the same.
Kenal0

Any idea when you might be getting the Merc's in. I would rather support a fellow member and US retailer if the price is the same.
Kenal0

We have in one Merc3 so far. The Merc6 bikes are not yet available. I think the price is roughly the same as what you can order one in for. The customs charges for wholesale vs retail price makes the comparison a bit tricky. If anyone wants has bought the Merc 3 directly, I'd be interested in their total charges.

So what your impressions so far? Even if people can't "save" any money it might make them feel more comfortable purchasing locally so to speak.

So what your impressions so far? Even if people can't "save" any money it might make them feel more comfortable purchasing locally so to speak.

I do like the bike especially several features which have previously been discussed and viewed as improvements over the Brompon. However, I think the pricing which when retailed in the USA must necessarily account for shipping which ultimately may prove to be a big drawback for sales. As I've said a few times on the forums, Brompton really has their shipping act together. We don't have to pay shipping costs from England on any new Brompton, only customs fees. By contast the Merc costs about 80 British pounds (approx. $144 US dollars) to send over.

Since the Merc is so new and witout a proven record unlike the Swift or Brompton, I'm hesitant to push them too hard at this stage of our experience with Merc.

Any idea when you might be getting the Merc's in. I would rather support a fellow member and US retailer if the price is the same.
Kenal0

Kenalo, after reading your note which I appreciate, I've been thinking how to market the Mercs in the USA. I think there is certainly an advantage in getting the bike checked out through a dealer especially if there is no additional shipping charge within the USA. I personally love to see Brooks Saddles on a bike so I think we'll do as we've done with Brompton, that is make the Brooks Saddle an irresistable, inexpensive option. Accordingly on Mercs we'll give a $35 credit to the purchase of any Brooks Saddle available through our distributors. Thus the standard B17 saddle will run less than $20 when purchased with the Merc.

Thus far, it looks like the Merc people in England are good to work with.

Finally recieved my final bill on the Mercs so I can give a very close estimate of what it will cost to order a Merc 3 direct retail from Merc in England.

Merc 3 400 British Pounds = $756

Shipping:
DHL 80 British Pounds = $151

Import Fees 11% customs, plus $5.00 Duty Advance = $88

Approximate total cost = $995

Keep in mind that the Merc comes with a lot of extras that would drive up the cost of a Brompton quite a bit. It has a front bag and carrier, rear rack, lights and dynamo, etc. If there was a way to drop the shipping a bit it would be a smoking deal.

I'm periodically tempted by the thought of getting a Brompton, and now there's the very similar Merc. Temptation will probably win out, in the long run, over the facts that I don't need any more folders, for crying out loud, and that it will probably not come close to the performance of my Bike Fridays. But there is that take it anywhere fold. ;)

Between Merc and Brompton, though, I'd need a fairly big difference in price to tempt me away from the Brompton at this moment. That's not based on hard facts, just caution, Merc hasn't established the track record that Brompton has. Even factoring in the extras with the Merc (some of which I wouldn't want anyway), the difference in price wouldn't do it for me.

But maybe it will seem different next year.:rolleyes:

Is there any way they can ship direct to USA from Taiwan? This way the double shipping is avoided in the final price...

From what I've seen, a Merc is about 90% the quality of a Brompton at about 70% of the price. It is the way the Japanese cars got their start in the US. Now it is the Korean cars doing the same thing. The Merc has the chance to do the same thing. I've put quite a few miles on a Merc and liked it a lot. Is it as good as a Brompton in every area, no. It is better in some and worse in others. My biggest complaint is easy to change. The front headlight isn't real high quality but so what. It is $5 part but should be a $10. Easy enough to change. The rear hubs are Sturmey Archer just like Brompton. Their (Merc) shifter is better. Merc brakes are better on the higher end Merc vis a vis the higher end Brompton. I could go on but suffice to say, the Merc is a worth competitor to the Brompton and a much better value if you want the extra bits.

Aren't there any legal measures from Bromptons side and didn't they patent/copyright the bike and its folding mechanism etc.........just wondering.

Is I understand it Brompton has had some patent expirations which has allowed the Merc to emerge.

In terms of shipping, getting the Mercs from Taiwan would cost as much or more than from England for individual transport. Now if we could get a whole crate load, shipping would much less of a factor, but you have to be a monster dealer to bring in that many of one brand of bike.

On examining my bill from DHL, it appears that I was significantly overcharged. If so, it may be that the prices will work out favorably enough to justify importing the Mercs.

I've put in an inquiry to Anita at Merc.

On examining my bill from DHL, it appears that I was significantly overcharged. If so, it may be that the prices will work out favorably enough to justify importing the Mercs.

I've put in an inquiry to Anita at Merc.

Merc had a 330 pound special on ebay instead of the 400 pounds you mentioned. I am guessing they want to lighten the loads before the introduction of the new six speed...

Is it possible for them to spec a bare bones Merc just like the entry level Brompton? I would keep the mudguards on though. The rest is fluff for some, i.e luggage, light, etc. Allow different models with different prices rather than a one-size-fits-all.

Thanks

Is I understand it Brompton has had some patent expirations which has allowed the Merc to emerge.

In terms of shipping, getting the Mercs from Taiwan would cost as much or more than from England for individual transport. Now if we could get a whole crate load, shipping would much less of a factor, but you have to be a monster dealer to bring in that many of one brand of bike.

If so, I wonder what is stopping Dahon from bringing a Brompton look-alike to the market... They do have the muscle to ship in a crate load of them.

If so, I wonder what is stopping Dahon from bringing a Brompton look-alike to the market... They do have the muscle to ship in a crate load of them.

good question.

Sure then like usual they would make minor improvements each year along with a few dead ends and you'd never be able to sell your old one if you needed too. Others have mentioned this as well. Improvements are great but stability is a plus too.

Or ... on your next trip to Taipei.
Of course, if you're in Taipei, click on "Light".
http://www.neobike.com/

Neobike calls 20" bikes "full size", and 16" bikes "Light".

Merc had a 330 pound special on ebay instead of the 400 pounds you mentioned. I am guessing they want to lighten the loads before the introduction of the new six speed...

Thanks

Perhaps they were trying to lighten the load. As a brick-and-mortar store, there is no way we can compete with a price of 330 pounds on the Merc3. I note there are no Mercs on Ebay as of this morning.

Perhaps they were trying to lighten the load. As a brick-and-mortar store, there is no way we can compete with a price of 330 pounds on the Merc3. I note there are no Mercs on Ebay as of this morning.

That's how I got mine - £330 with a small delivery charge on top.

I've been really happy with mine, once a couple of minor niggles were sorted out. I've just tried a shortish tour on it in some quite hilly country around here. It worked out quite well, except that on the hills I obviously realised I was on the wrong 'horse', and there are a lot of hills up on the border of England and Scotland. I did about eighty five miles in a couple of days and aside from a loose spoke (she was heavy laden and encountered some rough roads) I had no trouble at all once I'd tightened it up a touch.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/1153/mercblackbull5ao.jpg

Having done the trip, I realise I'd have been better on my mountain bike, but that doesn't have all the luggage carrying gear already attached. Long 1:12 hills are not what the Merc is good at, at least not with camping gear, food and water aboard, and not with my legs pedalling it.

http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/6319/dscn07988np.jpg

Note the Hennessy Hammock (badly strung after having me lying in it for twelve hours. This is THE best light weight camping system I've ever used. I learned about it on a thread by Downtube and it's a great buy.

Sure then like usual they would make minor improvements each year along with a few dead ends and you'd never be able to sell your old one if you needed too. Others have mentioned this as well. Improvements are great but stability is a plus too.

I hear you :)

Maybe when you sell in volume, you are desiring people to take your bikes quickly. There is a finite population which is interested in bikes, so you try and encourage a throw-away culture? Even though you say "Do no evil", you do it all the same.

I am starting to like the looks of the Hammerhead 7, but I will what they do for the 2007 year. That looks like a cheap competitor to the Pashley Moulton and New Series Moulton.

:D

If so, I wonder what is stopping Dahon from bringing a Brompton look-alike to the market... They do have the muscle to ship in a crate load of them. -amitkulz

From what I have been reading on the web, Dahon has taken note of the Brompton's/Merc's super compact fold system. I think with the Curve model they are creating for 2007, they will add alot of attractive features (Big Apple Tires, some sort of built in suspention system, and other high end components) to attract alot of potential customer away from both.

If so, I wonder what is stopping Dahon from bringing a Brompton look-alike to the market... They do have the muscle to ship in a crate load of them. -amitkulz

From what I have been reading on the web, Dahon has taken note of the Brompton's/Merc's super compact fold system. I think with the Curve model they are creating for 2007, they will add alot of attractive features (Big Apple Tires, some sort of built in suspention system, and other high end components) to attract alot of potential customer away from both.

ff,
For some reason dahon.com is completely inaccessible from my apartment, I have no idea why this is so, maybe it has to do with them blocking my IP or something (wireless NAT). So I have stopped going there, but pulling up google cache shows you have commented some about the Curve SL. Do you have any concrete info on what it is going to be like? I will need the 16" bike next year, so I can afford to wait a bit. Maybe you can post on a new thread to avoid hijacking this one.

Thanks

Actually, I'll be interested in seeing actual US Merc prices from dealers, not just estimates of what they will probably be. Just a matter of time, I'm sure.

There was some uninformed speculation on the Curve on the Dahon forum, but not much hard information yet. Something about a new drive train, which might or might not be proprietary. Again, we'll just have to wait and see.

Actually, I'll be interested in seeing actual US Merc prices from dealers, not just estimates of what they will probably be. Just a matter of time, I'm sure.

There was some uninformed speculation on the Curve on the Dahon forum, but not much hard information yet. Something about a new drive train, which might or might not be proprietary. Again, we'll just have to wait and see.


Brompton furnishes a USA list price which tends to crystallize prices in the USA, so you don't see very big price variations. Merc does not recommend a USA retail price.

We are selling the Merc 3 for $999.

At that price it still represents a pretty good value. Maybe if you get shipping straightened out it could be even better. All in all it seems like a pretty nice bike at least the ones I've seen and ridden. Some things are better such as the little clip that holds the bike from folding under. Even though the kickstand adds some weight it is a plus if you want to use the rear rack. When the Brompton folds under as a kickstand it makes the rack worthless. I ran into that today. I had a little racktop bag on my Brompton. I couldn't "park" it like normal so I had to find something to lean it against.

As for Dahons making a competitor to this mini but usable folder size, I'd never buy it. I got tired of throwaway Dahons. They are decent values as long as you never contemplate selling them. I think the only bikes that depreciate faster is a Downtube as far as percentage is concerned. On the flip side DTs are so cheap you can't lose much anyway. Almost any decent mainstream folder will fetch at least $150 used. On a DT that is a 50% but in real dollars only $150 or so. Lose 40% on a $500 Dahon and you've lost $200 in real dollars.

I had an expensive Dahon and when I sold it I got killed on it. Why? Because Dahon made some newer version of it that was truly only slightly different but it was a case of the BBD; bigger, better deal! Maybe only 1% of the populaton could have actually appreciated the slight improvements but Dahon in usual fashion tried to make everyone think they couldn't live without. Of course everyone likes to think they are a member of the 1% club! So on my $1000 or so Dahon I lost about 60% in a little over 2 years. Or put another way I lost the value of 2 new DTs in 2 years!

DTs depreciate that much? I've yet to see a used DT on eBay.

I'm just speculating and making an educated guess. If you think about a Downtube being $300 or so new, if you wanted to sell your "used" one it would have to be at an attractive enough price point to make someone consider buying. So which would you buy; a new Downtube for $300 or so or a used one of unknown condition for what price? I am guessing that price would have to be about $150 and definitely under $200 for sure.

No used bikes on eBay means they are sold locally easily enough, which would imply, IMO, that local prices attractive to buyers are being paid. Now, to stretch my tenuous hypothesis beyond the elastic bounds an any known economics, except presidential, the Bike Friday that no one even bid on (auction ended today) could not attract a local buyer or an eBay bid. THAT'S DEPRECIATION.

... the Bike Friday that no one even bid on (auction ended today) could not attract a local buyer or an eBay bid. THAT'S DEPRECIATION.
This may be because many people who try to sell Bike Fridays nowadays are too greedy, a trend which started from the company itself.

Nowadays, these sellers have the BAD habit of posting what a current bike runs for, and asking people to pay for their used bike based on that new current price. So for example, if someone bought an Air Friday in 1997 at say $1800, many times you'll find that person writing something like "nowadays this bike is worth $2800 (WITHOUT mentioning the price they themselves paid), and I'm only asking for $2000 - what a bargain!"

First the bike has USED components not NEW, and everything has wear and tear; and second, I bet a lot of people who know the trends of Bike Friday think this kind of reselling/marketing is pure BS. Bike Friday set the precedent when they started this trend by selling their used bikes this way, and others have picked up on it. Bottom line is that IF you want to buy a BF, ask the seller what s/he bought it for, not what the current going prices of a NEW model are.

As far as the Merc goes, at least it's new.

ff,
For some reason dahon.com is completely inaccessible from my apartment, I have no idea why this is so, maybe it has to do with them blocking my IP or something (wireless NAT). So I have stopped going there, but pulling up google cache shows you have commented some about the Curve SL. Do you have any concrete info on what it is going to be like? I will need the 16" bike next year, so I can afford to wait a bit. Maybe you can post on a new thread to avoid hijacking this one.

Thanks

See your PM box for further Information -Folder Fanatic

The only used bike I've bought was my Raleigh Twenty, which, of course, was bought as a fixer upper. I did bid on a used Pocket Tourist on Ebay last year, but was outbid, and ended up buying a new one.

Generally, I'll buy a bike with a view to what it's going to be like while I own it, not what I can sell it for a few years down the road. My latest plan for my Dahon Speed is to do a drop bar conversion. If it works out, it should be pretty nice, but if I wanted to sell it, I doubt if I'd get more than maybe $150 for it on Ebay, maybe not that. Why should I? It will be used, with used components, as spambait points out (new price was $420 + tax from a local shop by the way). I don't expect to sell the Fridays for years, if ever; they do tend to have a high resale price, but by then I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

It's nice to dream of selling your old bikes at a high price, but the prospective buyers are dreaming of finding one at a low price. Just enjoy the bike while you have it, and try to make it last.

Most of the puffery and attempted gouging on folders on eBay concerns old Dahons. There's a beauty of a listing now for a 10 year old entry level Dahon with a 1000 words of nauseous hype with a buy it now of $259 (no bidding). An impressive template of inducing check-out aisle emotionality.

C'mon, maunakea, it's a collectible. "number 1," he says. #1!!!

My favorite eBay ad was the one selling a Brompton Ti S2L-X with a starting bid of around $1400 (out of Chicago). For about a month, they kept posting the starting bid lower and lower until it was posted with a starting bid of $999. Someone finally bought it at that price. One bidder.

Confirmed today that customs did overcharge us on our first Merc order which unnecessarily raised our acquisiton cost.

Great! Now get customs to refund the money. If you have evidence then they are pretty good. That will help out.