Mountain Biking - hangling over price?

Is there a website or book where I can find what the LBS paid for the bike Im looking to get and not the MSRP? Something like a kelly blue book, but for mountain bikes.

Nope. I will say this much, they don't make a whole lot of money on bikes. Shops make their money on clothing, accessories and labor.

No, what you're asking above is not to be discussed about.

Consumerism has not washed up on the shores of bikedom yet. LowCel is right though. Price shop paid was probably half of MSRP. But LBS's volume is low compared to large retailers, overhead is high and true out-the door margin is slim.

KonaRider is right too. Subject is taboo. Haggling is nearly unheard of; and you get looked at strange if you try to act like an empowered consumer at a LBS. One of the only businesses left on the planet where MSRP is still the Grail.

All that being said, paying below the MSRP will depend upon what kind of customer you are at your LBS. If you've been dealing with them for years, you may get a small price reduction, or perhaps some freebees tossed in.

bottom line. they make 2-5% at most on bikes at MSRP. take that off the MSRP and you have what they paid, unless its a Mega sports store like Dicks, Agees, etc. then its about 5-8% due to buying a gazzillion of each model discount.
if you buy last years model and it is more than 10% discounted the shop is actually LOSING money to get it off their books.
I disagree with the "dont discuss it" that some have stated here. how will folks know that shops dont make spit on the bikes if the information is not put out there?
if you are saying "Dont ask for a discount" Im in total agreement.
may folks think that the bikes at Walmart are a lot cheaper than the LBS ones because they are setting their profit lower than the LBS. this is false information and needs to be adressed. they think that for 1/2 the price they get as good a bike and/or the LBS has about 25-30% profit to play with and still make a good profit.

I do love local LBSs and generally do not haggle since I like to support them, but even when comparing smaller local LBS to larger, more national-type ones such as the Performance retail outlet here in Santa Monica, prices are at least 10-20% less consistently at the larger Performance for the exact same accessories compared to the LBS.

I'm only commenting on accessories - I myself have not bought a bike at either (I got a used mtn bike), so I suspect you might be right about the bikes themselves, although for accessories, I was shocked at how much more the LBS charged. For example, at the Helen's Cycles in Venice CA (3 miles from the Performance store), the cheapest male helmet they had was $80 (albeit an excellent Giro), and their Izumi yellow vests were $65, whereas Performance had helmets from $35+, and the same exact Izumi yellow vest for $50 (I returned my Helen's vest and got the better deal.)

REI also seems surprisingly pricey for a big-box type store, although they do have good quality. Online has definitely been the best bet for lowest prices, with Performance bike retail coming a very close second. Expect to pay 10-20% over these prices for accessories at your local LBS/REI.

Just want to clarify, I m not going to be trying to haggle with them. I was curious to see what they paid for it. I recognize them as a small business.

My LBS cant beat the online prices but he does try...so I buy it from him anyway for a couple of bucks more just to keep local businesses in business. I know how hard it is because the internet and tv shows like unique whips has ruined the car stereo business.

it's uhhh... actually haggling, not hangling. thanks

it's uhhh... actually haggling, not hangling. thanksShhh -- we were going to be polite and not correct him . . .:)

My LBS cant beat the online prices but he does try

It's amazing how true that is. I can get pretty much everything I need at cost. However, even with that at times it is actually cheaper for me to buy off of the internet. When I built up my last road bike I built it up primarily with campy centaur. I saved close to $100 by buying the parts at www.11speed.com and paying the import fees and shipping from europe.

I've been in the shop before when someone comes in with a price list from the internet. They have a detailed list of components and prices and where they got the prices. I then give them the best price I can do and I have actually been accused of lying when I told them I couldn't match the prices. I then open up the QBP catalog and show them what my price is on the components. They still think I'm lying sometimes, thinking that is a "second" book.

may folks think that the bikes at Walmart are a lot cheaper than the LBS ones because they are setting their profit lower than the LBS. this is false information and needs to be adressed. they think that for 1/2 the price they get as good a bike and/or the LBS has about 25-30% profit to play with and still make a good profit.

I have actually "heard" that wal-mart loses a buck or two on every bike they sell. However, while the person is in there is buying the bike they also often times buy a helmet, pump, bread, milk, etc, etc. I have no idea how true this statement is. It's just one of those things I have "heard".

It's amazing how true that is.

I know what ya mean. Every week at the shop, before out Trek rep comes in, we compile a list of parts/accessories to order from him for stock/shop use/and floor. Very often we'll be looking at something to get for the floor, and end up not getting it just cause you can get it for pretty much the same price as we get it, on some internet site. It truely sucks.

I wonder if someone has done an impact study on what the net has done to bike shops.

It's be interesting to see i reckon.