Electra Townie Pricing

[jamie00]

After reading about them on this board and test riding one, I've decided to get a Townie 21. On the Electra website it lists the townie at $380, which I assume is the MSRP. Problem is, I haven't been able to find one that's selling for this amount.

My local bike shop is selling them for $430. REI is selling them for $450. Since the bike is already rather pricey for me, I'd rather not pay an extra $50+. Is there anywhere I can buy one for $380 or less? Is it acceptable to bargain with the local bike shop by asking if they'll sell it for the MSRP or is that just not done? I live in Utah.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[RonH]

I work in a bike shop and it is NEVER acceptable to bargain on bike prices. There is very little profit margin on bikes. Bike shops make most of their profit on clothing, accessories, etc.

[bab2000]

Today biking is as popular as it has been in a long time and pricing (IMHO) is being established on model popularity and features included.

This can include tune-ups, accessories, and other care the LBS provide.

I have family that are full time RVers, and purchased a Townie model in the NWestern states, and discovered last summer, my LBS was selling same bike for less, and were a little shocked.

Bike prices, even used, and garage sale finds are commanding a higher $ today, than they did 2 months ago.

[deraltekluge]

Where did you see that $380 price? I couldn't find any prices on the Electra site. The LBS in my neighborhood is asking $450 on their website, and they generally sell bikes for less than the MSRP.

[jamie00]

I just went to the first Google result for "Electra Townie."

http://www.electrabike.com/04/bikes/06bikes/townie/06_twn_14.html

Price on the top left.

[Oldandintheway]

You are looking at the 2004 pricing with that link

[jamie00]

Oldandintheway: I thought that might be a possibility. But, why would the 2004 pricing link have "06bikes" in the URL? Of course, 2006 is still a couple years back. Sadly, I can't find a newer link with prices and it seems that they don't update this page.

Everyone: Thanks for your input. Seems I'll just have to suck it up and save my money.

[jamie00]

Just in case anyone is interested, I just got off the phone with Electra (yah...probably should have done that first...) and they said the MSRP on the Townie 21 is now $450.

[deraltekluge]

I just went to the first Google result for "Electra Townie."

http://www.electrabike.com/04/bikes/06bikes/townie/06_twn_14.html

Price on the top left.I was looking at the current page...still don't see any MSRP on it. http://www.electrabike.com/townie/

[CCR]

metal prices have went up, so manufacturing materials cost went up, thats probly alot of the price hike IMO.

its not just electra (who used to list msrp on their site a couple years ago) alot of them are leaving the prices off til you get to the shops

[Shinyville]

I think Electra's prices just went up across the board. There were prices listed on all of the bikes on their website, and then they pulled them off about a month ago. They missed removing a couple of prices until very recently, though. If you're looking at a particular model on the current website, that empty space above "specs" is where the prices used to be.

If I remember right, my LBS said the prices went up on all new orders after May 15th. I imagine they'll put the new prices on the website soon.

[codypuppy]

All make and models will increase 10-25% across the board for 2009

[FarHorizon]

I work in a bike shop and it is NEVER acceptable to bargain on bike prices. There is very little profit margin on bikes. Bike shops make most of their profit on clothing, accessories, etc.

I politely disagree. Yes, the profit margin is slim, but the shop makes their profit on accessories, work, and repeat business.

[olderbiker]

All raw metal prices have increased over 40% during the past 3 years. Townies are just one example of basic raw material demand and supply problems causing price increases. We have 2 Townie 21 speed and love them. Save up your money and take the plunge.

[donnamb]

All raw metal prices have increased over 40% during the past 3 years.
Very true. There is no way bicycle manufacturing cannot be affected by this.