Road Cycling - Soaked

Yesterday I picked up a replacement item from a bikeshop and to my astonishment after paying and coming home, I had paid $60 more than mail order, etc.

I have to say, that is the most expensive $60 this shop owner has ever made because my loyalty went right out the window and with it probably most of the money I'd have dropped in the next several years on bikes. I spend a lot of money on bike stuff, and always tried to buy most if not all from them. I'll now go where the best deal is, I don't care so much about shop loyalty.

My question is, now that I've been soaked, how much margin is there on campagnolo/shimano components? I know of other sporting goods that boast 100-200% margins, but I am unfamiliar with margins on various bike parts, frames, etc.

Yesterday I picked up a replacement item from a bikeshop and to my astonishment after paying and coming home, I had paid $60 more than mail order, etc.

I have to say, that is the most expensive $60 this shop owner has ever made because my loyalty went right out the window and with it probably most of the money I'd have dropped in the next several years on bikes. I spend a lot of money on bike stuff, and always tried to buy most if not all from them. I'll now go where the best deal is, I don't care so much about shop loyalty.

My question is, now that I've been soaked, how much margin is there on campagnolo/shimano components? I know of other sporting goods that boast 100-200% margins, but I am unfamiliar with margins on various bike parts, frames, etc.

How much was the item you ordered? If it was several hundred dollars, then a $60 differential compared to mail order is to be expected.

Bike shops typically operate on slim overall profit margins, and have to tie up a lot of money in inventory, some of which can sit on the shelf for a long time before it's sold (your bike shop probably has a collection of ancient Suntour components in the back room :)). In this case, you were able to see and handle the item you were interested in, and purchase it immediately. Presumably, you also got some advice from the shop regarding suitability, installation tips, etc. This is what a good bike shop does to add value.

For the future of the sport, I think it's important that we patronize our local bike shops as much as possible. I order some things online (e.g., tires and tubes), but find that my local bike shop (http://www.thebikeshop.cc/) adds plenty of value to my purchases, beyond the simple economics of price.

Yesterday I picked up a replacement item from a bikeshop and to my astonishment after paying and coming home, I had paid $60 more than mail order, etc.

I have to say, that is the most expensive $60 this shop owner has ever made because my loyalty went right out the window and with it probably most of the money I'd have dropped in the next several years

I buy a lot of stuff via the web. But I'll also accept the fact that I pay a premium for some items at the local LBS. And sometimes I'll wind up ahead of the game going to the LBS when it comes to things like shipping and delivery time. I figure the premium, when not truely excessive, is my way of ensuring I'll have an LBS when and if I need one. Kinda like having a lawyer on retainer.

What would the item have cost at another LBS. If about the same, then he wasn't really shafting ya.

Always count your change...didn't you notice how much you were paying when you handed the $$ over?

This is like when people go out, buy a brand new bike for what they believe at the time to be a reasonable price, go home and log on to the Net and surf to see if they got screwed...makes no sense.

Did you get the part you wanted?
Did you feel comfortable buying it? (No one put a gun to your head, did they?)

Don't second guess everything it's a waste of time. Be more informed about online and local retailers next time you buy anything...

PJ