Recumbent - LBS: Do you think this is a "rip off"?

We all know we can go to the manufacturer's web sites and also to on-line sellers like Hostelshoppe and see the MSRP of recumbent bikes. But what about finding out that a shop is charging YOU, the buyer, for the shipping of that bike to that dealer from the manufacturer? Do you believe that they are justified in expecting you, the customer, to pay for that shipping cost?

I am talking in the neighborhood of $200 average MORE for a recumbent than what is listed on the manufacturer's website...

We all know we can go to the manufacturer's web sites and also to on-line sellers like Hostelshoppe and see the MSRP of recumbent bikes. But what about finding out that a shop is charging YOU, the buyer, for the shipping of that bike to that dealer from the manufacturer? Do you believe that they are justified in expecting you, the customer, to pay for that shipping cost?

I am talking in the neighborhood of $200 average MORE for a recumbent than what is listed on the manufacturer's website...

IMHO it depends on wether the dealer is honest with you or is trying to sneak this cost onto your invoice. Sounds a little "used car" to me. Ultimately somebody has to absorb the cost of shipping. And shipping is not inexpensive. I paid in the neighborhood of $700 (Yes that's right) to have my bicycle sent Federal Express from the Netherlands. To me it was worth it because I couldn't find what I want here in the USA. There were no dealers nearby, and to drive 1,500 miles and spend 2 days traveling made the cost of shipping appear more reasonable. As a customer of course you always have the option of NOT making the purchase. And any product is ultimately worth "what the buyer will pay". Dealers are free to charge anything they want. It's a free market economy. When Mazda released it's Miata they were selling above MSRP, and Toyota Hybrids are selling above MSRP in many markets. Supply/Demand. That's why a 1,200 sq foot home can sell for $700,000 in San Diego and $45,000 in Cody Wyoming. So the better question is if the dealer is being honest is it worth an extra $200 to get the bicycle you want? Personally I would be trying to work a deal with the dealer to split the cost or provide add ons. The dealer will bend if he wants to make the sell, but he isn't going to bend to the point that it doesn't make sense (and profit) to complete the transaction. People expect to negotiate the cost and options on a new car, why not on a new bicycle?

So the better question is if the dealer is being honest is it worth an extra $200 to get the bicycle you want? Personally I would be trying to work a deal with the dealer to split the cost or provide add ons. The dealer will bend if he wants to make the sell, but he isn't going to bend to the point that it doesn't make sense (and profit) to complete the transaction. People expect to negotiate the cost and options on a new car, why not on a new bicycle?

That's a good point. When I bought my bent I negotiated a deal with fenders, bag and 'puter. One day out on the trail I had someone ask some very specific questions about my bent and what it cost me. It turns out he was a dealer from about 100 miles away. He was stunned I got such a good deal. He said he would have charged more than $200 more for the same bike. He said he could get it cause it was a big city.
I guess that means supply and demand.

We all know we can go to the manufacturer's web sites and also to on-line sellers like Hostelshoppe and see the MSRP of recumbent bikes. But what about finding out that a shop is charging YOU, the buyer, for the shipping of that bike to that dealer from the manufacturer? Do you believe that they are justified in expecting you, the customer, to pay for that shipping cost?

I am talking in the neighborhood of $200 average MORE for a recumbent than what is listed on the manufacturer's website...

Are you sure you mean MSRP and not the cut-rate pricing you'd pay from some internet retailer? (They would charge you for shipping also, BTW)

Of course any retailer should consider his shipping costs in calculating their prices. There is nothing wrong with that expense being passed on to the customer.

Interesting! When I got my 'bent the LBS charged me MSRP and not a penny more. He must have felt his profit margin was sufficient to not have to pass on the shipping.

'bent Brian

Are you sure you mean MSRP and not the cut-rate pricing you'd pay from some internet retailer? (They would charge you for shipping also, BTW)

Of course any retailer should consider his shipping costs in calculating their prices. There is nothing wrong with that expense being passed on to the customer.

I have a hard time believing that it would cost $200 to have a bike shipped to a LBS from anywhere in the continental U.S. even taking into account that a recumbent is likely to be shipped (like a tandem) in a rather long box.

With respect to online, very likely that you will be charged as well...they should have details regarding this on their site. However, if you buy a bike online, you get no follow-up service (eg.free tune-ups), any warranty claims can take much longer and if the bike is delivered to you initially assembled and you find that you need it fine-tuned, this will cost you something unless you have the requisite skills to do it yourself.

We all know we can go to the manufacturer's web sites and also to on-line sellers like Hostelshoppe and see the MSRP of recumbent bikes. But what about finding out that a shop is charging YOU, the buyer, for the shipping of that bike to that dealer from the manufacturer? Do you believe that they are justified in expecting you, the customer, to pay for that shipping cost?

I am talking in the neighborhood of $200 average MORE for a recumbent than what is listed on the manufacturer's website...

My LBS is my LBS because they are awesome. They do not charge over the MSRP. As a matter of fact, they evenj give a 10% to local bike club members. SO that alone negates a little more than the tax. Thus online shopping does not pay. The only time online shopping works well for me is for recumbent specific parts my LBS may not have or wish to carry.

Do you have a specific example of the $200 more thing?

Maybe you paid for shipping and set-up. I asked about getting a bike shipped from a shop in Chicago to central Indiana once and it was going to be $30. Some shops add on a fee for set-up. Just be glad it wasn't a certain motorcycle who's dealers add thousands to M.S.R.P. !!!

My LBS is my LBS because they are awesome. They do not charge over the MSRP. As a matter of fact, they evenj give a 10% to local bike club members. SO that alone negates a little more than the tax. Thus online shopping does not pay. The only time online shopping works well for me is for recumbent specific parts my LBS may not have or wish to carry.

Do you have a specific example of the $200 more thing?

Yeah, an Easy Racers Tour Easy SS...listed as $1,995 with Hostelshoppe and Easy Racers...going for $2300 at LBS. Also, some components switched out from stock list, i.e., rear derailleur, crankset, tires.

Were those swapped components better or worse than the factory spec ones? I did find some minor differences in my Tailwind. It appears this was done at the factory and the swaps were of a better quality than what the spec sheet said.

'bent Brian

Rear derailleur was 2 steps down.
Crankset was one step up.
Tires were better.
It was about an even trade-off all in all. I don't see that justifying $300 more, tho. It bothered me to pay it, but I sucked it up...

Here's an LBS story to go with your upcharging story. There is an LBS locally that sells mainly recumbents. A few months after Trek released all of their R200 recumbents at $600 a pop, this LBS suddenly gets 1 or 2. They were selling at $2,000... which if my mind serves me correctly was more than the original MSRP.

This is one reason (and several like this incident) that I do not do business with this person.

Yup! Crankset and BB was one notch higher. Everything else was "as advertised".

'bent Brian

Why use the LBS at all then? order online and save some money. I am sure you could find someone in a bike club more than happy to help with anything as far as setup and adjusting that you couldn't do yourself.

You won't find a LBS at all if everyone orders off the 'Net.

I wouldn´t miss any of my LBS´s if they shut down- I havent found one that I am at all happy with

We now have purchased two sets of bents from two different LBS, the BikeE ATs from the Speedmerchants in Rockford, Mi and two Rans V-Rexs from the Village Bike Shop in Jenison. We did not pay the MSLP on either pair. Both sets came in under the MSLP with additional equipment included. We had both shops add fenders, racks, kick stands, and Mr Tuffy liners and still paid less than MSLP!

The most interesting thing is that the Speedmerchants is willing to help us sell the BikeEs!