AeroZ

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask it but have anybody ordered bike parts from Fibica.com
Their prices are great, shipping is free. They also sell stuff on ebay with positive feedback/reviews.
Would it be even possible to counterfeit brakes and such? How would it be possible to have that good prices? I'd like to order new disc brakes but I'm a bit suspicious and on the other hand I don't want to pay double-triple the prices at my local LBS.

Disc Brakes

Take a look and let me know what you think

HillRider

After some hunting around their web site I was able to conclude they are located in Hong Kong. They are probably legit but I have no personal knowledge of them.

As known alternatives, look at Wiggle, Ribble and ProBikeKit, which are all UK based internet dealers with excellent prices too. They also offer free shipping above a fairly low minimum order amount and are well established, legitimate dealers. I've bought from all three with complete satisfaction.

wphamilton

I think that Amazon is cheaper.

tromper

Haven't heard of them might be OK, but if they're in Hong Kong and you're not, then I'd be a bit leery of ordering from 'em in case you have to warranty something. For the stuff I buy I've found with a little poking around you can generally get a close 'nuff price from someone in at least the same country as you that's existed for long 'nuff to trust. If the price is way off then consider that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Caveat Emptor.

FBinNY 

One thing to consider whenever buying from outside the USA is the cost of returns. Shipping rates aren't nearly equal worldwide, so something that costs the supplier little to ship to you FREE, may cost you serious dough to return.

For example, it costs me about $11.50 to mail an 5oz. package overseas, and about $25.00 for 3#s or so. Above 4#s the rates start at $45.00 or so. OTOH, I receive 1# packages from Hong Kong and China for less than $1.50 in postage paid.

cobba

Excess OEM parts that are bought at very cheap prices from bicycle manufacturers.

wrk101

Double or triple on new parts at the LBS versus on line is not unusual. Convenience costs. The ability to talk to someone in person, get advice on which part to use and what size, all cost $$. I bought a few odds and ends parts at my LBS this evening. I wanted them now. I happily paid a premium for this convenience. And after buying a few items, he pulled out a vintage bike he had taken in trade, and made me a great deal on it. Win/win.

+10 Returning on line purchases can be a major PITA. Its really best suited when you know exactly what you need.

HK 45

I've bought BB7 disc brakes for the same price that they're selling online before.

They're prices are up there with US online stores ones, probably much cheaper than europeans are used to.

fietsbob

bulk packaging , pallets of cases .. and parties being all in Asia, for 0ne.

Andrew R Stewart 

I wonder what the OP does for work. Who his customers are, where they're located and how they can be paid. So then they can pay the OP (or the business that the OP works for). If you follow the money at some point you can see the money coming into the local community, or leaving it. Then ask yourself about how you get paid... Andy.

achoo

I'd bet the vast majority of posters here get paid by providing a service that someone else is willing to pay for. And if they fail badly enough at providing that service, they get fired.

Once they get paid, that money is theirs to do with as they see fit. I don't presume to know enough about their personal finances to criticize their decisions, especially when they're about 1/3 of the planet away from me - and you.

Crankycrank

AeroZ, if you're in Estonia you may want to try some of the German and Dutch sellers which may be cheaper for shipping. I have one German link https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=...enuid2=0;mid=2 There is another good Dutch discount outfit which I can't remember the name but a search may turn up some good discounters. Bike24 has a very good reputation, no worries about returns or shipping.

Andrew R Stewart 

Yes, i can be a dreamer at times. My desire to keep local money flowing through the people who support the services that I use daily is becoming an obsolete model. Too bad for the next guy who looses his job because of out sourcing. Andy.

HillRider

Or good for the local guy who gets a job because other countries "outsource" here. Honda, Toyota, Nissan and several others have build major facilities in this country. It works both ways.

Fidelista

I've bought parts from Fibica several times. If you're prepared to wait for your parcel and don't mind the lack of original packing and instructions they are quite good value.

jimc101

Given the competition between different EU suppliers for bike parts, if you are located within the EU, like the OP is, there is little point for most bike parts in sourcing from HK or CN now, if sourcing higher value parts, the OP could get hit with customs charges, and no warranty, unlike if they buy from within the EU.

For prices, looking at the prices from Fibica, they don't look cheap, just looking at the Shimano groupsets, all can be sourced cheaper from Ribble/Merlin in the UK.

BikeWise1

True. No one wins the race to the bottom. My money works harder for me when it stays local. This desire to get everything cheaper cheaper cheaper is why no one has any extra cash any more, because when the profits are tiny, employers can't afford to pay a decent wage.

lopek77

Fibica sells grey market parts. Pretty good deals, and fast shipping.

lopek77

I don't care about local community and businesses if they don't want to adjust to current economy and the way market is operating. I would buy only in local stores if it was better service AND prices.
I don't see the need to open another big store if small space and selling online is the win-win for both sides.

Quick example:

2014 Subaru Outback Cargo cover:

Subaru MSRP $149.99 ,
Biggest local Subaru dealer: $189.00 ( $169.00 after I told them they must be stupid or think that I'm stupid ) ,
Ebay - Subaru dealer from MA: $139.00 WITH shipping.


Shimano SPD-A530:

LBS prices: $60.00 - $80.00 ( Jokers at one of the stores wants me to cover shipping to store bill on the top of their out of this world price )
Online prices: $41.00 - $60.00


I service my bikes myself and bought all the tools online - thanks to all the crappy LBS around here. They create an army of DIYers and online shoppers.

HillRider

Or they charge higher prices and that "decent wage" doesn't buy any more than the lower wage used to.

BikeWise1

THIS is what I'm talking about: Life in the '60's and '70's, before globalization and what I call "Walmartization: the destruction of a healthy local economy where the money stayed nearby, in favor of a sickly economy where profits are extracted and moved elsewhere to the detriment of the many, to enrich a tiny minority". When damn near everything anyone bought in America was made in America, when a pair of Levi's was easily $50, my father worked for Delta as a fuel and oil pump mechanic. He was making $30,000/yr at that time, which is roughly equivalent to nearly $100K now. My family enjoyed a high standard of living, everyone went to college and mom didn't even have to work. My father was not a college graduate, either. Try making $100K as a mechanic now! We enjoyed family flight privileges, too. It was better when we all payed more, and profits of all the locals was higher. Now, the margins are razor sharp, and no one but the top of the top are getting to keep much for themselves. The DOW continues to soar, but that isn't doing us down here in worker-ville any favors.....

Food for thought!