JKoby123

So, my girlfriend and I are going to pull the trigger on some awesome bikes today. I have a simple question: should I be prepared to negotiate price, similar to a car? Obviously, bikes have an MSRP, which left me curious: do I pay sticker?

Input appreciated!

gpburdell

Having bought exactly one bicycle from a LBS, I'll say the following:


Is it like car buying? No. There's not the back and forth haggle as far as I've seen nor are there all sorts of fees and other crap.

Can you try to negotiate a little? It's worth politely giving it a try, particularly if you're asking the shop to match another local shop. Your level of success will vary depending on various factors; don't be surprised at all if they can't/won't move. They do need to keep the lights on and feed their families.

StephenH

Generally, bike stores are operated like a store, not like a car dealership. As with any small business, you could always go in and say "I'll give you $xxx for that but not a penny more!", but whether that would fly, who knows. In some cases, you're dealing with the owner of the store, in other cases, with employees that don't have the authority to adjust a price.

Some stores will have discounts for club members or for regular riders at the store rides. Some of the local charity rides will regularly have coupons in their goody bags at bigger stores.

If you go in late in the fall but before Christmas season, that idea may fly better. If it's just one particular brand/model you're interested in, asking if or when it'll be on sale might be worthwhile. If you're buying a whole package of goods together, it'd make more sense to ask for a discount on part or all of it. If you're buying a bike that they don't stock, asking them to quote a price on it should get you any discounts they'd normally have available.

You may find prices already discounted from suggested retail (IE, the suggested retail may be inflated.)

cale

Most bike shops will offer some sort of deal if you are looking at a bike they have on the floor and have a plan to buy today.

Little Darwin

I have heard that the profit margin on bicycles is pretty minimal, and that shops make most of their money on other items they sell. So, you may not get a huge deal, but it never hurts to ask. Maybe they'll turn up a model from last year... and since bikes don't cjhange too much from year to year, unless you hate the old color, don't worry about it being a year or two old.

MileHighMark

"Your bikeshop is not trying to screw you. They’re trying to stay open."

Some answers to just about any bike forum post I?ve ever read | Blog | Surly Bikes


Imagine going to the grocery store and asking, "Hey, if I buy this package of Oreos, can you hook me up with a half-gallon of milk?"

Looigi

It does not hurt to ask. Most everybody does. Often current model year bikes are fixed price as dictated by their dealer agreement. That does not prevent the shop from offering free or discounted stuff along with a bike purchase. Some will and some won't.

fietsbob

Negotiate a Raise on your Job so it wont feel like spending too much.

Camilo

Yes. Negotiating is always acceptable. Some don't like to do it- fine. Some merchants get offended - screw 'em. But negotiate in a business like and cordial manner.... and only if you know what the alternatives are and are prepared to go with the alternative if the price/value you're getting in the negotiation aren't equaling it.

Don't be a jerk, just know what you're talking about and being willing to walk away.

D1andonlyDman

Agreed - also, this may be particularly useful if you want to make some changes in the basic configuration of the bike compared to how it is configured by the manufacturer, for example, a different saddle or bars, having the shop throw in some accessories, like a pump, bottle cages, etc.

GhostSS

I bought a brand new bike that got literally stolen that very night 2 years ago. The next day I bought another bike of equivalent cost and the sales guy gave me a significant discount. It leads me to believe they have some sort of commission that they can control, but I would never think to ask on lowering the cost under normal circumstances unless you can prove another nearby shop is selling the exact model for less.

In my case the sales guy was being empathetic and gave me a break, I didn't really ask for it.

RocTurk

Depends on the bike. You may not have any room to negotiate on a 300-400$ bike but in general the more expensive the bike is, the more you have room to negotiate. I bought my road bike last november on a 300$ off sale event and i asked another 100$ off and shop said fine. Total 400$ off msrp of 1700$. During the season it'll probably be impossible to get this much off but won't hurt to ask.

StanSeven

Negotiate discounts from your doctor, dentist, accountant and grocery store first. That way you'll have money if the bike shop says no.

Looigi

FWIW, I have gotten deals from my dentist.

obed7

you can ask, but on a current year, current model do not be upset if they do not negotiate and stick to their price.

Wanderer

The fact that you are buying more than one bike, gives you a lot of bargaining power............

obed7

Two years ago I bought two specialized bikes at the same time and did receive a 10% cut in the total price.

JKoby123

This seems to be a very incendiary topic. I'm sorry for those I offended; I'm not insinuating that I don't want the store to make a profit; was simply curious.

Regardless, I was in last night, and got everything settled. When everything was decide as far as models, upgrades, accessories, and total purchase price was on paper, I politely asked if they had any room to negotiate. They responded that they don't negotiate if they have to order the bike, which they would for me, and basically shut down that conversation. I'm not overly worried about that, but my purchase will be over $2500.00, so I was hoping that they would potentially talk a little. They don't seem to want to, and I don't want to push.

Thanks for all the input.

alcjphil

They were able to give you a break because they didn't have to provide any warranty support on the first bike you bought

quicktrigger

My first bike of the three I have bought in the last six months, I went into the store, test rode it, and loved the model/color etc. Asked if I would get a discount with cash. Got a smug, condescending attitude in return. Ask about another option, and got more smug condescending looking down his nose. Add in a few straight out lies. Walked out with the a-hole still trying to stop me. Called another dealer of the same brand, said I really liked X bike, but there was no way in hell I was buying squat from original LBS I test rode it at. Before I could say anything else. New dealer immediately offered about a 12% discount for the trouble of driving and hour, and if I would put a deposit on it, so that he knew it was sold. Dealer also asked questions to be sure I was getting the right bike for my purposes, in the right size before he would order. Deposit went down immediately. I got my new bike a week later.

Since we (with my female counter part) bought additional bikes. We now have five bikes between us, and three of them came from this shop and hour away. All three bikes, the dealer has made us "deals" on. One was a 2014, and the other two 2015, but deals were still made. He still made a profit, but just not as much. But we have also bought allot of other stuff from this same shop. Several thousand dollars worth of sales in the last six months. The first LBS has gotten less than $50 total from us for both their locations put together. I was trying to get more value for my money knowing that there was a excellent chance for much more. I am doing the same thing the store, manufacturer, marketeers etc are doing. I have to pay bills as well, and I also have to earn what I have. So those saying, not to ask, emplying you are being selfish for asking, or that you will put them out of business, can't feed their families, etc BS.... tell me who profited, and who lost?

IMHO, ask. The reaction will tell you much about the type of shop you are dealing with and if they are worthy.

Full disclosure. The first shop with that attitude, I was going to ask for $50 off, or 12% store credit. My understanding is that the margin on bikes is about 20-25% on bikes. Most money is made on helmets, clothing, tubes, tires, wheels etc. with margins of about 50-60%, and more for some items. Neither was going to but the store in a bind in any way. I was not trying to particularly hurt the store. I was going to make sure they still made a profit, but the smug turned away a customer with money to spend.

QT

RR3

No.

Maybe offer to pay cash and ask for a 3% discount.

quicktrigger

Actually, those are exactly the types that they should give you a discount on the bike(s). If they have to order it, you place a deposit (guaranteed sale), and then you pick it up within a day or two, they don't have to carry it on inventory, nor do they have to carry a charge on their account. Think of it as paying off a credit card every month. Paid immediately, there is no interest. Rapid turnover like a special order, is beneficial to profit, as opposed to having a bike sit on the floor for 3-5 months or much longer in some cases. So the line of no discounts on special orders is BS.

FWIW, I have a close friend in a related though different business that operates the same as the bike business. What's more, they are moving toward the bike business as well. I also have a close friend with a Master's in economics that explained to me the inventory and special order portion. So I'm hardly an expert, and exact details may vary somewhat, the overall picture is correct.

If you have not yet purchased, I would suggest looking to other dealers in your region. If it is one of the larger brands (i.e. Specialized in my case), there will be dealers scattered all over. Use the companies website to search out alternative dealers. That is what I did.

QT

gpburdell

Yeah, I'm a little surprised at some of the reactions too. Not really sure why other than perhaps some are imagining an immature or dishonest approach to the process?


Anyway, congrats on your new bikes. It was worth asking; now you'll never sit there wondering "what if"


I'm puzzled at this; isn't warranty work billed back to the manufacturer? Otherwise wouldn't you be limited to having warranty service done at the shop where you bought the bike?

alcjphil

Warranties still involve work that is not paid for. A manufacturer will replace defective parts but may not fully compensate the store for time spent to install them. As well, stores often offer free after sales service, tune ups etc. That stolen bike was not going to involve any further expense for that store. They could easily take that money they were not going to spend and pass it on to the unfortunate customer