Shemp

It's getting close to time to buying another bicycle. The local shop is small, and carries low-end stuff, which is all the market will support. If he brought in a $2000 road bike, it would sit for a year. Anyhow, do you give your money to the shop that goes to the trouble stocking the bikes and letting you test ride them, or do you order from your local guy, who you'd like to support (and is going to do repairs), when you get home.

Michigander

I'd say it would be a shop- shop decision for me. If you really like the little guy with the crappy selection, you could always test ride a bike you might want to order somewhere else, say no thanks, then order it.

gear

Find a good mechanic and give him all your money. You'll have great bikes and get great service.

wahoonc

I buy bikes/parts from whoever has what I want in stock. Also you may want to buy from a stocking dealer in case of warranty issues. If your small LBS doesn't carry a certain brand he may not be able to order it. I have been looking for an extended, odd sized seat post. After several failed attempts to find it in local shop (not that I expected to) I ordered it from my LBS. I could have ordered online but the price was effectively the same. I typically do all of my own maintenance so I don't normally need that aspect of the LBS. I applaud your attempt to support your local shop, but sometimes you do have to step outside the community.

Aaron

Juha

One of my pet peeves is people who first go to LBS to ask all the relevant questions, see and feel the products etc. Then they go and order from the 'net. They're making sure for their part that the LBS will not be around next time they need advice. Instead they'll be looking at a crappy photo on the screen with the words "details may vary" printed below.

In that spirit, if you value and take the option to test ride, buy from that place. You can support your local guy in other services / products, those that he is willing to provide.

--J

FarHorizon

Hi Shemp!

I'm currently in the SAME dilemma. My take would be that IF (and only if) you know exactly what you want and in what size, then buy from the local shop and let them order. On the other hand, if you're unsure of what you like or what will fit, then you'll need the test ride, selection, and service of a larger shop. Your local shop won't mind if you explain the sitution to them.

Having been bitten by mail order bikes more than twice now, I refuse to buy another bike without a test ride first. Since my fave (small) LBS doesn't carry what I'm looking for, I'm forced to shop the larger chain stores that have the resources to stock what I want. That's just life.

FarHorizon

Now that's something I wouldn't be comfortable doing. If I'm going to take up a shop's time, effort, and inventory for my test rides, then I'd be buying from them (whether or not I got my service done there).

FarHorizon

Great service? Yes. Great bikes? Not necessarily. The mechanic (usually owner of a small shop) can't afford to order the three bikes you'd like to compare, in your size, just to see if you might want one of them. For that matter, the big chain bike store can't do that either, but, being bigger, the chain MAY have all three on their floor already.

FarHorizon

+1, J - point for point!

damian_

In my (selfish) opinion, do what's best for you.

If you value good advice, and support after your purchase, find a great LBS and/or mechanic, and purchase the bike there.
If you value the benefits of being a return customer, take all of your business to the place you trust the most.
If you value price, purchase from the cheapest option (lbs, chain store, internet) after a test ride wherever you can get one.
And if you value being able to return or exchange the bike, buy it from the place that is most likely to offer this.

Your money speaks. Spend it to encourage what you value the most.

CRUM

Interesting thread, interesting answers. As an owner of a small shop with limited selection(especially now in August) I am encouraged by what I just read. My advice is go with your gut feeling. That usually will keep you on the right path.

FarHorizon

Yeah, that's not only a selfish opinion, but also a really selfish action. The shop who let you take the test ride is the one that:

* spent the money to carry the line
* stocked the bike (in YOUR size)
* paid the sales person to adjust that bike for your test ride
* gave you a "free" brochure
* answered all your questions
* recommended other options

And after taking all that largesse, you then go to another source (internet or another shop) to make your purchase (saving what - $20?). That IS selfish! If you're selfish enough to do that, why not then take your internet purchase back to the shop where you test-rode and ask them to provide free warranty work and factory service? You could probably also ask the test-ride shop for a free parking token to pay for your parking while they work. That's just lame!

InTheTrenches

You can be honest with the big shop and tell them you want to buy from your local guy, and he does not stock the bike you want, so you need to test ride but are not going to buy. This can allow them to help you but put priority on customers that will let them pay the rent.

supcom

You don't do anyone a favor by buying a high priced item that you might not like. Go to the big store and test ride the bike you are considering and any other candidates. Even if you decide not to buy from them, go ahead and buy a few accessories to offset their trouble. The store makes a few bucks to offset the saleperson's time. You get a few pairs of socks and a new Road Morph pump (or whatever) and you know what bike you want.

The more time and effort you take of the salesperson's time, the more stuff you buy from the store. Simple. Everyone ends up happy. Think of it like a tip at a restaurant. The better the service, the more you pay for it.

FarHorizon

The bottom line is: Fair is Fair. Deep in your heart, you know what's fair and what isn't. In bicycles, more than most stuff, it's important to do what is fair. I bend over backwards to be fair to my favorite LBS, even though I've never bought a single new bike from them ever. I do buy every part, garment, accessory, service, and tool that they offer when I can, though.

It must be OK with them, because they're happy to see me come in every time, and eager to see what I'm riding now. The selection of odd and unusual bikes that I ride is beyond what the LBS would (or could) carry, so they don't mind that I buy elsewhere. They're always eager to see (and ride) my newest recumbent, trike, cruiser, tourer, or antique.

In keeping with being a good customer, I treat the wrenches and LBS staff about once per quarter with a bag of cookies, home-made pie, watermelon, or other edible goodie. No complaints from them yet...

Digital Gee

What kind of pie???

FarHorizon

Last one I took them was one of my wife's pumpkin pies. I got no complaints!

cc_rider

I've got a general question.
Do you buy your groceries at the more expensive local store or at the larger discount chain grocery (Food Lion, Costco, Walmart)?
Do you buy clothes at the local boutique, the chain department store or the big-box discount store?
Do you buy music CD's at the local music shop, the national chain or at the big-box discount store?

Do you buy your bikes differently than you buy everything else?

Digital Gee

I think the issue (for me, at least) would be that when I buy a bike from an LBS, I'm also initiating a relationship for repairs, maintenance, etc. Sometimes the larger LBS has a better selection of bikes, but I'm familiar with several small LBS's in my area who give fabulous service. I'd feel odd buying the bike somewhere else because it's cheaper, and then having them to do all the wrenching.

In the examples above, that's not an issue, since my food rarely needs maintenance or repair.

CRUM

Yes I buy my food from the regional chain. But any major item I buy local if possible. I at least give them first shot at my dollars. But then I am more sensitive than most as I also own a small retail business. I just purchased a new phone for the store and paid $30 more dollars than I could have gotten it at the local Radio Shack. The business I bought from is owned by a local guy who I ride with and buys from me. Tit for tat. Local dollars kept local IMO is one of the best ways to keep those dollars circulating in a smaller region. And I also know if I have a problem, he will replace it without a hassle.

That said, I will step outside my area in a heartbeat if I cannot find what I want locally and at least reasonably priced.

InTheTrenches

Nope. However, for groceries and clothing , there really is no longer a "local choice". I used to get my clothing from a small retailer, but I must have been the only one as they went under, now I go to the place that is clean with decent help(and the local Army surplus). There are no "local"(WholeFoods is not local, expensive does not mean local) grocery stores, so I buy from the one that does not require an extra trip and is clean (Harris Teeter) I buy beer and wine from one of two independents. I buy all my books from an independent. Car parts from an independent. CD's used to come from independents but they(all) went out of business. Fortunatly, most new music sucks so it has not been an issue. Models and games come from independents. Hardware and lumber from an independent or the big box that is owned instate(Not Home Depot)

FarHorizon

OK - I put my $$ where my mouth is. I bought a Specialized Rockhopper from my fave LBS today. It isn't an expensive bike, but now I've actually bought a bike there!

I buy commodities from the cheapest source, but to me, bikes are NOT commodities.

CRUM

Sadly to many on both sides of the counter, they are considered commodities.

derath

I have a simple rule when purchasing anything. I go where I get the best "Value" Sometimes that means the lowest price. Sometimes it is a mix of price and service. You get the idea.

When I bought my bike earlier this year, I got it from a Performance shop. It was during the Giant clearance and I got an amazing deal. Their wrenches leave something to be desired, but I do my own work. So in this case the best value was the $$$$. I couldn't see paying 65% more for the same bike from my guy down the street. When chatting with him he certainly understood.

I often buy misc items from my local LBS. I like stopping in there, and quite frankly even though his prices may be higher than somewhere else, the simple convenience and short drive (gas aint cheap) makes it the best value.

If I need something and it makes sense I will order it off the "net".

When I bought my shoes I bought them locally. More expensive than online, but I was able to try them on at the store. The "value" was price+ability try before I buy.

Luckily I have 4 LBS's withing 15-20min of my house. So they all work hard for my business. And I visit all of them for different things (one carries only Gu products, not my favorite, so I don't use him for gels).

I understand the idea of supporting the local little guy. But only if he provides the "value" IMO. Luckily he usually does :-)

-D

turtleguy54

Before returning to school to get my Masters and start a new career in teaching, I spent 12 years selling cars and trucks. With that background, I can tell you that people will pay extra if they perceive it is a better value
. Working on straight commision, I had a solid customer base who would return to me because they trusted me and I always went out of my way to make sure they felt special and received my full attention. Little perks like a loaner while their car was in the shop for the day went a long way. It would behoove even the smallest cycle shop to train their floor sales people in sales skills and communication. The return would be phenominal in my opinion.

That said, it always irritated me to spend 2 or 3 hours with a customer who was very serious about buying and would even sign a work sheet saying they would buy only to have them take your final number to their local dealer to beat him down further and buy there. Then they would come back and get mad when I would not treat them to a loaner when they used our better repair service! It seems to be human nature to be proud of getting the best deal out of retailers and flaunting it. There is no loyalty among most buyers.

The cycling community is such a small one that it would be benificial to develop a relationship with a shop you like and try to work with them on the majority of your needs. Believe me you will be treated much better than the person who walks in after visiting 3 other shops carrying brochures and looking at the bikes in this shop. Retailers appreciate customer loyalty more than any other sort of enterprise.

Let's face it, except for house and car, I invest more money into cycling than I do in any other activity I participate in (forgot student loans) so it makes sense to find someone you trust and enjoy doing business with and try to use their knowlege and favors to enhance your purchases. Pay a little more for the "perks".