billyshears5

Hey Guys-- This is my first post. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. Do you think that a brand new Trek 7.3FX is a good deal at $499.99. It's one of the bikes on sale with the "Trek WOW Sale". This would be my 1st high(er)-end bike, and I'm unfortunately pretty ignorant about "wheeling and dealing" at bike shops. Although I want to begin cycling ASAP, I will wait until Fall for a potentially better deal. So, is this a good price, or can I expect something better when the riding season calms down. By the way, I live in the Detroit area, and cycling tapers off severely after September. Thanks again.

perryw

I bought a 7.3 FX about 2 weeks ago for $600 (slightly off MSRP) from my LBS, so you can imagine my surprise when Trek and the LBS put the bike on sale for $500. I was at the LBS this morning for a maintenance class and asked if they did any sort of price adjustments, etc -- never know unless you ask, right? The guy said sure, as long as it was within 2 weeks, I told him 2 and a day, and he said he'd do it. Then he looks up the price difference and seemed surprised at the $100 difference, but goes ahead and credits me. He said bikes at this price range don't usually do more than 10% off (take that w/ a grain of salt, they had some Giant bikes 15% off when I bought my Trek).

If you want to get going this year, and you've test ridden and like the bike, I'd say jump on it. Might get a better deal later, might not. Get it and enjoy the remainder of the season

billyshears5

Thanks, man. I'm glad that you were able to get the adjustment. It's quite a difference. I guess I just wasn't sure if MSRP was the price that you really would usually pay with bikes. It always seems that MSRP's with most products are WAY higher than the true market value. I just didn't know if going to an LBS was like going to a car dealership, as in they have a lot of room to negotiate, or if the manufacturers more or less drive the market.

Panthers007

$499 v. $639... no brainer. Excellent deal.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fx/

KungPaoSchwinn

Not all bike shops have that deal my friend, all 3 of my lbs were closed when the OP was posted, i will check on Monday, last time i checked,all 3 shops raised their prices on the 2009 7.3 FX to $739, a one hundred dollars from what i paid for mine back in December 2008.

billyshears5

What? $739? That's outrageous! That's more than MSRP. Are you sure we're talking about the same bike?

Panthers007

Shop around. That's just plain not right. I wonder if Trek knows about this...

KungPaoSchwinn

Yes,$739 for a 09' FX 7.3,identical to mine,at all 3 bike shops however, that was last month around the 19th.

perryw

That is a little absurd. Trek still shows the $640 price, so I guess those shops are just proud of their merchandise?

My LBS isn't listed as a "participating dealer" for the sale on the Trek dealer locator, but their website was the only one in town w/ the sale price on it.

KungPaoSchwinn

I am not surprised about the higher prices, where/when there are not many Trek dealers around ,yes, they can do that.shop or wait around is all we can do.

Panthers007

If the Trek dealer up here did that, I'd get some hot-dogs and marshmallows ready. Their prices are very low on bicycles. But their mechanical skills are also very low.

KungPaoSchwinn

I forgot to mention my friend just bought a 09' Trek 4300 MTB from one of these 3 shops for $100 off the MSRP....so what's that telling us? i have no idea.

Panthers007

They failed math?

KungPaoSchwinn

Hey Billy, you ain't got the FX yet?

Little Darwin

MSRP = Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

While it may be unusual, depending on the market, it wouldn't be outrageous if bike shops with high overhead charged more than this suggested price.

There are car dealers that charge more than MSRP, and I have even heard that McDonald's leaves pricing up to the local franchise.

I would definitely expect better customer service if I was in an area that had higher prices, or I would take a drive to a cheaper shop... But it is still up to the seller to set a price, and up to the buyer if they want to pay it, or negotiate.

stapfam

Don't know about the US but over here- Bikes are selling fast. Everyone seems to want one and Manufacturers had to plan this years sales last summer. In a lot of cases- the importers are bringing in next years models early as they have sold out of the current supply.

This is not across the board and certain types of bikes and in certain sizes are in surplus. They are being discounted now and discounted heavily. 25% off some middle range mountain bikes- but only in the large sizes is possible. But if you want a low to middle range road bike- then you will be paying next years prices for next years model--now.

tstanfield12

I just recently picked up a 2008 7.2 FX for $400 brand new then I saw this sale. I went back and asked about the 7.3 FX which they had one red and one black. I "returned" my 2 day old 7.2 for a 2009 7.3 and paid the $100 difference.

The nice thing was that the LBS was listed as an authorized dealer but wasn't running the sale. Well when I told them about it they agreed to price match the sale price. Things worked out and I must say the 7.3 is a way better bike than the 7.2.

KungPaoSchwinn

You guys are very lucky,what can i say huh? enjoy the bike.ride on.

Tizi

Just bought 2 - one for the wife, one for me! Smoken deal.

KungPaoSchwinn

WT*, is this a nation wide deal or just certain area in USA?

DX Rider

There are two Target department stores within 10 miles of my house, in two different towns, one of them sells the same exact products for more money than the other store does. The less expensive store is in a better area.

Tizi

Check their website...the sale lasts unstil 7/26.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/

Panthers007

Yow!! There's one participating dealer in my neck of the woods! I'll be passing this news around. Cool!

Congratulations on those who have, and will, done this. If I didn't have my utterly customized 7.5 - I'd be running down there at first light.

hagbard

Sounds like the Canadian retail price. Just got interested in buying a bike and now the sale is over (not as good here as in the States anyway). I'll probably get a Giant or Kona instead.

armanix69

just got my 7.3 FX last night from a popular LBS out here in Santa Monica, CA! They're going to extend the WOW sale through the end of this week! I was so happy to get it last night, I took it for a short stroll and it was smooth as butter. It is an amazing deal especially since the 7.2 FX was $489.99, $10 more for a 7.3 FX is a no brainer! If you haven't bought one yet and are on edge, now is the time!