Isaiahc72

+1

fettsvenska 

In these cases I always buy from the LBS. They provided a service and deserve to be rewarded for that.

fettsvenska 

Well, thanks everyone for the "group hug" from the collective. I no longer feel alone. I guess that my frustration is more related to the fact that in a metro area of about 3.5 million people I can't find something as simple as a front derailleur. Sometimes I wonder if it doesn't have to do with the fact that I'm in the same metro area as QBP. Maybe since ordering parts is so easy for the shops, they don't feel the need to keep any inventory. However, that still doesn't explain how the online stores can offer some of the same parts for less than half. I get that they have a different cost structure and maybe not the same volume but at the same time $28 vs $65. Give me a break. If I could have found the part for about $40 give or take, I probably would have went with the LBS. Honestly, I think that shops know bikes really well but their business skills tend to be lacking.

Now I'm freaking tired...rant to continue later.

Machka 

Then we keep buying online, supporting the online businesses as we have been doing for years.



And sadly, too many LBSs haven't figured this out.

The one area where an LBS can compete with online businesses is service. And yet so many of them keep supplying the same lousy service they've always supplied.

Robert P

I must be in a good location because the LBS where I got my bike has prices that are competitive with online vendors. Plus I get immediate gratification and good information.

NoviceJohn

My two cents. Depending on the item. If I'm familiar with it, I'll go wherever it's cheaper. If I need info on it, I'll go to my LBS and buy for their "assistance and info" even if it's $10-20 more.

Sixty Fiver

I support my local bike shop, the guy who runs it is competent with service and repairs and always gets the work done for less than the big shops which charge double (or more) for labour.

When it comes to parts he does not mark them up as much as big shops since retail is not his primary business and he knows how online prices are usually many time better, it takes about a week to get anything that is not in stock.

He will send customers to other local shops like Mountain Equipment Co-op that offer some excellent prices on a wide range of cycling accessories and seems to always know who has the best deal and what they have hidden in the back room since he has a good relationship with many other shops because he sub contracts to them for vintage repairs and frame work.

If he is too busy he knows where to send you so that you can be ensured that the quality of the work is first rate but most people will opt to wait... when you bring your bike in it won't be sitting in the queue for a week or more waiting for someone to get to it, service is usually one day.

If something else is needed he is also quick to e-mail / text to let you know how the work is going.

ftwelder

As many of you know, there are several price levels between the manufacturer and the end user. The price your LBS pays is only one step below retail. Online sellers goods are often purchased directly from the manufacturer/trading company at prices intended for the bicycle assembler and are so low they would make you cry. Your $50.00 retail derailleur would be around $7.00 at OE.

I would like to know how improved customer service is going to make up a $20.00 difference in your cost of goods sold? The OE/TC who supplied the components may have violated trade laws and the manufacturers sales policy which is a signed agreement. I like to call it economic doping. Some consumers will use it to improve their position and it will gradually degrade the level of competition to a point where one must lie and cheat to survive.

Machka 

You might be surprised.

Suppose LBSs are presented with two choices ... 1) greatly improve their customer service; or 2) continue to provide poor customer service ... and some pick one, and some pick the other ... which LBSs do you think would have a greater chance of survival?


I can tell you from my decades of bicycle shop experience ... I've walked out of places that provide poor customer service and have never darkened the door of the places again. But if a place provides really good customer service, I'll go back. Even if their products are a little bit more expensive.

It's the same with any retail experience.

Phil_gretz

I guess I'd ask who has the treasure trove of used parts in your city? In/about my city DC (~5+ million), there are several coops and community repair shops that have BOATLOADS of derailleurs. More than you could go through in an afternoon. So...isn't there any similiar stash in the MSP area?

I'm asking out of ignorance...

deeth82

Just my opinion here, but if cycling became more prevalent as a valid form of commuting (as in, it overtook cars as the majority), then I doubt a LBS would struggle as much, since people would gladly pay for the convenience of having on-the-spot assistance/info nearby. I doubt this is going to happen, though.

As someone who does most of his own wrench work, I buy most parts online, but I still do pay the LBS where I bought two of my bikes to true wheels; I even pay for the wheels that are technically valid for a free truing (since they came with the bike purchases). I doubt very much that my random truing work would keep them afloat financially, but right now cycling is still seen by so many as a hobby and not a serious form of transportation...notice how a previous post stated that the local shop didn't carry any commuter gear...it's the same here. Many shops still cater to the weekend warrior types; not because they want to, but because cycling is still seen by many as a hobby. My hat is off to those who ride to compete and get fit, but right now cycling is still not quite where it needs to be in American Society's mindset. We're getting there, though...

bghill1

I am more partial to extra money in my wallet to pay for things my family needs rather than the LBS owners family. It is way to easy to buy on-line while saving money. I know I am not the only one with this mentality but I don't think it will be the demise of the LBS.
I would think there is still a huge business to be had by the LBS to sell to new people entering the market. I mean the mom's and dads buying bikes to tool around the neighborhood with kids in tow and older kids with thier BMX bikes will still be purchasing from the LBS.
The on-line market seems to be geared more toward to very avid road cyclist and that is a very small overall percentage of bicycle owners.

Weatherby

I used to buy everything from bike shops but they don't carry anything anymore and it just is not worth my time trying to give them business when I can get exactly what I want and need with a point and a click.

How many shops understand the needs of a loaded cycle tourist let alone that of an endurance rider and do any of them stock parts or tires for their needs? None. The carry the crap aka inventory Trek or Specialized will loan them.

Here are examples, I wanted to replace the chuck on my Silca floor pump. One shop laughed and the other thought I was deranged. Ultimately, I bought a new pump that they recommended for what seemed like a milion dollars and which I dislike because the hose is way too short. Three different shops could not sell me a headset spacer. A $1 item that I would have gladly paid say 10 bucks for. If I ask for latex tubes, I don't expect a lecture on why butyl is better or please don't try to convince me that I don't need 28mm tires because 23mm are faster. I probably spent $10k on bike gear this year and it all arrived at my door in a brown truck. I am fortunate that the money is not the issue.

Maybe shop owners need to learn to size up a new customer.

I can size up a golfer in about 30 seconds.

fietsbob

Like the song goes "You wont miss the Water ;till your well runs Dry "

KlibanQat

The only thing I do not understand is why my LBSes can carry Park branded tools but not Park branded pre-glued patches. The need for more patches is what gets me to visit. Are those not available from the distributor unless you buy $$$ worth of shop stock instead of the $$ 'small bike shop' assortment?

BFisher

In my area, there are a few LBS close by. They generally don't stock a good variety of consumable parts, they say they can order it but so can I. Service is the deal breaker for me. For example, I bought a rear rack at a local shop that is well known in the area. The whole transaction seamed like a hassle to them and they had no interest in installing it for me. There is another shop that is right down the road from me. It is TINY and doesn't carry much. But, the owner is great to deal with. He has let me borrow tools no questions asked and has practically given me things like cables and housing. The little guy gets my business every time.

Cyclist0094

I haven't set foot in an LBS in 10 years. I have been buying mail order from places like Lickton's,Nashbar and Yellow Jersey since the early 1980's. I have had few positive experiences with local shops and feel no obligation to support them. Learn to do you own repair work, even with buying the tools you come out ahead in the long term.

achoo

So we're supposed to buy from the LBS because the extraneous middlemen need to take a cut?

Screw that.

Screw uncompetitive trade laws and manufacturer's sales agreements.

Update the business model.

Or perish.

howellhandmade

Amazon takes a BIG bite for their storefront, and the prices have to be low to compete with the other storefronts. And you have to keep shipping prices low to be competitive, which often means lost labor cost for packing even if you don't actually lose money on shipping. Amazon is no license to print money.

I'm lucky to have a couple of really good LBSs. They seem to be healthy but I'm sure there are stresses and I'd hate to lose them so I shop there.