prisoner6

A question about loyalties. Here is the situation:

Shop closest to me has the bike I want. I've never bought from them, but have had service done there and they've always been nice and helpful. Their proximity is a big plus. While shopping for the new bike, they've been helpful and answered a lot of questions.

Shop on the other side of town has the same bike. $90 cheaper. Not as fond of this shop. They're okay, but snooty.

I intend to see if the closer shop will price match.

If not, which way do you go? Price or loyalty? We're talking the difference of $650 to $740 on the bike. Closer shop offers free adjustments etc. Other shop may as well, but distance would hamper that somewhat.

Is it all about the money? Or how close would the one shop have to get to get you to buy there? I'm interested in your opinions.

Duce97

I cant see them not matching another shops price but if they dont look at it this way....

1. The distance to the other shop costs money in travel over time

2. If you like the first shop better and are treated better there chances are they will take better care of your bike.

3.If the first shop is offering free adjusments and is close for you to take advantage of that the extra 90 bucks will pay for itself in no time at all. Ive had mine adjusted 4 times in the first 45 days of owning it .


Id really try to get them to deal though , find a way of showing them the price of the bike at the other shop and see what they say.

mystolenbikes

^^^
+1. Go talk to them I can almost guarantee they'll match the price heck they might even beat it who knows.

billyymc

I can't imagine they won't at least meet you partway on the price, if not match it completely. I'd go in and just be honest - tell them $90 is a lot of money for you, but you'd rather buy the bike from them and continue to give them business, and ask them if they can match the price. If they say no, ask them what is the best they can do on the bike. If they say they can't discount it anymore than the current price, they don't want your business very badly (trust me, they will discount it).

It's best to build a relationship with a shop you feel comfortable with. I patronize two shops in my area - one is about three miles from my house so super convenient, but I really don't like their attitude there. The other is about 12 miles away, a bit of a pain to get to, but they are super to deal with. In fact they treated me so well last time I had an issue that I owe them some beer still.

At the end of the season, I'll go in to the shop I like and see what they can do for me on a new bike for my oldest daughter who is outgrowing her current ride.

Ka_Jun

They might match, no hurt in trying, plus it sounds like they've treated you right in the first place.

ProEdgeBiker

Every good bike shop will price match.

prisoner6

I've already had one shop that i like tell me they couldn't match the price. They got down to $50 diffeence, but aid they couldn't see how the other shop was selling at that price.

I still have to check with the shop that's closest.

cerewa

I don't know about bike shops in particular, but I know that retailers in other industries will sometimes sell an item at or below the price they paid for it. A bike shop selling an item at-or-below cost probably means they don't think they can sell out of that model if the keep the price up. For other businesses folks may sell at a loss to get-you-in-the-door or to grab market share.

ProEdgeBiker

that's too bad.. i guess they may not be hurting in these tough economic times(which i doubt)...

A $650 to $740 bike @ a bike shop means that the shop probably paid around $325 from the manufacturer.

For example: in November 08 i bought an early release 2009 Specialized Myka for my niece that the MSRP was $410 from Specialized, LBS was selling it for $369.99. The Shop's invoice stated the price for the bike was $235 from the factory.. i paid $350 out the door(they still made money).

All entry level bikes are so they get people in the door of the shop. then it's up to a good saleman to sell you on the better bike, equipment or the same bike with equipment..

Covalent Jello

Depends how much 90 bucks is worth to you, if the shop will match the price, and how badly you wanna stick it to the pricey shop.

dminor 

Covalent Jello

oops, I didn't mean pricey shop. i meant cheap shop. lol.

Greg_R

Be aware of what each shop does to prep a new bike. Some shops simply attach the wheels and handlebar and check the brakes and shifters. Others will go over the entire bike, check spoke tension / wheel truing & will offer free labor on additional parts.

surreal

They'll match the price. If they won't, they're not the "nice guys" they've pretended to be.

-rob

7daysaweek

It's a great thing to find a shop that you really trust that really does you right. I'd say $90 is a small price to pay for keeping a good relationship with your current shop going.