cryptid01

...to ask someone "ooh, how much did that cost?"

Some people are in situations where they get stuff around wholesale cost (or even lower, e.g employee purchase). Some people score big in the used market, for example, buying stuff from friends and sponsored riders at seasons' end. Or, as in my case, perhaps the person doesn't want to remember exactly how much money they've spent on their bike habit. Whatever the reason, chances are if the person doesn't mention what he paid for the item, he probably can't or doesn't feel like telling you.

And to those who ask: If you're truly interested in the item, I'm sure you will do thorough research on it, right? MSRP is readily available. If that fails, there's always ebay.

(I didn't ride today, and I'm a bit grumpy, can you tell?)

Billy Brown

For some that may be true. But for others they like to tell how much they spend because 1) they want to inform others about their deal or 2) they think the worth of their bike indicates their worth as a person.

a2psyklnut

I always ask, "if you don't mind my asking...." first. If they answer with something vague like, "a lot, or a bunch" I figure they do in fact mind.

If they do, that's fine. Some people are sensitive about stuff like that.

Billy Brown

Good plan in a situation where proper etiquette is hard to define.

Dirtbike

gastro - I thought your username was gastronemicus or something. **********

Maelstrom 

He changed it.

It never bothers me, but, the way I was taught was never to ask, so I generally don't

ilyailya

I dont think its bad to ask, especially if you say"if you dont mind me asking" . But you should not get mad if person says no and does not answer you or lies , and if they tell you , then fine too

sarsparilla

If I get a smokin' deal on ebay then I'll usually say how much it costs me, but if I buy something new I will just answer with a vague answer, usually "too much" or something along those lines.

LowCel 

It doesn't bother me when people ask but I usually can't tell them. I get most of my stuff via employee purchase so it really wouldn't be right for me to tell someone how much I paid. Therefore when someone asks I generally just say "it retails for .....".

trlpmp

I think if you don't know someone its kind of rude. Your friends are one thing. The ol "if you don't mind thing" helps but truth be told I don't want people to know what I paid. I usually don't tell if its a bike I got hooked up on. If its a price that I can get for someone from a shop or something than I tell. Sometimes tho the price is exculsive to me. (Being hansome and all) Just Kidding

pnj

I always thought there was no such thing as a stupid question. I'll ask anything I feel like, if a person doesn't want to answer, I don't have a problem with that.

I have two bikes, a mtn. bike and a bmx bike. most of the stuff on my bmx bike I didn't pay full retail price for. and some I didn't pay for at all. the reason is, I have been riding for 25 odd years and know a lot of people in the industry. they give me deals or give me parts to test or whatever.

why would you feel bad or weird that you don't get the same deals as me? If I didn't know people, I would pay full retail price like everyone else.

iamthetas

If someone asks Ill answer unless Im not proud of the price I paid. when I got my first bike I wanted people to ask. the next 2 were "I got a great deal" and the one I just got im so proud of I want everyone to know about the company , the specs and the price for it because Im a proud owner that got a good deal. some people were turned off by my answer but they asked.they were the ones who didnt understand XT vs falcon or bike shop vs walmart. plus my Devinci is the best bike Ive ever had. I go to places Id have never even thought of before and the bike says"thats it?bring me more "

bruiser2

What if someone is interested in getting into biking or the specific part you had? I think that it is kind of rude not to tell them. If they have a good reason to ask then I think its fine, if they are just asking for the hell of it then I could see you considering it rude.

sarsparilla

If someone came up and asked "I'm thinking about getting one of those, how much did it run you?" then as stated before I'd say "It retails for..." not give them the price I paid for it.

bruiser2

I understand that you would tell them what the general public would have to pay, but i still think you should tell them, and I wouldnt consider it bad etiquette.

Raiyn

If I told people what I really paid for my parts (shop discount) I'd have people hitting me up for deals. I don't tell local BF members where I work for this very same reason.

mtnbiker66

I have a friend that's a pro and I hit him up for freebies all the time.Not really it's kind of a running joke. He gets his stuff for free to race with and some folks think he can just give it away.

Maelstrom 

I do this as well. Some pros get stuff to give away. Most of the time swag but sometimes cool stuff too

dirtbikedude

Hahaha!!! I just tell them, "A lot less then you could get it/them for." Then they always ask if I could get them the same deal and I just say no. ;P

Raiyn

See the thing is I honestly try to be nice about it. (oddly enough)

hebrew_rider

I never ask how much something was unless I am thinking of buying that thing.

a2psyklnut

DBD, where you been? Fatherhood keeping you busy???

Nice to see you posting.

Original 6

I'm not sure of your age but this is only true when your young. As you get older, a question can make you look dumb. A question can be asked at a stupid time. There are dumb questions.

Etiquette wise... You should never ask what things cost. It's rude. Personally it doesn't bother me but I do not ask.

pnj

I'm 34. and of course there are times to not ask some questions. but when it comes to bicycle components, I don't think it's wrong to ask another rider what they paid.

I think it's foolish for one rider to expect to get the same deal as another rider though.

people get deals for all kinds of reasons
1. work for a shop/distributor
2. ride for a shop/distributor
3. is really good friends with shop/distributor
4. is really good friends with a sponsored rider
5. other unknow reasons

we all know how much bike parts cost retail. and we would all pay that price if we wanted a given item. if you don't fit into the above criteria you pay retail.

I don't see what the big deal is. I don't have the ability or option of getting anyone else the deals I get so I don't worry about that (as some have mentioned in this thread, not wanting to say where they work, etc.) but on the other hand, I can't control someone elses feelings when they decide they are going to feel bad/sad/mad that they can't get the same deal someone else does.

should a sponsored rider not say they are sponsored? should they not say they get some stuff for free or at a reduced price for whatever reason they get it for?

it's bike parts......

dirtbikedude

Football, hockey, fatherhood and the fact we have had some great swells passing through so I had to hit the surf, all contribute. I have been lurking around here though.