Noddy

I've noticed at least 3-4 times now that shops who are shown on a particular manufacturer's web site as being a dealer for that brand don't mention the brand on their own web sites. What's up with that? Don't they want to expose the lines that they handle? Seems very strange to go to, say, bianchiusa.com to find the nearest dealer then follow a link to that dealer's own web site and find no mention of Bianchi - zip, zero, nada. Weird enough that I almost could come up with a conspiracy theory involving some of the 600lb gorillas of the industry. Bianchi is just an example - I've also seen this with Lemond and Felt and maybe one or two others.

DieselDan

Lack of updating the site by the shop. I also think the 800lb gorllias throw more weight around.

JT354

That's better than the times when a shop says that they sell a certain brand on their website, but when you get there they tell you that they don't carry that brand anymore.

Noddy

Yes - had that happen also. Stinks to drive 45 minutes to some place hoping to see something to find out they don't even have it.

AngelT

Yeah that reminds me of my LBS where I once went looking for Cannondales. They told me that they don't stock them, though they're C'Dale dealers. Kinda misleading because they advertise the Cannondales a lot w/o having them in stock. Oh well.

ultra-g

Bike shops never update their websites.

Noddy

Kind of annoying too! I've driven over 45 minutes to see something that they don't apparently carry. I'm also in the position of maybe wanting to buy a particular brand and the shop where I really like the sales guy's approach is listed as a dealer on the manufacturer's web site. In 5 visits to the shop he's never even mentioned that brand...and there is nothing in the store to indicate any affiliation. The next closest shop that carries the brand is almost an hour away and the owner is not a roadie. Nice guy and all - but just not who I'd like to buy the bike from.