foul smell

The more people know about them the more other LBS will have to lower price to compete.

foul smell

What? This doesn't make sense. If he pays more for the wheels he should be buying from PBK! How would wholesalers stay in business if you were required to order a certain amount of goods each year and the prices were more than what some retailers charge to end consumers!

jpatkinson

Maybe it is because I am relatively inexperienced with cycling [or haven't bought much], but to me the extra cost of the LBS is worth it because I am not ordering equipment based on an internet photograph. And, I think it is unethical to walk into a store, paw the merchandise to see if I like it, and then go home to order it online.

It seems to me that if every person bought everything online, there would be NO neighborhood stores for anything [they would all go out of business]. Some people love the idea of 'living' from their computers, but I don't. I like knowing the guy from whom I am buying; I like having a conversation with a real mechanic/sales person who rides my roads/trails; I like having a store on the street where I live to help make this MY neighborhood! It it worth it to me? Absolutely.

'nother

mmm, I don't think it's quite the same thing. You probably don't have a sign out front of your shop that says "free stuff, come and get it!".

Falchoon

I guess he has an account with his wholesaler whereas he has to pay cash up front if he orders from PBK plus the PBK paperwork (invoice) may be harder to reconcile because it is in GBP not AUS$.

I have a friend that used to own a Pizza shop. He used to buy his drinks such as Coke from the supermarket because it was cheaper than buying from the wholesaler.

I think the LBS make enough money from selling complete bikes and then servicing and maintenance. I just went to see another LBS before Xmas about getting my MTB serviced and they said 8th January is the earliest they could do it, and even then it was a maybe.

roadwarrior

Good point...but keep in mind that the only perspective that counts is the one to which you responded. See, you are supposed to be open when I want you to be, not when it's prudent or makes good business sense.

LOL...people pulling on the door when there are no lights on and the store is totally dark and there is a large sign that says "CLOSED" yet they still yank and tug. Open the door, "Are you closed?"

roadwarrior

You don't know where the wholesaler is getting their stuff. You are assuming that the on-line dealer is getting their merchandise from the manufacturer, and many times that is not the case.

roadwarrior

Good point.

I do it for fun and laughs and "Employee purchase" prices, but it does provide perspective.

For about a third of the population, shows like "Cops" are documentaries.

roadwarrior

See what I mean?

BHBiker

yes you are just relatively inexperienced. give it time. you will be lining up PBK for their prices once your wife is in on your credit card trail with that 4th Pinarello purchase ha ha ha ha...

patentcad

Some people don't get it RW. My life would suck without a relationship with a great LBS. How else can you ride 1000 miles month after month (for three years now since I returned to cycling)? They do keep me on the road. I also have another relationship with another more local LBS. I go to him for some repairs, and when he charges me for them, I always make sure to buy a few other items (spray lube, etc.) to try to give him some business. He treats me very well too. He doesn't carry high end stuff, but he knows what he's doing as a bike mechanic.

rbart4506

My take on this whole LBS vs internet thing is pretty simple. In Canada we get burned a lot more then people in the US when it comes to the LBS vs Internet thing. The middleman, the distributor, makes it pretty tough for the LBS to compete with online prices from the US and UK (PBK). For this reason I never, ever, ask my LBS's to price match on anything!

If I need a bike, I head to the LBS. I want the warranty and ease of service when it comes to the new bike. Most of my jerseys, socks and gloves have been bought at LBS's, but always when on sale.

When it comes to tires and most components I head to the internet since I'm looking at a major price difference and lack of stock. Most of the stuff I want the LBS doesn't stock so I have to wait while it is ordered in. If I'm going to wait I might as well save some dough. For example, I currently would love to buy a couple pairs of Giordana Silverline bibs, but no one stocks them...So off to the internet I go...Same thing holds true for Assos stuff (Yes I can go to Toronto, but that involves a 60 minute drive into the city with all the idiot drivers on the road...yes including me).

Simply stated my wife and I have bought a total of 7 mountain bikes and 6 road bikes from various LBS's...So I think that's enough cash for them to keep them happy and in business...For the rest I make sure I'm getting the best deal possible and that involves the internet.

roadwarrior

...and when you need something in a pinch or have an emergency, you get to go to the head of the list. You realize that a business relationship is a two way street and that's why, for example you have a successful business (not a "job")and can have fun too. Versus the bulk of the population (I give you this forum as an example) who does not get it, and never will.

'nother

OK, I have never done 1000 miles a month, but I doubt the principle is any different: the way I am able to ride many miles/hours/whatever month after month is by having a great relationship with my mechanic. To be sure, I had to spend a lot of time finding one that would work around my schedule and be willing to put up with my quirks. Lots of places aren't open at key times when I can get my bike there and some shop guys are just a bit too surly. But when I got that mirror and saw myself with a wrench in my hand, the majority of my problems were solved; I'd found my dream mechanic. I'm now able to get my bike adjusted, repaired, whatever...even on, say a Sunday night or, for example, New Years Day (yeah, he's on duty early this morning, getting my bike ready for the first ride of the year---think I'll buy him a beer later).

I'm rarely without my bike or unable to ride it, and if I am it's probably out of choice or physical issues, as opposed to mechanical ones.

Unagidon

It appears everyone has a polarizing relationship - but why not have both? I love my LBS, and I give them business when I "value" their service, such as installing things onto my bike. But when I don't need their service, like buying a chain cleaner for $18 online vs. $32 at LBS, I tell them and they understand! When I bought my trainer - a tacx fortius, they originally quoted me around $1400. I told them it was $1029 at cbike.som, and they matched the price so I bought from them (hence paying taxes), but they put it together for me.

The way I see it - just be honest to your LBS about what's out there. If they're good people, they should understand. If you enjoy paying 30% more to your LBS for something that doesn't require their service - say some Look Keo carbons on PBK for $116 vs. $200 at your LBS, all the power to you - it's your money and this is a free country. I'm cheap so you know where I'll be going if I don't need service.

facefirst

Here's the decision rule I use for LBS's:

If they give me information I wouldn't have known otherwise, I give them my business. If I do the research on my own and know what I want, I am free to buy from the most economical or responsive source (which may be the LBS).

If you follow this rule, you are treating the LBS fairly and reimbursing them for their core competency (providing advice and face-to-face assistance). This means you may have to pay the LBS more for a part that you would get more cheaply elsewhere. But if you wouldn't have known what to do without them, you should pay them.

ricebowl

sounds fair to me

patentcad

Again, nobody really 'owes' their LBS a thing. But I do feel that patronizing a good shop results in a win-win result. And they know that too. If you don't get it, you won't have an LBS that does your repairs when you needs them or helps you out in other ways. Your choice. Not mine. Hey, I've been doing it this way for 15+ years, works for me. To each his own. A good LBS doesn't need those who don't 'get' it, because they have so many customers who do. They win through the law of attraction - not by resenting the customers who don't see it the way I do. At the end of the day anyone who owns a business (I do) understands that all the money is green - whether it comes from your best customer or the biggest jerk. They're all customers. Are there a few that are intolerable to me? Maybe I get one of those in my business every couple of years. Whatever. You can't do business with every customer, and I'd guess every businessman would agree with that. If you can handle 95% of them and you treat them well, you will succeed.

eb314

It's nice to know that you can run out and have something right that moment if you need it, but I haven't really bought anything big (except my girlfriend's bike) from my LBS. I was able to get the components I needed for my recent build so much cheaper online that I really couldn't afford to buy them there.

jamesjems

Do you know the owner and staff of your LBS? If so, then it makes a difference. Spending is not just economic, it's a political act. You're telling someone you want them around.

wfrogge

Friend of mine bought a new frame/fork from a bike shop and paid for the componets to be switched from his old bike to the new one. He didnt have an issue till this charge came up...

20 bucks (might have been 15) to wrap bar tape on.....

Dude just dropped 2,500 + a few hundered on labor and you sneak that lame charge in? His fault I guess for not going through the charge list item by item I guess.

wfrogge

No its bad when the owner tells you what his "margin" is on a product then turn around and find out from another worker what the true margin is. There is no assuming here...... I'm all for my local shop making money but I got to eat too.... I could

A. Find a cheaper hobby and he loses all my business

or

B. Find another source for my gear thats cheaper and he loses all my business

wfrogge

lol

save10

Money is tight these days. Cycling is expensive. Politics and being supportive to the local business is nice if you have money. But I dont. I'm not destitute, but I'd be upgrading my bike immediately if it was financially feasible. So I'm going for the best price in everything - gas, food, utilities, clothing, cycling, etc. If an LBS is carrying Conti 4000s for $54 and PBK has them for 30, I'm an idiot for not buying it online. And dont forget Ebay. I cant afford a shiny new $5000 bike. But I put together my current ride from a frame and ultegra/duraace mix from Ebay parts for about $600. My Ultegra shifters were $130, my crank was $60, my stem $5. Loyalty is nice, finances are the reality.

Also doesnt the Ohio State buckeye leaf look alot like marijuana?

ridethecliche

Damn! That's a great price. I would have snagged that up in a heartbeat!