I don't how these LBS's expect to sell high end bikes
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#52
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#53
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#54
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without even talking about 3k or more bikes, a few years ago I wanted to get a cross bike to replace my old touring bike. My fav store changed policies to "no test rides" unless you paid for a weekend rental (that would apply to a purchase). The alu framed bikes I had read up on were still a mystery to me in terms of how they would feel on the road--twitchy? very harsh? etc. I just didnt know---and these were $1500 bikes more or less, not many thousands.
Ended up finding another store where they were more than happy for me to ride it, for the time I wanted, just had to leave i.d.--like a car test drive.
Needless to say, after a few test rides that quickly showed me how the bike felt, enough for me to know I liked how it rode, I got the bike there simply because of their policy. I would have liked to buy it from the store I had previously bought numerous bikes for myself and my family, but the other place got my business because of their open policy.
I realize there are factors of inventory, but especially with a bike of this price range, I was quite surprised.
Although you guys are talking of not wanting to buy "untested" bikes of umpteen K prices, for me I still wasnt going to spend 1600 bucks without a test ride.
Ended up finding another store where they were more than happy for me to ride it, for the time I wanted, just had to leave i.d.--like a car test drive.
Needless to say, after a few test rides that quickly showed me how the bike felt, enough for me to know I liked how it rode, I got the bike there simply because of their policy. I would have liked to buy it from the store I had previously bought numerous bikes for myself and my family, but the other place got my business because of their open policy.
I realize there are factors of inventory, but especially with a bike of this price range, I was quite surprised.
Although you guys are talking of not wanting to buy "untested" bikes of umpteen K prices, for me I still wasnt going to spend 1600 bucks without a test ride.
#55
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I've never sold bikes (I have lots of high-ticket sales experience, though), but I would guess that, statistically, a test ride does nothing to increase the close ratio on those bikes. I wouldn't be surprised if there were actually a worse close ratio between test ride vs no test ride.
Tip to bike shops...there is no way that anyone shoudl commit to an expensive bike without a ride. And if you do offer demo bikes - set the bike up correctly! Most (!) of our test rides have involved getting off after a block, and fixing the indexing on the rear derailleur. Misaligned brake pads, creaky BB's and seatposts etc. do not help the close.
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also gary does spin have the new s-works shoe in stock yet? Mine are starting to fall apart, and i might be interested in a new set.
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its not always about the test ride but about the wow factor. You walk into a bike shop and front and center is the 14 pound wonder bike. You can touch it and feel it and pick it up. Your hooked. So maybe you cant afford the 7k price tag but for 3k you can get close. You have now totally forgotten about your $2,000 budget and bumped yourself another thousand in order to get yourself closer to that wonder bike.
Last edited by tspeters; 01-28-13 at 08:22 PM.
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Sure, come in and test ride our bikes. That's what we're here for. Even better, buy one someday. But don't tell us you're not going to by a Madone 5.2 because we don't have a Cervelo S5 to compare it against. We're still trying to sell our last 2011 S3.
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I last bought a bike after a test ride in 1989, I think. It's just too hard to find something I'm interested in in my size. I'd love to ride an EVO, might even make me want one.
It's just as bad with mtbs, maybe worse because it's harder to buy frames.
It's just as bad with mtbs, maybe worse because it's harder to buy frames.
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If a person rides a bike and talks themselves out of it then thats fine. I would rather that then have an unhappy customer. I have a hard time selling a bike without a test ride unless the buyer is a very seasoned cyclist who knows exactly what they want. I would say 90% of my bike sales includes a few test rides so I dont think I could ever track the sales of test ride vs no test ride. I want the customer to be educated in a Roubaix vs a Tarmac vs a Allez vs a Noah vs a Team Machine....etc..... and the best way to educate the customer is to explain the high points and let them ride the bike. It is not a 5 minute sales presentation but as far as I know I have no unhappy customers.
Too bad you're in Ohio
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I'm saying that a shop knows its clientele, and if it knows that it's a slim chance a customer will walk through the door looking for an $8000 bike, then it's pretty stupid to put an $8000 bike on the floor. You guys think that all a shop has to do to be more successful is cater to your whims.
Sure, come in and test ride our bikes. That's what we're here for. Even better, buy one someday. But don't tell us you're not going to by a Madone 5.2 because we don't have a Cervelo S5 to compare it against. We're still trying to sell our last 2011 S3.
Sure, come in and test ride our bikes. That's what we're here for. Even better, buy one someday. But don't tell us you're not going to by a Madone 5.2 because we don't have a Cervelo S5 to compare it against. We're still trying to sell our last 2011 S3.
You can still put that $8k bike up front but be reasonable about letting it out on test rides. No problem in denying customers the test ride of the uberbike for something like that - if they take offense at that, that's their problem and likely a customer you're better off not hassling with. I do however, think an LBS shoots themself in the foot by not allowing test rides on bikes the customer specifically is interested in buying. Why not order online at that point? (It will definitely be cheaper online.)
#64
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I understand the benefits of having something on hand, but I also understand the pitfalls - people often use demos as a way of talking themselves out of a purchase - I'm saying that, if you were to keep track of test ride vs. no test ride, you might be surprised at the numbers. And it goes without saying that good salesman doesn't sell the product.
But the test ride was so good that I ended up buying it.
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My local Giant dealer has at least two of each model of performance bikes that Giant makes from Advanced SL down to the Aluxx frames. they aren't all the most current model year, but they don't need to be for me to get an idea of the differences as they are close enough. When I went to buy my bike they encouraged me test ride both the Defy and TCR advanced, which were the models in my price range. Those guys are awesome. Ever since I bought my bike there, they have let me demo pretty much anything I want for whatever time I need to evaluate whether I want it or not. It's a pretty good policy, because I normally end up buying the things that I take extended demos on.
#66
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What size? Ill be in the shop today and I can see what we have? I havent ridden in the new one yet but I hear that there are some big advances over the previous years shoe.
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#67
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I took a Roubaix SL3 pro out for a test ride last year in toronto and the shop didn't ask for ID or any collateral to hold or anything. I could have never come back and I really don't think they could have caught me.
Of course, I didn't steal the bike (I later bought a SL3 expert from my local shop at a much better price) but I was surprised at how easy it was to walk out of the door with a $5000 bike. They even gave me a helmet to wear (I forgot mine, I had my shoes at least)
Kudos to the shops that allow test rides. I know that my local shops don't always have the highest (s-works) models in stock to try but if you order one I know they said it isn't a commitment to buy.
Of course, I didn't steal the bike (I later bought a SL3 expert from my local shop at a much better price) but I was surprised at how easy it was to walk out of the door with a $5000 bike. They even gave me a helmet to wear (I forgot mine, I had my shoes at least)
Kudos to the shops that allow test rides. I know that my local shops don't always have the highest (s-works) models in stock to try but if you order one I know they said it isn't a commitment to buy.
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It doesn't even need to be high end. Bike stores don't usually stock what they don't think will sell quickly. I went into the Felt store the other day looking for the felt f95 jr (650c kid's road bike) and/or the F24 (24inch tires kids road bike). They had neither in stock. But could order it. These are less than $1000 bikes. But obviously not a lot of demand. But most people don't even know they exist.
Although they had 24 inch tired kids mtb. Personally I think most kids would get more use out of a road bike than a mtb. (redline makes a kids cross bike, fuji also makes kids road bikes I have never seen any of them in stores). You see the little mtb all the time in stores but they are $300 not $800.
Although they had 24 inch tired kids mtb. Personally I think most kids would get more use out of a road bike than a mtb. (redline makes a kids cross bike, fuji also makes kids road bikes I have never seen any of them in stores). You see the little mtb all the time in stores but they are $300 not $800.
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I'm saying that a shop knows its clientele, and if it knows that it's a slim chance a customer will walk through the door looking for an $8000 bike, then it's pretty stupid to put an $8000 bike on the floor. You guys think that all a shop has to do to be more successful is cater to your whims.
Sure, come in and test ride our bikes. That's what we're here for. Even better, buy one someday. But don't tell us you're not going to by a Madone 5.2 because we don't have a Cervelo S5 to compare it against. We're still trying to sell our last 2011 S3.
Sure, come in and test ride our bikes. That's what we're here for. Even better, buy one someday. But don't tell us you're not going to by a Madone 5.2 because we don't have a Cervelo S5 to compare it against. We're still trying to sell our last 2011 S3.
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In my OP, I indicated that I fancy those S-Works shoes (especially in Red; cool ad with Boonen, "Hey my eyes are up here"). Don't reckon I'll ever be able to land a pair because no one here has any to try on. For $400, I need to feel sure they'll fit. So....ordering online is out too.
#71
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In my OP, I indicated that I fancy those S-Works shoes (especially in Red; cool ad with Boonen, "Hey my eyes are up here"). Don't reckon I'll ever be able to land a pair because no one here has any to try on. For $400, I need to feel sure they'll fit. So....ordering online is out too.
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There's too many factors too consider as to whether a Bike Shop will put a high end bike in their inventory.
My bike shop in San Francisco carries more than 10 bikes that cost over $6000 and a couple with 5-digit price tags. The highest I saw was a $13,xxx but it was on sale for around $11k. Majority of them are S-Works and Wilier.
In fact, they will be the first bikes you will see when you enter the door, and they're on the floor and center racks.
My bike shop in San Francisco carries more than 10 bikes that cost over $6000 and a couple with 5-digit price tags. The highest I saw was a $13,xxx but it was on sale for around $11k. Majority of them are S-Works and Wilier.
In fact, they will be the first bikes you will see when you enter the door, and they're on the floor and center racks.
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I'm with ya mate. I just have to be able to try on a pair before I can commit to buy them. For the dealer I referenced in the OP to refer me to a customer of his to try his on just doesn't cut it. Doubt he wears my size anyway.
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I'm in the market for a high end bike. Went to a Giant dealership and was told that because they did not have the volumn, they could not put the TCR Advance on the floor (and it's a pretty big shop). Same thing with Specialized; no Tarmac Pro or Venge. I'm gonna drop 7 or 8k on a bike with no test ride? Don't think so. Been wanting a pair of the S-Works shoes...none on hand (or even the next lowest model). Was told a cusomer with a pair who is my size might come in and I can try his on For $400, I believe I'd want to try them on first yes? Go to Cannondale and they are encouraging me to take a brand new Evo out and ride it to my hearts content. I just don't get this marketing strategy from Giant and Specialized, it's a lost sale as far as I am concerned.
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There's too many factors too consider as to whether a Bike Shop will put a high end bike in their inventory.
My bike shop in San Francisco carries more than 10 bikes that cost over $6000 and a couple with 5-digit price tags. The highest I saw was a $13,xxx but it was on sale for around $11k. Majority of them are S-Works and Wilier.
In fact, they will be the first bikes you will see when you enter the door, and they're on the floor and center racks.
My bike shop in San Francisco carries more than 10 bikes that cost over $6000 and a couple with 5-digit price tags. The highest I saw was a $13,xxx but it was on sale for around $11k. Majority of them are S-Works and Wilier.
In fact, they will be the first bikes you will see when you enter the door, and they're on the floor and center racks.