straitballin22

I have never even heard of performance bike until this forum. For some reason they don't have one in L.A. Anyway, they have an 08 schwinn madison, which I was looking for, at a few locations close to me.

I have seen people's posts on here about getting all these discounts there. And since it is an 08 and the 09 is out, I figure they will give a discount for that. But I didn't discuss price while on the phone. I will leave that for the store. But do they deal on these things? Can I try to bargain with them or is the price it says the price I must pay to get the bike? Any advice on the best ways to get the discounts is appreciated as I have never been in a performance bike or any large bike shop. I used to stick with my LBS. Thanks for the help!

-rob

peabodypride

No, you can't haggle with Performance. That's like trying to haggle at Wal-mart. Sorry.

Thetank

WRONG! Have you ever tried? Perhaps with accessories and components you can't but a complete bike that is a last year's model you can if you can prove that its being sold cheaper elsewhere, even at another one of their stores.

They may say no of course, often those sales are because they have too many bikes in stock and they're trying to get rid of them or they're just temporary. What you have to do is check around and find out how much they're going for elsewhere and see if they will match it or even beat the price. Look for performance coupons too cause they can add up to huge savings.

BTW I saw an 08 being sold here in TX last night for $450 so what are they selling for in your neck of the woods?

peabodypride

That's called a price match, not a haggle.

dddave

OP - where do you live? they have one in pasadena, torrance, and santa monica.

straitballin22

Yeah, I called the Santa Monica and they have two of them. And Pasadena also said they have it in stock. The one in Ventura said they have one in my size that they would give for 470. I was looking to get it around 400 but I could see myself paying 450. I don't know about 470. Although its barely more than I am willing to pay, I have to draw the line somewhere.

I haven't checked torrance. But where would I find performance coupons? And members get 10% discount right? How do I become a member? Also, I am pretty sure I saw that you can get 10% discount if you come in between 12 and 2 on tuesday. It was somewhere on the website but I can't find it anymore. But the coupons sound great. I am planning to buy it this sunday, or if i go to Ventura then the next week saturday so I am hoping I can get out of there for under 450.

cyclefreaksix

If you join their program call "Team Performance", you get 10% of what ever you spend back. I've got a Performance store about a mile from my house. Needless to say they know me by name...

Not the Slowest

Performance road bike coupon on web site 527, try it at the store

rob

passerby

I got mine for 380 in a performance in orange county. they have plenty of sales on those bikes, just need to be patient.

Murderface

i live about 200 yards from a performance, they dont carry anything of use to anyone not on a touring bike basically, and the entire store is littered with hybrids, not to mention the only few times i went in for help they really couldnt do anything for me, it was like being AT a wal-mart, not trying to haggle with it, i'd rather go to a more locally owned bike shop (not fixed "boutique as the other thread is talking about) i always have that Corporate feel when i go in there...so i only buy tubes

cc700

it's more like the macdonalds of bike stores than the walmart. they're not a quarter as evil as wal mart, but they're probably an eighth.

monsterkidz

Performance is awesome for tubes. When I am in CO visiting my wife's parents I always stock up! (there are no Performance store's in NYC) They are also good for buying tools, lube, clothing etc.

cc700

they are only good when one of two conditions are met:

1. they have a sale or clearance on something that never gets marked down more at any other retailer.

example: fuji professional 3.0 on sale for basically half off, full dura ace carbon with 10% coupons that work on the discounted price so you get a fuji that sells for 3400 at shy of 1600, full dura ace carbon fsa... basically you get a bike less than wholesale pricing because they have too many of them.

also, park tools that are never clearance sometimes can be had less at performance for less than i have ever seen them anywhere else.

this is NOT a frequent occurance, most deals at performance are blemished or once-installed parts, and that's rarer than rare.

2. (finally) when they're open but others aren't, or you can't get to a real bike shop. their hours can be great, but with the depression they've cut their hours now too.

they usually have a competent tech but you can't talk to them except if you're going to purchase service. they also don't do you ANY favors. they charge you for cable end caps, and you can't get anything for free, unless you steal it from a dumpster. anyone who gives you any kind of break will lose their job.
the sales associates are usually insanely stupid but clean looking, or incredibly knowledgeable but somehow unempolyable at a real shop, like they're creepy or awkward or amazingly ugly.

they're not super evil but there are almost always better options. in metropolitan areas, there are usally at least four types of shops i can find in a five mile radius. an elitist shop, a family shop, a specialist shop, and a bike geek shop. the last three are all better options than a performance but sometimes you dont' want to haggle, you just want dumbass employees who will leave you alone until you're ready to check out. there aren't always amazing bargains, and usually aren't... but you're pretty sure to not get boned if you walk in there like a smart consumer and don't lose your head buying everything you like that says "sale" on the tag.

vegipowrd

They can be great for some stuff.
As others have said, they can have some crazy sales. Getting on that stuff if great.
They are also great for entry level clothing and some parts. I've had slightly better luck with them than Nashbar, which is sort of the same concept (wait, does Nashbar have actual stores?). Dumb roadie stuff, like, tights, thin socks as well as some winter stuff can be less than half the price of other brands (though not always the same quality).
I've never been in a Performance store, even though I lived near one for a while.

cc700

nashbar used to be it's own animal but performance bought them out a few years back nashbar is an online only peformance, owned by performance now. they suck.

i can attest to performance's quality as i ride one of their frames. their service is expensive but competent. i would NOT let them near a cervelø or anything like that. in fact they may not even work on frames that exceed certain values.

brandonspeck

The performance mechanics are all braindead. I needed a shim for a stem, and the mechanic gave me the pieces from handlebar tape that go behind brake hoods. I actually had to steal the shim I needed out of a forte stem box, because they refused to sell it to me without the stem.

It's just like any chain, you need to know what you're getting, then just work them on the price.

ilikebikes

+1, I bought a set of Ritchey Tom Slicks, tubes, in line brakes levers, and a few other goodies all with the 10% I made when I bought my Maddy.

voldemort

I'd quote that $380 that Passerby paid at the Orange county store and see if they'll match that. I once bought some miscellaneous stuff, and asked if they'd match their recent sale price or make me wait for the next sale (or shop elsewhere). They were quick to sell to me. If you can talk to a store manager I think they more authority to make deals. And isn't the Madison different this year, in which case they usullly are more willing to lower prices to move an "outdated" product. Good luck. Don't pay more than $400 (even if you have to join Team Performance to do so).

franknstein

Performance is good for certain things.

I got my tires, saddles, a bunch of tubes and my bib shorts from them.

I saved a ton because they routinely have 10% off coupon codes [can be found here.]

Like others said though, their mechanics are worthless. I wouldn't have them work on one of my bikes.

cc700

i hate the yellow 09.

hate hate hate it. why doesn't it still look like the 07?