Originally Posted by crashnburn
This is to keep the local bike shops in business and is done to make sure you get a proper fit and assembly. Lets see you email GM, Ford, Toyota, any car for that matter and get it sold directly to you, that's not going to happen, there is your "other retail product".. I am sure that there are companies that sell direct but usually better deals can be had on previous yers model or through a retailer that is clearing out stock.
Actually, I *can* buy cars online but I suppose I should have said "retail products that can fit in a box".
What I don't understand is why does it matter to Specialized if I purchase an 04 FSRxc from a bike shop 2000 miles away instead of my local shop so I can save myself $400-600? The shop 2000 miles away may not be local to me but it is local to somebody. It's still a retail shop and it's making a sale. So who loses? I get my bike, they get rid of old stock, Specialized has another happy owner and consumer advocate, and I save some $$ that can be put to good use elsewhere.
IMHO, this "no ship" policy hurts more than helps because it's only going to drive more and more people to the big mass markets like Walmart. So in the long run I think it's going to do more harm than good due to lost sales at the local bike shop.
Again, take my case as an example. I'm totally new to the mt bike scene but I'm ready to buy. I've done all my research and I've ridden several bikes and I've decided on an FSRxc. Unfortunately, I can't afford what my local bike shops are asking for their shiny new 05's and they don't have any 04's available. So I hop online and find several 04's in the $600-800 range. I go to purchase one from a bike shop 2000 miles away and find out they can't ship because Specialized has this silly "no ship" policy. So yeah, now I'm pretty upset because my options are limited to
a) spend nearly twice than my budget allows and get the 05 locally
b) drive to Texas to pick up the leftover 04
c) buy a hardtail locally, even though the FS suits my needs better
d) hit supergo and get an Iron Horse that I'm unable to test ride locally first
e) boycott mt biking altogether! (yeah, a little extreme but I'm steamed about this)
Anyway, sorry for the rant but the more I write and think about this the more steamed I become.
I was hoping my introduction to these forums would have been more along the lines of "Hi guys! New FSRxc owner here!"
I really feel that the manufacturer's are truly shooting themselves in the foot here and I hope this policy is reconsidered someday and seen for the hogwash it really is.