Originally Posted by
BikeWise1
Don't be so sure.
Where do you think those will be sold when the local LBS is out of business? Several hundred bike shops went out of business last year. As with all things, they will go online, then be found in whatever location Dorel believes will result in the largest sales. Do you the hostility here toward bike shops? We are an endangered species. Many bike related companies, as well as our biggest US distributor, are quietly aligning their platforms for direct sales. When that happens, and I feel it's fairly inevitable, the big shops of today will suddenly be focused on repair and niche sales that don't work well online. I don't want to be partner to my own demise, and since Dorel has made it clear
they wish to compete with us, there will be no Cannondales sold here.
The bike shops that go out of business do so because they are poorly run. The ones that do millions in sales, have multiple locations, etc...they will continue.
For that matter, let's talk about Trek and Specialized and their efforts to force dealers to sell only their brand get supply and the better bikes. The approach of if you are not making a big or total commitment to them, they will go down the street and find another shop and go after your business.
Business is business. Some make it some don't. But I can tell you that if a brand went to a big box store, it would have little impact on us because they do not provide service and we do. Totally.
Our customer is looking for fun and comfort, not to win the Tour. That's who we cater to and frankly, the shops near us are so in love with the $8 grand buyer they miss millions in sales. And then they die.
Darwin in action...