Originally Posted by
BikeWise1
As a bike shop owner, I don't understand it either. Let me tell you- to go through Shimano S-tec certs to get a "super-sweet direct-from-Shimano pro-deal" on an XT kit only to find that the prices are about the same as Wiggle is a major bummer. And Conti's cost me a couple of bucks more directly from the sole US distributor at "wholesale" than PBK "retails" them for.
Nice, huh? Someone's making money, but it ain't us!
I can't help but think that's BS on someone's part (not you).
I recently received a job at the LBS (dreams do come true!) I completed the Trek University in three days. The part I was really hoping for was a discount on components to replace my current 6700 with something a little bit more comfortable on the hands and more updated, but alas, I was shocked when I looked at the prices. Having priced out components often, particularly Shimano cranks, I was shocked to see what we pay the distributor for them. To my knowledge, component prices are static in the USA between dealers as well - so no one else gets a better deal (unlike frames/bikes). Needless to say, I won't be getting that groupset upgrade, or even new crank any time soon.... I need to price out what we pay for apparel and helmets and such. I haven't taken a good look at those just yet. I was very bumped about the component aspect though. USA dealers would be losing 10%+ to compete head-to-head with British dealers when it comes to components and tires. That would actually be an interesting research project. I might run some numbers over the next few weeks now that I finished my past few projects.
I don't understand how the European dealers do it.