Originally Posted by
asmac
It seems a bit much to expect them to live on customers who will voluntarily pay more for exactly the same merchandise.
It is actually a much broader issue. I willingly pay a little more for some things not out of charity, but because I am paying for the total value a great bike shop brings to me. I have friends there. I buy lunch for the mechanic and have given him Christmas presents. They do me favors that they do not charge me for. I am doing what I can to be sure they are around when I need them later. It is not as simple as saving money on a single transaction.
I get lots of free advice and when I need something in a pinch they help me out too.