Originally Posted by
Sy Reene
It's not the amount, it's the percentage. $75 conti GP4Ks (aka MSRP) at the LBS represent about a 100% upcharge over domestic online (to use one example where cost difference is in the $20-40 range). I think psychologically, many have an expectation that a retail store is going to cost more than online for the same product, but for run of the mill goods, and more mundane Amazon purchases, 30% is more typical. 50%+ differentials are just difficult to swallow.
Just using this again to point out the thinking that I believe is the disconnect - There is no "upcharge" at the LBS. Call is semantics but i really feel this implies thinking that the LBS COULD have charged the same as the online guys. Up until now it just hasn't been possible.
Agreed that up until now the pricing difference is so large that it just seems irresponsible. It's what caused me to dig, get into the business and eventually figure a lot of this out. Just want to reiterate it's not an "upcharge" that the LBS is pulling. It's two completely different pricing and business platforms caused by the OEM. Not the result of bike shop pricing strategies.