Originally Posted by
jefnvk
Then why bother with "authorized retailers"? If the item in question is a limited production model from a small, high end brand, which is only available to order and to which no stock is available beforehand to test ride, isn't it on the dealer to understand the sizing and to sell the proper size? At the very minimum, shouldn't they know that the sizing for that model is not comparable to a regular road bike, and care must be taken when selecting one?
So it is wholly possible that they did order the right size. We don't really know because we haven't heard but one side of the story. We do know the bike was enough the right size to be ridden a bunch and kept around for a while. We also know the sizing is odd like a lot of european sizing which doesn't quite correlate in terms of road bike sizing or hybrid/mtb sizing as we know it here in the U.S. I have high doubts that the bike was just randomly ordered because there is quite a process for Van Nic. (I was just looking at it earlier in the week by happenstance). It is possible that the shop actually ordered the wrong size but it could be that the OP didn't like the size he ordered and why not blame the evil bike shop that is only in it for your money and also to steal your soul and eat your babies!
I also know that in some cases for high dollar bikes like that you have to custom order they tend to sell dealers demo bikes so people can do some test riding. We do it for Riese and Muller and I have seen it for Seven, Moots and Santa Cruz at other shops. Maybe Van Nic. doesn't do it but it is possible.
As far as the cost of these bikes, margins are NOT high on bikes and those people that think the bikes cost $100 and we are making thousands per bike is just ridiculous, there is a little to be made but truly a little. However it is tough to be a bike shop and not sell bikes unless you are just service orientated or are a custom studio in which case you are working with fewer clients and still selling bikes.