Originally Posted by TRaffic Jammer
Isn't that what "free markets" are all about? The manufacturer gets their price for it... no? Are they afraid MEC is going to drive down the street price because the other stores do the usual 100% mark up from the wholesale price and MEC doesn't?
perhaps they are afraid of that. but small bikeshops can't buy in bulk the ay MEC can. they're a co-op, they should be working for fair pricing for their customers and fair wages for their employess, not undercutting local businesses. i would expect this type of business pracitise from a large corporation, not a members' co-op.
besides which, they seem to have strayed from their original practices whereby they would produce and sell their housebrand of clothing, etc to cut the costs of distribution. now they seem to be selling castelli and some other brand names just like any other large outdoor's store. i dunno..