Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Get the best price you can on your second choice. Then go to the LBS for your first choice, and tell them you want to buy their bike, but you got this other great deal that's too good to pass up, and ask them what they can do for you. Also, once you've got their price on the bike, you can condition your purchase on a discount on the accessories. Most LBS's have more margin on the accessories and are more likely to work with you on those. Personally, I wouldn't be adverse to trying to get a little discount, butI' also try to be reasonable, so its a win win deal. Hopefully your starting a long term relationship where the LBS will want to take care of you when you come in. That can be more valuable than squeezing out the last dollar.
No one in sales will "take care of you". It's business. They want the closest to msrp for profit, like anyone else would. They won't go down on good grace. You just have to be smart with a negotiation. Know your s**t. If a bike shop refuses to budge, and another does budge, go with the budge. There's nothing wrong with comparing store prices with a catalog's prices. If a bike shop gets your frequent business, and another newbie walks in, and they can sell the newbie the last of last's year's bike stock for the sticker price, while you're expecting a deal, you're not going to get that deal. Again, it's business. Now, when there's tight competition between local shops, THAT works to your advantage. Hope a lot of the people on BF are in that lucky situation.