Originally Posted by
Ziemas
You have no idea of what operating costs a given shop has. Just because they get a part for x dollars doesn't mean they can sell it at x + whatever percent you think is fair.
It's attitudes like yours which make the case for keeping such info private. Sounds like you are a total pain in the ass customer.
You don't really understand much about business do you? The shop has various operating costs but whether or not they can make a sale at a given price only has to do with that costs they incur specifically during that transaction. The time it takes for someone to serve me and the wholesale cost of the item, the extra air conditioning that me entering and exiting the store requires, etc. Perhaps they couldn't stay open if they sold everything at the markup I consider reasonable but they have a choice with customers for whom they have only convenience to offer. They can make a small amount of money selling me something at a discount or they can make none if they insist on charging me more than I am willing to pay for parts they have to order. Knowing the wholesale price would only streamline the process.
Originally Posted by onetwentyeight
ill never understand why people feel its in their right to haggle at a bike shop. i dont try to talk a clothing store down on their price for jeans, i dont argue my grocery stores cost of milk, and the last time i tried to haggle for a cheaper price on shots at a bar i was asked to leave.
and i say this as someone who works in a bike shop. i like giving people good deals as much as anyone, and i am happy that I am given a little leeway in that, but if youre a dick about it im far less inclined to take the time. i agree with zeimas. you sound like a customer from hell.
You have a right to haggle about wherever the **** you want. The seller likewise has a right to stick to their original price. People bother to haggle with bike shops because like car dealers, pawn shops and unlike grocery stores and bars they are usually open to haggling. On more than one occasion after telling a shop how much I could afford to pay and being told that they couldn't do that. The owner or employee has seen me with the item purchased elsewhere, asked how much and then whined about how they could have gotten it for me for that much if I had just come by. Clearly then haggling is expected and knowing wholesale would make the whole process smoother for both parties.