[quote=ezee;6139403]
Originally Posted by
bikesdirect_com
Ah, but Confucius now ask: What if you pay full, List / Retail for the Ford (ie. BD bike) vs a half-priced (or 1-2 year gently-used) Honda (ie. Cervelo, Guru, Pinarello, Orbea...)?
here again the comparison fails
used cars frequently have warranties that are transferable
bikes almost never do
some customers what warranties
And paying half price on a new item is the question when buying a BD bike [not paying full price]
vs a used bike at half of a rather high new price
example: buy a Ti hardtail that is XTR and under 20 lbs from us
vs a new Litespeed that is XTR & 22 lbs and twice as much
vs the Litespeed used for about the same price as our unit is new
there are some customers for each
I know which bike is more performance for the dollar
and that is what our standard of offering products is: the most performance for the dollar
our sales growth seems to support the conclusion that many shoppers are starting to see that value
The luckly thing for us and our customers is: the question of old 'Is the quality the same?' is over and answered.
Rational people now know the quality question is not in play; bikes that you can find online are just as high of quality as you can find in shops. Question is: Where do you want to buy? Do you want new or used? Do you want to save money online or pay the prices normally charged in shops?
It is all a process - but I am glad now that we have moved past the quality / spec questions and on to more rational discussion.