Originally Posted by
marcusbandito
The big difference in going local is service. When I build a wheel for a customer I guarantee the wheel, just like the online guys, and true/ re-tension the wheel free of charge for the first year if needed. The customer has a face to talk to instead of emails or a phone. Most of all, you can support your local shop and build community if you go local.
I agree with the last part, though others may or may not, but ... as to the first part ... everybody that I've heard from/of that's bought their wheels from the two builders that I mentioned .... hasn't needed true/re-tension unless they badly biffed their bike.
For years. Seriously.
With no disrespect to YOU, YOUR shop, or YOUR skills, per se, it's the old "I'd rather have a good car than a good warranty."
There may BE an LBS nearby .... for whomever ... that can do a quality job ... but it wouldn't be my first preference to shop ... unless my local peeps could assure me that an artist was nearby.
As I said, for the general LBS vs. online/non-local, I'm with you.