Everything in life is negotiable, Although often times you will not get the price you ask for. There seems to be a lot of "Save the Bike Shop" sentiment in this forum. This is the United States, where you have the option to say whatever you want and spend your money wherever you'd like. If the bike store has an emotional problem and can't handle you asking for a lower price then walk away. It isn't rude. MSRP is nowhere near what they paid for the bike. I have dealt with Bikes, Kayaks, Autos and even toys. The average mark up is 33% on small budget items like 500-1200 bikes. Anyone telling you otherwise is LYING. It's retail, they have margins like everyone else.