Originally Posted by carleton

I agree with you.

Well why do you think that is?

It's because everybody wants to buy online now. Online is driving all kinds of small businesses out of the game. If LBSs were making good money then they can afford to pay for good, knowledgeable employees. But if they are barely staying afloat then the use whatever employee that will work for minimum wage.

This is why I always preach "go to the local bike shop" first.

Guys, if you want a good local bike shop, give them your business. Yes, you might save a dollar by buying your tubes online. But, that $1 could go into the pocket of the LBS employee that you see in the neighrborhood instead of a warehouse owner in god-knows-where.