Shopping tips on "current" or disposable items:
01-21-13, 07:50 AM
#1
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Shopping tips on "current" or disposable items:
I know a lot of you buy in bulk, but a lot of us don't.
I've been using eBay for some things, LBS for others, but recently needed a variety of things:
A seatpost, bar wrap, spacers, a shim, an RD, good cables, good shifter housing, etc.
I decided to visit eBay and kept a tally. The seatpost was specific. The tally: $312 and about $30 shipping.
I thought I'd give Amazon.com a go, and kept a tally, same items: The tally, $203 and $8 shipping. Did it.
It surprised me. I know many of you use Niagra, etc, but if not buying in bulk, can you list your "go-to" vendors?
Thanks.
I've been using eBay for some things, LBS for others, but recently needed a variety of things:
A seatpost, bar wrap, spacers, a shim, an RD, good cables, good shifter housing, etc.
I decided to visit eBay and kept a tally. The seatpost was specific. The tally: $312 and about $30 shipping.
I thought I'd give Amazon.com a go, and kept a tally, same items: The tally, $203 and $8 shipping. Did it.
It surprised me. I know many of you use Niagra, etc, but if not buying in bulk, can you list your "go-to" vendors?
Thanks.
01-21-13, 09:31 AM
#2
Wrench Savant
I have wound up on Niagra a couple of times when shopping on Amazon. Any how many different places you Amazon order came from??
01-21-13, 09:39 AM
#3
Thrifty Bill
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I responded to your prior thread, so a bit of a repeat.
The key two figures I keep in mind are $50 and $100. Any order of $100 or more, I go to Niagara first. Orders less than that, if I can hit the $50 mark, I go to Jensen. Jensen prices can be high, but they are very willing to price match.
The reason for those prices? Those are the figures for their free shipping.
Under that, I wait, as it really doesn't take much to equal one of those figures.
The one thing I buy in bulk are boxes of stainless cables. A box of 100 cables, via ebay, can be a compelling savings. Just took a quick look, the guy I bought from last does not have any auctions right now.
The key two figures I keep in mind are $50 and $100. Any order of $100 or more, I go to Niagara first. Orders less than that, if I can hit the $50 mark, I go to Jensen. Jensen prices can be high, but they are very willing to price match.
The reason for those prices? Those are the figures for their free shipping.
Under that, I wait, as it really doesn't take much to equal one of those figures.
The one thing I buy in bulk are boxes of stainless cables. A box of 100 cables, via ebay, can be a compelling savings. Just took a quick look, the guy I bought from last does not have any auctions right now.
Last edited by wrk101; 01-21-13 at 09:45 AM.
01-21-13, 09:40 AM
#4
Senior Member
Interesting topic. eBay has become expensive for lots of new/disposable goods, as I predict many brick and mortar operations keep rotating listings on eBay as well, and don't bother adjusting the price to real eBay market conditions.
My usual routine for pricing something is to first do a google shopping price check, then eBay to compare. Very often I can score better on eBay, but not always. Case in point, I needed a pair of Shimano downtube cable stops (you know the ones, nice alloy with the nice ratcheting adjuster on the drive side and the standard barrel adjuster on the left). Best online price was $18.99 shipped. I found a seller on eBay who had a new set and I ended up getting them for $14.xx shipped.
That said, sometimes it's still worth going to shops with an online presence that isn't cataloged by google shopping. Here are some places that have had the lowest price on *something* that I may have needed in the past). Note that that doesn't mean they're the have the best price on many things:
eBikestop.com
aspirevelotech.com
treefortbikes.com
bcmultisport.com
ediscountbike.com
planet-x-bikes.co.uk (UK)
wiggle.co.uk (UK)
xxcycle.com (France)
My usual routine for pricing something is to first do a google shopping price check, then eBay to compare. Very often I can score better on eBay, but not always. Case in point, I needed a pair of Shimano downtube cable stops (you know the ones, nice alloy with the nice ratcheting adjuster on the drive side and the standard barrel adjuster on the left). Best online price was $18.99 shipped. I found a seller on eBay who had a new set and I ended up getting them for $14.xx shipped.
That said, sometimes it's still worth going to shops with an online presence that isn't cataloged by google shopping. Here are some places that have had the lowest price on *something* that I may have needed in the past). Note that that doesn't mean they're the have the best price on many things:
eBikestop.com
aspirevelotech.com
treefortbikes.com
bcmultisport.com
ediscountbike.com
planet-x-bikes.co.uk (UK)
wiggle.co.uk (UK)
xxcycle.com (France)
01-21-13, 10:09 AM
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+1 Jensen on $50 orders (free shipping). Their prices tend to be high, but they price match. On orders of $100 or more, Niagara (their free shipping minimum). Those tend to be my two go to suppliers. FWIW, my Niagara order from 2 weeks ago showed up within six days. Nashbar and Performance tend to be high, even on sale, and charge NC addresses sales tax. Only thing I get from Nashbar is bar tape. Price point remains the choice on tubes.
I tend to buy Shimano SS cables, in a 100 count box, off ebay. If you are patient, pricing is very attractive. But to those that have no need for 100 cables, splitting a box between nearby listers could be a great way to go. I started buying spokes on ebay, cheaper than any other source.
Small parts for flip bikes often come from donor bikes. A $10 to $20 donor can yield seat post, crankset/chain rings, saddle, pedals (rarely), headset, stem, bars, lots of small cable clamps, etc.
I tend to buy Shimano SS cables, in a 100 count box, off ebay. If you are patient, pricing is very attractive. But to those that have no need for 100 cables, splitting a box between nearby listers could be a great way to go. I started buying spokes on ebay, cheaper than any other source.
Small parts for flip bikes often come from donor bikes. A $10 to $20 donor can yield seat post, crankset/chain rings, saddle, pedals (rarely), headset, stem, bars, lots of small cable clamps, etc.
Thanks,
Niagra
JensenUSA
eBikestop.com
aspirevelotech.com
treefortbikes.com
bcmultisport.com
ediscountbike.com
planet-x-bikes.co.uk (UK)
Bikewagon
Crosslake Sales
wiggle.co.uk (UK)
xxcycle.com (France)
Feel free to add.
Note: Sorry, wk101; I swear I put this thread up a couple of days ago, but couldn't find it.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 01-21-13 at 10:25 AM.
