No More Nashbar
09-28-10 | 01:34 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 173
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From: 'burbs of Ottawa ON Canada
Bikes: Marin Larkspur / Giant Defy Alliance 1
Yes, prices in Canadian bike shops are an interesting feature of living in the Great White North that Americans just would not believe. Quite often the argument is made that you should not buy mail order in order to support the local business. But talk about gouging!
The main fault lies with the few distributors in Canada, mostly Quebec-based, which charge pretty much what the market will bear, not really competing, but using their "competitors'" pricing to justify their own. The lowest prices usually are found at Mountain Equipment Co-op, with some items selling for less than at REI, its US-based counterpart (although many manufacturers will not sell to them due to Canada's weak anti-trust laws) and at shops like Bicicleta or Campione, which work with their own import company, I think. I do believe that "the rents" are being extracted at the distribution level in Canada. Prices will only fall when enough Canadian cyclists start shopping at foreign mail order companies. And I'm doing my part; it's either MEC or mail order.
Luis
The main fault lies with the few distributors in Canada, mostly Quebec-based, which charge pretty much what the market will bear, not really competing, but using their "competitors'" pricing to justify their own. The lowest prices usually are found at Mountain Equipment Co-op, with some items selling for less than at REI, its US-based counterpart (although many manufacturers will not sell to them due to Canada's weak anti-trust laws) and at shops like Bicicleta or Campione, which work with their own import company, I think. I do believe that "the rents" are being extracted at the distribution level in Canada. Prices will only fall when enough Canadian cyclists start shopping at foreign mail order companies. And I'm doing my part; it's either MEC or mail order.
Luis
You got that straight.......a Shimano Dura Ace 9 speed (7700) is C$83.26 at Ribble, $162.99 @ cyclepath.ca
To the OP - I'm surprised at Nashbar's position, especially with a long-term customer unless they're willing to offer some alternative shipping mode. I deal with a scuba shop in Tx that is very adept at shipping stuff to Canada (via UPS express no less), the shipping cost is low enough that it's not worth my time to drive to Ogdensburg and I usually get my purchases the following business day - no brokerage charges, just HST (which the border folks are happy to collect too)
09-28-10 | 04:02 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
I have just concluded my business relationship with Bike Nashbar. This is a real shame, because I've been buying stuff from them since the 70's, at least 30 years. I must have spent thousands with this mailorder company, and for good reason, as they usually have some very good prices on stuff, as well as some very good products (such as their winter tights that come in a "tall" size, and their knockoff of the San Marco Regal saddle that is almost as comfortable as the real thing).
But they would not ship my last order because I was having it sent to my mail drop. I live in Vancouver, Canada, but I have stuff sent to a parcel drop in Blaine, WA, just across the border. This lets me ship stuff at US shipping rates, which are much, much lower than the rates in Canada. As well, it's cheaper and faster for me to clear the stuff thru customs, rather than pay extra for UPS's broker, plus the border fees, etc.
Nashbar no longer sends stuff to parcel companies, UPS stores, or motels. This is understandable, since there's a parcel forwarding scam that is being perpetrated on mailorder companies. But my parcel drop does not do any forwarding, and I have been a customer of Nashbar for about 30 years. But they will make no exceptions. It has to be a residential address. So I just told them to cancel the order, and that as a result I would cease to do any further business with them. You would think they would make an exception in the case of a longterm customer? No, Nashbar has turned into the typical corporation...
Luis
But they would not ship my last order because I was having it sent to my mail drop. I live in Vancouver, Canada, but I have stuff sent to a parcel drop in Blaine, WA, just across the border. This lets me ship stuff at US shipping rates, which are much, much lower than the rates in Canada. As well, it's cheaper and faster for me to clear the stuff thru customs, rather than pay extra for UPS's broker, plus the border fees, etc.
Nashbar no longer sends stuff to parcel companies, UPS stores, or motels. This is understandable, since there's a parcel forwarding scam that is being perpetrated on mailorder companies. But my parcel drop does not do any forwarding, and I have been a customer of Nashbar for about 30 years. But they will make no exceptions. It has to be a residential address. So I just told them to cancel the order, and that as a result I would cease to do any further business with them. You would think they would make an exception in the case of a longterm customer? No, Nashbar has turned into the typical corporation...
Luis
09-28-10 | 04:10 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Tree Fort has to be watched carefully. I lately priced a set of Allroads. Tree Fort site price was $72 (!!!!!). They did an automatic price match with Rivendell, bringing it down to $68. But Google Shopping showed Tree Fort at about $45!
I can't give you the end of the story because my wife decided she did not want a bar of that shape, and besides I found a Wald steel bar at a different LBS for about $15. She held it and decided she'd use her old MTB bars ... Lady got what she wanted!
But once I found their lowest price for Paselas (which was also THE lowest price!), and asked them if I dropped by (next town over!) would they give me that price, and they did! With installation if I bought their tubes, too!
I can't give you the end of the story because my wife decided she did not want a bar of that shape, and besides I found a Wald steel bar at a different LBS for about $15. She held it and decided she'd use her old MTB bars ... Lady got what she wanted!
But once I found their lowest price for Paselas (which was also THE lowest price!), and asked them if I dropped by (next town over!) would they give me that price, and they did! With installation if I bought their tubes, too!
09-28-10 | 05:43 PM
#29
"Chooch"
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, Louisiana
Bikes: Late 1990s Ciocc Titan
I believe Performance still ships to business addresses (at least they'll still ship to mine). I also do a fair amount of business with The Yellow Jersey - they're still owned/operated by passionate cyclists rather than myopic margin-driven bean-counters.
09-28-10 | 06:21 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,023
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From: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored
Hmmmm. Interesting situation. I agree with the observation that since big companies took them over, Nashbar and Performance are just not the same. (Never did business with Bikecology) Who owns Nashbar now? Does Arnie Nashbar even have anything to do the company anymore?
I still get their catalogs, and I do buy some small items, such as brake pads, from them. But, for the bigger items, it's off to my LBS.
Remember when Nashbar experimented with retail stores? They had one in Needham, in an industrial area, right near the legendary "You Do It Electronics". On long weekends, the place looked like a russian grocery store. Cleaned out of pretty much everything. The staff: Some good, some not so.
I still get their catalogs, and I do buy some small items, such as brake pads, from them. But, for the bigger items, it's off to my LBS.
Remember when Nashbar experimented with retail stores? They had one in Needham, in an industrial area, right near the legendary "You Do It Electronics". On long weekends, the place looked like a russian grocery store. Cleaned out of pretty much everything. The staff: Some good, some not so.
09-28-10 | 06:30 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 73
From: 5200' Boulder, CO Area
Bikes: Specialized 6Fattie, Parlee Z5, Cannondale SuperX
I placed a fairly massive order to Ribble earlier this year (lots of Assos stuff). Great price, great shipping, and oh, btw, on the box was a statement that the local PO should collect a big chunk of cash from me for excise tax. But, the local PO never saw the Memo! Tax on clothing, but no tax on equipment.
09-28-10 | 07:13 PM
#32
Broom Wagon Fodder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 64
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick
Maybe you could find a bicycling friend in Blaine, WA and have it shipped to that guy's house instead of a mail drop.
09-28-10 | 08:37 PM
#33
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
09-28-10 | 08:43 PM
#34
Senior member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,368
Likes: 889
From: Oakville Ontario
09-28-10 | 09:43 PM
#35
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
09-28-10 | 10:32 PM
#36
Remember when Nashbar experimented with retail stores? They had one in Needham, in an industrial area, right near the legendary "You Do It Electronics". On long weekends, the place looked like a russian grocery store. Cleaned out of pretty much everything. The staff: Some good, some not so.
It was great while it lasted, but it all ended when Performance took over.
09-28-10 | 10:36 PM
#37
"Chooch"
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, Louisiana
Bikes: Late 1990s Ciocc Titan
In the '80's and early '90's, Nashbar had an outlet store attached to their warehouse in Youngstown, Ohio. I made that 50 mile drive frequently (just ask my wife). They had a large bargain table filled with returns and miscellaneous goodies at ridiculously low prices. But even better...customers could place an order from the current catalog, hand it to the guy at the counter, and wait while he walked back into the warehouse to fill it. No waiting - no postage - no hassle.
It was great while it lasted, but it all ended when Performance took over.
It was great while it lasted, but it all ended when Performance took over.
09-29-10 | 10:41 AM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 84
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From: North Carolina
Bikes: Specialized Hybrid
09-29-10 | 10:50 AM
#39
Administrator
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,655
Likes: 2,701
From: Delaware shore
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
In the '80's and early '90's, Nashbar had an outlet store attached to their warehouse in Youngstown, Ohio. I made that 50 mile drive frequently (just ask my wife). They had a large bargain table filled with returns and miscellaneous goodies at ridiculously low prices. But even better...customers could place an order from the current catalog, hand it to the guy at the counter, and wait while he walked back into the warehouse to fill it. No waiting - no postage - no hassle.
It was great while it lasted, but it all ended when Performance took over.
It was great while it lasted, but it all ended when Performance took over.
09-29-10 | 12:46 PM
#40
I remember buying the old fuzzy polypro jerseys for $5 - I think they were returns, but I didn't find any defects.
Good times.
09-29-10 | 02:58 PM
#41
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Last I heard Arnie Nashbar retired to FL with all the money he received from the Performance buy-out and unfortunately suffered a severe stroke shortly thereafter. Not sure of his where-abouts now.
Back in 70's Nashbar and Bikecology were bitter rivals. I worked at Bikecology mail-order in Santa Monica from '76 to early '80. One day Arnie walked into the Bikecology offices unannounced. I had no idea who he was, but when he asked me what I did there I told him I handled all the frame ordering and sales. He then told me he was Arnie Nashbar and offered me a job at Nashbar (called Bike Warehouse back then) on the spot.
I politely turned him down and buzzed Alan (Goldsmith, owner of Bikecology at the time) and told him he had a visitor. Wish I could have heard that conversation when Arnie went up to Allen's office! Arnie left the building a short time later, looking not very pleased!
I still see Allen at Interbike occasionally (not for a couple of years though), but haven't seen Arnie since that day.
Rick / OCRR
Back in 70's Nashbar and Bikecology were bitter rivals. I worked at Bikecology mail-order in Santa Monica from '76 to early '80. One day Arnie walked into the Bikecology offices unannounced. I had no idea who he was, but when he asked me what I did there I told him I handled all the frame ordering and sales. He then told me he was Arnie Nashbar and offered me a job at Nashbar (called Bike Warehouse back then) on the spot.
I politely turned him down and buzzed Alan (Goldsmith, owner of Bikecology at the time) and told him he had a visitor. Wish I could have heard that conversation when Arnie went up to Allen's office! Arnie left the building a short time later, looking not very pleased!
I still see Allen at Interbike occasionally (not for a couple of years though), but haven't seen Arnie since that day.
Rick / OCRR
09-29-10 | 06:52 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,955
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From: Seattle, Washington, USA
Bikes: 2009 Chris Boedeker custom; 2007 Bill Davidson custom; 2021 Bill Davidson custom gravel bike; 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado e-bike
I didn't know you worked at Bikecology. The Bikecology in Santa Monica used to be my LBS when I lived in Westwood ('81 to '83).
09-29-10 | 07:55 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,811
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From: Northern Nevada
Nashbar's still around? I bought probably a few thousand dollars' worth of stuff from them in the '70s and '80s, but I haven't even thought about them in years. I haven't really felt the same about them since they dropped the old line-drawing catalogs in favor of photographs.
09-29-10 | 08:47 PM
#45
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 46
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From: Salem, MA
Bikes: 2000 Habenero Road, 2022 Habnaero gravel, 2005 Spicer touring
Nashbar's still around? I bought probably a few thousand dollars' worth of stuff from them in the '70s and '80s, but I haven't even thought about them in years. I haven't really felt the same about them since they dropped the old line-drawing catalogs in favor of photographs.
09-30-10 | 04:49 AM
#46
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
09-30-10 | 07:48 AM
#47
On the lam
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,470
Likes: 96
From: The Village
I discontinued doing business with Nashbar after their credit card data base was breached, and my credit card accrued numerous unauthorized purchases.
After I straightened out that credit card fiasco, I get an apology letter from Nashbar a few months later, along with a 30 percent discount coupon that's only good for 30 days.
Also, I'm not sure who's in charge of Nashbar's marketing strategy, but I feel that their 2010 "Fall into Savings" catalog cover showing an MTB cyclist doing a face plant onto a rock is in bad taste.
After I straightened out that credit card fiasco, I get an apology letter from Nashbar a few months later, along with a 30 percent discount coupon that's only good for 30 days.
Also, I'm not sure who's in charge of Nashbar's marketing strategy, but I feel that their 2010 "Fall into Savings" catalog cover showing an MTB cyclist doing a face plant onto a rock is in bad taste.
09-30-10 | 08:04 AM
#48
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
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From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Fun times, and since I was in my 20's then, a whole different outlook on the sport of cycling and life in general!
Now, Sherman, where did you put that "Way Back" machine?
Rick / OCRR
09-30-10 | 08:23 AM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,102
Likes: 6,009
From: Zang's Spur, CO
I have been having everything shipped to a UPS Store for the past ten years.
I just received a Nashbar order two weeks ago.
If you use the address the UPS Store provides you, it has *your* name, not the store name in it.
I started using the UPS Store because I got damned tired of coming home to find a note saying
"We tried to deliver but need a signature", or the opposite problem of finding a $2000 item left
sitting on the porch all day.
09-30-10 | 07:34 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
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From: Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Bikes: Giant easy e, Priority Onyx, Scott Sub 40, Marin Belvedere Commuter
Something is not kosher here. It's not a matter of making an exception. Nashbar made an offer in their catalog and your accepted. You paid for it, you get to set the terms. Your the customer and your always right. Always.