I Think my LBS is Doing Something Really Shady
#1
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I Think my LBS is Doing Something Really Shady
So I stopped off at my LBS just now after work to see if they had any '17 Specialized Sirruses on the floor yet, I mainly wanted to see colors in person. '17s went up on the Specialized website last week.
For those that don't know, the Specialized website shows the Sirrus base disc in bright orange for 2016 and a price of $600. The '17 is only available in blue according to the site, and got a price drop to $550.
Well, my bike shop has several orange base discs selling for $600 - the problem is, the big price tag on every one clearly calls them out as '17s.
It's not just the base disc either, but also the base model. The base model is available in an identical black color scheme for both 2016 and 2017, but the 2016 is $520 and the 2017 is $500. Yet they had a bunch of black base models for $520, and listed as 2017s. Note they had neither of the new for '17 colors on the floor (silver and lime) for the base model either, just the black which is further suspicious.
I suspect in both of these cases, unless I'm missing something, they are dishonestly retagging their '16 Sirrus Base/base disc models as '17s. They had at least 4-5 of each.
Note this isn't the case on all models - the '16 Sirrus sports are correctly labeled as '16s, and they are selling '16 Sirrus Elites at a discount.
Am I missing something or is my LBS shady? The guy did tell me that they don't get '17s in until 2 to 4 months after they go up on the website, despite standing right in front of supposed '17s...I'd hate to name the shop (it's a chain), but hard to support my LBS if they are doing something dishonest...
For those that don't know, the Specialized website shows the Sirrus base disc in bright orange for 2016 and a price of $600. The '17 is only available in blue according to the site, and got a price drop to $550.
Well, my bike shop has several orange base discs selling for $600 - the problem is, the big price tag on every one clearly calls them out as '17s.
It's not just the base disc either, but also the base model. The base model is available in an identical black color scheme for both 2016 and 2017, but the 2016 is $520 and the 2017 is $500. Yet they had a bunch of black base models for $520, and listed as 2017s. Note they had neither of the new for '17 colors on the floor (silver and lime) for the base model either, just the black which is further suspicious.
I suspect in both of these cases, unless I'm missing something, they are dishonestly retagging their '16 Sirrus Base/base disc models as '17s. They had at least 4-5 of each.
Note this isn't the case on all models - the '16 Sirrus sports are correctly labeled as '16s, and they are selling '16 Sirrus Elites at a discount.
Am I missing something or is my LBS shady? The guy did tell me that they don't get '17s in until 2 to 4 months after they go up on the website, despite standing right in front of supposed '17s...I'd hate to name the shop (it's a chain), but hard to support my LBS if they are doing something dishonest...
#2
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Did you show him your badge.
How does one become a model police?
How does one become a model police?
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Never know till you call them on it. Just tell them you saw on the web where '17s only came in blue.
#5
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And that's what I'm hoping - I don't know if Specialized has some bizarre policy where beyond a certain manufacture date a prior model year gets tagged/updated to be sold as a current model year? Or something to that effect. Again, anything I looked at other than the base or base disc was correctly tagged as a '16, like Specialized's site.
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And that's what I'm hoping - I don't know if Specialized has some bizarre policy where beyond a certain manufacture date a prior model year gets tagged/updated to be sold as a current model year? Or something to that effect. Again, anything I looked at other than the base or base disc was correctly tagged as a '16, like Specialized's site.
#7
Interocitor Command
I'd let them know you've done a bit of browsing on Specialized's site and were pretty certain they only came in blue with an MSRP of $550. See what they have to say.
If you find out they're lying about the model year, don't do business with them. If that's what they are doing, then it's a pretty unethical business practice.
If you find out they're lying about the model year, don't do business with them. If that's what they are doing, then it's a pretty unethical business practice.
Last edited by Doctor Morbius; 07-25-16 at 05:51 PM.
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Be careful, the bike shop might put out a hit on you. Seriously though, if you got the serial number off one then reported them to the manufacturer might be all you can do. I can see how Specialized might get upset about it.
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#10
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Usually when a model is cost-reduced, you see it in the component specs. Are blue and orange bikes at the same component level?
#11
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I believe there are some changes, but I didn't look at the bikes close enough in person. I have gathered that the year is in Specialized's part/model number (last two digits in first number), but didn't think to look close at the manufacturer's tag on the bike...but don't really have any good reason to think they wouldn't say 2016.
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You know honestly, I always suspect that -- and any time I've bought a bike, I've always double checked on the manufacturer's web site for color scheme and components as they change.
But yeah dude, that sounds pretty dishonest and sketchy as heck.
But yeah dude, that sounds pretty dishonest and sketchy as heck.
#13
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I emailed Specialized to inform them of the situation, and to let me know if I'm missing something. Figured it didn't really help to ask the LBS since they will likely tell me something that may or may not be true, and I won't be able to know for sure. I figured Specialized is the one who will give me the answer straight - if the LBS is above board, Specialized will tell me and explain and all will be well for me and the LBS, no harm done, and if not, then Specialized will straighten things out with the LBS, as they should. Hard to imagine it would just be a mistake on the LBS's part, to be honest.
Will update this thread with what I hear from Specialized.
Will update this thread with what I hear from Specialized.
Last edited by puma1552; 07-25-16 at 07:01 PM.
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Don't call them out on it until you've fully done your research. As others have said, getting the serial numbers would be the most definitive way to confirm, but at the very least you could take a couple photos and reach out to Specialized. If they confirm, I'd call the shop owner out and shame them on social media if they deny it.
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I believe there are some changes, but I didn't look at the bikes close enough in person. I have gathered that the year is in Specialized's part/model number (last two digits in first number), but didn't think to look close at the manufacturer's tag on the bike...but don't really have any good reason to think they wouldn't say 2016.
So the only spec you looked at was color? That's about the least important spec. You should look at the components, and especially the crank and wheels because they're pretty common things to change (downgrade) to shave the MSRP some.
That, to me is how you should be looking at the bikes - and the model year - not color or even serial number because it's easier than looking for the S/N.
Tell us what you find out and then we might be able to answer your shadiness question.
Added:
I emailed Specialized to inform them of the situation, and to let me know if I'm missing something. Figured it didn't really help to ask the LBS since they will likely tell me something that may or may not be true, and I won't be able to know for sure. I figured Specialized is the one who will give me the answer straight - if the LBS is above board, Specialized will tell me and explain and all will be well for me and the LBS, no harm done, and if not, then Specialized will straighten things out with the LBS, as they should. Hard to imagine it would just be a mistake on the LBS's part, to be honest.
Will update this thread with what I hear from Specialized.
Will update this thread with what I hear from Specialized.
#16
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This is the 2017 model for $550 in blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/118422
This is the 2016 model for $600 in orange or blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/107451
There seems to be quite a difference in the components between the two.
I think marking a 2016 bike as a 2017 one is deceptive and would usually entitle the buyer to a refund as the goods do not match the description of the product (check your local laws). It can also lead to the customer over paying. If it was marked as a 2016 bike then the customer may try to haggle for a lower price (last years model and all).
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/118422
This is the 2016 model for $600 in orange or blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/107451
There seems to be quite a difference in the components between the two.
I think marking a 2016 bike as a 2017 one is deceptive and would usually entitle the buyer to a refund as the goods do not match the description of the product (check your local laws). It can also lead to the customer over paying. If it was marked as a 2016 bike then the customer may try to haggle for a lower price (last years model and all).
#17
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Thread Starter
So the only spec you looked at was color? That's about the least important spec. You should look at the components, and especially the crank and wheels because they're pretty common things to change (downgrade) to shave the MSRP some.
That, to me is how you should be looking at the bikes - and the model year - not color or even serial number because it's easier than looking for the S/N.
Tell us what you find out and then we might be able to answer your shadiness question.
You did this when you've only looked at the color? Go back and actually look at the bikes, you can figure this out for yourself!
That, to me is how you should be looking at the bikes - and the model year - not color or even serial number because it's easier than looking for the S/N.
Tell us what you find out and then we might be able to answer your shadiness question.
You did this when you've only looked at the color? Go back and actually look at the bikes, you can figure this out for yourself!
In any regards, we'll see what Specialized says.
#18
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Thread Starter
This is the 2017 model for $550 in blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/118422
This is the 2016 model for $600 in orange or blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/107451
There seems to be quite a difference in the components between the two.
I think marking a 2016 bike as a 2017 one is deceptive and would usually entitle the buyer to a refund as the goods do not match the description of the product (check your local laws). It can also lead to the customer over paying. If it was marked as a 2016 bike then the customer may try to haggle for a lower price (last years model and all).
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/118422
This is the 2016 model for $600 in orange or blue?
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/107451
There seems to be quite a difference in the components between the two.
I think marking a 2016 bike as a 2017 one is deceptive and would usually entitle the buyer to a refund as the goods do not match the description of the product (check your local laws). It can also lead to the customer over paying. If it was marked as a 2016 bike then the customer may try to haggle for a lower price (last years model and all).
Same deal with black base models, 2016s are $520 and 2017s are $500, but they had $520 black ones listed as '17s.
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If your LBS is part of a chain, it is possible that they negotiated a special deal with the manufacturer for a build with different specs. I think they do this so that is hard to compare apples to apples. I think PC manufacturers use this technique all the time, too.
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Am I missing something or is my LBS shady? The guy did tell me that they don't get '17s in until 2 to 4 months after they go up on the website, despite standing right in front of supposed '17s...I'd hate to name the shop (it's a chain), but hard to support my LBS if they are doing something dishonest...
#22
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Thread Starter
I took his comments to mean it probably takes 2-4 months for all models to be stocked in full, I assume it takes time for models to start trickling in bit by bit as they are made? In any regards, I did not test ride any bikes yesterday and left (though they did have a '16 Sirrus Elite marked down from $810 to under $700 that was tempting).
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I'd hop on that deal. 2016 orange bikes are WAY faster than 2017 blue bikes.
#25
Senior Member
I see this listed on the Specialized website without a model year attribution, at $600: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...us-disc/107451
So what's the problem?
If it is projected that there will be enough orange bikes still in stock with Specialized at the end of they year, the Orange bikes could very well be sold as "carry-over" models, and truthfully labeled as '17 bikes. Which decision might already have been made by Specialized.
Or it could easily be a simple mistake on the part of the shop.
Or it could be something nefarious going down, the shop purposely swindling the buying public by selling a bike at the online MSRP. The horror...
There is a very good chance the shop is doing nothing at all shady.
So what's the problem?
If it is projected that there will be enough orange bikes still in stock with Specialized at the end of they year, the Orange bikes could very well be sold as "carry-over" models, and truthfully labeled as '17 bikes. Which decision might already have been made by Specialized.
Or it could easily be a simple mistake on the part of the shop.
Or it could be something nefarious going down, the shop purposely swindling the buying public by selling a bike at the online MSRP. The horror...
There is a very good chance the shop is doing nothing at all shady.