ph0rk

Yep.

If you try something on in a store, you ought to buy there. If you don't plan to, order multiple pairs online and eat the shipping to send it back. Or at least tell the employees at the LBS what your plans are so they can promptly ignore you and focus on customers that will actually spend money there.

CliffordK

I wouldn't try shoes on at the store, then buy online... well, probably not.

However, when I first went to clipless, I went to the local store, and they didn't have the size that fit. And, the store was quite a bit out of my way for a return trip (before I was doing as many miles as I am now).

I've bought shoes on E-Bay, generally for less than $50, so quite a bit less than you're paying. Some good deals, some not so good.

Iride01 

Yes I would and I do buy my shoes at the LBS. Bike shoes vary quite a bit in fit among the different brands. Shoes, whether for cycling or simply casual wear are one of the things I'll pay a premium for to get a good fit. A bad fit can make for miserable miles pedaling, running, walking or simply standing for long periods.

If I'd gained enough experience buying a particular model of a brand then I might order online. But that's a might. I don't go through shoes quickly and I don't relish the idea of having to go through the fuss and lost time of returning a shoe that isn't quite up to snuff in fit.

How often do you buy the first pair of shoes you try on in any store? If it happens frequently, then you might be a good candidate for online. I don't resemble that. Even when I go to a full service shoe store and they measure my feet, I'm still trying on multiple pairs of the same shoe.

Witterings

Whilst I think the internet is an amasing thing in a lot of ways for information, maps, communicating with people via forums etc I do actually think it's a shame that it's had such a major impact on local high street stores as so many are closing ... but it's not just that.

About 6/7 years ago there were 3 hi-fi shops in my town ... now there are none ... I remember though going into one of them window shopping to a degree (but knew I'd buy eventually) for a mini / midi system for the kitchen, the system I went in to hear I wasn't overly impressed with so didn't buy it and went back to researching alternatives but you really felt they were skeptical to every customer that walked through the door and they thought you were just there to sound check something before buying online.

I had another situation 10 days ago .... I desperately want to buy a gravel bike but don't have the funds available at the moment, I went into the LBS to try a Specialized Diverge I knew they had in stock for size but also as I'm self employed if I see / feel / touch something I really want it motivates me to work harder so I can earn more money to buy the toys I want.

I said to the person the minute I walked in I'm not buying today I wanted to try it for size / feel and was considering the model up from what they had in stock when the funds were available, I think initially he thought he could of converted me there and then and was all enthusiastic and when he realised he couldn't OR he thought I was trying it for size to buy from elsewhere online his whole demeanor changed and he became almost rude and totally disinterested.

There are some things I'd never buy online because they're high value (over £50) and too big and bulky making it too much hassle to send back if there was ever a problem .... stereo systems and a bikes (partially because of the 6 week tune up as well) .... both fall in this category but both stores pre-judged a situation and give you no incentive to return and buy from them in the future because if that's the level of service you receive you may as well just buy online. Certainly in terms of the LBS, they're the only local Specialized dealer so I wasn't going to go elsewhere (especially as they're all locked to set retail prices) if that was the bike I decided I wanted but would now consider other alternatives.

Incidentally my friend went into the same LBS and bought a £1000 Cube 29er, he didn't realise it didn't come with pedals so negotiated that a set of pedals would be included for the asking price.
As they didn't have it in his size he couldn't take it away with him that day (Thursday) .. they said the bike would be ready on the following Tuesday, he went to pick it up and they tried charging him extra for the pedals.
hen he queried it they said that was the offer on the day you agreed to buy it and as it's now 5 days later it's no longer valid he went nuts and pointed out the only reason he couldn't take it away on the day was because they couldn't supply it and if that was their attitude cancel the order and refund the deposit .... they very reluctantly honored it and included some pedals.

When he took it in for it's 6 week check over, they appeared reluctant to do it at all and had virtually no interest in gear change issues (which was probably just minor adjustment as cables had stretched) and generally seemed totally disinterested altogether ... he doesn't think they actually adjusted anything but just left it in the shop for a day until he picked it up.

I do get the shops are maybe getting a bit disillusioned but they also have to encourage you to go back, my experience sizing the Diverge combined with my friends experience who said he'd never buy anything from them again ... why would I want to go back there so there is a little bit of chicken and egg .... If you go somewhere and get really great service / advice you generally don't mind paying the extra especially as you want to take your new toy home there and then

HerrKaLeun

Are you guys all saying before Internet one was required to buy in the first LBS and was not allowed to go to different LBS and then buy from the cheapest?
If they sell them for 25% more and assuming the online place also makes a living, their markup must be huge.

TiHabanero

Access to all sorts of goods and services on the web is changing the landscape. Some laud this as it is consumer centric, lower costs and it really forces local retailers and service providers to up their game. What is not discussed is how it affects the local economy long term.

I understand that jobs are created and recreated all the time and the shift to internet commerce has cost local jobs and created some new ones, however it is impossible to fully understand the long term impact of this phenomenon at this point. On a micro level we see things, however long term study, say 50 years out, is yet to offer itself. How does it affect older workers, entry level workers? People re-entering the workforce after a long time away from it?

Does the demise of manufacturing in the US and other developed countries following the shift of production to low cost states provide clues as to what will happen on the local level?

I know, innovate or die. Remember that when your job is replaced by a company on the web doing the same thing at a cut-rate fee.

canklecat

For shoes I'd buy where I tried 'em. My feet are hard to fit. Having a local dealer with my size is worth the extra money, within reason. And the Five Ten shoes I've tried locally are priced the same as online, so there's no incentive to buy online.

I did buy my Scott clipless shoes online earlier this year, but I took a gamble since the shoes cost only around $50. They were advertised as narrow with a smaller toe box and with custom insole. I still needed to adjust the insole several times to find one that gave me adequate support without interfering with circulation.

Cuyuna

Nor would I if, at the LBS, I found a pair that I liked and it fit well. But if, for example, I found a pair that I like and they didn't have my size or color, then I have no problem ordering that shoe online, which would probably get that shoe to me faster or more conveniently than having the LBS order it for me. The money isn't the issue for me, convenience is.

Now....20% more, that's significant. I don't mind paying more for anything at the LBS, but I do require that they at least make an attempt to be competitive

jefnvk

Nope, but all the LBS I'm bound to go to are on a level playing field. I'm not using one as a showroom, and going to another next door that is really a warehouse with a much larger selection and cheaper prices with no staff and buying without trying. And, at least around me, most shops don't carry the same shoes anyhow, except maybe one or two popular Giro or Shimano models.

Eh, this may be a more extreme example just from the cost of the shoes, but 20% could easily be shipping costs add-on for a more modestly priced set of shoes.

wphamilton

$50 more than $200 is 25% more (not 20%), and maybe more than I'd spend just to buy locally. My perspective is that it's a matter of value for the product, including intangibles, and the free market determines that in the end. For the shop to command a higher price they must provide more, which is usually that it's right there now, and it's specifically what I want. To some extent it may be that their product knowledge is helpful in selecting or using a product. If those factors do not pertain to the shoes, I wouldn't feel an obligation to purchase them at the store.

If you're using their stock to find your size, or plying them with questions, I personally would buy some incidentals there like a tube, chain oil, gloves or something like that. That's after all one of the reasons to stock a show-room with slow moving expensive items, to get traffic into the store. They don't expect everyone who looks at the shoes to buy them (if they're reasonable), but they do want the people coming through to buy something. So I'd say feel guilty if you just walk out, but not so guilty that you'll pay whatever they ask for the shoes.

Karman321

prathmann

But the store will sell it for $200 if he joins their $30 buyer's club, so his total is $200 + $30 +$14 (tax) =$244 vs. the $200 online or $214 online if he complies with his state's Use Tax rules (which few do) - so either 13% or 22%. And the $30 may benefit him later if he does end up buying other items from the LBS. Seems like a pretty small premium in exchange for being able to try the shoes on and seeing how they fit and look in person vs. the online picture.

Ogsarg

Helmets and shoes are something I would never buy without trying on and since I want there to be places to try them on, I'll always buy these things from a shop with the full understanding that I could get a better price on line. 20% is well worth it for me and I'd likely pay a much higher premium if necessary.

As many have said, stores are carrying less and less brands/models of shoes due to inventory cost and low turnover due to online sales. This drives more people to buy online, which further reduces store choice, which forces more people to buy online, etc. At some point, it'll be hard to find a place that has more than a few different shoes to try. Small shops may just stop carrying them altogether.

fietsbob

Bought a pair of Blundstone boots for winter use, but knew already, UK , so their Australian shoe sizing
was a whole number lower to be the same size as the US..

ph0rk

Sounds like your LBS sucks - find a different one. When you do, don't begrudge them the money it takes to keep the lights on.

I've moved states several times in the last few years and I haven't had a problem finding a plain-dealing shop that isn't afraid to get weird. However, I give them plenty of business so I get the occasional freebie or nice deal on things, and I get to hop to the front of the line when I want or need something looked at or fixed quickly (bottom bracket warranty replacement, etc) - even for bikes I didn't purchase there.

And I dress and look scruffy as hell. Bikes too - ain't nobody thinking dollar signs when I bring in a ragged commuter-mode crossrip for work.

jefnvk

Eh, when I lived on the west side of Michigan, I ran into the same problem as him, no one had any desire to sell me a road bike under $1500. There seems to be this myth around here that every LBS is a great place full of people worth supporting, that really isn't the case. They're businesses, some are run far better than others.

TiHabanero

" There seems to be this myth around here that every LBS is a great place full of people worth supporting, that really isn't the case. They're businesses, some are run far better than others." Just like an employer, some suck, some don't. When you are in a less than inspiring job, you get out of there. The same goes with grocery stores, LBS, car dealers, etc. Just don't use their services and stiff 'em. Ain't ethical.