About 3 months ago I purchased a new sprocket from a local shop. I knew when I bought it I would need a new driver that they didnt have in stock, so I ordered it at the saem time.

Fast forward to today, I just got a call that my driver has arrived after being on backorder for three months. The problem is that i've already gotten a driver off the internet and dont need that one anymore. I dont want to piss off the guys at the shop, because it's the only shop in the area that carries BMX stuff, and i've already spent over $2000 there building up my bike.

what do I tell them?

You tell them it was three months ago, and you had given up on them and you are sorry, but you don't need it any more.

And maybe next time you tell them you won't need it before they actually got round to getting it in stock.

Uh, 3-months is way, way too long to wait for something. No more than 1-week is the max. I'd tell them you didn't want to wait that long and got it from someone else.

It is not your local shops fault, but the supplier. Whatever you do, try not to make the shop be the victim. Contact their supplier if necessary and tell them exactly how you feel about it.

Depending on your relationship with the LBS....I'd consider buying it and then selling on Ebay.

I think that's what I'd do.

Yes it is the shop's fault. Logistics and ordering is not that difficult. Sprockets are commodity items and can be had from at least 50 different suppliers. If they can't find one in 3-months, they should definitely lose the sale...

Heck, at certain times, when we didn't have something in stock, we've actually walked down the street and bought parts from a competing bike-shop just to make sure the customer can get their order filled in a timely manner.

Did you pre-pay when you ordered the driver (whatever that is)? If you did, then the driver belongs to you. If you didn't, the driver belongs to the LBS. I wouldn't pay for something that I bought from another source because it took the LBS three months.

I wouldn't feel to badly for the shop either. Turning the question around, I'd think the shop would be embarassed that it took so long. They should be concerned about retaining a good relationship with you.

I've frequently wondered why it takes a LBS 3 months to get something.
Don't they have access to the internet?
I mean heck, if their regular suppliers don't have it, can't they get it online and retain what seems to be a loyal customer?
When asking where to get something, the answer around here is always "online"!

When one of my clients asked if I could make a folding privacy screen, I calculated time/materials=$250-$300. My wife found then several options online. The one they got was $119 and free shipping!

LBS's, are you listening??

I assume that they don't really want to order it for me and it's their subtle hint that we'd both be better off if I just ordered it online.

What really annoys me are manufacturers who prohibit online sales of their products, but then take forever to ship.

Good points... in fact when an LBS tells me "they can order it," I tell them "so can I."

The fact is I want instant gratification... it is the reason I took the time to walk in the LBS door. Now if they chose to not carry something (that I would gladly pay their price for) that is their loss.

Yeah, I can order it too.

BTW the last LBS that "ordered it for me" took 3 weeks to get it... after waiting at least a week to "add it to their regular order." Sheesh