Could one get a lot more bike for the $$ at LBS if they wait for after-Christmas or New Year's Sales?

Also, when they quote you a price in the LBS can you expect to knock them down a certain % as with instruments? I've been trading guitars and stuff for 25 yrs and I hate to walk in and see a newbie paying $500 MSRP sticker-price for a guitar that could be bought everyday for $325 or on sale for $250-75.

Is that how the LBS business works as well?

Thanks.

Not really.

Thanks Dan. I used to reside up 17 from you in Green Pond, SC.

I'm of the opinion and a surprised one at that, that even in this day and age of online sales, and intense competition, most bike manufacturers that are worth buying do a very good job of propping up their asking prices for their products by supporting and limiting a certain number of LBS's in a defined selling radius.

Example


REI sells Scott bikes, but not all of the REI outlets do so. Reason being is, in my area a high volumn 5-6 store chain bike shop with a good reputation has taken to selling the Scott brand. The not force a competition between a couple of large bike retailers, Scott will not permit the local REI store to carry their brand, but in other areas and states they do. Which keeps their prices solid.

Not at mine.

Most bike shops DO NOT have after Christmas sales or end of season sales in the fall.

No! Bike shops operate on a low profit margin. The price you see is the price you pay.

Did the other person move out?

Just got this in an em a couple of days ago. I haven't actually priced any Treks lately, but it might be worth dropping by your local Dealer.

I know with guitars, it seems like MSRP is always right about double the dealer cost, and it's pretty easy to find them selling at 60% MSRP. Not so with bikes.

Don't know about bike sales, but I would think bike shops get a burst of repair/adjustment activity AFTER Christmas.

From what I've read, bike shops don't have the keystone markup like guitars or clothing etc. Their "profit" centers are in the accessories. Pay the price for the bike and if anything, negotiate service. Most do a good job on that anyway when you buy a bike. Perhaps negotiate some on the a seat and other accesories.
Again from what I've read, RonH was right...they don't make all that much on the bike itself.

Last year two of the largest LBS's in my area held mid-February sales, 15% discounts. Otherwise they have the occasional sale on certain bikes and clearance prices on last year's models.

As others have already said, the mark-up on bikes is not high. You may see large discounts, but they will be on a.) bikes that have been around awhile and are not moving, or b.) closeout bikes that were purchased by the shop at a big discount and are not moving.

Your best bet for getting a deal is to be a good customer. Be polite, buy stuff at the marked price, and don't try to haggle on everything (As an LBS employee, I HATE it when I see the "hagglers" coming in. Especially if they are driving a really expensive car...). If you come in often enough and are nice to us, we're more likely to cut you a deal when we can. But, as I frequently tell my customers, if you are waiting for the 50% Off Sale" you'll be waiting a long time, because it's never going to happen.

Even at the prices they are asking, LBS's are finding it hard to keep the doors open. There are now 25% fewer LBS's than there were 5 years ago.

Is it possible that the manufacturers/distributors are causing the loss of LBS through price rigidity? Also, isn't it true that if one has a Performance store in the neighborhood, that that store is actually the LBS? We seem, able to support 2 LBS in a town of 40,000. Not sure that would be true were Performance to come in. I would guess though that tax revenue and employment would be fairly constant if Performance were to supplant the two LBS in town. Would that actually contribute to the overall "reduction" of LBS?

I'm sure the franchise stores, such as Trek and Performance, are putting a number of independent LBSs out of business.

It is Trek's stated intent to have up to 1000 Trek Company Stores in operation in a few years.

You can save a few bucks in the local shops, BUT, they can't order a new bike if you need a different size. The mfr's are into gearing up to bring out next years models. The temptation to sell you what they have, even if the sizing is a little off, looms large. It could be a mistake. bk

Wow. What bike manufacturer is that crummy? I can usually get whatever size that is offered, be it this year's, last year's, or next year's model. A shop like that is staffed by lazy bums that should be shoveling dirt at a rock quarry.

Next years model won't be on sale. bk