GamecockTaco

for those of you with a good relationship with the LBS, how do you balance your loyalty to them versus the savings you can sometimes get on things online?

I've got a shop near me that I've bought 3 kids bikes from along with several small things for my MTB, but they didn't have the roadie I wanted, so went to another LBS but also contemplated online purchase. Ended up buying from the other LBS.

Now, how do I keep both of these shops happy with my purchases as the first has been VERY helpful to me in sizing/education/etc. whereas the second was also VERY helpful for somebody who walked in off the street that they didn't know from Adam. Even remembered my name the second time I went in the shop.

That said, some of the online prices for accessories is just WAAAAAYYYYY below what either of these places can offer.

As a final consideration, the shop I didn't buy from is very close to home and I hope to do their weekly group rides with them (assuming they'll still let me. )

Just curious if anybody else has fought this battle and how it ended for you (or if it is ongoing)

woodcycl

To/for me ... there is no real dilema or issue. I take my major purchases (bikes, trainers, etc.) to my LBS as long as they are competitive (and they usually are). On accessory items, I generally ask what their best price is and as long as it is within reason of the lower online price, I'll give them my business. Otherwise, I order online. I believe most LBS's understand the dynamics of this and, at least my LBS, try to do their best to be competitive and reasonable on price. However, I've seen a number of bike shops not too far from me that simply don't budge at all. And, that is their perogative. It's all good.

CycleAloha

The only loyalty I have is to my wallet. I work hard for my money and will shop the LBS when either; a. I need it now or b. the price online is more expensive. I always look online first and calculate price w/shipping, if it's cheaper and I can wait 7-10 days I buy from them. My LBS has been very helpful and I love to go in and if nothing else atleast look around and shoot the breeze. The only problem w/them is they are a Specialized dealer and I don't own anything Specialized except my shoes so I have to get clothing and such online as I refuse to wear a jersey w/another bike brand on it.

As for the rides if they won't let you ride or don't make you feel welcome b/c you look out for your wallet, I say screw 'em, find another LBS and ride group.

SilentShifter

If I purchase it online and bring it to them to perform the install, they still get some of my money. As far as I am concerned I am still supporting them, though not as much as I would be if I had purchased that part from them. Also, if they take offense to that, or if they give me grief I look elsewhere.

jyossarian

I didn't buy any of my bikes from my LBS. But I still bring them in once in a while when I need something and they've never been anything, but friendly and willing to sit and talk ***** all day if there's no other customers to wait on. I buy cheap stuff like tubes, brake pads, etc. from them, but for other stuff that's cheaper online, that's where I shop.

Overkll

I'm in the same boat as you. I buy items that are close in price at the LBS and buy others online (or in the USA which is right across the river from me). I have spoken to the guys at my LBS about this, they REALLY understand, especially being a border city. They also shop around for items that aren't cycling related. Good example:

LBS: SKS fenders $52.00CDN (+TAX)--> discount for $50CDN out the door
MEC: Planet Bike fenders $18.75CDN --> list for $34.99US, not sure which truck they stole'm from

But I paid more for UltraGatorskins online than in store. I shop around, if it is close the shop will try to keep my business! For the fenders, their cost was more than the Planet Bikes w/ shipping.

Kerry

bbattle

I've only bought some tools and clothing online as my LBS's pricing on tires and tubes and water bottles is close enough to get them there. I've also bought shoes there even though I could get them cheaper online because they take the time to make sure I've got the right size. Plus, I can drop in anytime and they'll retrue the wheel, refill my water bottles, adjust the derailleur, give me advice and tips on equipment, maintenance, etc. That's worth something and I don't mind paying for it by paying a bit extra for this or that.

Plus, they pretend to enjoy my cycling reports.

Psimet2001 

If it's something that I need quick I always go LBS. Don't make any apologies for anything you choose to buy. Ride the group ride. If they ask you where you got X, or what you paid for Y then consider it an opportunity to bring them up to speed on their competition.

Believe it or not, but a good shop will appreciate the heads up, and they will probably tell you to come in the next time just to give them a chance to give you a better price and win your business.

BigSean

If I can save a substantial amount its a no brainer. I always give the LBS a chance to price match, better to make something then nothing, they usually wont budge. Therfore I guess they dont care about loyality either. I buy my bikes from the lbs, for service reasons not to mention warranty. I usually buy clothing and accesories on-line. Small parts at the lbs, cause shipping usually wipes out the savings. If Im saving $10 on a $100 purchase I go to the LBS, but if its $30 savings, Ill order it.

DiabloScott

The shop I like to go to has a sign that says "Hey - if you buy it on-line you waste a lot of money in shipping costs, it takes longer, and you won't be supporting our local school system and community with the sales tax money so you should buy from us" or something like that (it's well written, not confrontational).

They're pretty smart about what to carry, what people expect to find there and what most people will buy mail order. I go frequently to buy small stuff like tubes and Hammergel so they'll remember me when I need something.

Sage23

Its all subjective for me. Bottom line is that it comes down to a question of how quick do I need it and how much do I save.

I willing to give the LBS some significant price differentials simply because I understand that nothing beats being able to go in and get my hands on stuff. Sure, I can buy many things for cheaper online, but what happens when my LBS becomes the not-so-local bike shop when online competition forces small dealers to close and I have to drive accross town to the last remaining shop? Or my trusted LBS gets bought out by the mega-mart bike store whose employees don't know a cassette from a chainring (or even a handlebar for that matter).

Plus, I'm lucky. My LBS is actually fairly competitive so I don't save that much online!

Psimet2001 

I am finding this more, and more. The only things none of my LBSs can compete on are the OEM items from ProBikeKit....Michelin tires, pedals, etc...

BillMC2

The group rides are no problem. I wondered if it was shop specific or loyal but quickly saw that it is not. I bought a bike from Summit in Columbia and they were great. I am from Augusta Ga...so Columbia is a haul but the bike shops in Columbia offer excellent service.

My two favorites are Outspokin and Summit but Harrells offered excellent service too...I just didn't care for the brands they carried.

Crank It Up

It would be good etiquette NOT to throughly check-out a product at the LBS and then later brag to LBS about how much money you've saved by buying said product online.

phantomcow2

Buying the parts for my bike, I buy entirely online mostly ebay. For tires, tubes, patch kits, or any other accessory, I buy from my favorite shop ALWAYS. I have a good relationship, and they help me out. But on my student budget, I can only go so far.
Something I like though about this place, they do not sell crap. Everything my LBS sells is stuff that at least one of hte employees uses on his own bicycle and accept it. That being said, there is not a large selection of different stuff. But rest assured, it is always a good purchase. I support that

JayC

Odd for this to pop up now.

I have a guy Ive been dealing with for a while on my bike stuff. He isn't really local to me (About 50 miles each way) but he gives me small discounts on stuff "to offset the cost of gas" and he's a very good mechanic. I've been buying about 80% of my stuff from him, including most of my big ticket items. I bought a frame and wheelset from him along with some carbon bars and stem.

I decided I wanted to do a Pedal Force buildup and sent him an email about getting me a groupset for the frame. Couple days go by and he sends me a response that the cost for the groupset would be $950.00, minus 10% "gas money" discount. I checked all the other LBSs and they also wanted $950.00 for the group. When I ordered the frame, just for grins, I tacked on the groupset just to see what the difference was and almost fell over. Buying the group with the frame, the group added $435.00 to the price of the package.

Even at HALF price, I struggled with this. I know if I take the parts up to the guy to assemble the bike for me, he's gonna break it off in my rear for labor and fit but even still, I just couldn't pony up an extra $500.00 just to remain loyal to him.

Now I understand that he doesnt get the groupsets as cheap as the frame manufacturers do and that he has to make something on a sale but I really have a big problem with being charged retail for something that A) I have to prepay for B) All they do is pick the phone up and order it and C) Theyre still gonna charge me something to put it on. Mostly A and B.. I just dont think it's right to pay full price on something when it never went into inventory and they were never out a dime ordering it.

Sadly, most bike shops seem to disagree with me

goldfish

to JayC:

I would NEVER pay 500 more to ANYONE when i could get it for 435 somewhere else. Don't feel bad about not giving that guy the money. And, better yet, save your gas money, buy a bike maintenance and mechanics book for $20 and install the parts yourself.

blue_nose

I try and support my LBS as much as possible. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I don’t want to see them go out of business. I have bought some cheaper parts online on occasion, but try and purchase most things at my LBS. I really like the LBS by my office - they have helped me out with a few quick repairs over the years.

cycle17

My LBS is the farthest away of the three decent shops in my area. I've known the owner for almost 15 years. His shop is awesome, but even he can't stock everything. I told him last winter, "You get 99% of my regular business. Some things I just have to buy online or on ebay because of cost/budget, but the rest goes to you." He was totally cool with it and even acknowledged that even on things like bikes, he doesn;t make a lot of money. It's the accessories and all the follow-up business, upgrades, parts, repair etc... that he strives for.

Despite this, when I had to go to another shop this summer to replace my MTB (I sold the old one to my brother) I felt horrible about not being able to by it from my LBS. He just didn't have the model in my size and I needed it basically on the spot. He was cool with it, but I still felt a little bad. That's because for the most part, I'm loyal to the shop that has taken care of me all these years.

here and there

My LBS is only 3 miles away and they are generally more expensive than other shops around here. I bought my bike there, but for accessories I search online or go to Performance unless they have what I want and it's more cost effective for me to buy it there. They can be frustrating to deal with sometimes (that frustration actually encouraged me to start doing my own repairs so I guess I owe them for that heh), but they are lifesavers when I need small parts or emergency repair parts as I don't need to go far to get what I need.

4SEVEN3

A) Every part in the shop is money tied up. LBS owners (espically small ones) dont want to tie up money in odd/special parts. They want to have things on the shelf that sells and they can turn a PROFIT and grow as a company. Prepaying keeps every idiot from ordering parts, then deciding that they dont want it and never come to buy it. How would they be out a dime weather they ahd it in stock or ordering it, if they sell it at full retail there still making the same profit, the shop just hasnt had their money tied up in the part for 6 months beacuse it dosent sell well.

B) Well yeah........they have to call a supplier or importer. You think there gonna forge/machine a Campy groupset on site?

C) Hell yeah there gonna charge LABOR........your paying someone for their time and expertiese. Labor is a totally seprate transaction, noone said you HAD to have them install it.

Sheesh!

JayC

You can justify it any way you want. They basically had the option of making some money or no money. They got no money. How that is better, Im really not sure but you seem to have an insight I dont have.

Ive dropped several thousand in this place in the last few months in parts alone so I think its pretty safe to say that if I tell them I want something, I'll be there to get it.

Vitamin_J

The attitudes of both the local retailer and consumer really amaze me. It is the arrogant guy who buys his stuff online, comes into the retail store bragging ends in the same situation later because he is an insurance salesman, car dealer, classified newspaper salesperson, etc. who depends much upon the local economy.

The retail player needs to offer value added service that the online vendor can not in order to remain competitive. I'm not talking about the bottom of the heap service providers like Best Buy or Walmart.

Like the guy who saves a hundred bucks buying his business computer online and then freaks out when the part he needs replacing takes 3 days to ship. The local retailer would have swapped it while he waited in the store. $100 wasn't so bad in the end.

If you are buying a part and want to buy it cheap, there are plenty of suppliers. If you are making a considered purchase and may need support, advice or service on that item, buy it local...

JayC

At what price, tho? In my situation, the difference was $500.00. Had it been $100.00, I'd have bought it from the LBS but come on, $500.00? No one can claim they would spend that difference and not be lieing through their teeth.

Here's the long and the short of it. Bicycle shops for the most part are ignorant when it comes to the Internet. Don't believe me? When you're bored, spend some time looking at bike shops web sites. 75% of them look exactly the same.. I suspect they all paid the same company to do their sites and the same template was used over and over and over and over and over again. It's like they all have their heads buried in the sand and figure if they don't acknowledge Internet pricing, maybe it won't really exist. Why every single bike shop doesn't have an ecommerce site is again beyond me. One guy told me "Yea, I sold a bunch of stuff online last year but I just havent had time to mess with it this year."

Here's something else for you to consider. Do you really think LBS's keep the parts on hand to swap something out when it breaks? The LBS I deal with has to order almost everything that's not 105.. hell, one shop I've had do some work for me did not have a single Ultegra or Dura-Ace part, very little 105 and zero Campy. How are they going to swap it out? In fact, come to think of it, with the exception of a wheel set, everything I've bought from the shop I deal with has been special order.

I can't really fault the shops, tho.. they're in a lose/lose situation. They can't stock the inventory to compete with online stores, it's just too much stuff.. and if they try, they have to charge more to actually carry the inventory and then can't compete on the pricing.

I don't know what the solution is but all this "value added service" stuff is crap. I had my LBS build up my bike, they did a "free" fitting and gave me lifetime routine maintenance on the bike because I bought the frame from them for considerably more than I could have bought it from online (About $300.00). The selling point was "Well, we'll tune it up if it needs it, we don't care if it's once a week!" Since it's been built, I've had to take it back 4 times (About 90 miles round trip) for not shifting right, dropping the chain constantly, etc. Last two times Ive been in there the guy acted like he didn't want to touch it. I don't really blame him... he made his money off of me now every time he has to work on my stuff for nothing, it's costing him money. I'm not knocking the guy, I think he's a great mechanic and a nice guy but still, it's just as inconvenient for me to haul my bike 45 miles each way and blow half a day for a 10 minute adjustment as it is for him to have to stop and do it.

That's one of the reasons I'm building up another bike. I figure that way, I'll always have something to ride if I try to work on it myself and screw something up to the point it takes me a few days to get it back right.

seafoamer

My LBS has earned my buisness by loaning me stuff to try before I buy. To me that's worth more than the money I'd save if I bought online. I've had 2 trainers in my house for the last 6 days that I'm borrowing to see which I'd like to buy.