So is ordering tires or other stuff direct from Specialized good, bad, or evil? Specialized seems to offer some great deals on closeout items plus lower than Lbs prices on other items. I'm in need of tires and they have them for $26 each plus $8.25 for two day shipping, the same tire is $42 each at a Lbs. So is Specialized screwing their dealers by marking products down lower than wholesale to clear out old stock, or do the shops just choose not to mark stuff down at the end of the season/model run?

Your LBS should be matching those prices.

That $26 tire is a discontinued model and they offer only one size. Look at the tire above this one on their "Performance Tire" page. It is $42 in multiple sizes and colors, just like your LBS.

Tell the LBS about the price and they might cut you a deal. You're only talking about a difference of less than eight bucks.

I bought some bottles from them recently, I could not find exactly what I was looking for elsewhere. Quick shipping, good experience.

So I called the shop, they would match the price but only had one 25c tire in stock. I can't tell from their site which model they have but it looked like the older one. The tires are on the way from Specialized, I don't care if my tires are last years model, and I saved $25 after shipping compared to the new model.

I bought last years close out Alias for $44. The LBS doesn't have them, but could probably get one for me for $100. I bring them enough business. For stuff like this, I'll buy online.

ordering directly

Boy...when a supplier starts competing with their own distribution system...

Maybe they'll start competing with the bike shops that sell their product with less expensive on-line bike sales. "Why buy it from a bike shop when you can buy direct from us for less money? Then take it to the shop that couldn't sell it for service."

Sounds like the Marketing Department had one of those "off site planning sessions"...

My shop always matches the Specialzed website on closeout items. They can order anythign from Sepcialized... including the closeouts. So, they get a better deal as well... and it ends up costing you the same as if you bought it off the website.

Shipping is expensive for small stuff. Found the reason: 10 pounds of catalogs with every order.

Yep, that is why its sometimes cheaper to get it from the LBS.

Why? You assume the shop got a deal on them. Maybe they bought from Specialized at full price only to have Specialized discount them later. Happens all the time.

No. It's the shop's choice of whether to mark them down and take a hit. Frankly, if it were me and they were selling well in my store, I'd leave them be. It costs money to have someone change all the info in the POS and retag the stuff. You found a deal online? Great. Go for it. You're willing to wait a few days to save a few bucks. Fine.

If on the other hand, I bought 50 of them in July and there are 40 left in October, obviously it wasn't a very desirable product to begin with. If I were to see the distributor selling to the public at a discounted price, I'd either send the product back for a full credit, or ask for a credit in line with their discount and mark 'em down and hope they sell.

I was going to buy teh Toupe saddle directly because there is a 30 day guarantee... I've been having saddle issues lately. Incycle (a specialized dealer) does not take returns on saddles.

I wanted to test it out b4 being commited to a saddle.... But I ended up jsut buying on fleabay for $50 less (brand new)... I figure if that saddle doesnt work for me I can resell it for about $20 loss... better that a guarantee $70 hit from them directly (includes tax and $8 shipping)

My LBS marks everything up $5 to $15 so anything I get directly from Specialized is a bargain. I paid $50 plus tax last year for those $37 Armadillos. Also Specialized has a better selection than my LBS and they don't try to pass off last year's stuff as current.

I think it is time to find a new LBS

You call the shop and they match the price on a Specialized CLOSEOUT tire and you still order it from Specialized?

I cannot believe you, Dude!

Well, that company isn't owned by Specialized. "Specialized Dealer Direct" is it's own corporation. It's actually fully owned by local Specialized Dealers. Specialized dealers can also buy any close out merchandise advertised by Specialized Dealer Direct at wholesale close out prices. Items that are in short supply are supposed to be shipped to local dealers before SDD.