carlfreddy

I'm not against buying something online if its cheaper than at a brick and mortar store.

Most of the stuff we stock is proprietary and can only be purchased through authorized dealers, so when someone says "I can get it cheaper online" I take great pleasure explaining that they actually cannot.

My main issue is when customers bring in the bikes/merchandise they bought online and we have to fix the stuff. Its not even really an issue, its more labor for us (which is the best kinda business for us), but more of a concern or looking out for the best interest of our customers.

Example: We have a customer who comes in on a regular basis with his bike he bought online. He knew what he wanted and had a bottomline that we just couldn't meet. I understand that. But when you sit down and figure out all the ancillary services he's needed over the last year (that would've been no cost to him had he stretched his initial budget and bought a bike from us) he's spent quite a penny. I guess I shouldn't really care since its more service dollars in our door, but in his quest to find the "best deal" this customer has actually shot himself in the foot.

And all these "evangelists" everyone speaks of? They aren't all good. Everyone seems to have a "friend" who is big into cycling telling them that they can get a better deal in some way, shape, or form. For instance, "well, my buddy who is really into cycling says I should just buy this 105 bike and then upgrade the components. I'll get a top level bike at the bottom dollar." Yeah? Who is going to install the new components? Are you? God I hope not, because then you'll be bringing it into us to fix your mistakes. Is your All Knowing Buddy going to do it? I hope he's a mechanic, but I'm pretty sure he's not 'cause I know just about all the bike wrenches in the area. Again, I guess thats really not something I should complain about......

carlfreddy

Well I hope the business equivalent of Darwin will insure he doesn't stay in business long. Nothing in our shop is more than MSRP. In some cases its less, but if not its always at MSRP.

woodduck

Maybe he just had a budget of say $1k for example and didn't want to go over it? maybe he made a deal with his wife to spend $x amount at puchase time. When he now factors in the service costs for the year etc, he might have still ended up with a better equiped bike at day one as he bought it on line?

I don't know, maybe he just f'd up and comes to you guys next time.

dgalati

My LBS is just a bunch of overpriced goofs. They don't do anything for me, hence why I turned to online retailers.

carlfreddy

Right.

Those are factors that I do not have any knowledge on. But what I do know is that we could have easily saved him money in the long run had he purchased his bike from us.

People started shopping online because they are lazy. We have a price matching policy. There are lower level dealers in our area that always buy closeout bikes at the end of the model year and sell them stupid cheap. If the customer were smart, s/he would find one of those shops that has the bike he's looking for at the lower price, come to us and get the bike, get better customer service, and get better service after the sale.

woodduck

I agree too. I am only speaking from experience when I cut a deal with the wife when buying some frames etc, she knows I have no real need for them and knows how much I can get them for.

What I fail to mention is the headset/seatpost/new front mech etc I might also have to add in.

Personally I have had wins and lost bad with both online and walk in stores.

I sometimes wonder how some of the importers of some brands get away with it, regarding both some of the mark-up on some items and also the hit some take against online bulk-buying retailers.

But hey having said that, I only really buy the basic bartape and odd thing from the shop. Usually an item I need to test to see if it fits etc, then I pay what they give it to me for, usually a discount of some sort.

mollusk

I'm a do-it-yourself'er as well and I have no problem with my LBS/sponsor shop. They give me great deals and on occasion I can help them out with knowledge and/or bike tools from the distant past. I have even dropped my race bike off so that they could give a potential customer a test ride. I figured that it was the least I could do for all of the good they have done me recently.

ch3n207

15%, Junior discount.

Quel

It doesn't exactly take a bike wrench to install a component group. You need to be slightly mechanically inclined and have an internet connection. The only thing you need are a few specialty tools, not some advanced degree in mechanical engineering. Bikes are simple.

Anyways, I don't really shop for bottom dollar when choosing between my LBS and internet sales. It's mostly about convenience. If I need/want it quick I'll go to the store and buy it. If don't have the time to make the trip and don't mind waiting a few days, I'll buy online and have it waiting for me when I get home some day. Certain things I'll bring in for repair, like wheel truings, but most I'll do on my own.

pharmboyrx

This is why I never mention any sort of discount. The service I get at my LBS is worth MSRP sometimes. I send people there and tell them they will be taken care of. True I get a 10% discount now that I've bought a bike and they've fixed little things on my old bike on the spot no charge without me even asking, but I don't expect a discount. I haggle on bigger ticket items, but sometimes they can't match. I try to buy from them when I can, but sometimes it just doesn't make sense.

Example: I want Keo2 Max carbon pedals

LBS: $225 with my discount
PBK: ~$150

I'm not going to spend $75 extra just cuz my LBS has good customer service, but I do my best to support them and always pay in cash when I can.

mollusk

Good example. On occasion I have found some things on-line cheaper than my LBS can get them. I just told my LBS to change their source for that item. For things like this there are no hard feelings.

Matt2.8NJ

20% at both of my LBS, becase I've spent a bloody fortune at each. I'm very happy to support the local guys.

Unagidon

I like to support my local guys too, but I don't print money. I'm glad at least 2 of the 4 bike shops I visit understand that, and are totally cool about looking to match Internet prices.

hairnet

Life time free tune ups/minor repairs if you buy a bike. Well, that stuff doesn't happen very often -_-

BikeWise1

It doesn't matter how much you spend at your LBS if they aren't making a profit on each and every sale! At a 3% net margin, there ain't much room for "charity". Shops that match internet prices consistently are usually operating at a loss in order to try and keep you a customer. Then they go out of business! That's why I find out early if price is going to be the focus. I can't afford to spend two hours going back and forth answering questions while spec'ing out a custom group for someone only to be told, "oh, by the way-I'm gonna get that stuff online and bring it to you to install". I'm happy to assemble everything bought elsewhere, but why not spend the time of the guy that's actually going to profit by it? Seems fair to me. Let's be up front from the start.

FL_MarkD

My riding club membership allows me to receive the 10% discount. My gifts of beer and rum ensure that I get a simple adjustment done for free and immediately. Hey, bike mechanics need something to keep them smiling too.

Mark

AMFJ

I get 10% for being part of the local club.


That discount doesn't mean much to me. If the LBS has the product in stock, I want to buy it from them. However, if they don't have it in stock and "can order it for me"--I'm out. I can order it. I also don't have to wait until the normal order date--I can order it right then.

I would prefer to buy everything I need from my LBS---but their inventory restrictions (which I fully understand) prevents that. So I buy what I can from my LBS and buy everything else from online.

adriano 

sweet brags.

Psimet2001 

I just realized what I actually get from my shop -

Head-aches, gossip, and ulcers......broken friendships and an empty wallet.

Sourpuss Magee

Now that's a classic post.

Unagidon

I actually offer to give my favorite LBS 10-20% above his cost, which often represents about a 30-40% discount from MSRP. But I do agree about the upfront - no point wasting anyone's time. On the other hand, I really dislike bike shops that give me attitude when I politely ask if they'll match prices, whether it be to another bike shop or online.

sebo2000

Maybe I do not know how to talk to them, In Canada they give me nothing, worst; they ask 59$ for stuff that cost 19.99$ on ebay. MSRP is the low\sale price here, 90% of the time they go over MSRP.
Just 3 weeks ago I went to 2 places asked for Shimano SH-R132L, they offered me this special super end of season deal, “cost price” 275$ + 13% Tax

I’m not blond, I’m bold and I’m not stupid, I’m sick and tired about stories about expensive suppliers etc, CAD LBS charge what market will pay, and we have a lot of bloody people with a lot of bloody money, recession didn’t hit us that hard I guess.

That is why, in last 2 months I spent almost 4500$ at different places; all US or else, outside of Canada. I will not even buy shoe laces in Toronto and Mississauga. (I have Velcro anyway) That itself saved me at list another 4500$

kleinboogie

Sponsored stores give 10% for being part of tri-club of san diego. Came in handy on my bike.