I Hate My Lbs!
#26
Ex Go-Kart racer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 727
Bikes: Trek Bruiser 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My LBS does free maintenance and tune-ups for a year if you buy something from them. I am not sure if they will do it on bikes that are modified though, hope so.
#27
close to 2000
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ontario, canada
Posts: 1,856
Bikes: 05 Brodie Diablo - 06 Norco 416
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by paintballdude
I was like....eehhhh...I don't have the money..thx any ways....and left for the last time
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10km isn't that far for an LBS. But yeah, they have some pretty shaft prices but I figure when I want to support them I'll just print out bikeroom's prices and ask them to match it.
Specifically, the egg beaters.
Specifically, the egg beaters.
#29
hello
Originally Posted by paintballdude
Alright figure this out...I went to one of my 2 local bike stores and picked out a helmet...it costs 42 bucks on the price tag......the total price comes out to over 65 bucks**********?!?!?!
We only have 8% sales tax.....I was like....eehhhh...I don't have the money..thx any ways....and left for the last time
We only have 8% sales tax.....I was like....eehhhh...I don't have the money..thx any ways....and left for the last time
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just bought a 04 Iron Horse Warrior Sport from performancebike. I guess Fedex was a rough with the box cause when I got it...a few of the bolts needed to assemble the bike were missing. I needed to get the wheels trued so I thought I'll just let the LBS install everything.
Let me note...I've been to my LBS to look at the bikes for a few times in the last month. I guess they recognized me and gave me that look when I brought in the iron horse. They asked me where I got it from and how much...and then right away they mocked me/trash talked me to death. They were like "oh you coulda gotten this bike from us"...etc...
If it wasn't for the good price for the tune up/overhaul I would have just left.
Let me note...I've been to my LBS to look at the bikes for a few times in the last month. I guess they recognized me and gave me that look when I brought in the iron horse. They asked me where I got it from and how much...and then right away they mocked me/trash talked me to death. They were like "oh you coulda gotten this bike from us"...etc...
If it wasn't for the good price for the tune up/overhaul I would have just left.
#31
THIS BIKE'S 4 U !!!!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Western, NC .... (Pisgah, Bent Creek, DuPont)
Posts: 1,272
Bikes: HARO Xtreme X2, K2 Lithium 3.0, K2 Beast, K2 Flyin' Monkey, DiamondBack Accent EX, DiamondBack Axis TR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelstrom
It happens. I have 10 lbs's near me (I don't chop at any)...compared to the city they are ALL overpriced. Amongst themselve some are downright highway robbery. Others try, but due to the rent in torn fall short by a mile. Every industry has gaugers. They would rather sell expensive to 10 instead of reasonable to 100. It allows them to hold this mysterious level of service. High end hotels do the same thing.
Reason - "we can't drop out rate because it lower the value of the hotel and reduce the 'quality' level of the clientelle'...
Counter - "but if we drop rate we could make money by selling out blah blah"...
Reason - "we can't afford in the good season to be viewed ars 'reduced'..."
its a never ending debate. Some places give in and survive (sometimes)...and others keep their noses high and...well...survive (sometimes).
Reason - "we can't drop out rate because it lower the value of the hotel and reduce the 'quality' level of the clientelle'...
Counter - "but if we drop rate we could make money by selling out blah blah"...
Reason - "we can't afford in the good season to be viewed ars 'reduced'..."
its a never ending debate. Some places give in and survive (sometimes)...and others keep their noses high and...well...survive (sometimes).
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Between the mountains and the lake.
Posts: 16,681
Bikes: 8 bikes - one for each day of the week!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Maelstrom
They would rather sell expensive to 10 instead of reasonable to 100. It allows them to hold this mysterious level of service. High end hotels do the same thing.
Reason - "we can't drop out rate because it lower the value of the hotel and reduce the 'quality' level of the clientelle'...
Counter - "but if we drop rate we could make money by selling out blah blah"...
Reason - "we can't afford in the good season to be viewed ars 'reduced'..."
Reason - "we can't drop out rate because it lower the value of the hotel and reduce the 'quality' level of the clientelle'...
Counter - "but if we drop rate we could make money by selling out blah blah"...
Reason - "we can't afford in the good season to be viewed ars 'reduced'..."
I just don't understand why you guys complain about bike shops so much. When you take your car in for a tune-up, do you complain because Pep Boys has spark plugs and filters on sale dirt cheap, so the dealer must be ripping you off? Do you complain at restaurants, because you can get a pound of beef, a sack of potatoes, and a dozen bread rolls for the same price as their measly burger and fries? Everyone has overhead - things like wages, rent, insurance, etc. And most people go into business intent on making a profit.
If they can charge an extra couple of bucks for a part, and people still buy it, they'll keep charging that amount. If people keep paying the labor rate, they'll keep charging it. My LBS has ODI lock-on grips in their display case for $49.95, and LIN socks for $25. They've been there for at least 2 years, as far as I can tell, and I don't think they'll sell any time soon. Even by Australian standards, their prices are probably high. But plenty of people are willing to drop cash there on all sorts of bikes and gear. Don't blame someone that wants to earn a decent living. What would you tell your boss when he realizes the place across the street pays someone 20% less to do the same job you do?
I think I've exceeded my 2 cents worth, but if you think LBS prices are high, either shop elsewhere or suck it up.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Expatriate
I'll point out that some people don't mind paying the extra money, others feel that the high price gives the place an "Air of exclusivity". My wife and I stayed in a $1500/night room in Vegas. The service was excellent, the view great, and because we knew someone there the actual rate was only a fraction of the posted rate. Hotels have an incentive to fill empty rooms. Room rates shouldn't be compared to shop rates, unless you're talking about a shop that has mechanics sitting idle for days at a time.
I just don't understand why you guys complain about bike shops so much. When you take your car in for a tune-up, do you complain because Pep Boys has spark plugs and filters on sale dirt cheap, so the dealer must be ripping you off? Do you complain at restaurants, because you can get a pound of beef, a sack of potatoes, and a dozen bread rolls for the same price as their measly burger and fries? Everyone has overhead - things like wages, rent, insurance, etc. And most people go into business intent on making a profit.
If they can charge an extra couple of bucks for a part, and people still buy it, they'll keep charging that amount. If people keep paying the labor rate, they'll keep charging it. My LBS has ODI lock-on grips in their display case for $49.95, and LIN socks for $25. They've been there for at least 2 years, as far as I can tell, and I don't think they'll sell any time soon. Even by Australian standards, their prices are probably high. But plenty of people are willing to drop cash there on all sorts of bikes and gear. Don't blame someone that wants to earn a decent living. What would you tell your boss when he realizes the place across the street pays someone 20% less to do the same job you do?
I think I've exceeded my 2 cents worth, but if you think LBS prices are high, either shop elsewhere or suck it up.
I just don't understand why you guys complain about bike shops so much. When you take your car in for a tune-up, do you complain because Pep Boys has spark plugs and filters on sale dirt cheap, so the dealer must be ripping you off? Do you complain at restaurants, because you can get a pound of beef, a sack of potatoes, and a dozen bread rolls for the same price as their measly burger and fries? Everyone has overhead - things like wages, rent, insurance, etc. And most people go into business intent on making a profit.
If they can charge an extra couple of bucks for a part, and people still buy it, they'll keep charging that amount. If people keep paying the labor rate, they'll keep charging it. My LBS has ODI lock-on grips in their display case for $49.95, and LIN socks for $25. They've been there for at least 2 years, as far as I can tell, and I don't think they'll sell any time soon. Even by Australian standards, their prices are probably high. But plenty of people are willing to drop cash there on all sorts of bikes and gear. Don't blame someone that wants to earn a decent living. What would you tell your boss when he realizes the place across the street pays someone 20% less to do the same job you do?
I think I've exceeded my 2 cents worth, but if you think LBS prices are high, either shop elsewhere or suck it up.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: seattle
Posts: 1,083
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
exactly!
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by pnj
exactly!
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
Ummm...this is just a guess(and I could be wrong, but I doubt it), but maybe because this is a mountain bike forum and NOT AN ICE CREAM STORE FORUM!
Geesh, I think some of you don't wear your helmets nearly enough.
#36
Too Much Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 3,660
Bikes: Eriksen 29er, Gunnar Roadie, Niner RLT, Niner RIP 9
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 116 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by pnj
exactly!
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
how come this kind of debate (for lack of another word) comes up so often with LBS's but not at say, the Ice cream store?
thrasher 911 beat me too it
I agree with expatriate, LBS's (like other businesses) can charge whatever they would like to. You have the right to choose to shop wherever you want. Some bike shops, around here anyway, just don't care if they sell certain things, they are going to keep the prices sky high. It seems that they will eventually get someone in who doesn't realize that the parts or bike are 2 years old and will pay through the nose for it.
I try and 'Support my LBS', I just don't like getting ripped off, so like buzzbomb said earlier, I will make them an offer to sell me stuff at a fair price and pay them cash. LBS owners like cash. Especially for big ticket items. If they don't want to sell it, off to the internet. If that pisses them off, so be it. I don't consider it my job to subsidize LBS's.
#37
Banned
Join Date: May 2005
Location: GA
Posts: 5,317
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Because noone would suggest you pay extra to an Icecream store for inferior service merely because they can't compete. Although I have yet to see the all the LBS's go out of business from mail-order/internet competition even though I have been hearing its imminent since the early 90's. LBS's are good for stuff you need NOW and stuff that is hard to order cable guides or tubes for example but little else. You should not be made to feel guilty because you are not giving a capitalist enterprise charity.
My advice:
If you learn to fix your own bike you'll save money very quickly and not have to be without a bike for the 3 weeks it takes the LBS to get around to doing a tuneup.
If you do have to go to one never trust the sales peoples advice they frequently have to no clue what they are talking about, if you have a question ask a mechanic.
If they try to lecture you about the need to support your LBS tell them off and go somewhere else if you can.
My advice:
If you learn to fix your own bike you'll save money very quickly and not have to be without a bike for the 3 weeks it takes the LBS to get around to doing a tuneup.
If you do have to go to one never trust the sales peoples advice they frequently have to no clue what they are talking about, if you have a question ask a mechanic.
If they try to lecture you about the need to support your LBS tell them off and go somewhere else if you can.
#38
B-Boy Style
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
LBS are good if ya go to the smaller ones, thats what ive found at least. I mean at my LBS i can just walk in the back where they are working and borrow a tool to fix my own stuff. I ask if i can use it first but the response is usually" Why did you ask?" you know what we are going to say..But i would usually confront them if something is heavily overpriced and i was looking to buy it. I have no prob as i said in the other thread supporing them with a little extra cash.
And yea, dealers are expensive, thats why i do as much work on my car, and bike as possible, I still need help though, at least with the bike. And i would have chewed them a new one for puttin that stuff on your bike without telling you..
And yea, dealers are expensive, thats why i do as much work on my car, and bike as possible, I still need help though, at least with the bike. And i would have chewed them a new one for puttin that stuff on your bike without telling you..
#39
.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It seems like LBS's mark up their components. It's like computer stores. The pricing on the systems are fixed and the profit margins are low. So they fatten up on peripherals. In this case components aren't aggressively priced. They kinda take advantage that many riders will just buy their parts on the spot and have them installed out of convenience.