As the title states, do you primarily buy your bike stuff from a local bike shop, or do you buy it online or from a large retailer?

Yep. The advice I get, solicited or otherwise, is worth the extra money spent. And supporting local businesses, etc.

Suprisingly, my LBS can get me stuff for about as much as it costs online. I also always like being able to shop somewhere where people know my name. It seems like it builds more trust and accountability for both parties.

My process is usually:
1. Look at product online for reviews, specs and price.
2. Go to LBS and see if they have it
3. If it isn't way more expensive, I'll get it. If they have to order it, it's usually as cheap as online because they don't charge me shipping if I wait for their next parts order so I get it from them.
4. If LBS is way too expensive or can't order it, I'll get it online.

I support my local bike co-op that is 5 blocks away from my house, they also support me by letting me use their truing stand/tools for free if it's something quick. I also volunteer at the co-op quite often.

I only buy local and does not shop online.

NO, kinda.

I buy online when it's not a TIME process where I can wait for shipping

think this:

Buy tube online:
$3 tube
$2 shipping (average)
one-three weeks waiting

LBS:
$5 tube
10 minutes drive/20 minute bike
In hand that day

I see it as if I NEED TO HAVE IT NOW!!! Then LBS, other than that, I can walk into one and find all kinds of things overpriced and with bad reviews that flying off the shelf.

I support USED LBS, I have 5 new bike shops, and one USED LBS in my area.
I can older parts that work better and last longer then the newer ones for a fraction of the price.

Also, new bike<older bikes. Because I can buy a $100 10 speed that will outrace, outrun, and outperform any new trek on the road - doesn't matter about the human engine.

I work at my LBS. Love my job!

Like who else is going to help me when I get in a technical rut? Of course I do!

I put yes, but i'd have to say for high dollar items (except bikes), I buy online because of the 9.75% California sales tax.

I own a good portion of my LBS. Metaphorically, that is.

Is there an option for 50/50? I buy tools and some little things there but you can't compete with used bikes on Craigslist, and fast, cheap shipping on online parts that aren't in stock in the LBS's. If a shop has what I need for a little more expensive then I'll buy it there.

I try to support my LBS, but when I get the, "No we don't but we can order it" response, I usually just order it myself. What I absolutely will not do is drive around trying to find something; bike-related or otherwise.

No simple answer. When i'm impatient (frequently), LBS does the trick. When i'm poor (also frequently), it's hard to argue with online retailers for relative pricing.

Similarly the stuff i don't buy from an LBS is partially offset by labor. Installing headsets and what have you.

I also support my LBS, however if they have to order it takes 1-2 weeks. On-line it takes a week or less. I don't buy on line to save money but to save time.

LBS for some service or small parts.

Online for everything else.

Yup!

I have been to some bike shops that try to sell you some stuff, then get you out very fast. My LBS is really awesome, fun to be around, very helpful, and actually pretty good on prices. I love stopping buy to pick up some stuff I need! For me, having the part I need right then and there and also knowing im supporting a cool local business is worth the extra money. +1 to everyone who supports a cool LBS. Sorry for those that have crappy ones...

.Chris

Yes, I support my LBS. Unfortunately they still don't get too much money out of me because a lot of the time I get vintage stuff which they don't carry. But when I need supplies and stuff, sure. And.... I recommend them whenever I can.

I only have three bike shops here the majority of my time I end up going to PMart since its right around the corner from my house. Performance Bike is my first choice, I like it since the employees there are extremely friendly and half of them are big fixed gear guys. My next choice would be my LBS since they support fixed gears a lot more parts wise.

kind of

I try to support em' where ever I live. Good advice, sometimes borrowed tools, and since I dont have to have things NOW they save me time buying online that I spend working on other fun things instead. I also donate to my local co-op everything I dont use up on my bikes.

the one near my college is a no, the guy thinks fixed=underling so i go online when i'm here
near my home i like the guys at my lbs they have hooked me up with many random parts from the parts bin free of charge so i enjoy giving them my business
i think a lot of it comes down to the people in the shop

I am mostly disappointed with the LBS's here. I wont let many of the mechanics touch my bike. And I find the pricing of parts here to be shameful (there is way too many shops so they hike prices to still be profitable). There is also too many elitist "i work at a shop/ am a mechanic attitudes" too.

Im not too full of hate, there are a few I love to go to and give my buisnes. I also leave near universal cycles which online price matches and then ships to the store for free... so thats nice too.

Over all its one thing I miss very much about the east coast...

I am my LBS...

I support my local co-op by buying my second hand parts there, and I volunteer there whenever I can.

I support a little student run shop a couple blocks from my place of residence on campus when I need to.

For the most part, my co-op and the little shop don't have what I want/need, so I support the interwebs.

Otherwise, if I really need something that I can't get anywhere else immediately, I go to the overpriced LBS just off campus. I really don't like going there.

I like the abundance of shops in pdx from small to large and from private to cooperatives.

The prices on used bikes shocked me while most other stuff (new) was fairly priced.

where's botbyte getting his $3 tubes at