Cycle Scheme or outright purchase?

[Atyl1972]

HI GUYS, OK I HAVE A VOUCHER FOR THE MEASILY SUM OF £500, AS I'M NEW TO CYCLING SORT OF, AM DEBATING WHETHER TO ADD MY CASH TO THE VOUCHER OR JUST BUY OUTRIGHT FROM I.E. WIGGLE ETC. TO SAVE ON LBS FEES AS THEY'RE MUCH MORE COSTLIER ON BIKES, ALSO I'M NOT 100% GURANTEED TO REMAIN AT MY EMPLOYERS FOR THE 12 MONTHS, IS ANYONE?

SO BASICALLY DO I:

1. BUY FROM WIGGLE WITH MY CASH AND NOT BOTHER WITH THE VOUCHER?
2. USE VOUCHER IN LBS AND ADD MY HARD EARNED CASH TO GET THE BIKE I REALLY WANT?

THING IS AS I'M A NEWBIE SHALL I BUY A BIKE THAT'S CHEAPER OR SHALL I BUY ONE THAT'S A VERY DECENT BIKE, WAS THINKING OF THE FELT Z6 AS THIS IS STUNNING LOOKING AND A GOOD BRAND, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK AS A BEGINNER CYCLIST, WELL BEGINNER TO ROADIES?

 

[vickster]

Have you actually confirmed that you can add to the voucher - technically on many schemes this isn't allowed - depends on the LBS and the terms of your scheme however

Have you worked out the saving using the voucher, especially if you leave the job and have to hand the bike back - you could find it all very 'complicated' if you have spent more regardless of the terms of the scheme.

Given you are unsure (and shouted it out or maybe you have a broken caps key ), I'd buy cash - but check with HR/payroll you can cancel given you have the voucher already?

There are of course very good reasons why LBS's (and indeed any High Street store) are often more expensive than the web and if you have a good one, their help and expertise can be invaluable and you may well reap the benefits in the longer term if you build a good relationship with them

 

[cyberknight]

Have you worked out the saving using the voucher, especially if you leave the job and have to hand the bike back - you could find it all very 'complicated' if you have spent more regardless of the terms of the scheme.

Given you are unsure (and shouted it out or maybe you have a broken caps key ), I'd buy cash - but check with HR/payroll you can cancel given you have the voucher already?

Our scheme states that if you leave employment during the scheme you will be charged the outstanding balance on leaving employment...

IMHO if i was going to spend £500 on a bike i would be looking to get a 2010 bargain, you can pick up some mint bikes with better spec than a 2011 model and most of the time changes are cosmetic.
The only reason i am using C2W is the ability to spread the cost.

 

[vickster]

I can't actually remember what the terms of mine were, as was last year and they have changed lots of the rules

You need to test ride the different bikes to decide which one suits you even if one does look aesthetically better - harder to do that buying online although Wiggle do their 30 day thing