Lazy-Commuter
New Member
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I don't think I'd especially expect my LBS to match an online price .. like Randochap says, you're buying their service and help as part of the package when you go to the LBS.
That's not to say they won't give you a discount or, as PorkyPete said, offer accessories or services to get the overall deal close to the online one. What you need to think about is everything that you're getting with each deal.
As an example, me and Mrs-LC bought our bikes from LBS a few years ago. We also wanted some bits and bobs - car rack, trail-gator, locks, helmets, etc. - and the shop could see we had two small children who are obviously going to need a number of new bikes as they grow. So they offered us 10% off the bikes, plus some of the accessories thrown in, servicing package and so on.
Obviously, it's in their interest to make us happy so we keep going back to get the kid's new bikes, buy accessories, spares, maintenance, maybe new bikes for us .. and all that. So when Mrs-LC went to get our newly prep'd bikes, they sorted out the rack on the car for her, mounted the Trail-Gator brackets on Littlest-LCs bike, and mine, showed Mrs-LC how it all worked and so on. All the stuff you'd expect from a decent LBS.
Since then, I've been back loads for help, advice, odd jobs done on my bike (which gets used far harder for commuting than I ever thought it would) and all that sort of thing. They've always been helpful, patiently answering my silly questions, offering tips, doing odd jobs for free and so on.
In turn, it's in our interest to keep them there so we can continue to benefit from the service they offer. So I tend to put as much business their way as I can .. I do buy stuff from Wiggle, Cycle Express, Chain Reaction, etc. but it tends to be either where it's more convenient to do that or if it's a lot cheaper; which, tbh, it ain't always.
What all that means is when I come to upgrade my commuter, I'll be going to the LBS first. And so the relationship continues ..
I see it as a long-term partnership where we both benefit and neither takes advantage of the other. And that's as it should be.
That's not to say they won't give you a discount or, as PorkyPete said, offer accessories or services to get the overall deal close to the online one. What you need to think about is everything that you're getting with each deal.
As an example, me and Mrs-LC bought our bikes from LBS a few years ago. We also wanted some bits and bobs - car rack, trail-gator, locks, helmets, etc. - and the shop could see we had two small children who are obviously going to need a number of new bikes as they grow. So they offered us 10% off the bikes, plus some of the accessories thrown in, servicing package and so on.
Obviously, it's in their interest to make us happy so we keep going back to get the kid's new bikes, buy accessories, spares, maintenance, maybe new bikes for us .. and all that. So when Mrs-LC went to get our newly prep'd bikes, they sorted out the rack on the car for her, mounted the Trail-Gator brackets on Littlest-LCs bike, and mine, showed Mrs-LC how it all worked and so on. All the stuff you'd expect from a decent LBS.
Since then, I've been back loads for help, advice, odd jobs done on my bike (which gets used far harder for commuting than I ever thought it would) and all that sort of thing. They've always been helpful, patiently answering my silly questions, offering tips, doing odd jobs for free and so on.
In turn, it's in our interest to keep them there so we can continue to benefit from the service they offer. So I tend to put as much business their way as I can .. I do buy stuff from Wiggle, Cycle Express, Chain Reaction, etc. but it tends to be either where it's more convenient to do that or if it's a lot cheaper; which, tbh, it ain't always.
What all that means is when I come to upgrade my commuter, I'll be going to the LBS first. And so the relationship continues ..
I see it as a long-term partnership where we both benefit and neither takes advantage of the other. And that's as it should be.
i used to work at a bike shop and they make loads off bikes, when i got my madone f/s it was 1400 RRP but i got it for under 1000
i used to work at a bike shop and I had no clue how a business runs and what overheads entail in a real world shop ... which is why I don't work there anymore.
