$10 inner tubes?

Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of plain ol' 700 x 23 tubes. I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. Total, with tax:
$21.98. For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

On Dec 18, 9:17*pm, wrote:
Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

That's about right for ultralights, but going rate at most shops has
been about $5 for a standard weight one. I know there was talk about
them going up when oil was $140 a barrel this summer, but I don't
think they've gone up that much. I usually stock up at Performance
Bike Shop when they're $3 or under.

On Dec 18, 11:17*pm, wrote:
Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

Tubes in the US are 5-6 for a normal tube. More than that, take the
suckers back and raise a ****storm.* I'm all for LBS's mak'in dough--
but ten clams for toob is bull****.

*a polite one at first--perhaps you got latex or something by mistake?

pricepoint has 5 toobs for 9.98

On Dec 19, 1:14*am, landotter wrote:
On Dec 18, 11:17*pm, wrote:





Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

Tubes in the US are 5-6 for a normal tube. More than that, take the
suckers back and raise a ****storm.* I'm all for LBS's mak'in dough--
but ten clams for toob is bull****.

*a polite one at first--perhaps you got latex or something by mistake?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

On Dec 19, 12:17*am, wrote:
Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

My LBS charges four something for regular tubes, and the shop by my
work that I hit up in a pinch charges almost 6. Until now, $6 is the
most I've heard of a regular tube going for. Both of those shops keep
the tubes behind the counter, so at least that part seems normal to
me. Tubes are one of those things it'd make sense to stock up on when
I'm ordering stuff online, but I never do. I usually just grab one
whenever I'm @ my LBS puttering around.

On Dec 19, 12:57*pm, " wrote:
On Dec 19, 12:17*am, wrote:



Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

My LBS charges four something for regular tubes, and the shop by my
work that I hit up in a pinch charges almost 6. *Until now, $6 is the
most I've heard of a regular tube going for. *Both of those shops keep
the tubes behind the counter, so at least that part seems normal to
me. *Tubes are one of those things it'd make sense to stock up on when
I'm ordering stuff online, but I never do. *I usually just grab one
whenever I'm @ my LBS puttering around.

How about a Euro 4 USD5.70 *upcharge* for the lightweight Schwalbe
series 19A tube (stet series 19 standard version Big Apple tube).

Andre Jute
Less is more! -- George Orwell, Animal Farm

On Dec 19, 8:53*am, Andre Jute wrote:
On Dec 19, 12:57*pm, " wrote:





On Dec 19, 12:17*am, wrote:

Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. *Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. *I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of *plain ol' *700 x 23 tubes. *I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. *Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). *Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. *Total, with tax:
$21.98. *For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. *I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). *I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. *I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. *I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

My LBS charges four something for regular tubes, and the shop by my
work that I hit up in a pinch charges almost 6. *Until now, $6 is the
most I've heard of a regular tube going for. *Both of those shops keep
the tubes behind the counter, so at least that part seems normal to
me. *Tubes are one of those things it'd make sense to stock up on when
I'm ordering stuff online, but I never do. *I usually just grab one
whenever I'm @ my LBS puttering around.

How about a Euro 4 USD5.70 *upcharge* for the lightweight Schwalbe
series 19A tube (stet series 19 standard version Big Apple tube).

Andre Jute
Less is more! -- George Orwell, Animal Farm- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What? I don't follow. Are you asking how I'd feel about a
lightweight tube costing an additional $5.70? If so, I don't really
have an opinion either way, since I don't buy lightweight tubes or
have any idea what they should cost. Regular tubes have always been
good enough for me.

In article
,
wrote:

Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc.
I wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get
something so I asked for a couple of plain ol' 700 x 23 tubes. I
had to ask because I couldn't find them. Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. Total, with tax:
$21.98. For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price
on the sticker-- $9.99. I ponied up the cash but left there shakin'
my head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the
price (they're just tubes, how much can they be?). I admit, it's
been a while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures)
but, man, that just seems like a lot.

It is. It's a ridiculous price. I wouldn't have paid it and would have
made it clear that their prices were unreasonable.

"Tim McNamara" wrote in message
...
In article
,
wrote:

Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc.
I wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get
something so I asked for a couple of plain ol' 700 x 23 tubes. I
had to ask because I couldn't find them. Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. Total, with tax:
$21.98. For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price
on the sticker-- $9.99. I ponied up the cash but left there shakin'
my head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the
price (they're just tubes, how much can they be?). I admit, it's
been a while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures)
but, man, that just seems like a lot.

It is. It's a ridiculous price. I wouldn't have paid it and would have
made it clear that their prices were unreasonable.

How much are light tubes with long valves? The OP did not say if they were.

I can't believe how the new wholesale prices have increased on stuff in
general.

If the prices appeared too high, the fellow should have simply not
purchased.

Bruce

In article 2f7cc51b-e981-4d66-b5fb-
,
says...


Visited a bike shop today that I had never been to before. Looked
around, checked out a few things, yakked with sales guy a bit, etc. I
wasn't really looking for anything but felt compelled to get something
so I asked for a couple of plain ol' 700 x 23 tubes. I had to ask
because I couldn't find them. Turns out they were "in the
back" (which I thought was odd). Anyway, the guy gets my tubes and
rings me up while I'm chatting with the mechanic. Total, with tax:
$21.98. For 2 inner tubes. I had to make the guy show me the price on
the sticker-- $9.99. I ponied up the cash but left there shakin' my
head in disbelief and kicking myself for not asking about the price
(they're just tubes, how much can they be?). I admit, it's been a
while since I've bought tubes (I try to patch any punctures) but, man,
that just seems like a lot. I'm well aware that there are $5000+
framesets out there and gruppos that are equally expensive and that
this seems to have become sort of the high-end norm (but not for me).
I guess I wasn't aware however that these kinds of prices had trickled
all the way down to even the most basic of cycling consumables. I
think I'm just gonna stick to Wal-Mart patch kits.

Standard high-end retail price for quality Butyl light tubes (Michelin air-
comps 700c) is about $6. I consider that too high as you can usually find
them or something comporable online for $3-$4. What some LBSs charge for
staples is ridiculous. Customers will figure it out and the shop may not stay
in business, unless they have ridiculously superb service and cater to the
type of crowd that needs that. But how much service can you give selling a
bicycle tube? You either smile when you take the money or you don't.