Discounts realistically available

Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is a
lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised prices
are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.

On the other hand, buying from a local bike shop is a much better idea
overall, and I'm happy to pay for service. Given those two conflicting
thoughts, and given that I can pay by cheque or even (at a push) by
cash, what would be a reasonable, fair and non-abusive price to aim for
with a shop? Their margins are going to be thinner than a big online
setup, which makes their scope for movement less.

Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?

ian

Ian G Batten wrote:

: Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
: offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
: to set it up for me?

FWIW:

The margins on new bikes are very small. Most LBSs won't give much
(if any) discount on them. They should be happy however to let you
swap parts out for others of the same value (choose cassette, crank
length etc) which can be very useful.

On parts/clothes/repairs many shops will give 10% to local clubs/
favoured customers.

One LBS round here gives out stamps - one stamp per £5 spent, X stamps
= £5 off. I can't remember the exact numbers but it works out as about
5% off ISTR.

So, I'd say - don't go for a discount on the bike itself, but get it
setup exactly how you want. Then try for 5-10% off the rest.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

"Ian G Batten" wrote in message
...

Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is a
lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised prices
are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.


Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?


Go to the LBS and show them the offer you can get off the internet, and ask
them if they can match it.

That will give you an idea of how amenable they are to negotiation, and also
a good insight to the sort of people they are in general. If they just tell
you to go forth and multiply, then you know not to take any business (of any
size) their way. If they're prepared to try to cut a deal with you, you'll
know if they're worth talking to in future; and even if they can't beat the
on-line price, you can then talk to them about having the bike setup and
serviced at their shop. If they can get close to the price, be prepared to
talk small stuff such as lights, carriers, locks etc to make up the
difference - hopefully you end up with a deal you're both happy with.

If you negotiate well, there should be two winners!

HTH,

Pete.

Ian G Batten wrote:

: Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
: offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
: to set it up for me?

One thing that has just occured to me. If you aren't happy setting up
the bike yourself, then you really, really want to buy it from a LBS.

Any good bike shop will first set the bike up (and fit you to it -
this is very important), then provide a free 2 week and 6 month
checkup to sort out things as everything beds in.

Arthur


--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

Why do people assume that they have the right to discount at the LBS?
We don't got to Tesco's, and ask for discount do we?!
Your LBS has to struggle to keep a living. They provide a great service and
if they all disappeared because they cut their margins to the bone where
would we be on a Saturday afternoon when we need our bike looked at before
our Sunday ride?

Dave

I have noconnection with any LBS by the way.

"Ian G Batten" wrote in message
...

Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is a
lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised prices
are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.

On the other hand, buying from a local bike shop is a much better idea
overall, and I'm happy to pay for service. Given those two conflicting
thoughts, and given that I can pay by cheque or even (at a push) by
cash, what would be a reasonable, fair and non-abusive price to aim for
with a shop? Their margins are going to be thinner than a big online
setup, which makes their scope for movement less.

Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?

ian

"Ian G Batten" wrote in message
...

Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is a
lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised prices
are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.

On the other hand, buying from a local bike shop is a much better idea
overall, and I'm happy to pay for service. Given those two conflicting
thoughts, and given that I can pay by cheque or even (at a push) by
cash, what would be a reasonable, fair and non-abusive price to aim for
with a shop? Their margins are going to be thinner than a big online
setup, which makes their scope for movement less.

Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?

ian

I think that if you look at this objectively you might figure out that 16%
isn't a huge discount for buying online. You're probably dealing with
someone who doesn't have the costs of the LBS, isn't going to take the time
to ensure that you buy the right bike, isn't going to put you on a fitting
machine to make sure that the bike is set up to your measurements, isn't
going to give you a free service after a few months and isn't going to be a
source of advice in the coming years.

Anyway, the shops are getting the 2004 models in now and there are excellent
discounts to be had on 2003 models. Do what I did. Buy 'last year's
model', get the price reduction and the LBS service. You know it makes
sense.
___
Michael MacClancy

I couldnt agree more. One of my LBSs - Freewheel in Norwich is closing
down at the end of December - OK their prices were a bit steep but their
service was excellent and its really sad to see them go.

Im happy to say Pedal Revolution are competetive with the online retailers
and you get the personal touch too - i just hope they dont go the same way.

Use them or lose them...Im going to be doing my shopping locally now, even
if it costs a bit more....

Chris

On Mon, 1 Dec 2003 22:27:11 +0000 (UTC), David Hart
wrote:

Why do people assume that they have the right to discount at the LBS?
We don't got to Tesco's, and ask for discount do we?!
Your LBS has to struggle to keep a living. They provide a great service
and
if they all disappeared because they cut their margins to the bone where
would we be on a Saturday afternoon when we need our bike looked at
before
our Sunday ride?

Dave

I have noconnection with any LBS by the way.

"Ian G Batten" wrote in message
...

Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is a
lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised prices
are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.

On the other hand, buying from a local bike shop is a much better idea
overall, and I'm happy to pay for service. Given those two conflicting
thoughts, and given that I can pay by cheque or even (at a push) by
cash, what would be a reasonable, fair and non-abusive price to aim for
with a shop? Their margins are going to be thinner than a big online
setup, which makes their scope for movement less.

Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?

ian







--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Ian G Batten wrote:
Via my wife I can get 16% discount from one of the online bike shops.
Their range isn't immense, but it covers most of the bases and 16% is
a lot when I'm planning to spend 1000-1500 quid. Their advertised
prices are comparable with everyone else, so it's a `real' 16%.

On the other hand, buying from a local bike shop is a much better idea
overall, and I'm happy to pay for service. Given those two
conflicting thoughts, and given that I can pay by cheque or even (at
a push) by cash, what would be a reasonable, fair and non-abusive
price to aim for with a shop? Their margins are going to be thinner
than a big online setup, which makes their scope for movement less.

Or would I be better off buying a bike online for X-16% and then
offering to pay a local shop some money (fifty quid? a hundred quid?)
to set it up for me?

ian

Don't haggle, it's so sordid.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK


Love this:
Put an end to Outlook Express's messy quotes
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/

Im happy to say Pedal Revolution are competetive with the online retailers
and you get the personal touch too - i just hope they dont go the same way.

My Bianchi (Luigi) came from Redal Revolution. Only gripe I have is they
wouldn't swap the saddle for a female specific one - I'd have to pay for that.
So I got the bike, which was a good buy, I have to say, but bought the saddle
elsewhere.

My favourite bike shop in Norwich is Specialised Cycles in Connaught Road (off
the Dereham Road). Steve, who owns the shop, built up Vernon a lovely bike -
the build quality is excellent. Also bought various bits & bobs there too.
Customer service is excellent.

Cheers, helen s


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Why do people assume that they have the right to discount at the LBS?
We don't got to Tesco's, and ask for discount do we?!
Your LBS has to struggle to keep a living. They provide a great service
and
if they all disappeared because they cut their margins to the bone where
would we be on a Saturday afternoon when we need our bike looked at before
our Sunday ride?

They are richer than me, thus I ask for a discount. I found it better to
ask for decent lights and lock thrown in - I effectively got forty quids
worth knocked off the price, but they lost only the trade price. They were
still well happy with the sale, which always makes me slightly worried...