LBS and RRP

[bpsmith]

It is totally a balance, but sometimes it's just daft buying at your LBS. If you know exactly what you want and the shop doesn't even have it in stock, then why pay over the odds for them to order it in, whilst taking longer than just going online yourself?

On the flip side, if you have no clue what you want and need decent advice or they just simply have it in stock to collect on the day, then the premium totally has its place then. No question.

 

[Tojo]

The same thing has happened up here with the motorcycle shops, you could pretty much have gotten anything you needed on Westgate Rd in Newcastle, but now it is practically non existent, the last couple of times I went there a few years ago for bits and pieces, a couple of the shops said they didn't have what I needed and they actually suggested that I just order on-line myself, I and I wondered how they were still in business, sadly some of them are not now,I wonder if the LBS will suffer the same fate considering the overheads of running premises......

 

[bladesman73]

I used to be loyal to my lbs,but they have been taking the pee a little lately..two weeks for a fifty quid general service! Luckily a fellow has set up a bike repair service centre in a local unit. Fabulous service and has fixed things for me the same day..services done within 24 hrs. He was an employee of said lbs and set his own business up as he saod most lbs's have an outdated approach. He has done well and within 4 months of opening is looking to expand. So my lbs experience was initially good,but waned a bit due to their lackadaisical approach in terms of the bike service

 

[sgl5gjr]

I used to be loyal to my lbs,but they have been taking the pee a little lately..two weeks for a fifty quid general service! Luckily a fellow has set up a bike repair service centre in a local unit. Fabulous service and has fixed things for me the same day..services done within 24 hrs. He was an employee of said lbs and set his own business up as he saod most lbs's have an outdated approach. He has done well and within 4 months of opening is looking to expand. So my lbs experience was initially good,but waned a bit due to their lackadaisical approach in terms of the bike service

Spot on..... just what I did..... I operate a Bespoke repair service centre as all there is locally is an LBS and a Halfords.... one is overpriced and unhelpful and the other is overpriced,unhelpful and run by children.....
I can usually fit servicing in for same day (dependent on bike of course) and repairs the same day or if I have to order a part in due to the variables in the makers and their sizing, then the next day is usual for servicing. My approach is customer service and the ability to help.... it works

 

[stevede]

Interesting that almost every post has pointed at "price". What about considering "value"?

If you can get the parts at a lower price, either online or elsewhere, fit them yourself etc, as I often do then all well and good.

Some people want to be able to see the product or try before they buy, they want the fitting, instant availability (for goods in stock obviously). The advice & knowledge from a helpful bike shop has a value and many are happy to pay a premium for it.

Just because someone asks a higher price for a product, it doesn't necessarily mean to say that the total package offered doesn't represent good value to someone.

 

[Ciar]

My LBS are the best, anytime i have issues with my commuter they say drop it in on the weekend we will sort it, and 99.9% of the time they do.

as for MTB they do all the work when bits need replacing, they will even price match to online retailers if possible, as an example i was upgrading my back brake to XT, it was £5 cheaper online, they said pay £5 more and the all in price will be x, i was more than happy to do that and pay the price.

another example i was going to ride swinley over half term, had new rock shocks to fit, he said pop it in and fitted them while i waited and set them up.

for clothing and the likes it's online but for general maintenance and parts if possible they always get my business.

 

[markharry66]

I recently went into my local bike shop to get some new trigger gears, only to be told they are a specialist item.
Other bikes shops in the past have asked budget when looking for a new bike then just ignored it and gone for hard sale with bikes that are way over my budget. I choose not to use certain ones due to rude customer service the list has grown. Vote with your feet and wallet,

 

[vickster]

I don't think I've ever had rudeness or hard sell from an LBS. it's not very hard to persuade me to spend more though as I don't tend to have a budget more a flexible self justification ceiling!

 

[KneesUp]

This is illegal in many countries and constitutes price fixing. In a free market you cannot ask your retailers to sell at RRP or above.

I am not in the cycle trade, but I have suppliers that enforce rules that are (I think) illegal without stating them - e.g. they don't say I can't sell their items on eBay, but they do say that they will stop supplying people who sell on eBay. As I understand it, it's entirely up to them who they choose to sell to, and if they don't like what you do with their products, they won't sell them to you.

I expect it's the same with bikes - if you ordered in a load of [BRAND NAME] bikes and did them at a big discount, you might find it hard to order in more stock.