LBS versus Amazon

[gavroche]

As you already know, I am thinking about using cleats so went to my lbs yesterday to price it up, including shoes. The guy behind the counter quoted me £40 for M520 pedals and £70 for shoes.
Same pedals are £18.99 on Amazon and I can get shoes for £45.00 so guess where I am going to buy from?
I understand local shops have higher overheads than internet providers but, as a customer, I also have to watch where my money goes. Sorry LBS, but I can't afford to support you in this instance.

 

[martint235]

LBS have it a bit tough. They are often dealers for a particular brand(s) and so have to purchase through them rather than just off the internet. I do exactly the same as you, just fitted a new cassette, chain and jockey wheels that would probably have cost me £20 more for the LBS to buy plus a labour cost.

I do however put a fair bit of work the way of my LBS with any stuff that needs doing on the wheels, new hubs etc.

 

[Rob3rt]

Sometimes it is hard to stomach the price in the LBS when you know the prices online. However, I like to strike a compromise.

If it is something to be tried on, I buy in the LBS (I just don't feel right trying on in store then buying elsewhere), if it isn't (or is an online store exclusive, dhb wiggle clothing for example), I buy online.

If I can fit it myself without LBS advice, I buy online, if I can't, I buy from the LBS!

In the case of the OP, I would buy the shoes from the LBS and the pedals online!

 

[Cyclist33]

To be fair he could always return the shoes if they didn't fit. It's not quite as logistically tricky as returning a bike!

 

[Rob3rt]

To be fair he could always return the shoes if they didn't fit. It's not quite as logistically tricky as returning a bike!

By the time you return them and buy another pair etc, you will have paid 3x the postage and had the hassle of returning it though. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities I guess.

When I last bought shoes, I tried on maybe 4-5 pairs, ended up with a pair that fit very well. To buy online you kind of miss out on that comparative process.

 

[BSRU]

I think LBS's without a good internet presence will suffer. The problem with many LBS's near me is they tend to be open when I'm at work which means they're not a option for buying bike stuff.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

By the time you return them and buy another pair etc, you will have paid 3x the postage and had the hassle of returning it though. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities I guess.

When I last bought shoes, I tried on maybe 4-5 pairs, ended up with a pair that fit very well. To buy online you kind of miss out on that comparative process.

Not true! Most sites do offer free returns nowdays, many also offer free postage! The i-world is moving forwards a bit I'm afraid..

I do agree however to the principle and I also tend to only buy online items that either I don't need advice for or if size doesn't fit are hussle free to return..

 

[Rob3rt]

Not true! Most sites do offer free returns nowdays, many also offer free postage! The i-world is moving forwards a bit I'm afraid..

I do agree however to the principle and I also tend to only buy online items that either I don't need advice for or if size doesn't fit are hussle free to return..

Most sites I have encountered have a clause re free returns, wrong size or items deemed unsuitable (i.e. changed my mind, I ordered the wrong item) are exempt from free returns, basically free returns only offered when product is damaged or sent in error.

As for free postage, that is a fair comment and true, a lot of sites do offer this, but you have to be careful using it if you want hassle free delivery as many sites use Yodel/HDNL and other similar and equally shoddy couriers for the free deliveries on larger than envelope/packet size. Dealing with Yodel is 10x more painful than a postage fee in my experience!

 

[Zakalwe]

Usually I find an LBS doesn't have, or even know in the case of big chains, what I'm after - or has a patronising manner when it's an independent. I'm sure good independents do exist, but not round my way.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Most sites I have encountered have a clause re free returns, wrong size or items deemed unsuitable (i.e. changed my mind, I ordered the wrong item) are exempt from free returns, basically free returns only offered when product is damaged or sent in error.

I guess you are talking about Wiggle and, yes, you are right, however in that case you're saving by the free delivery.
As I said, it's what one's perceiving as "hussle". For example, I live in a small village in Beds. My LBS sadly is Halfrauds, so it's a no-no! My next LBS is 10 miles away.. however my local post office is 300m away from my doorstep where -when it's not pensions payday- it's practically empty! PLUS it's never safe to visit a bike store, as they are cunning and they're stuffing them with "goodies" you suddenly realise you very much need!!!

 

[Rob3rt]

I guess you are talking about Wiggle and, yes, you are right, however in that case you're saving by the free delivery.
As I said, it's what one's perceiving as "hussle". For example, I live in a small village in Beds. My LBS sadly is Halfrauds, so it's a no-no! My next LBS is 10 miles away.. however my local post office is 300m away from my doorstep where -when it's not pensions payday- it's practically empty! PLUS it's never safe to visit a bike store, as they are cunning and they're stuffing them with "goodies" you suddenly realise you very much need!!!

Wiggle do have that policy but so do Ribble, Probikekit etc. Not just online bike shops either.

Those collect plus services like that offered on CRC are becoming more common though, but it is still not widespread practice yet. Hopefully the popularity continues to increase with these services.

In the past, I have ordered multiple components, even duplicates in varying sizes (stem's, handlebars) to see which suits best and then returned the others at my own expense! Would have been good to be able to avoid it, but no LBS had the items I wanted to look at.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

but no LBS had the items I wanted to look at.

I think that's the most common complain about LBS.. And it's true! At the end of the day cycling is our hobby (apart from the few blessed ones that can consider it a job) and part of the pleasure is gear and/or accessories shopping. At least for me! Limited choice and compromising simply spoils it..

 

[martint235]

no LBS had the items I wanted to look at.

My LBS will order stuff in for me to look at. He just returns it if I don't want it.

 

[PpPete]

Always research prices online before visiting LBS.
If they have item in stock, then a quiet "how much? - ribble/wiggle/crc have it at £xxx" in the manager's ear and whilst he's not always able to exactly price-match the very best online deal, we can usually reach a very acceptable compromise.
And there are certain bar-steward jobs (freeing stuck fork-crown races and old fashioned BB shells to name but two) which take 2 mins with their correct tool and he'll do for now't.
He knows I buy most things online, and doesn't get a great deal of margin out of me when I do buy.... but he knows I'll keep coming back.

 

[Rob3rt]

My LBS will order stuff in for me to look at. He just returns it if I don't want it.

Same here, but they only carry certain brands usually.