King Solomons

[patches]

We have all seen the debate bewteen those who favour online stores and those that say "Support your LBS". Heck, there was even a proposed boycott of CRC. (I boycotted that boycott).

 

Whilst I am a CRC whore, I do keep an eye open at the LBS prices, and now and again one can find gems.

 

Yesterday I went and got a new rear derailleur (SRAM X9 Medium Cage).

 

I found it at Solomons for R250 less than what CRC were charging. Furthermore, they fitted it and put a new inner cable on, for free.

 

Whilst I will still shop at CRC (mostly beacause there is a limited local market for FR and DH stuff)... I think it's important that we praise the LBSes that go out of their way and try to compete (instead of the majority that just stick to tricking the naive).

 

So big up to Solomons in Woodmead.

Edited March 17, 2011 by patches

[FrancoisC]

Listen dude, I have punted Solomons before and gotten mostly abused for it.

Online shopping is apparently the way to do it, whether more expensive or not.

Best thing - shut up and let them buy their stuff online.

Its their money to waste, but great for you.

Another tip, Isaac the short black bike mechanic is awesome and tunes and services better than any mechanic I have ever come across.

They are all really friendly and helpful there, and I still like going to bikeshops and not rotting behind my computer.

Life is not that busy!

[Vetseun]

I have made a few mail order purchases from Solomons and was very happy with the service that I received.

Edited March 17, 2011 by THE BLOODY AGENT

[FrancoisC]

I have made a few mail order purchases from them and was very happy with the service that I received.

Not dissing online at all.

By why do it for doing it's sake.

If its cheaper locally and immedaitly available, I go local.

Even small price differences dont matter if I can get it now, and I support local bike shops, who I need for consumables more often that I buy expensive upgrades.

[FrancoisC]

Anyway, good up Solomons, you got my support.

[Moolz]

Point is - if you looking for a good price...

Shop around...

I shop between CWC, Buycycle, Cajees (Boksburg), Solomons (Woodmead) and Westdene Cycles...

so thats 3 quick calls and 2 website visits...

 

Solomons has been cheaper on a few items - but more expensive on others...

[kosmonooit]

Hope that X9 doesnt turn out to be lemon because then you are stuffed, Solomons will give you the run-around and after three months of your following up, you give up and resort to other means to get a warranty swop out.

 

I recently got an X0 9 Speed Long Cage from Bike Inn in Spain after a market survey for the best price - CRC's prices have gone up and CWC doesn't seem to do them any more. I will buy on price because its a commodity.

Edited March 17, 2011 by kosmonooit

[Th3Ram]

I Have been shopping at Solomons for more than 2 years now, even when I bought the wrong part(my own stubborness), they exchanged it.

I have been to a couple of shops now and found the personal attention a winning recipe. At some shops I am in there for 30 mins and get ignored, their loss. I prefer supporting local and getting good service, big up!

[crasher]

Was there on Tuesday

 

Stans rim tape 149 bucks quart of stans 229 I wont scare you by posting what some others are charging I actually made a point on complimenting them on there realistic pricing basically in line with CRC give or take 10 bucks

 

5 bombs for 50 bucks

 

Ended up between 2 of us spending 1600 rand on "consumables and stuff" prices were excellent from lubes to tubeless puncture kits multitools powerlinks tyre levers etc we really stocked up.

[HowellingWulf]

I've always been a big supporter of Solomons, going there tomorrow in fact..

[scotty]

Great prices, i just ask best price for a part and find it cheaper than the online shops and they've fitted it for free, they can sometimes get busy and forget their promise to get back to me.