LBS vs OBS prices, round 3023

[Christopher Brunsdon]

LBS = Local Bike Store

OBS = Online Bike Store

 

Its time for that topic again ...

 

So I need a new crankset and my OBS are my first port of call, cool I can get a nice Shimano with external BB for R900 from a local OBS, our UK OBS will cost me R800 for replacement crankset with square tapper BB

 

I then decide that since there is an LBS on the ground floor where I work on the corner of Loop & Waterkant Street, Cape Town CBD, I pop in their to get a 3rd quote, R1K for SRAM X5 incl external BB. Not bad I think.

 

While I know our upcountry cousins get ripped a big one with their LBS, its still nice to see in the Cape that most LBS's will still give you good value for your money and not require you to use an OBS.

[Thug]

Apart from the fork I've just bought from The Crow, all the parts for my new bike build have come from OBS, 95% of which, the UK.

 

Local OBS don't stock the parts nor the variety, although I will, if they get stock, buy a RS Reverb seatpost locally.

[Shebeen]

just got a package from the OOBS (oirish obs). got lots of goodies in it and was over the free shipping mark. no surprises with the tax either. Just the drivetrain stuff, which you will use eventually makes it worthwhile.

and then there's some once off, unique type stuff that you just won't find locally.

 

obviously if you want it today, you go bricks and mortar. if you can plan ahead or wait, then obs still wins 90% of the time, everytime.

[TheV]

Apart from the fork I've just bought from The Crow, all the parts for my new bike build have come from OBS, 95% of which, the UK.

 

Local OBS don't stock the parts nor the variety, although I will, if they get stock, buy a RS Reverb seatpost locally.

 

Why dude? Do you like being shafted? I just purchased 2x 2012 Reverbs, with bleed kits included for about R 2600 each including UPS express shipping and all duties delivered to my door. I ordered on the thursday, it landed in sa on the sat, delivered to me on the monday...... www.probikeshop.com (french company).

[Thug]

 

Why dude? Do you like being shafted? I just purchased 2x 2012 Reverbs, with bleed kits included for about R 2600 each including UPS express shipping and all duties delivered to my door. I ordered on the thursday, it landed in sa on the sat, delivered to me on the monday...... www.probikeshop.com (french company).

 

The oobs (where I bought all my goodies) doesn't have stock of the Reverb incl bleed kit in the size I want. They do have the model in the size I want (without bleed kit) but landed price will be the same as a local obs.

 

Never heard of that obs, so will check it out.