AuctionLamb Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I bought handle bar tape at a LBS in Gauteng in December' date=' I paid R152.00 for it. And the guy gave me a so called discount. I go on holiday to KZN and my sons bike also need bar tape, I go into the LBS and the same bar tape is R120.00 without any special discount. Now I ask you guys this, the importer of this product is in Gauteng. So how can a bike shop in KZN who has to pay freight to get the product be cheaper than a store in Jhb. [/quote'] that is why JHB people get paid more that in all the other provinces....or maybe the LBS is just very expensive.
ewep Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Another few thoughts. Icycling will defend this LBS point-of-view with all his might. The LBS is his customer and he owns one. So we import directly or buy from CWC, he loses. Brandon Els, I personally think your attitude REEKS!!!! Firstly, how would you feel if your bank asks for your overdraft to be paid, on a public forum!! Secondly, this shows that the big boys are all protecting each other. CWC and the likes are a small threat to some other guys (J&J and CoolHeat) and you pull out all the stops. Gives me first, second and third thoughts! Finally, Icycling, if you think that your beginner cyclist is where the moneys at, why then sell carbon wheels? Beginners don't need them?
Christie Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I buy from the LBS and online. My rule of thumb is to chech the on-line price, and if the LBS price in in the same ball-park, I buy from the LBS. Recently bought some Zipp & Speedplay stuff - SA price were fair. If the LBS price is higher than the on-line price for whatever reason, I buy on-line. I have ridden Campy since I started cycling 4 years ago, but have never bought any Campy components from the LBS. I've bought a Chorus gruppo, a Record gruppo, a Centaur gruppo and a set of Neutron wheels on-line.
steve Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 bottom line is: If you don't like the prices, buy somewhere else
Icycling Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Because I and a Carbon engineer - that where my skills lie. From building Lotus bike back in the 90's to now builder carbon wheels for export. That what my education is!
Guest colonel Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Chris' date=' can you please ask your dad to pay our account? Its in 60 and 90 days again! [/quote'] ****something that tactfull and imature from a big supplier like yourself Brandon is really an award winning statement. I dont believe that their acc has jack to do with any of us. Imagine if Wesbank came on here and asked you to, infront of everyone here to pay your car account??? Dude that is so imature Im sorry I didnt think you were so low but hey we learn everyday.
madmarc Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I buy from the LBS and online. My rule of thumb is to chech the on-line price' date=' and if the LBS price in in the same ball-park, I buy from the LBS. Recently bought some Zipp & Speedplay stuff - SA price were fair. If the LBS price is higher than the on-line price for whatever reason, I buy on-line. I have ridden Campy since I started cycling 4 years ago, but have never bought any Campy components from the LBS. I've bought a Chorus gruppo, a Record gruppo, a Centaur gruppo and a set of Neutron wheels on-line.[/quote'] If i was the SA dealer for Campy i would be throwing my toys out the cot reading this. But they are obviously too shallow minded and don't care. We are passionate about cycling they need to get passionate about doing business with us. Christie YOU ROCK - Not because i know you but because you ride CAMPY
Guest colonel Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Too add weight! How long can fresh produce sit on the floor - about a week? so they turn over their profit 52 times in a year - not on all their goods but about 1/3. Cycle retailer as mentioned before turn their stock over on avg about 3 to 4 times per year - ecconomics and we all eat we dont all cycle! What they dont sell and goes off is returned have you ever been to the bacl of a Supermarket at the return sections? Reps come, take the returns and the amount is credited.
Guest colonel Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Cycling is expensive and when it somes to buying stuff you do look for the cheapest price-simple and when you go to buy a set of wheels like I did and there is a difference of R3000 between bike shops and CWC you go to the cheapest guy. Why pay more for the same product? If the other shops were clever they would do the same and bring in their own stock.
Christie Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 @ madmarc: I had to choose a gruppo to start out on, and the carbon shift levers & deraileur cage of the Chorus sold itself - I bought it purely for the looks. I still have it, probably has 40000km on it and I had no hassle. (o, I forgot to add that Dura Ace was 9x, Chorus was 10x, if I remember correctly) I think some importers, like the local Campy agents, got away with big mark ups because they had a monopoly. If the Zipp & Speedplay agents can supply stuff that compares well with international prices, why cant the Campy guys do the same?Christie2008-01-02 10:25:04
quinton Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 After going through all of these avenues to find the best price for the same product, I found www.ebay.com to be the cheapest by far. Brand new spares at half the price then any local discounted price.
racman Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I suspect that the REAL margins are made BEFORE it gets to your LBS and they then have to compete with Online etc with very litte margin to play with. Brandon, I must agree with Colonel, your comment is in extremely bad taste and you certainly have lost a fan here (are they (CWC) the only bike shop whose account is 60 or 90 days and will you be now using this forum for debtors management as well as marketing in the future, or has it actually got more to do with the direct/parrallel/gray importing" of CWC and nothing to do with their account. I know a bike shop that has a terrible reputation in this regard but I am sure you would not name them here as they don't import directly etc)racman2008-01-02 10:18:18
quinton Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Chris' date=' can you please ask your dad to pay our account? Its in 60 and 90 days again! [/quote'] That was funny Brandon Not the best place to drop the line in public but still funny.... quinton2008-01-02 10:17:11
Jules Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 CWC is making serious allegations about wholesalers in South Africa. I'm not sure if Probike is included in these allegations. Nevertheless, I think it's fair comment for Brandon to say if CWC is in arrears or not. Perhaps wholesalers are closing CWCs accounts for other reasons? CWC took the fight public, so let's hear the other side of the story
racman Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 OK, so should we then spill the beans on bike shops who buy from wholesalers AND CWC, and those whose accounts are in arrears etc - I think not!!!
quinton Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Maybe we should, maybe those bike shops need more support from the cyclists out there. Soon we will not have a LBS but instead a LBW - Local Bike Webpage or Local Bike Wholesaler
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