Support your LBS! or don`t.

[SwissVan]

I never said that others can't do it, just does not mean I have to agree with it. Not sure I could afford you So may have to go elsewhere.

 

To recap my stance,

 

I don't agree with having to pay a premium for supplying my own parts as others have stated on here already and I agree with me, but thats not saying that your LBS cannot do it. I just won't go to them if I really don't have to, but I will pay if I am desperate.

 

No, I do not try to decieve any shops/ workshops into gettting free work done. I always ask charges up front, hell even if someone says no charge I always ask if they are sure. Thats just how I am.

 

The handling fee should not be a premium bur rather a small % dependng on the RRP i.e. 10% for low priced stuff and less for more expensive stuff.

 

Do you give your LBS a chance to equal or better the price before you buy it elsewhere cheaper?

 

I don’t believe that any shop (workshop) really wants to accept customer supplied parts (talking about new parts purchased intentionally cheaper elsewhere) without adding a handling fee, but will do so because they are scared of loosing business.

[Caerus]

The handling fee should not be a premium bur rather a small % dependng on the RRP i.e. 10% for low priced stuff and less for more expensive stuff.

 

Do you give your LBS a chance to equal or better the price before you buy it elsewhere cheaper?

 

I don’t believe that any shop (workshop) really wants to accept customer supplied parts (talking about new parts purchased intentionally cheaper elsewhere) without adding a handling fee, but will do so because they are scared of loosing business.

 

Not at all, not all workshops are the same, in fact they have said to myself that I should look at other sites besides CRC & CWC. I've been there and had beers and talked about, its all about flexibilty in my opinion. They did this for me right from the beginning of our relationship, when I could not source the parts needed.

Not everything is worth buying overseas, so I will buy fom an LBS no problem, I've stated this already.

[nathrix]

Caerus vs LBS = http://forums.mtbr.com/images/smilies/mad2.gif

[sometime]

Caerus and others with a similar mindset please answer a question for me:

 

When your car needs a service/upgrade do you buy the parts required from your (cheaper) local spares shop and give them to your garage/mechanic to fit for you?

[Caerus]

Caerus vs LBS = http://forums.mtbr.com/images/smilies/mad2.gif

Thats the thing, its not that at all, it actually makes me laugh. I go where I go, I have one of the best mechanics in the country servicing my bike, they let me take parts in and does not charge me extra to fit them. I will not change, I will be a so called "cheapskate" but at the end of day I'm happy with what I got and how I got it, and I screwed no one over or asked for anything more then then was required, hell guess I'm just lucky that way.

 

It's just I dont agree with it, end of.

[Caerus]

Caerus and others with a similar mindset please answer a question for me:

 

When your car needs a service/upgrade do you buy the parts required from your (cheaper) local spares shop and give them to your garage/mechanic to fit for you?

Sometimes I will, sometimes I won't. What does that really matter? If it means I have that extra money to take a week off somewhere nice for a holiday, I will continue to do so. I see value in where I see value, to charge me extra for fitting a part in an already very greedy industry just don't cut the mustard for me.

 

You gotta understand at the same time, not everyone has the disposable income like you may have to just pay, pay, pay. ****, only I have so much and this is an expensive hobby, where from all my so called "cheapskateness" I have managed to get myself two great bikes, and some top of the range equipment.

[Rodders]

So if a guy walks into the LBS, wheel in one hand, brand new cassette in the other, and he wants it fitted.

Should he be charged the standard R60 to fit a cassette.

 

Hell Yes.

 

So if a guy walks into the LBS, wheel in one hand and buys a brand new cassette and wants it fitted.

Should he be charged the standard R60 to fit the cassette.

 

Probably No

 

If cheapskate chop number one starts complaining that R60 is to expensive for a 5min job that he can do himself ... then WHY DOESNT HE or better yet, why doesnt he buy his own chainwhip and cassette remover for R300 and DIY?

[arendoog]

The only real bargains are on the hub.I have bought 3 "new' bikes on the hub ,saved 30%.I have also bought componants that turned out to be the wrong size and now they have to be sold again .I still reckon if you become a good loyal customer of your LBS ,you will have the best equipment and support for the same money spent.My loyal customers get a better deal than the non- loyals

[Caerus]

So if a guy walks into the LBS, wheel in one hand, brand new cassette in the other, and he wants it fitted.

Should he be charged the standard R60 to fit a cassette.

 

Hell Yes.

 

So if a guy walks into the LBS, wheel in one hand and buys a brand new cassette and wants it fitted.

Should he be charged the standard R60 to fit the cassette.

 

Probably No

 

If cheapskate chop number one starts complaining that R60 is to expensive for a 5min job that he can do himself ... then WHY DOESNT HE or better yet, why doesnt he buy his own chainwhip and cassette remover for R300 and DIY?

Coming from Peckham, I'm surprised you didn't knick the chainwhip

[TCRCARBON]

I give my LBS the chance to match the online prices and most times they cut their price to the bone to try and match it. They appreciate the chance to do business. If i buy online they know why and are more accomodating.

If you buy online its only fair to expect to pay a labour premium. Would you charge more if you were running the shop? Loyalty is a two way street.

What I do expect is service! Right first time all the time. It's not always about the price.

[Starvin' Marvin]

I have stopped supporting my old LBS. Ive spent basically a R100k with them. My wife tore the padding on our little girls pram, so off to my LBS i go. buy grip tape and ask them to fit it. They charge my R60 to fit it. Now R60 isn't going to break me but hell chaps R60 for 5mins work! Next service and bike bought won't be from them.

[Stretch]

Caerus and others with a similar mindset please answer a question for me:

 

When your car needs a service/upgrade do you buy the parts required from your (cheaper) local spares shop and give them to your garage/mechanic to fit for you?

 

interesting point. My wifes abs pump packed up on her car and the vw part costs R10k. Told my mechanic to hold on it and i sourced one from a spares dealer myself for R1200 and gave it to my mechanic to fit. Again, like i said a few pages back I have a relationship with him and he gives me leeway to do this and hence he gets my business..simple equation really

[TNT1]

Caerus and others with a similar mindset please answer a question for me:

 

When your car needs a service/upgrade do you buy the parts required from your (cheaper) local spares shop and give them to your garage/mechanic to fit for you?

 

Yes. Quite often in fact. For both my car and motorbike, my mechanics frequently advise on where to by the parts, what to buy, and then do the work for me. Simple really. Like I said before, it's all about quality of service at any store. I vote with my feet and my wallet.

[ThePubSA]

Its my bike,i will buy what i want.If the shop wants a small fee for setting up the goods i dont mind,if too expensive screw them,especially if they cant offer the same products.

Think its worse the guys who go try on clothing in LBS then go buy overseas,you just stuck your stinky head,foot,assos in something sum1 else will buy.

Asked for a quote on some parts from linden,when i heard the amount told wolf & jonene the price i could land it from CRC & they both said i would be mad not too as they cant offer that price or those quality parts unless they ordered it from CRC for me aswell.

Its my bike im paying ,im the boss here GG

[DaLoCo]

I'd love to see you take a merc to a merc dealer and say, "I ordered these parts from overseas, will you please fit them?"

 

Edit to add: I do agree with your point though.

My merc dealer had no issue doing that.....

[DaLoCo]

Yes. Quite often in fact. For both my car and motorbike, my mechanics frequently advise on where to by the parts, what to buy, and then do the work for me. Simple really. Like I said before, it's all about quality of service at any store. I vote with my feet and my wallet.

 

They often advise on different brand names too......or tell me straight that the aftermarket will not last. I have tested them and found they give good advice. I am searching for a used vacuum pump for my dad's merc on advice from the merc dealer himself. Thankfully my LBS is pretty cool when it comes to fitting spares bought somewhere else. Paid R 90 to change that derailleur I bought from you Bob