mrbaker Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 I just placed an order on CRC this morning for about 7 different items...XT pedals were - R550.Cheapest here is CWC - R800LBS were R940 If the prices locally were closer to CRC then I would not go through the hassle of ordering from CRC.If the pedals had been say R650-R680 then I would have bought locally. Everything is just business...The owner of Coolheat (Shimano +other brands) does drive a nice Porsche though which I don't have a problem with at all...It just shows that there is room for some price adjustments at our local level... Rider3000 1
rock Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 hhmmm, I didnt know about the 'no import' taxes on smallish online purchases in Oz, he should write a letter to his government first...... perhaps he should moan at CRC's suppliers who offer them such good prices, I bet they are glad for once they have a customer who they can rely on for quantity purchases not like here where no one want to actually carry stock and just expect you to wait for them to get it when you want something.... anyways the effect his letter is going to have on CRC's sales......zero, in fact I'd go so far it might boost sales......
Thug Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 Hehe, sounds like it could have been written by a number of local bike personalities prior to them setting up there own online businesses (more the cartel guys than a well known Cape Town online reseller).
Eldron Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 Everything is just business...The owner of Coolheat (Shimano +other brands) does drive a nice Porsche though which I don't have a problem with at all...It just shows that there is room for some price adjustments at our local level... You really should do some research or know what you're talking about before you throw around ignorant comments like that.
kosmonooit Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 CRC did cause a wake-up locally, hence Buycycle. I shop around locally on-line before importing and if the difference is substantial I will go off-shore. LBS prices normally 2x that of on-line. Free market, free choice.
Lucky Luke. Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 The author's big point seems to be that he will not give CRC an ad platform in his mag, lest his readers see said ads and discover they can buy some stuff at a good price? Is this guy a complete tool or am I missing something? If the local scene is so tight, then presumably any the local bmx store owners with half a brain would figure out a way, as part of this community, to add value in a way that CRC could never do. Having CRC is a positive for any cycling community because through cheap prices, they lower the barrier to entry into the sport. When I was a kid riding bmx aged 9 to 13, my main point of anguish was that I couldn't afford to buy the kit or upgrade my bike.
davetapson Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 (edited) CRC is doing good business and does have a very effective business model. Essentially CRC is all about money, nothing more and nothing less. The author does have a valid point in that CRC does nothing for the local cycling community, except supply cheaper components to the cyclists. They do not provide technical assistance, sponsor events, etc. Whether this is right or wrong... Each to his own. CRC is about providing a good service at a good price. They build wheels with no quibbling quickly and cheaply. This is a bad thing apparently. We should be upset because they put people who provide poor service at inflated prices out of business - not to mention give the consumer a choice? Me, I mostly support my LBS because if you cost in all the factors their prices are not actually that bad, and the service is good. Esoteric things, and items on sale, I'll probably go to CRC. Edited November 16, 2012 by davetapson
Shebeen Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 What's it got to do with local economy? Most products on CRC come from the East. I doubt many come from Australia(and maybe 0 from ZA). So it's the same thing, but the channel you're getting it from changes. All CRC does is cut out middleman, who might contribute taxes but in general just add to cost. If anything CRC has helped reduce the price of biking, therefore it's an easier sport to get into and more people will take it up.
Nettie R Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 No, but it does hurt, and eventually kill off, the local business model.Perhaps so, but the cycling industry is known for their big profit margins compared to other lines.Then it's not the end user who has to tighten his belt, but rather the suppliers and retailers who want to stay competitive.
Lucky Luke. Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 Seems to me the author is nailing his colours to the mast with his 'open letter' for the benefit of the local stores, who are no doubt his main source of ad revenue. At CRC hq it was probably despatched to the spam folder in a matter of nanoseconds.
goya-goya Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 HAHA... to all the bike shop owners... if you cannot compete... change your strategy... or choose another business... I have no sympathy for businesses who cannot stay with the demand/times... I will not be the one paying more for stuff just so that you can keep your doors open... it is not a charity... suck it up... make me want to buy from you... The internet has its advantages and there are disadvantages... Why not shut down the internet? shame then you can keep your doors open... You are just a retailer that offers a service too... change your business model if you want to compete... get together and make plans... but dont go out on a crooked leg and blame and open free market... Just my opinion majestic 1
Grebel Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 I just placed an order on CRC this morning for about 7 different items...XT pedals were - R550.Cheapest here is CWC - R800LBS were R940 If the prices locally were closer to CRC then I would not go through the hassle of ordering from CRC.If the pedals had been say R650-R680 then I would have bought locally. Everything is just business...The owner of Coolheat (Shimano +other brands) does drive a nice Porsche though which I don't have a problem with at all...It just shows that there is room for some price adjustments at our local level... And how's that? Even with the benefit of cheaper stuff from the likes of CRC he is still doing alright (Driving a Porsche apparently) Seems like being a successful business man is a crime nowadays... If you are making too muck money, you need to cut the profits... Bull. If that is the attitude than perhaps a move to a socialist economy should be on the cards. That my friend is the model of capitalism! Make as much money as you can and spoil yourself by buying nice stuff. If I was making good dosh I would also be driving a flash car (Not sure it would be a Porsche though...)
gogo@ Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 I want to support the local guys, but they make it too difficult. Example: I contacted CWC to find out what v-brake specific wheels they can get me. Was told my query was being referred. Then nothing. Went into my LBS, discussed at length, was told they would talk to supplier. Then nothing. So, yes, I'm working on my own options through CRC.This CRC thing is a no-brainer.I personally hope distributors get squashed because their mark up and requirements for order volumes have made it difficult for LBS to stay in business BEFORE CRC came along. So, now???I think it makes service attitudes even more important now because that's what I'm prepared to pay for. You don't have it, you won't get my business. I'll learn to do as much as I can for myself.
Rider3000 Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 If the likes of many of OUR local distributors took a look at their huge margins and passed on more profit to the shops, I'd be less likely to order from CRC. At the end of the day, your LBS is there for service, advice, day-to-day parts and accessories and coffee.CRC is there for the big parts purchases and for goods not available locally. I believe that CRC and the LBS can co-exist. All the LBS has to do is keep healthy levels of stock at fair prices and do what they can to get people in the door. I agree totally... and if the LBS staff become a little friendlier and make you feel like a customer then ill buy from the LBS too..
Skott5 Posted November 16, 2012 Posted November 16, 2012 Ooh my CRC goodies arrived today .. The Urge All Mountain helmet was worth the wait. CRC is just another shop. If I need mechanical work done on my bike, I take it to my LBS, who bring in CRC shipments twice a month, sometimes more. CRC is part of their supply network. Everyone's happy RacerX and ShaughnK 2
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