LBS vs CRC

[garrethk]

The advice I have received from my LBS has been invaluable and I have found them to be cheaper than CRC for all the items I have needed. Unfortunately they have just closed down and now I have to travel 30 km to the nearest decent bike shop. So it looks like I will have to be doing more online shopping. I like CWC and Buycycle, but I find they do not keep much in the way of lower end components and other little bits and pieces.

[doppelganger]

I am so bored with hearing that we must support the LBS. "Build a relationship" I get told...well I have tried but some arrogant shop owners, clueless sales people and mechanics just put me off.

 

In JHB alone I have had several issues with the some of the shops.

 

Mike's Bikes - never bothered to order a bike in a size that I wanted for my wife...I got tired of following up.

 

Cycle Lab Boksburg - Their speed point system was down the one time so I had to leave empty handed, the next time they didn't have stock of several items they I needed (tyres, grips etc). The last time that I went there I spent 20 mins standing around hoping to be helped (all sales guys were busy - and I didn't have time to wait longer)

 

Tour de Frans - arrogant owner that won't even let a person finish a sentence (no variety - clothing from the 90's) Techies are clueless...they never managed to get my gears running smoothly

 

Cajees - well I won't elaborate. ( I have once walked in and bargained a set of Crossmarks LUST 29er tyres for R800 - so far Cajees FTW)

 

Procycles - not a huge variety but prices are fair and they have some good guys that work there.

 

Now I buy the spares where I find it the cheapest and learn how to build it myself. So far I have managed fine. I dread the day when I have to bleed my brakes as I'm not sure I will get it right, and I am too scared to trust the techies at some of these shops.

 

I have never bought from CRC, Buycycle & EasyBike's prices have been cheaper of late.

[Furbz]

Forgive me, Im not trying to swim against the current here but,

You go to LBS. You request an item that you know they do not stock.

You request them to source the item.

You then monitor the service.

When they dont deliver you slate them.

And you import the item anyway.

Are you Isabel Jones or something?

 

some say he can walk into KFC, order a BIG MAC...

...and get a BIG MAC!

[LuckyLuke]

I simply can't wait for parts, so I shop in this order

 

LBS

Cwc

Evobikes, I contacted them for a racface wide carbon flatbar, they ordered one for me from the supplier and I got it in 3 days. Great!!

Buycycle

Easybike

Bike24.com

CRC if I really have to but their service is not so good anymore, haven't had to order from them in a while.

[Furbz]

on this note, i had to stop my LBS mechanic from stripping my crank because he was using the wrong tool...

 

i have also had my cables recently changed at my LBS, i had to strip most of the cabling and redo it myself to get the shifting right! my cable was dragging where the outer had been cut leaving a sharp and slightly squashed end.

[gminator]

Mountain Biking aint cheap man.

 

If I look at it purely from a cost point of view, which I do:

 

Im looking at buying this seat for one of our bikes.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/selle-italia-x2-lady-flow-saddle/rp-prod82183

 

Even if I took only this one product with standard delivery and if customs wanted to add some for tax it would still be cheaper to purchase at CRC.

 

I found the same seat here at another store for R495.00 evidently reduced where the RRP was 600bucks. Its like that for most of things I've ever bought.

 

I seem to be getting some new MTB component or gear almost every month, I hate having to wait for 3 - 5 days for parts but it does beat having to pay 200 - 300 more on parts.

[Beer4Recovery]

walk into 4 LBS's.

ask for AM bikes?

blank stare.

can't help.

walk out.

buy beer.

lekker in SA.

[Jewbacca]

ok....

 

So is CRC better than you LBS for buying things that are obscure or unpopular? Yes.... They have stock, they carry gazillions of pounds (the currency AND the non metric weight) worth of things and actually even own some bike brands now.

 

Your LBS would be dumb to carry stock that they fork out for, have it sit for months and years and then have to sell it at a discounted price because its 'old stock'... That simply isnt business.

 

You LBS can, if he has any reason to own a bike shop, build you obscure wheel sets, supply you with knowledge and basic skills, be on hand to answer if the part is faulty (try the crc returns policy) and most and best of all, he/she is a person. A real life breathing human who you need to interract with.

 

There are different types of shops.. Bling bling shops, small shops, big industrial shops, retail bike shops and the small gem hidden away that actually offers personal service.

 

Be weary of slating the actual bike shops though. The supply agentsd are often very limited in their immediate stock as well and with the exchange rate what it is it is effecting ALL imported goods and businesses.

 

Service is service though and I find a severe lack of proffessionalism and awareness across the board, from restaurants to internet providers we generally get the runaround and very few answers.

 

I hate lawyers. They charge me 2500 zar to send an email.