carbon29er Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 I think you missing the point. In short, a family run bike shop decides to sell Spez products many years ago and supports Spez since then. In fact they sell a lot of their products including top end bikes. The shop decides to incur renovations to accommodate Spez, who supports the renovations and who doesn't have to pay for it. Then one day and all of a sudden Spez suddenly ends the relationship and while the renovations project is ongoing. That's not right whichever way you want to justify it in your head. It has nothing to do with all that crap you said above. The bike shop represented their products very well and sold a hell of a lot of them and gave Spez a great base in CT. Having a fancy shop doesn't strengthen the brand. It's the products, warranties and after sales service. The main point that you've forgotten is that the bike shop owner is the owner and not a franchise owner. It might be called a Spez store, but the owner personally as a sole proprietor owns everything and takes on all the risk unlike the car dealerships. As an example those cars are given to the dealerships on a consignment basis. They don't own them or incur huge debt to have them on display on their floors. The point is this: there was a mutual understanding and arrangement btw the loyal and long supporting shop and Spez, which Spez reneged on. That's the point!I don't think I'm missing the point at all. You have no idea how a franchise works and clearly show this through your example of using a car dealership. Which you get completely wrong. I suggest you read my post, do some research on the franchise model and gain an understanding before you reply. Specialized have decided, as part of their international marketing strategy, to adopt a franchise based retail model with dedicated stores. As far as I'm aware, based on rumour and gossip, every existing retailer was given the option to develop a dedicated store for Specialized. Some chose to do, others chose not to. Some delayed and delayed until Specialized took the decision for them. Now what is common in the franchise business, and why it's popular for brands is that the entrepreneur brings some things to the table, normally cash, facilities and access to customers through an ongoing relationship, while the franchisor gives the product and the systems, So to say Specialized demanded dedicated stores without putting cash in as a criticism shows a total lack of understanding of what they are doing by moving to a franchised based retail system, That is the reason they are doing it, better control of the retail offering at little cost to themselves. I have no bone in this fight, I'm merely pointing out why Specialized have canned some long term relationships with stores that have sold their goods for a long time.
Hairy Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 I see the topic has moved week away from the original but thought it worth sharing a recent experience. Firstly I am not a Specialized fantastic and dorm even own a Specialized preferring instead my Samta Cruz Tallboy. I do however enjoy Specialized clothing and many of the well thought our accessories, for although expensive the stuff typically works and does the job for which its intended. Recently bought myself an S-Works Prevail helmet and after just two months of use I effectively destroyed the helmet after a major crash this last weekend. Firstly I am very grateful to the helmet for doing its intended job perfectly, as I wss able to walk away from the crash with only scrapes and bruises after hitting my head REALLY hard....it's a pretty hard knock when you helmet cracks in 4 places to dissipate the force. Obviously needed a new helmet and thought I would take my old helmet with to show the guys at the concept store what a fantastic job the product had done. Imagine my surprise when I was informed that Specialized offer a "crash rebate" on its helmets and I was able to but my new helmet for just 50% of the replacement cost. Now that's not only a fantastic product but also some awesome product support.....not sure how many other brands would offer the same kind of deal on a product which was effectively destroyed by the customer.Bell.....did a poor superman impersonation after being "tripped" by a tree that jumped onto the side of the single track....thought the best place to land was in a section of rocks just off the trail....and head first being the preferred technique. Helmet toast and bell purchased again at 30% that of retail.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Bell.....did a poor superman impersonation after being "tripped" by a tree that jumped onto the side of the single track....thought the best place to land was in a section of rocks just off the trail....and head first being the preferred technique. Helmet toast and bell purchased again at 30% that of retail.do you know if that 30% of cost has a limit? For example if I crashed with my faction and stuffed it would I be able to get a super 2r at 30% of cost, or is it limited to the same lid that you had before... If I do manage to knock myself out (again) I'd just like to know.
SiriS Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 I don't think I'm missing the point at all. You have no idea how a franchise works and clearly show this through your example of using a car dealership. Which you get completely wrong. I suggest you read my post, do some research on the franchise model and gain an understanding before you reply. Specialized have decided, as part of their international marketing strategy, to adopt a franchise based retail model with dedicated stores. As far as I'm aware, based on rumour and gossip, every existing retailer was given the option to develop a dedicated store for Specialized. Some chose to do, others chose not to. Some delayed and delayed until Specialized took the decision for them. Now what is common in the franchise business, and why it's popular for brands is that the entrepreneur brings some things to the table, normally cash, facilities and access to customers through an ongoing relationship, while the franchisor gives the product and the systems, So to say Specialized demanded dedicated stores without putting cash in as a criticism shows a total lack of understanding of what they are doing by moving to a franchised based retail system, That is the reason they are doing it, better control of the retail offering at little cost to themselves. I have no bone in this fight, I'm merely pointing out why Specialized have canned some long term relationships with stores that have sold their goods for a long time.Don't come here with your rational and balanced view tendencies.
Hairy Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 do you know if that 30% of cost has a limit? For example if I crashed with my faction and stuffed it would I be able to get a super 2r at 30% of cost, or is it limited to the same lid that you had before... If I do manage to knock myself out (again) I'd just like to know.like for like if I recall correctly
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 like for like if I recall correctlyThought as much, and it makes sense. If it weren't like for like it would open up huuuge opportunity for opportunistic "crash" replacements. Still a brilliant option.
YUMEYA Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 I don't think I'm missing the point at all. You have no idea how a franchise works and clearly show this through your example of using a car dealership. Which you get completely wrong. I suggest you read my post, do some research on the franchise model and gain an understanding before you reply. Specialized have decided, as part of their international marketing strategy, to adopt a franchise based retail model with dedicated stores. As far as I'm aware, based on rumour and gossip, every existing retailer was given the option to develop a dedicated store for Specialized. Some chose to do, others chose not to. Some delayed and delayed until Specialized took the decision for them. Now what is common in the franchise business, and why it's popular for brands is that the entrepreneur brings some things to the table, normally cash, facilities and access to customers through an ongoing relationship, while the franchisor gives the product and the systems, So to say Specialized demanded dedicated stores without putting cash in as a criticism shows a total lack of understanding of what they are doing by moving to a franchised based retail system, That is the reason they are doing it, better control of the retail offering at little cost to themselves. I have no bone in this fight, I'm merely pointing out why Specialized have canned some long term relationships with stores that have sold their goods for a long time. Bridge is trying to keep the brand by doing what they want and they still drop him.Now what?
carbon29er Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Bridge is trying to keep the brand by doing what they want and they still drop him.Now what?Too little too late? From what I read here they've been talking about a new store for 3 years....maybe Bridge didn't think they were serious? I really don't know, I'm just interpreting and trying to explain the strategy.
carbon29er Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Don't come here with your rational and balanced view tendencies. Yep, the facts do spoil the story. This came in last night about the same time the keyboard warrior was in full flight. I laughed so loudly my kids woke. But it just proves the level of IQ on the other end....
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Yep, the facts do spoil the story. This came in last night about the same time the keyboard warrior was in full flight. I laughed so loudly my kids woke. But it just proves the level of IQ on the other end....PS0251.jpgROFL. That report is *** funny... can see why you laughed.
GLuvsMtb Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 You are correct. Our gripe is not with the direction the market is heading. Our problem is with spez and how they have dealt bridge a low blow. And if specializes reason is the one mentioned earlier by one of the hubbers then spezies ethics are questionable. The criteria for getting one of these stores were questionable. Why is a store that has been building up the brand all the years being snubbed? Bridge got a pat on the back and a FU very much. Who gets preference??without any real insider info from either Bridge or Specialized it is all speculation and best guesses. i gather from the posts that some on here are quite emotional about Bridge moving away from the brand / Spesh blind-siding them and pulling the rug from underneath them (depending on your subjective view of proceedings here). If Bridge has a gripe with the way that Spesh dealt with the matter they can chose to be vocal about it or they can simply move on. My bit of speculation is that they probably knew what was coming and preferred to remain independent. With the way the market is moving it seems like retailers will have to pick a path and stick to it.
YUMEYA Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Too little too late? From what I read here they've been talking about a new store for 3 years....maybe Bridge didn't think they were serious? I really don't know, I'm just interpreting and trying to explain the strategy. Maybe. I feel like spez can give the man more time to get the new store ready. Surely spez could just stop supplying him till his new store is up and running. Does it have to be now or never? I can tell you that some spez stores will gain plenty from bridge cycles short comings...
Johny Bravo Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 without any real insider info from either Bridge or Specialized it is all speculation and best guesses. i gather from the posts that some on here are quite emotional about Bridge moving away from the brand / Spesh blind-siding them and pulling the rug from underneath them (depending on your subjective view of proceedings here). If Bridge has a gripe with the way that Spesh dealt with the matter they can chose to be vocal about it or they can simply move on. My bit of speculation is that they probably knew what was coming and preferred to remain independent. With the way the market is moving it seems like retailers will have to pick a path and stick to it.I really like Spez, they have a great range of products. But do you really think a bike shop can be succesfull on one bike brand only? I am asking your honest opinion here.
Iceman. Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks for an interesting debate fellow hubbers. Cheers.
GLuvsMtb Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 I really like Spez, they have a great range of products. But do you really think a bike shop can be succesfull on one bike brand only? I am asking your honest opinion here. It is not a simple yes or no answer. I suspect that if a Harley Davidson stores can manage to sell only Harley's and the BMW Motorrad stores sells only BMW's that the likes of Giant, Scott and Specialized can make concept stores work in SA. Some concept store models work quite well. Nespresso is such a case in point. When they opened in the V&A I wondered if they will sell enough machines and pods to keep going. The poor candy store that was there was kicked out and here comes a shop with fancy shop fittings and overpriced coffee. I now often find myself in the V&A primarily to buy coffee at Nespresso and wonder if and when Lavazza is going to catch on.
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