KingTJ Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 I am amazed that, for example in the UK, you can but a motorbike or bicycle and pay it off over 3 or 4 years at 0% interest. Sometimes including all the kit Did you see at what level uk repo rate is set at...it almost non existent..but i cannot see why ours could not be relatively lower.
Tatt Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 In the UK we also had the ride to work scheme - a handy £1000 towards a bicycle from the taxman and you could also claim the miles ridden to work at one stage.. Tom
Zariuss Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 The mark-ups on bikes and components are not really as big as most of you expect. I'm not 100% sure on the cut the wholesaler takes, but bikes are generally only ever marked up by 35%, which is really low when you compare it to the 70 - 150% mark up some industries are able to have. And the shops make even less money, because you people ALWAYS want discount. I think the issue here is that people buy bikes they cannot afford. Then they cringe when they see what it costs to maintain that bike. No one ever wants to pay to fix their bikes, but they always want to complain when something's not working right. If you're willing to spend money to keep your car going, to keep you house going, you holiday house, your second car, you motorbike etc.. then fix your damn bike and stop moaning. If you can't afford a certain bike (not just the purchase price) buy something cheaper. That's the beauty of this sport. You can ride any bike, as long as you ride. Anyway, sorry about that guys, but I just had some stuff to get off my chest.You're welcome to rip me apart all you want now, but I stand by what I say. EDIT: Just to add, that's exactly why there are more and more idiots working at bike shops. Because people are not willing to pay for good products and good service from someone who is an expert in the field and who has dedicated as much of their lives to bikes as you have to be a lawyer or a doctor. So these people with the expertise go looking for something else. Somewhere where they can actually make a living. And then you're stuck with the idiots who don't know a thing about bikes. It is amazing that people buy bikes they cannot afford and then think that it wont cost anything to keep it going?!I mean really, bike finance?At the end of the day the retailer is the guy struggling to make his little bit of money. He has to face the customers and the discounts and the big guys make all the money.I own a different type of retail business and it is all the same.Good luck and keep on selling those bikes as we all need to keep on riding!! (No matter what one decides to spend on a bike)
DJR Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 IMHO, bike finance is a bad idea. If you have to finance a depreciating toy, you should not buy it. If you really want it, you can save up for it, over 6 months or so. Any longer than that and it means you should buy cheaper, or buy second hand. I simply cannot think of a scenario where financing an expensive new leisure bike makes any business sense for the buyer.
CJG Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 I get what your all saying, the Rand / dollar situation is not helping at all and things are going to get more expensive this year. Bike shop owners need to make a profit, I totally understand that, but I have recently been in a situation where I have ordered a bike from a reputable bike shop. He quoted a price, I accepted (no discounts, price was fair). A couple of weeks later the rand crashed because of Zuma. Now the LBS is quiet, he obviously didn't order the bike when I confirmed the purchase and things became more expensive for him.
davem Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 There are new bike shops opening all over the show. Looking at fitout, square meterage and stock levels, there is no shortage of margin in this business. If I remember the documentation exposed in the price fixing enquiry, the margins were higher than any industry I have ever come across. 35% margin on a R40k bike is quite an easy way to earn R14000. You would have to sell R140k of Apple Macs to make the same margin. And that would require 10 sales processes vs one. I have yet to walk into a LBS and think "Oooh, they guys must be struggling, wonder whether they will be here next month"
Allrounder Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 In the UK we also had the ride to work scheme - a handy £1000 towards a bicycle from the taxman and you could also claim the miles ridden to work at one stage.. TomHow far do you need to commute?
TheJ Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 I propose a protest against the high cost of cycling. Anyone got Tony Erenreich's mobile number? 082-773-3194
IH8MUD Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 You need to do your homework when buying from crc...bicycle parts dont have import duties fees, just VAT, but clothing and protective gear has import duties...This is how I do it. Look for the specials at CRC. I have bought some EASTON carbon stuff for 62% discount. Buy parts only (no clothes en kit). This way I have bought huge deals and have all manner of spare parts for my bikes at much less than what the LBS would kill me with. The import VAT gets worked into the company's books by the accountant. (all legal)It is such a small percentage of the company's total VAT that I don't even realise it. Then buy some tools and Big Blue ParkTool Bicycle book and Bob is your uncle. Also buy nice stuff on The HUB, it saves big bucks.
DJR Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 http://kidneykidney.comThe dude in the middle is smiling just a bit too enthusiastically. I wouldn't trust him to take only his pound of flesh one kidney while I'm out cold!
Tatt Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 How far do you need to commute?It used be around 20p per mile, not sure if you can still claim, and you couldn't claim using a bike that was still in the discount scheme (if I remember correctly). Tom
rock Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 some one hit the nail on the head. yes bike prices are going up, not everyone needs a carbon full suss with a 1x11 groupset. what happened to a hardtail with mid range kit that allowed one to keep it serviced, get it to events etc.
RocknRolla Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 some one hit the nail on the head. yes bike prices are going up, not everyone needs a carbon full suss with a 1x11 groupset. what happened to a hardtail with mid range kit that allowed one to keep it serviced, get it to events etc.It's called marketing. Some people fall for this bs. And then there are always customers who want lower prices, and retailers that want bigger margins. Personally I think we may see some bike shops either downscaling or closing, our new exchange rate will have a serious effect on them.As it already has on the retail market this December.
Spez247 Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 It's called marketing. Some people fall for this bs. And then there are always customers who want lower prices, and retailers that want bigger margins. Personally I think we may see some bike shops either downscaling or closing, our new exchange rate will have a serious effect on them.As it already has on the retail market this December.Have to agree with your last paragraph. Lots of pain in 2016 to come...
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