LBS vs ONLINE

[Mongoose!]

Grey items are genuine goods but sold through other channels than what the manufacturer authorises right? How does that even happend? Does this mean the grey goods have mo warranty?

When buying a derailleur I dont put much value in a warranty. For me the most important part on a bike in term of warranty is the frame. (second maybe wheels).

[BarneyZA]

Its something we can not sadly stop you doing.

 

Just hurts when you come talk to us and ask all our advise and knowledge that we have gained from working in the industry/ riding. 

 

offer it up for free then you go and support the guy who gives it to you at the best price.

 

should start lawyer style billing service

[NotSoBigBen]

Its something we can not sadly stop you doing.

 

Just hurts when you come talk to us and ask all our advise and knowledge that we have gained from working in the industry/ riding.

 

offer it up for free then you go and support the guy who gives it to you at the best price.

 

should start lawyer style billing service

I assume the same goes for going in, trying on shoes/helmets or even Lycra for size then buying it online ....

 

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[Giant Durbanville]

Its something we can not sadly stop you doing.

 

Just hurts when you come talk to us and ask all our advise and knowledge that we have gained from working in the industry/ riding. 

 

offer it up for free then you go and support the guy who gives it to you at the best price.

 

should start lawyer style billing service

 

Yes, that stings!

[daniemare]

When I lived in Canada I went to a small ski shop in the ski village I had my first ski experience. I thought I will only ask and then buy elsewhere. This little place must be more expensive I thought, I mean beer was 3 times the price than in the towns/cities.

 

To my suprise, their prices was exactly the same as my google search of big box stores revealed while standing in his shop. I had a discussion with the owner on my surprise.

 

He confirmed my initial thought. Saying at first he struggled as people will shop his advice but not his goods. He was forced to source better and negotiate harder on price. Leaving brands that will not be more direct. He argued without him, their Route to Market is screwed.

 

Now his business is doing better than ever according to him, as his service, knowledge and position give him the edge, whilst he is known for good pricing.

 

He also learnt that the most damaging thing to his reputation was exhorbitant pricing on breakables/consumables - what he felt would be his "bread-and-butter". This left a very bad taste in the mouth of consumers suffering emergencies on their day out, and he found that no one came back for the big pruchase/upgrade due to this.

 

Now there was a brick and mortar store with sense and strategy. Making it despite the online recolution.

[LeoKnight]

Agree Barney, if I use the advice and do the fittings there, then I should also buy there. But that is me and not someone else, I can just share my opinion.

[Wil6]

Its something we can not sadly stop you doing.

 

Just hurts when you come talk to us and ask all our advise and knowledge that we have gained from working in the industry/ riding. 

 

offer it up for free then you go and support the guy who gives it to you at the best price.

 

should start lawyer style billing service

I will always try and support my LBS where possible. The thing is here, with a R2k+ difference on a derailleur, the question should be why are you guys paying these prices and why is the middleman asking these prices?

[andydude]

I will always try and support my LBS where possible. The thing is here, with a R2k+ difference on a derailleur, the question should be why are you guys paying these prices and why is the middleman asking these prices?

They want to make profit?

[bertusras]

I assume the same goes for going in, trying on shoes/helmets or even Lycra for size then buying it online ....

 

Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk

 

Man that grinds my gears. If you're going to make use of their time and "samples", at least have the decency to support them. You're a terrible human being if you then go buy elsewhere. 

 

YMMV

[Wil6]

They want to make profit?

The middleman they are forced to buy through or the lbs?

[andydude]

Still the best burn when local artist moaned about people not supporting local. Original tweet deleted, but you get the drift!

 

You must stop asking us to buy local music when you don't support local designers. We tired of your Gucci. https://t.co/2xVjSL6T0S

[BarneyZA]

I will always try and support my LBS where possible. The thing is here, with a R2k+ difference on a derailleur, the question should be why are you guys paying these prices and why is the middleman asking these prices?

i agree with you here and dont force you to not go buy it there.

 

but when people get angry cause we cant drop ours to match those its sad

[Equity]

What is the landed cost though once in your hands?

Surely there is still Shipping + VAT + Duties?

[cdevil]

Back to the derailleur comparison, the problem is that you can most likely buy it cheaper from bike-discount.de than your LBS can buy it from Coolheat. So Coolheat screws the LBS and the end consumer.

[cdevil]

What is the landed cost though once in your hands?

Surely there is still Shipping + VAT + Duties?

 

From bike-discount.de it'll cost around R1850 + ~R285 VAT (15.4%) + R199 Aramex Global Shopper shipping + R0 Duty (no duty on bike parts), so total cost around R2334. Still R2k cheaper than grey import willemse.

[mtbDobby]

I bought a pair of Sporful bibs from bikeinn - dhl postage plus custom clearance was roughly still R1200 cheaper than the advertised price at a well know bike shop.

 

A week later I saw a pair of assos bib shorts on a local site significantly cheaper than the same well know bike shop and I asked if they would match or better the price....they agreed (saved R800) on that. 

 

The point is I think you need to shop around - some days I buy from LBS and some days I buy elsewhere