Buying overseas vs supporting local

[Mongoose!]

9p

I will only buy from local dealers in an emergency situation, have been buying online for 10 years and even with the odd warranty problem it's still much much more cost effective. The local dealers really take the piss with prices. China is such a massive market now for carbon rims frames and parts and they are more than happy to send you a new product if you return the old ones. I have been riding their carbon mtb rims for 5 years and still good. Do the research and save thousands.

So true on the Chinese stuff. Also a huge fan and using their stuff for years also

[fanievb]

Of course they would say that. Give me some case law! And not an opinion that you posted lower down.

 

Companies are known to shy away from their responsibilities. Just because they do, doesn't mean it's correct or legal.

 

i don't do legal arguments on a forum.

 

it's simple they don't have to honor the warranty as they did not provide the product.

[Fisan]

Locally it's a one-way street.

• When the rand weakens, local prices go up.
• But when the rand strengthens, the local prices stay up

This is why I support the locals of UK.

 

Disclaimer: I choose to see it that way.

[Zorro5614]

I always feel bad asking local bike shop to install parts I bought from overseas. The better bank balance helps with this.

[Skylark]

If the lbs prices weren't so fantastically inflated, I can just about live with a 30-40% premuim to buying online, I'd love to support them. But 100-200% premuim even after shipping is factored in is not so palatable. Especially considering if you look after stuff you generally don't need a warranty and if it really is a pricey item you can ship it back to the overseas retailer so it's not a total loss there either.

 

Do any of the big online intl stores help with warranty returns or sponsor part of the shipping costs or is it a blanket case of get it to use and then we'll help you?

 

Do they at least cover shipping the replacement back to you?

[daniemare]

I was wondering what hubbers felt on this just this morning.

Powertap C1 > CRC incl our VAT R10,000 (after Zuma's idiocy overnight) and from Bicyclepower.co.za its R13,000. Now that is 30%

 

My question was more about WHY than a worry about warranty.

CRC is a retail shop, like Bicyclepower and any LBS. from a Value Chain point of view both will order from the supplier, via a distributor or 2 and the actual shipping will happen directly from China.

 

So why these extreme differences? Can any local guys comment. What are we missing. I can see how CRC might demand some volume discounts and shipping China-South Africa will be a little more than China-UK, but can this add up to these huge price differences. Remember that the SA guy pays less in wages and rent.

 

And yes, with the Rand's impressive recovery, why are we not seeing decreases. Yes, you biught some stock at prices you fixed a couple of months ago, but why does that then not hold when it goes the other way?

 

Until I understand valid reasons why, I will buy online and pay for fitting if I cannot donit myself

[BigDL]

I was wondering what hubbers felt on this just this morning.

Powertap C1 > CRC incl our VAT R10,000 (after Zuma's idiocy overnight) and from Bicyclepower.co.za its R13,000. Now that is 30%

 

My question was more about WHY than a worry about warranty.

CRC is a retail shop, like Bicyclepower and any LBS. from a Value Chain point of view both will order from the supplier, via a distributor or 2 and the actual shipping will happen directly from China.

 

So why these extreme differences? Can any local guys comment. What are we missing. I can see how CRC might demand some volume discounts and shipping China-South Africa will be a little more than China-UK, but can this add up to these huge price differences. Remember that the SA guy pays less in wages and rent.

 

And yes, with the Rand's impressive recovery, why are we not seeing decreases. Yes, you biught some stock at prices you fixed a couple of months ago, but why does that then not hold when it goes the other way?

 

Until I understand valid reasons why, I will buy online and pay for fitting if I cannot donit myself

CRC are massive Grey Market importers into the UK, so therefore avoid the middle man in a lot of cases. As an example, when I moved to Northern Ireland, my fox fork on my Giant had a warranty issue and fox's agents in the UK were happy to cover it, even though I had bought it in South Africa, as long as it did not come from CRC.

 

Chatting to the guys at CRC, it sounds like they generally don't ask questions on returns under warranty, as long as it is within a year of purchase. Presumably their turnover is such that it is cheaper for them to just replace or refund items rather than go through the pain of sending back to manufacturers etc.

[ChrisF]

If the lbs prices weren't so fantastically inflated, I can just about live with a 30-40% premuim to buying online, I'd love to support them. But 100-200% premuim even after shipping is factored in is not so palatable. Especially considering if you look after stuff you generally don't need a warranty and if it really is a pricey item you can ship it back to the overseas retailer so it's not a total loss there either.

 

Do any of the big online intl stores help with warranty returns or sponsor part of the shipping costs or is it a blanket case of get it to use and then we'll help you?

 

Do they at least cover shipping the replacement back to you?

 

spot on - I have no problem with a realistic markup.  The bike shop owner and his staff must also earn a living

 

But I dont like being taken for a ride .....

 

 

The longer term issue with more and more direct purchases from overseas - I have seen in the motorcycle trade how bikeshops closed down due to direct imports ... then those very clients are struggling to source their "small stuff" locally ....

 

best for everybody if the bike shops/importers keep the markups realistic

[daniemare]

CRC are massive Grey Market importers into the UK, so therefore avoid the middle man in a lot of cases. As an example, when I moved to Northern Ireland, my fox fork on my Giant had a warranty issue and fox's agents in the UK were happy to cover it, even though I had bought it in South Africa, as long as it did not come from CRC.

 

Chatting to the guys at CRC, it sounds like they generally don't ask questions on returns under warranty, as long as it is within a year of purchase. Presumably their turnover is such that it is cheaper for them to just replace or refund items rather than go through the pain of sending back to manufacturers etc.

So if that is true, and a lot of people here wont mind 30% markups - instead of 100/200%. Then why do SA shops not buy from CRC instead of "official" channels. Tell their cusotmers about the "greyness" of the product and work with CRC on their no questions return policy (as you explained) for warranties.

 

This will send the message to the official channel that people so not like to be ripped off

[ChUkKy]

I believe that Shimano will be the same as SRAM regarding imports, we wont be able to buy from overseas.

[NotSoBigBen]

Just wondering ... at least here in the souf I know one bike store owner pretty well and another fairly well ... I don't exactly see them as 'high rollers' with fancy cars and lifestyles etc.

 

I am aware of another small bike store in the north area that struggles to get by monthly

 

It would appear that running a bike store is not some walk in the park where fleecing customers is the way to make a rich lifestyle besides off course the few 'concept' and 'golfstyle' stores that rely more on the uninformed rich consumer?

[awesme]

Read an interesting article the other day where most shops are coming to grips that selling bits and bops and parts to the customer is a reducing income stream, and realizing that changing income source to rather focus on servicing, bike fitment, coffee shop with shop is whats needed to survive.

 

With people like Wiggle, CRC, CWC think it's reality, people will buy where they get the best price, if I then bring it to you to fit, fine, charge me for the service time, ... AT THE SAME RATE as you would have charged me if I bought the part from you (Don't punish me for bringing my own bits)

 

As for Local distributor,I'mnot really seeing what they bring to the party, there is very little to no visible sponsorship visible, and well in 5 years, I've had one problem with a RD, and well it was not a warrantee issue anyhow, so money saved there, in relation to them saying they won't cover it if not bought through them have no scare value.

 

G

 

Just wondering ... at least here in the souf I know one bike store owner pretty well and another fairly well ... I don't exactly see them as 'high rollers' with fancy cars and lifestyles etc.

 

I am aware of another small bike store in the north area that struggles to get by monthly

 

It would appear that running a bike store is not some walk in the park where fleecing customers is the way to make a rich lifestyle besides off course the few 'concept' and 'golfstyle' stores that rely more on the uninformed rich consumer?

[andydude]

i don't do legal arguments on a forum.

 

it's simple they don't have to honor the warranty as they did not provide the product.

They are agents of the company that made the products!

 

That's like saying Baron's workshop doesn't have to do the warranty because they didn't sell the new car.

 

But to be honest Fanie, it's not you I am arguing with, but I'm frustrated with companies trying to screw customers in general.

 

We see it everyday. They will push and break the law, and if caught pay a little fine and move on.

 

In my ideal world (!) a product provider provides a product and a warranty which will be honoured by the company or any subcontractor/agent. Easy as that.

[WrightJnr]

Ok, a little cheat because I had a mate in the US this week who brought back for me....but.

 

Jensons, XT 10 speed cassette, Garmin Cadence Sensor and Lezyne Hecto Drive 350XL delivered overnight to Austin Hotel all for R1300. A quick search on the Hubs's FAVORITE Cape Town shop this morning had just the cassette at R1090 before shipping!

 

My hard earned money unfortunately goes overseas almost every time! I just cannot justify local prices and am also sick and tired of this 40% off crap sale when the list price is inflated more than double!

 

And not just bike parts. I buy my Zero Tabs from CRC at R45 a tube (sometimes less if on special) but Dischem and other SA shops think it's ok to sell the same thing for over R150. And they don't even throw in a free tube of vaseline.

 

 

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[Slowbee]

I was wondering what hubbers felt on this just this morning.

Powertap C1 > CRC incl our VAT R10,000 (after Zuma's idiocy overnight) and from Bicyclepower.co.za its R13,000. Now that is 30%

 

My question was more about WHY than a worry about warranty.

CRC is a retail shop, like Bicyclepower and any LBS. from a Value Chain point of view both will order from the supplier, via a distributor or 2 and the actual shipping will happen directly from China.

 

So why these extreme differences? Can any local guys comment. What are we missing. I can see how CRC might demand some volume discounts and shipping China-South Africa will be a little more than China-UK, but can this add up to these huge price differences. Remember that the SA guy pays less in wages and rent.

 

And yes, with the Rand's impressive recovery, why are we not seeing decreases. Yes, you biught some stock at prices you fixed a couple of months ago, but why does that then not hold when it goes the other way?

 

Until I understand valid reasons why, I will buy online and pay for fitting if I cannot donit myself

Do you also refuse to buy from the food retailers ? I mean they do need to explain why they inflate the prices of food so much.

[Brandon P]

Read an interesting article the other day where most shops are coming to grips that selling bits and bops and parts to the customer is a reducing income stream, and realizing that changing income source to rather focus on servicing, bike fitment, coffee shop with shop is whats needed to survive.

Agree completely. Have seen this happening with the smaller bike shops locally, bike shops becoming workshops. Am sure traditional shops are struggling to compete with the big conglomerate shops, local suppliers margins, SA import duties/taxing, cost of carrying stock/theft/rent/staff/insurances.

 

Even some bike brands are selling direct to public online.