Not a Rant or a Rave but is this the Reality?

[FootballingCyclist]

LBS?? I never knew I was supposed to shop anywhere besides the classifides section on BikeHub?? I thought it was in the T&C's...

[Mountain_Goat]

LBS?? I never knew I was supposed to shop anywhere besides the classifides section on BikeHub?? I thought it was in the T&C's...

Haha, theres some great deals in the classifieds yes. Just dont buy anything from guys like 'AVermaak' or 'Trilad' ????

[lechatnoir]

This thread makes me miss Action Cycling even more.

 

I went there once. Stood around like a spare part. If they hadn't closed, I think I'd still be there...

[Dirkitech]

Not sure why I feel the need to post this but maybe just maybe it can serve as a warning to those local bike shops that want to stay in business...

 

So late October I decide its Eagle time for my trusty steed.

 

Now, I would be needing an XD Driver for my rear wheel to accommodate the new cassette. Riding a Specialized Camber I’m off to Cedar Square to pick one up. I get told, no stock but can order for you. I say no problem I’m off to wines2whales and will only install after the race. I ask how much it will cost, approximately R1800 I get told, eish, that’s expensive but ok...Details taken, order “placed” and I’ll be contacted when it arrives. I voice a concern that this is a serviceable item and should be in stock. I get a blank look.

 

Mid way through November, no feedback so I follow up. No order placed, no stock, wada wada wada. We will order for you sir, I say ok. Because I now don’t trust them now I call Complete Cyclist Randburg, also get told no stock but will order for you. I call two other shops, get told sorry, don’t have, no offer to try assist further (complete cyclist melrose arch and specialized Stellenbosch)

 

By Wednesday last week after not hearing back from either of the shops I decide to go online. Struggling to find the part number I need I drop Chainreactioncycles a query, within the hour I get a response. Sir, we unfortunately don’t stock Spez parts but I can tell you the part number you looking for is xxx-xxxx. I then search for the part number and get a few hits. Go onto a USA website, see they ship to SA, check the price $40 and shipping another $40 via UPS tracked. I order..

 

This morning, 5 days later and R1050 out of pocket my part arrives, I’ve installed and all is well.

 

Maybe one day I’ll hear back from the local guys. In the meantime I’ll go spend the extra R750 in my wallet overseas.

 

This example might be Specialized related but is certainly not isolated to them or the cycling industry alone. I’m overall just getting better service from overseas and wonder when I will stop trying local first and then at all?

Hi Wright Junior,

 

I don't believe the problem is Specialized specific, I've had the exact same issue at 2 shops in JHB saying they will order parts (SRAM jockey gears,SRAM cassette, disc brake rotors, Shimano pedals). I've been shoppingly happily for everything electronic and bicycle related overseas, spending well over R50k on both altogether and never encountering an issue.

 

I wish you happy savings when continuing to buy from overseas

[Mojoman]

Hi Wright Junior,

 

I don't believe the problem is Specialized specific, I've had the exact same issue at 2 shops in JHB saying they will order parts (SRAM jockey gears,SRAM cassette, disc brake rotors, Shimano pedals). I've been shoppingly happily for everything electronic and bicycle related overseas, spending well over R50k on both altogether and never encountering an issue.

 

I wish you happy savings when continuing to buy from overseas

Nearest Specialised shop to me couldnt be bothered to return my call when I was looking for a new bike below R10k....nor could they be bothered to reply to an email when I was looking for lace up MTB shoes (old school I know...)...I guess if you aren't crapping R's they aren't too bothered....

 

To be fair though a good number of other bike shops also couldn't be bothered to return calls etc....

 

 

[Loose cog]

Great OP and comments. LBS's have always been staffed by a tempary wannabe or semi pro's who are offered jobs in the industry whilst perusing their riding. There are a few long term staff I know but often they are often found in the repair shops.

 

Not sure these jobs offer decent pay nor long term career growth, pensions, medical aid, etc. I am not sure.

 

Having been riding for 50 years I know that the importers/distributors control the industry ruthlessly and are very concerned with the growth of online shopping. For example Spam no longer allowed to be exported to SA, Shitmano not importing older series spares freely available offshore, etc. Do you know why you can now only get cable housing in black or white? The distributors now only supply the LBS with rolls of min 100m. Imagine how long it will take the LBS to sell its green, yellow, purple cable housings!

 

I firmly believe that the smart money will determine where we buy our bikes and spares and hence the growing number of grey imports available in SA. Believe it or not but the SAPO is becoming better and I don't stress to much any more about parts going missing or being delayed for weeks.

 

Pity as I spent hours at the LBS, especially Deale and Huth talking to the pros at the time, supporting the cartel busting efforts by the likes of Elsburg Cycles.

[s14phoenix]

I have a simple rule...

 

If I walk into a LBS and if they have the part I need and I cannot get it anywhere else - I might buy it if they are not trying to rip me off. (Like R300 for a R80 part...)

 

Otherwise I will order it myself from online and actually get exactly what I need or want and usually for a lot cheaper.

 

But first and foremost - Bikehub.

[Coolspin]

I purchased a new crankset recently, went to about 6 bikeshops, nobody was keeping any substantial parts stock, except 2 of them, one had 105 only but was looking for Tiagra.

So there are stores stocking parts but with the high cost and low demand of these things you cant blame the bikeshops, they dont get lengthy credit terms from the importers, one I spoke to said he doesnt get any credit from importers, so would be financial suicide for shops to sit on a lot of paid for bike parts.

 

Am sure they are familiar with their fast moving items and will mostly keep stock of those items, if you are looking for something a bit out of the usual, you will probably battle to get it from a B&M shop, especially newer shops.

 

The online retailers dont keep stock either AFAIK, I also looked at a crank online and when I tried to buy it, it said no stock, so I phoned them and they say they place order with importer and importer will ship to me.

Seems the online guys are just logistical middlemen that stick a markup on and sort out shipping from importer. Lower overhead = better price.

Maybe they do have giant warehouses filled with stock ?? Dunno.

 

(Linden Cycles had the crank in stock for R40.00 more than the online store, what a winner!, no waiting, had it fitted the same day.

 

Some of the shops i went to, am also still waiting for the call back, not acceptable, they should at least call to say if they cannot assist.

I dont think online stores will replace B&M stores, you still need servicing and repairs done and they will sell you those parts,

Plus its great to walk around and see first hand the wheel set, accessories, parts, new bikes etc, much better than the pixellated version.

[WrightJnr]

Just considering the plethora of standards and different combinations of parts available today, how many bike shops are able to from a financial point of view keep spares for everything? Just wondering ....

 

To a certain extent I think even the agents don't have that ability. Not calling back however is inexcusable, period!

Totally agree that trying to carry all the spares is probably not the answer. But all the more reason to be well equipped to source correctly, order and supply within a realistic time frame. I would far rather chat to my LBS who either has the knowledge or has access to parts catalogues etc to source the correct part, quote and then order for me. If I can get a single part to Johannesburg all the way from California within 5 days without even using express shipping it can’t be that hard. At the same time the bike shops should be leaning hard on the agents to up their game. The “Global Village” is becoming so easy to use to bypass local inefficiencies.

 

I’ve always believed that business success doesn’t come from that first sale. It’s the repeat customers where you make your money spending smaller amounts but more frequently then hopefully returning for a new bike again so that the cycle can begin once more.

[Ispeed_V]

I pretty much buy everything online

[gogo@]

One of the problems for LBS staff is working with the ridiculous catalogues and ordering systems of local Shimano agents. It’s easier to go via CRC to figure out part numbers for example so you then know what to search for on the spreadsheet you have. Especially if it’s a not so common item. Then you have to see if there is stock in the country. And definitely forget about older stuff. There won’t be. A very large part of the problem is the agents, their systems and what stock they keep. And their pricing. They need to get their act together because they put the LBS in a very tight spot.

And yes, there’s a helluva lot more sales staff could do but the obsolete B2B systems of many suppliers/agents really doesn’t help either!

[s14phoenix]

I think the future of a LBS is a service centre that can mechanic what you need etc with a counter with terminals where you can shop for what you want online and have the items delivered there to the shop. From there it can be fitted for you.

 

Obviously fitting it yourself would mean a handling fee for receiving your online order for you...

 

But putting huge markup on parts is just a way too lucrative business... whether you sell anything or not does not seem to be very worrying. It seems that the agents are mostly to blame for a lot of the inflation we have here as the LBS all seem to be struggling.

[Hairy]

I am not pointing fingers or defending anyone, but generally international stores (in my experience) have far better trained and motivated sales staff, and this is part or even perhaps the entire problem. Sales staff, in my experience in SA, simply don't get the level of training in the product they are selling as internationally. 

 

Staff who, for example cycle, are not necessarily knowledgeable on the products they sell just because they are cyclists, like anyone they need training, its an ongoing business. 

 

I see it constantly since living here, it doesn't matter what you are buying, the sales staff actually do know their job and they are trained in their products based on features,uses,warranties,everything, they are knowledgeable and so generally easily close the sale.

 

Just as an example, I needed a new 6 volt battery for my blower, called the local shop and asked if they had and immediately he told me the batteries vary between models, asked me to explain the blower so he knew which model it was, and in a jiffy I had a quote and next day the correct battery was delivered. It was quick and painless because the salesman knew his job and was motivated to make the sale. 

 

Sadly I think SA has a long way to go in this area, training is expensive, but it makes the world of difference to the customer. 

The other side of the coin is that it is really very easy to upskill yourself in the cycle trade. There is a plethora of information available on-line .... but if you are lazy, then you won't do this and you also will not push deeper into finding a solution for a client.

[Eddy Gordo]

Intense Announces Lower Retail Prices and Hybrid Direct-to-Customer Sales

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/intense-announces-lower-retail-prices-and-hybrid-direct-to-customer-sales-model.html

 

Intense joining other manufacturers and cutting out the middle man. 

I think concept stores are the way to go. Just wish we had a better variety here

[rorydewet]

I think there is still room for the LBS if you find the right one.

 

I normally deal with Fareed at Westdene Cycles. I have struck up a good relationship with him and he has given me good service.

When I need something, I usually phone him. If he does not have the part then I ask him for a quote. Within a day or two I get a call from him and then I give him the go ahead to order. This is followed by a call when the part arrives.

 

I have ordered a few items this way and he has always come through.

 

i tried to buy a bike from westdene

 

got prices looked at then a bit steeper than what i wanted

 

decided what the hell lets splurge and go top pf the range but before buying wanted to look at perhaps financing

 

mailed westdene to ask about financing got a reply will check but no one ever came back to me

 

sourced same bike from tony impey and paid cash

 

im not saying westdene are bad and tony impey is good

 

im just saying not every experience at westdene is awesome

[Hairy]

This thread makes me miss Action Cycling even more.

ACTION ROCKED, also have that exact same thought every now again when I cycle past the old store!