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Online bike shops vs traditional/local bike shops?


werner.kachelhoffer

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Some brands do collect and return your vehicle for servicing

those also tend to be the brands that I wouldn't even let my wife get behind the wheel of...not to mention some stranger lol

 

PS: Ive heard some horror stories regarding these services. Those drivers aren't exactly the highest paid individuals on the payroll. 

Edited by morneS555
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Lots of aspects to consider. However i buy alot of my stuff online. Inalso service, repair alot myself.

 

I buy online because i get it cheaper, especially from overseas stores, be it clothing, parts, tyres and even helmets. I am not referring to ali experess, only european stores. I bought a bell super 3r a year or two back and saved around R1500. Fox shorts, I payed a total of R700 landed.

 

Nothing wrong with buying local either. Lots of local online stores have decent prices and rival alot of overseas stores.

 

Always best to compare pricing.

 

Most bicycle shops will service your bike even though you did not purchase from them.

 

Where did you get the FOX SHORTS landed for R700, Also want a pair, i assume they the mtb padded ones.

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Bought it last year, either from purebike or one of the german stores, bikediscount, bike 24.....

 

Oh yes, it was on sale as well.

Edited by Eddy Gordo
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I can't see the lbs dying off.

most people can't tighten an Allen head screw without stripping it. 99%of won't know where to begin serving their gears. Same for forks and rears hocks and dropper posts.

How many carry the entire garage in an oversize saddle bag and dont know where it opens let alone what is inside?

 

 

Generalists are a rare breed, I. E. Those who can do many different tasks well. There are many more specialists I. E. People who can do one thing and do it very well.

 

So, if you fall into the latter category then leave the bike wrenching to a qualified bike wrench. Being a motor mechanic doesn't make you necessarily the best bike mechanic.

being a brain surgeon doesn't make you a great bike mechanic.

 

Maybe sales will move more toward online but even so I don't think it will because we learn more by exchange of ideas and an LBS is better equipped in that space compared to an Internet forum.

 

I buy very little online because often even the lower price isn't attractive enough compared to what else is learned at the lbs

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:clap:

I’m dead serious about the discussion.

Whilst I’m fully aware of the opinions expressed here and know of dealerships that make people form those impressions I also know of dealerships where the opposite is true.

An open dialogue would be great, I’d like to hear what people want from a dealership but I’d also like the dealership side to be heard.

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I’m dead serious about the discussion.

Whilst I’m fully aware of the opinions expressed here and know of dealerships that make people form those impressions I also know of dealerships where the opposite is true.

An open dialogue would be great, I’d like to hear what people want from a dealership but I’d also like the dealership side to be heard.

 

i won't be able to add anything meaningful anymore though. I don't even own a car anymore....and i'm a car guy, love all motorsport, i'm a tinkerer...I've raced before. i even own nitro powered rc cars. i just don't care about owning one anymore though. To me it's an appliance....an overly expensive (in Sa) appliance...like any dishwasher or washing machine. living in Cape Town makes it easy to not have one though. Cars are like the VIP section in places I do'nt hang out in anymore...

Edited by morneS555
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  • 2 weeks later...

The online shops generally discount to levels that established shops can't match. Fingers are pointed at them amid accusations of profiteering. But consider their overheads compared to online shops:

 

* Commercial premises rentals

* Workshop personnel

* Workshop tools and equipment

* Counter sales and admin staff

 

Lots of talk doing the rounds about the shrinking of product sponsorships to cyclists. Wholesale distributors of recognised brands have had to reduce margins to compete with online retailers who import grey products and sell at discounted prices. They spend no money on promotional outlays or advertising of the back door brands they import. Net result?  Product sponsorship programs for young up and coming cyclists are disappearing. Fast.

 

 

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