tmstiles Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 LBS vs Online Still think that LBS in SA still need to realise that online is there and moaning about it isn't going to help. So you need to excel at those areas where you can compete such as in convenience and service. However bar a few these concepts seem to be alien in SA.
mtbee Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 I think there will always be place for both, however the LBS's not pulling their weight are going south fast. This week I priced a pair of MTB shoes in two LBS's R 1199(Cape Town) R 950(Nelspruit); the shoes were R 550 (buycycle)and R 482(CRC). This is a significant saving by buying online and Buycycle certainly giving CRC a run for their money and if I get bust for taxes local would be cheaper. The problem is if I buy on line in the future where will I pop in for coffee, a chat and get the little things off the shelf as I need them?
Tankman Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 You seem to have forgotten the 40% import duty on clothing (which shoes fall under) with your analogy above?
atilla Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 Off the topic - But does gloves also have 40% on them?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 I don't think he did... "and if I get bust for taxes local would be cheaper" implies duties... and the view that they are a bugbear, and he wants to circumvent them.
Tankman Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 ok, he will get bust for taxes! it is easy to point at CRC for cheaper prices - but we need point at them realistically.Exchange rateImport DutyDelivery cost if any I am a big CRC fan, dont get me wrong, but sometimes especially in the sales section, guys have a trigger finger pointing at CRC without taking all of the above into consideration.
Mojoman Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 You have to do your homework with the LBS and online stores and support both here and there. I bought a Deore Crankset for a few Rands more than an online store offered me and the LBS fitted it for me at no extra charge (saving me some pennies on tools in the short term and any kind of warranty problem). I also got to see how it was fitted so if and when I have to take it off, I have an idea of what to do. Shoes and clothes to me are a problem to buy online, how do you know the sizes are going to be just right? (Well, for a portly gentleman like myself anyway!)
MTB_Roadie Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 " The Conflict: Online Buying And The LBS The conflict arises in some local bike shops when the consumer does one of a couple of things: * Gets educated on bikes and parts at the LBS and then buys it online to save some money. " Well I think it is quite clever...
Danger Dassie Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 " The Conflict: Online Buying And The LBS The conflict arises in some local bike shops when the consumer does one of a couple of things: * Gets educated on bikes and parts at the LBS and then buys it online to save some money. " Well I think it is quite clever... Theres another description for it too. I'll google before I buy online, I will never go into a shop try on clothing or handle equipment etc in order to make an informed online purchase. Ironically those are the same folk who bleat about bike shops and buy online. Two faced is what it is.
bikemonster Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 Theres another description for it too. I'll google before I buy online, I will never go into a shop try on clothing or handle equipment etc in order to make an informed online purchase. Ironically those are the same folk who bleat about bike shops and buy online. Two faced is what it is. I raised a similar point yesterday, in a thread about trying sunnies on in a store and then rushing off to buy them online. If you are using the store's advice, and you buy the goods, you ought to buying them from the store that provided the advice.
Vetseun Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 My problem is that when I want something I want it now. My LBS is really good to me. I am no longer a customer, we are friends. I really try to support them at all times. I just get a little peeved when I see something that cost me a fortune available at half the price elsewhere.
tmstiles Posted January 14, 2011 Author Posted January 14, 2011 Well for me it boils down to one thing, What am i getting out of it?. It's my money and i want to make it go as far as possible, so why should i pay inflated prices when i can get it cheaper. If the LBS wants me to pay a premium then they are going to have to offer me something to balance it out. Unfortunately the experience i get here is a take it or leave it attitude. Between Christmas and New year i went to City Cycles (just browsing whilst the wife was shopping) saw some of the items i was going to buy on CRC and thought lets see what they can do. Anyway i had just over a R1000 of items and asked for discount on the BBB torque Wrench as i could get it much cheaper at CRC, CWC online had it at just a little bit more than CRC but they were closed. The owner wouldn't even budge on the price so i walked out and left everything. For me it wasn't a major setback as i was already ordering from CRC and was prepared to wait a week or two. But my attitude to that bike shop is that i will never bother with them again. So the shop has lost the slightly reduced profit that they could have made but more importantly i would think is the fact that i will never buy from them again. Although thinking about it again, why should they worry, after all who needs customers. On another matter, i phoned a LBS for a price on a Giant Reign Frame, was promised a phone call back to tell me if they could get it or alternatively what a new one would cost. Almost two weeks later i am still waiting for a response. I have had good experiences with them in the past so in this instance i will not name them.
Face Plant Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 My problem is that when I want something I want it now. My LBS is really good to me. I am no longer a customer, we are friends. I really try to support them at all times. I just get a little peeved when I see something that cost me a fortune available at half the price elsewhere.i agree with you Agent, i have also built up a relationship with my LBS but dont you think that sometimes they take advantage of it? let me give you an example i went in one day to ask about a saddle (my bikeshop is owned by two brothers) so speaking to one he says the saddle costs R1900.00 the other brother hears the price and says "are you sure the price is the best price?" calculator comes out and the price drops to R1600 but i can get the same saddle online for R1200 so this leaves me thinking about all the bikes and accessories etc that i have bought through the years and if this "relationship" in a way lets your guard down?
Just Keep Pedaling Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 Problem with my LBS is they are always BUSY - want something fixed - sorry, we are booked for three weeks...so I end up going back to Online and doing the work myself so I can ride on the weekend.
david16v Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) ok, he will get bust for taxes! it is easy to point at CRC for cheaper prices - but we need point at them realistically.Exchange rate Import DutyDelivery cost if any I am a big CRC fan, dont get me wrong, but sometimes especially in the sales section, guys have a trigger finger pointing at CRC without taking all of the above into consideration. I agree, people are too quick to compare LBS, Buycycle or CWC to CRC, without working out the TOTAL cost and NOT solely the price listed for the item! Delivery: (Post Office or Door-Door) depends on size of parcelImport Duty: Normally 14% So one must remember when purchasing goods from CRC the following equation must be noted:Goods_____ + Delivery Fee_____ = Total payed to CRC + Import Duty (Once arrives in Town/City) For eg: Rockshox SID Race R5500 + R450 (Door-Door Delivery) = R5950 + R833(Import duty 14%) = TOTAL of R6783 Edited January 14, 2011 by david16v
Guest Big H Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 i agree with you Agent, i have also built up a relationship with my LBS but dont you think that sometimes they take advantage of it? let me give you an example i went in one day to ask about a saddle (my bikeshop is owned by two brothers) so speaking to one he says the saddle costs R1900.00 the other brother hears the price and says "are you sure the price is the best price?" calculator comes out and the price drops to R1600 but i can get the same saddle online for R1200 so this leaves me thinking about all the bikes and accessories etc that i have bought through the years and if this "relationship" in a way lets your guard down? Some people can claim they have a "relationship" with a prostitute as well. Die prostituut asook die winkeleienaar voel vir jou so baie soos 'n ma met 'n houttiet!!!!!!!
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