Interesting article on LBS vs Online

[Vetseun]

Very possible Face Plant,

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?

[Vetseun]

Good one Big H

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!!!!!!!

[Face Plant]

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!!!!!!!

dis my punt Ou groote! hulle laat jou dink dat jy belangrik is maar eintlik ry hulle jou bloods (speling?)

[Vetseun]

Ja , I wonder how much income is thrown away when they cant help. My LBS is luckily at a point with me where somebody else will have to wait and my bike gets first help. But that I suppose comes when you spend 100k in a year at a bike shop. The relationship may sour now that I am sorted for the next few years, new mtb new road bike new everything, so maybe I wont stay popular for too long still.

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.

[Frosty]

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 parcel

Import Duty VAT: 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 14%VAT + local admin costs (Once arrives in Town/City)

 

For eg: Rockshox SID Race R5500 + R450 (Door-Door Delivery) = R5950 + R833(Import duty 14%) = TOTAL of R6783

Most bike components are duty free, but you pay the VAT (14%) and the SAPO handling fee (about 1-2%)

Full bikes and clothing and perhaps a few other items are subject to duty

 

Here's a direct comparison of MTB components from a LBS, CWC and CRC - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93983-distributors-what-they-do-for-us/page__view__findpost__p__1275824

[Bums]

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 parcel

Import 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

 

Which is still probably R1500 cheaper than it is here. I am all for supporting LBS, but refuse to pay 100% more for an item. The LBS mark ups are much too big and they are going to feel it more and more in this computer savvy day and age.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Was speaking to a bike mechanic in Somerset West that has now gone solo. He told me to he was not going to become a LBS as the markup is no longer there, instead he is offering his services. In a place like Somerset West where we have 3 LBSs within 2mintues walk from each other, it makes sense.

 

But I'm lucky that I got one LBS who is so desperate for business that he comes in at a price that I don't have to negotiatate a better deal. I just got a Suntour XCM LO fork for my commuter for R670 (incl nut & fitment).

[TNT1]

(incl nut & fitment).

 

Does your mate at the bike shop know you talk this way about him?

[splat]

There are bike shops that are making an effort to be more competitive with online shops and working on relationships. Other just keep thier bad attitude or dont need new customers.

Some bike shops are even offering to be a portal for online orders. ie go to the shop with your money and they order on your behalf.

Others order from cheaper distributers or import thier own products to remain competitive.

[AndreZA]

Was speaking to a bike mechanic in Somerset West that has now gone solo. He told me to he was not going to become a LBS as the markup is no longer there, instead he is offering his services. In a place like Somerset West where we have 3 LBSs within 2mintues walk from each other, it makes sense.

 

The problem is he needs to charge about R400 an hour for just servicing bikes. Then a bit of mark-up on parts fitted.

[Grebel]

I think you need to find a happy medium between the two. Our LBS will fit parts you bought online at a fee (eg part X bought and fitted at LBS for R500. Same part bought online for R350 LBS charges R100 to fit. If it breaksthough, R100 to refit new part that you have to arrange...) If there are warranty claims you need to sort them out yourself. Same applies anywhere. You can supply your mechanic parts for your car because your mate gives you discount but when they break you need to pay the mechanic to take them off and fit the new warranty claim parts. Not really saving too much. It all boils down to risk. Somedays you are the pigeon and other days you are the statue.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

The problem is he needs to charge about R400 an hour for just servicing bikes. Then a bit of mark-up on parts fitted.

 

Actually I know how much rent he pays for his floor space as my wife has her business in the same shopping center. Not even my wife needs to charge R400 per hour to cover her costs (but I wish she would).

[AndreZA]

Actually I know how much rent he pays for his floor space as my wife has her business in the same shopping center. Not even my wife needs to charge R400 per hour to cover her costs (but I wish she would).

 

I was just talking salary.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I was just talking salary.

 

Damn, I must become a mechanic, R67K pm would be nice

[AndreZA]

Damn, I must become a mechanic, R67K pm would be nice

 

Oh crap, I worked it out per week, sorry. So he could charge min R100/h.

[L.T.G]

I'm in the same position whereby myself and LBS owner have become friends.

I'll buy as much as i possibly can from him, the only time i won't is when i can get it online at a HUGE saving and I'll always let him know so that in the event of him possibly being able to get whatever item cheaper, and still be worth his while to make money, he can do so.... I must stress though this hardly ever happens, and for good reason.

I get exceptional service, and way beyond the call of duty too

eg:- Magalies Adventure weekend, I'd made sure my bike was fine, got to Van Gaalens real early, rode a bit , no worries.THEN..two/three hours before the start of the night race, i discovered a problem, long story short, one phone call later, LBS owner came out, met me half way there, attempted an on the spot repair, all was fine but he wasn't happy, replaced part and i had a problem free event all weekend.

this was not the first or last time it happened.

 

my point is, we're here to make money in our business, otherwise WTF are we doing it for?

I can't speak for all LBS' but I'm sure there are a lot out there like mine, I will rather spend that bit , or more then bit extra on whatever I'm buying because I can't put a price on the service I get.

 

PS Eben @WestRandCycles is a Legend and a Gentleman!