Interesting article on LBS vs Online

[urbanroyal]

There will always be the consumer that prefer going to the LBS and ' kick the tires' so to speak , negotiating for better price by quoting online prices..hell I am one of them...I like the back and forth negotiation ..

 

Now comes the interesting part..I am self employed and 60 % of my clients come via my website... and the only reason they search the net is for a better price than what their travel agent can offer them , and I can afford to give that to them as there is no middle man to add his mark up....

[The_Break]

I buy almost everything from supplier contacts in EU and buy extra to sell, but when I walk into a bikeshop in PE everyone knows I mean business as they know if I walk out I will get it somewhere else if they can't provide it then and there. They also know I do not bargain so take me more seriously.

 

I think if you get known as a chancer who is all about want want then you will get less service from a bike shop. After a while it is just not worth it anymore to do business with you as the pain in their butts for much less profit is just not worth it. And let's be honest, they make more than enough money to be desperate enough to drop their prices too low when you phone back and forth between shops.

 

Being competitive is only advantageous to a point. After that point it negatively affects the industry and other customers get miffed if they hear they bought something for 20% more than their friend who bouught it a few hours later. Business is business so why should you have to give discounts in any case. If you can't properly afford it maybe you shouldn't own it.

Edited January 14, 2011 by The_Break

[Mojoman]

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!

Definately different strokes for different folk...!