I’ve been looking for a speed concept for some time now. I recently visited a couple Trek dealerships to inquire about the price of a new one. Both dealerships gave me identical prices and said that there was no room for negotiating. The one dealership offered a half-price fit which I wasn’t interested in and it was still several hundred dollars. I’m just curious what your guys thoughts are because several of my older bikes that I purchased new I was able to negotiate quite a bit on. With that being said they were all felts.
Probably varies by brand. I also bought a Felt from LBS a couple years back and negotiated the price. Another local shop had Trek and Giant but wasn’t flexible on either. They did, however, offer discounts on shop items if you bought the bike there…
Yes, always.
Note that several brands strictly enforce their pricing and don’t allow dealers to negotiate. Some have even been known to send in “secret shoppers” and catch dealers that are negotiating. There’s not much you can do here. Many dealers make up for this by throwing in accessories/services or heavily discounting them. Dealers with these brands have a bit more leeway with leftover stock though if there’s something that fits you.
I don’t know about Trek but Cervélo used to be this way. Not sure if they still are though.
Check the price in six months.
It never hurts to ask. Most of the time you can do it somewhat subtly by asking them what the price is while looking at the price tag.
What kind of price cuts have you gotten on Felts?
I ended up $400 off a brand new AR5
.
In the UK, ive found it varies with both shop and make.
On some makes its pretty much fixed at MRP. It feels more like the shops are in a cartel.
Others, some shops will…last specialized MTB, one shop (20miles away) did about a 10% discount on MRP + threw in flaps + mats etc. Another (10 miles from home). wouldn’t budge an inch. Guess who got my business (several times over, over the years). Both family owned not big corporates. One the did still in business. On that wouldnt… went bustc, building now torn down for some houses to be built.
Dont forget in the UK + Europe it is illegal for manufacturers to force a fixed price. But of course enforcement of that law by the authorities may not exactly be top of the priority list…
For current year models, I always assumed the price was the price, but for older stuff, I would be more likely to negotiate.
I would probably avoid any half price fits though!
I know I’m in the minority but I don’t try and negotiate a price. Either an item is a price I’m willing and able to pay or it isn’t. Being a retailer myself I understand that any discount comes straight out of profits and profits are what pays employees wages and benefits. No profits, no store.
Now what I do require is high quality customer service, but as shown above I’m willing to pay extra for that
I’ve always been able to get discounts on new bikes. Around a year ago, I bought a new 2015 Speed Concept for $1K off. It was left over dealer stock, so that may have been a special situation. A few months ago, I bought a new Specialized Stumpjumper mountain bike for around 15% off. I don’t think the dealer was supposed to discount that bike but he did anyways because I asked.
Same thing with my wife’s P2 - heavily discounted but the dealer came down another $200 after I asked.
Never hurts to ask.
I guess it’s just my personality but I’m AWFUL at negotiating. If I’m not willing to pay the listed price I just won’t buy the item. I should try harder but I just can’t for some reason. Even when it comes to buying a car.
Same as you got about 400 off in AR 5.
Also my first road bike what’s an aluminum felt I don’t remember what model but I got a really good deal on that and I’m currently riding a DA that was highly discounted but they took more off when I asked as it was old stock.
I feel the same way as FF Boots. There can’t be much margin and retail bike shop ownership is a tough business these days esp with all the online vendors like Canyon competing for their business. I’ve paid the asking price (knowing fully the manufacturer’s retail price) for both of my bikes. I’d rather establish a good relationship with the shop as opposed to nickle and diming them on price.
I’m not sure you would call it negotiating – but I NEVER pay list price at my LBS – even on a current or not-quite-yet available model. On a high-end tri bike, I’ve received as much as 35% off on a brand new, current model build – on any bike, I usually get between 20% and 35% off, regardless of brand.
Here are the keys: I’ve been a regular customer for 12 years and I ALWAYS make it a point to send customers their way. My LBS owner knows that giving me a great price is going to be good for business. I probably send 4 to 6 buyers of high end bikes his way every year.
How does it work? Very simple. I don’t go to his sales guys even though I know them and like them. I go to the owner. After all, he’s the guy with the ultimate authority to discount. When I’m in the market for a bike, I ask . . . “What’s your best price?” and give him a list of what I’m looking for. If I want an “off the rack” bike, I tell him exactly which one. If I want to build up a bike, I give him a detailed build sheet. Within a few hours, he calls me back with a price. Without fail, I have been very happy with that price. We make the deal.
If my LBS ever tried to sell me a bike for list price, I would probably assume that he was mad at me. But that’s because I have built up a relationship with him over the past 12 years.
Another thing: My LBS gives an automatic 10% discount on everything to any member of the local bike club. (But, as I said above, he has always exceeded a 10% discount when I bought a bike.) Your LBS may have a similar arrangement with a local club. A $20 annual membership pays for itself pretty quickly if you get a 10% discount on a bike.
Does depend on brand. No negotiating whatsoever on my BMC, while my fiancee was able to get a couple hundred $ knocked off her Cannondale.
When last yaer I was buying my Orbea Ordu M30 in april I got 400$ discount. My friend recently bought 2019 Émonda SL 7 Disc and he paid 1100USD less than official price. So it depends on bike price, dealer and time of the year.
I got a solid discount on a P1 build back in May. But I’m a pretty loyal LBS guy… or have become so over the last couple years.
I dont think i ever paid full price… ok, i did for one bike but is was an early 2018 model in 2017 that was not even widely available for sale.
I negotiate, as i am inherantly cheap, but i also stick to one lbs, based on advice from a good friend. “Pick a good shop, Treat them well, and they will treat you well.†A shop makes less when they give you a deal, but if your are a frequent return customer, they will often invest for the longterm business.
As such, i get good pricing on most things without asking. But i think i save the most in service… as i dont have the time to do everything myself.
My LBS gives me a flat 10% off retail on any bike. There is typically a 35 to 40 percent margin for the dealer, you should get some break on an expensive bike.