How many of you online purchasers have gone to your LBS checked out the products, wasted the shops time with questions just to buy it online ? This seems to be pretty common depending on the type of item purchased. I understand the lure of cheaper prices but there is also a price to pay for not supporting the LBS whos time you have wasted.
Allan
I’m innocent. We don’t have a LBS to speak of in my immediate rural area.
I do the opposite- research it on the internet and buy it from the LBS. Nothing like the service of a good, real live bike shop. They even smell good.
I don’t do it, but I’ve worked at a local LBS. I would say 25% of the people who entered the store either were testing for a catalogue or internet purchase. We would see people with the actual catalogues in their hands trying to hide them from us! Customers are not smooth in any way. It got to the point where we called them c.t.w.'s (certified time wasters).
The funny thing is that if people made known they were shopping on the internet/catalogue we would attempt to match the price w/shipping if feasible to keep their business. Most never asked and just left I assume.
We also built alot of internet purchased bikes… for $150 a piece. Then happily serviced them for full price each time something was needed 
"I understand the lure of cheaper prices but there is also a price to pay for not supporting the LBS whos time you have wasted. "
…seems like a bit of a troll
being someone who has both worked in a bike shop and buys a lot of product both in and out of the store - I think there are many reasons for both cases and anyone who does only 1 way is either 1)wasting money unecessarily or 2) lying.
Buying a new mountain bike from my LBS today. Christmas present for my son.
J
yes, but I give them a cigarette after.
I buy all of my supplies from local distributors who have bent over backwards to support me. We have all had issues with a purchase from somewhere but I prefer to be face to face. I am not putting down any online retailers just supporting my local retailers.
I also purchase my equipment form one of the many great shops in my area.
Allan
Nope. I buy bike tubes and tires on-line but most items I get over the net are tri related like suits and tri gadgets which my LBS doesn’t carry.
I just posted some comments under the heading “MY NEW RIDE” on this message board and to answer your question yes and no. I have went to buy many things from one of the many LBS in my area and sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Example, I have went to buy clip on aero bars and seemingly not one of the employees I have talked with seem to know anything about their products. You ask for them, they take me to a area of the store and just say these will probably work…PROBABLY? Hence the reason for coming to this forum to research what I need and if Tom’s new shorty vision bars or his shop has what I need I would be more than happy to buy them from him. As far as “My New Ride” I have ridden for 20 years and no exactly what I want and what my capabilities (Or lack there of!) are so I did not have a problem ordering it on-line considering all the positive feedback the Leader 785r seems to be getting.
With all due respect, Allan, this is a rather silly post. If you, or our local LBSs, have what we want and at a competitive price, perhaps we would indeed support you. My decision is largely a factor of what’s in stock and, to a lesser degree, at what price. I live in Orlando, which has tons of bike shops, yet I have spent thousands this year shopping online or out of town just because these multiple shops did not have what I wanted or needed. Had to leave town to buy a Colnago. Had to leave town to buy an Orca skinsuit. Had to leave town to buy a wetsuit. Had to leave town to get a competitively priced dura-ace build kit. Last year I couldn’t even find a damn long-stem tube in this town! One day had to drive to 3 shops to find matching Vittorias. This is crazy.
Fortunately we have a new LBS in town, that also happens to be an online retailer. This new LBS might become the model for other locals if they want to remain competitive. He is well stocked, priced right, and I can buy his stuff online too. He can also get me what I want quite quickly. This LBS has moved to the next era of how commercial transactions in the modern era should be working.
the quality LBS that i frequent is 45 min. to 1 hour away depending on traffic. So a visit consists of at lease 1.5 hours drive time. time is very valuable to me.
to answer the question - for service or large purchase I use the internet to do research and buy from the LBS.
when I am in the LBS I always shop for needed items and enjoy ‘spur’ purchased on sale items. I will go out of my way to make a visit if I have not been in the store for some time, even if I don’t have any particular need. about 1/2 of these type visits result in my buying something regardless of dire need or ability to get the product cheeper on the net.
i do fish the internet for ‘deal and buys’. there are just some prices that you cannot pass up. but i would not say that i go to a store to test something out with the intent of heading straight home and making an internet purchase.
one thing for sure, if a lbs give me bad service or treats me rudly/with attitude I will not make the purchase and will go to the internet. i justify the higher price because of the service. if that goes away, then no holds bar - i am a consumer tryign to make the best deal. overall my primary lbs does a good job so this is not an issue, but i have been treated poorly in many bike shops over the years (ex. was in a very nice bike/tri shop in another city a couple months ago - they had product that I can’t get at home - the prices were high even by lbs standards, but the product line was tough to get in my region - probably would have made a huge purchase within the next year - but the shop owner was a major jerk - i have no qualms about going into his shop and looking at stuff that i will definately not buy from him)
Silly Me. I support the decision to purchase from somewhere else if the product or service is unavailable. I am not shunning those who buy online just shaming those who have wasted valuable time of a small business who has the product and can provide the service to save a few bucks.
Allan
It’s called “shopping” after all. My guess is that you, your staff and everyone in Slowtwitch land has gone to more than one car dealership to shop for the best car, best deal, best service. Are you screwing them by “wasting” their time. Why should bike stuff be any different" Distinguish yourself and perhaps these people will not leave. I think Tibbs and other posters are right that it is rather insulting to say people who “shop” are wasting your time.
My rule is simple. If I do research by going into a LBS, running shop, etc, I do my buying there. This year I bought a bike on line - researched on line. Before bringing it into the LBS, I called to see if they were willing to assemble it, knowing that I’d bought it on line. As it turns out, they were. Happy to do it in fact.
That said, LBS are in a bit of a pickle from a business model perspective. They carry brands that are heavy advertisers. Those advertising dollars are included in the prices. This, on top of the overhead of having a store front located in expensive locations, makes it impossible to be price competitive. Service is important. People will pay something for it. But not too much.
Sorry Dude, but if LBS’s were’t so condensending I might consider the price difference in service that you throw on top of the 40% mark up on product. Seriously, LBS’s act like everyone doesn’t have the direct number to Shimano is an idiot. You can’t expect to keep customers when you despise them.
You don’t sponsor any of my rides. You don’t offer free “how-to” classes. Face it, the local running shops have service down, you don’t. They offer club discounts. They sponsor races. They aren’t commited to contracts with shoe companies and constantly push that shoe company’s product on you. They are quick to order non-stocked product AND deliver. They do service.
I assume you own or work for a LBS. You’ve got a lot of balls to come on these boards and criticize your customers. Face it, even faceless Nashbar offers more service than you. And, if I want mechanical service I have these boards and Zinn’s book. Don’t you find it interesting that so many newbies don’t come back after their initial purchase?
The funny thing is that if people made known they were shopping on the internet/catalogue we would attempt to match the price w/shipping if feasible to keep their business.
I have done that with the local computer store (LCS?) =)
I printed out a deal Dell had going on their website. I brought in a flyer from Wal-Mart. All I said was , “Hi, I’m Ryan Bemont, a science teacher at the High School” Handshake and their introduction “I’m buying a computer today. If you can match these prices and quality, I’m buying it here.” Not only did they match the price and quality, but upgraded the video card to boot … and provided some extra software that Dell/WM were not. (picked it up the next morning)
My local LBS (30 minutes away … if that is still “local”) has, on more than one occassion, sold me something less than they could have. They’ve invited me to club rides … even on my first introduction. When I got new tires, they put them on and thoroughly cleaned my bike (no charge).
When I came back to pick it up and go, they took some time and showed me how to do minimal maintenance and lubrication to keep the bike running smoothly.
Someday, I’ll need a new bike. If the LBS can come somewhat close to matching prices, I will buy from the LBS. I’m not going to be a foolish customer (overspending by $100’s of dollars for lower quality) just to show my appreciation for the tips/help, but those tips did earn them some loyalty and wiggle room on the price. Really great people. Trustworthy.
Allan,
I decided I would give you the benefit of the doubt here, so I just jumped on your website to find out what you are all about. Damn you are one heck of an artist. You paint bikes beautifully. I would love to have a custom paint job done by you.
Here’s the rub: Service. I personally sent you an e-mail some time back (say 3-5 months ago) with a very specific question about painting my QR. Somebody on this site had given you a great plug, and I trust the judgment of my fellow Slowtwitchers. I was very interested. I never got a response back from you. Perhaps there was some computer gliche, though considering that way you are coming across on this Board, perhaps not. If you never got my e-mail, then I apologize for this specific post, but not for the heat you are taking on the main thrust of your original post. That heat is well deserved.
Robert
I don’t feel bad when my LBS doesn’t have an Ultegra bottom bracket in stock and they offer to sell me a 105 bottom bracket for $65 (I can buy an Ultegra online for like $25). I support whomever offers the best products, most complete inventory, and lowest price. LBS’s need to get on the ball or start looking for another line of work. The Internet is here.
Holy shit. I just realized Brian286 and I agree on something.