Compelling argument for the mailorder outfits vs. the LBS

Triathlon Forum
1

I am usually the guy who argues on behalf of the LBS, but since I can wrench my own bike, I am getting less and less enthused for the LBS.

What is this crap where the shop employees act like you’re interrupting their masturbation session or their soap opera? Trying to get prices and information out of one guy was like trying to pull teeth. I almost bought either a carbon handlebar or a pedal system if I could have gotten information on it. The guy couldn’t be bothered.

What is up with this crap about everything being special order, especially when it’s going to cost more than any catalogue? This slays me. It is not money tied up in on-the-shelf retail, and I am certain that it goes on with their regular weekly or bi-weekly order, so it’s not like they are having to satisfy an order minimum. Also, how can you sell it if it can’t be touched and felt?

What is up with sometimes charging up to $200 more on a frameset than what every other on-line and mail-order shop is charging? I can see it when comparing to an on-line order house, but most mail-order shops are actual brick-and-mortar shops. I will bet that it will still cost you to build your bike in addition to the extra that has been tacked on.

The LBS’s main enemies: arrogant, unhelpful employees, high prices, and nothing in stock.

And LBS owners/managers: don’t give me this crap that I have no idea what I am talking about, I do own my own business that sells retail. You have some serious 'splaining to do.

2

I feel your frustration, but please keep in mind these fools that work in bicycle shops are revered by many of their customers as superheros. They’ve been paid retail and then some to order a widget for a poor hapless customer that doesn’t know he could get it for 1/3 the price from Cheapassbikes.com or from eBay.

They are there to provide a service beyond the paper transaction. I don’t think you are there for anything more.

Can you grow your own vegatables? Do you take that knowledge with you into the supermarket and negotiate your produce purchase?

When you are at a bar, do you explain to the bartender/waitstaff that you could get that same beer for way cheaper at Back Alley Liquor Stop?

It seems as though your local shop has pegged you for someone that doesn’t need their service, and therefore you cannot be a profitable customer for them.

I don’t own a shop, but I’ve run some bikes shops and have seen successful and meager attempts by store owners to be profitable.

“We cost more, because we are better” was always my motto. We started with employees that were some of the fastest racers, mixed in a couple lifetime bicycle commuters, a tandem expert, and two bike “chicks” to lend legitimacy to our female clientele. We were passionate about bicycles and people wanted to buy from us.

Those that wanted the best price were told to shop online, we even suggested to have their Performance mail order sent to our shop so we could install the part for them if needed. If they needed advice on a product we were happy to inform with detailed answers, and the answers were a conglomerate of the shop employees experience. They provided more than just opinions, they were real world experience.

My guess is that they see you as someone that takes up their time while a customer willing to pay full retail goes unserviced.

Please don’t take offense here as I’m guessing to why they behave a certain way. Their hands are tied with overhead and they know they can’t match prices, but whats more is that you expect them to, as if you are walking into a swap meet. Respect the guys as if they are doing, if not for you, something for someone in a sport that you both love.

Leave your negotiating to the auto mechanic, the barber, the grocer. People you share no common ground with.

-SD

3

I live in a rural village (pop 1800) and the nearest small city to us is 45 minutes away with a pop of 40,000. The closest major metropolis (Toronto) is about three hours away. Our little city has one LBS and the guys there know absolutely nothing, absolutely zippo about tri bike stuff. They’re mostly mountain and “family biking” orientated. They have a couple of Giants and a LeMond and a Trek in the showroom and that’s it. Because they have such little roadie stuff in stock it has to be special ordered and costs double what I can normally get it on ebay.

Worse yet, I’m not happy with their mechanics. Any time I’ve had them do work I’ve had to redo it myself to get it right.

I understand the “support the LBS” in theory, but then if you’re like us and don’t have a decent LBS nearby, buying off ebay is the only way to go.

I’ll support the local scuba shop rather than buy ebay because 1) they’re a good shop 2) good guys work there. So I’ll pay a little bit more. But I won’t do the same with the LBS.

4

You need to find a new bike shop. The store I shop has incredible customer service. I stop by just for advice or to talk quite often and they are incredibly nice and friendly. They will drop whatever they are doing (unless they are dealing with another customer) to help me with anything…even if that is just making chit-chat. They have even steered me away from spending money several times, or led me to purchase something less expensive than what I walked in the door planning to buy.

I don’t think you will get that type of service from an online store. Also, anything I buy at this shop they install for free. Whether it is a new cassette, a new set of aerobars, new tubular tires, or anything else that I need.

I am a huge proponent of the LBS. Sometimes it may mean spending a few dollars more, but you get what you pay for.

----->Trent