Looking for a new bike and narrowed it down to P4 and SC. Did any of you find any good methods to either reduce the price of the bike or of the total purchase experience, i.e. other services/goodies?
Someone suggested trek stores might be/are constrained by dealer agreements. All feedback is welcome.
not sure what size P4 your looking for but there is one on the classifieds, size 56 I think.
Buy the frame and build it up yourself with components…save tons.
I’m not sure how true this holds now, but a few years ago when I was looking to buy, Trek dealers typically had some wiggle room in their prices. As I understand, some companies, like Cervelo, only allow shops to sell their bikes at MSRP. Trek and Fuji were two that quoted high MSRPs but shops were letting them go for less (again, only in my experience).
MSRP’s are set by the manufacturer and shops can’t really deviate from that with the exception of previous model years. I have sold or do sell both brands. Also, buying a frame and building it with component pieces is almost never cheaper in today’s world. We can get complete bikes for the price of the component group that it comes with.
I can’t imagine you are going to get a deal on a Trek Speed Concept anytime soon. When bikes are in high demand there is little incentive for a shops or the manufacturer to lower prices.
May be different with the SC, but I know you could get the P1 Madones for cheaper than what the P1 website would quote you–I was told it was a decent reduction (i.e. if the website said your build was $8K, actual price would be in the $6K range). Same could be true with the SC–call your dealer and ask.
ask about a part time job at the bike shop that sells the particular frame you want. If you are good at getting information from people, you may find out how long one would have to work at a shop to qualify for employee discounts, find out what the discounts are, etc. I’m not sure if someone like Trek would allow employees to purchase SC bikes yet, as others have mentioned, there will be high demand, so full price sales will get higher priority.
Just be very active in the local race scene, stop by the shops often and drop a couple k a year on bike stuff. After that you won’t pay retail.
isnt the p4 having a design change? it was proven less aero then the p3. Id wait if your set on a p4. Trek has tested there SC with and without people on it and the numbers show its the most aero bike to date.
PROVEN???
I’ve seen no other info, but since YOUR (that’s the proper use of the word, unlike the way you used it) name is Mr. Cervelo, I guess I ought to believe you.
And remember; “there” is not equal to “their”, and “your” is not equal to “you’re”, and “its” is not equal to “it’s”.
you really do know everything!
Unless you already have all the parts in your bin that is normally terrible advice.
P4 frameset run around $4,000-$4,600 and you can buy a bike fully built with RED components, a nice finishing kit and decent training wheels for $6K.
MSRP’s are set by the manufacturer and shops can’t really deviate from that with the exception of previous model years. I have sold or do sell both brands. Also, buying a frame and building it with component pieces is almost never cheaper in today’s world. We can get complete bikes for the price of the component group that it comes with.
An MSRP is merely a guideline. A business can sell a product for whatever they want. (although in certain states some products are regulated and cannot legally be sold below cost). What you’re really saying is that it’s in your best interest to hold MSRP because you want to keep selling those brands and /or get into a price war with the next closest dealer where neither of you wins.
But really, i don’t understand why people don’t haggle on price at the supermarket or department store but think it’s appropriate to do so at a bike shop.
Yea should have stipulated that…if you already have. However, if you have figured out by now it’s not necessary to have everything brand new then you can pick up used parts for .50 cents on the dollar and still save a fortune. If you need it all brand new then buying in a package is hands down the least expensive.
thats the one!
I consider it an investment, become friends with someone at an LBS, bring them some beers every now and then, spend a few thousand dollars a year in their store and you will pay less than retail on everything!
thats the one!
I consider it an investment, become friends with someone at an LBS, bring them some beers every now and then, spend a few thousand dollars a year in their store and you will pay less than retail on everything!
Let’s see … spend a few $ks per year + bring them beer every now and then so that you can get a discount above and beyond those few $ks that you have already given them? Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper just to get a hooker?
After spending a few $ks per year, you may be able to get stuff on top of that a little bit cheaper … how is that saving you anything in the long run except a less beers in your fridge? After spending a few $ks per year, what else is there left to buy at a rate that would make this a good investment?
thats the one!
I consider it an investment, become friends with someone at an LBS, bring them some beers every now and then, spend a few thousand dollars a year in their store and you will pay less than retail on everything!
Let’s see … spend a few $ks per year + bring them beer every now and then so that you can get a discount above and beyond those few $ks that you have already given them? Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper just to get a hooker?
After spending a few $ks per year, you may be able to get stuff on top of that a little bit cheaper … how is that saving you anything in the long run except a less beers in your fridge? After spending a few $ks per year, what else is there left to buy at a rate that would make this a good investment?
Man I love hookers.
Wait… are we talking about the bike or the lot lizards?
Works either way I suppose.
isnt the p4 having a design change? it was proven less aero then the p3. Id wait if your set on a p4. Trek has tested there SC with and without people on it and the numbers show its the most aero bike to date.
Prove it!
If you’re looking for a good investment you’re in the wrong sport…buy gold instead.
And depending on the level of equipment you purchase, a couple thousand dollars is the norm to spend on this sport. I can promise you that I have more than made up in savings what I’ve spent on beer for my LBS, I know how much they paid for my SWorks Transition and I know how much they made off me for that transaction.
It’s like having a friend thats a bartender… your tab may be $20 at the end of the night but you’re still going to tip like crazy, it’s almost break even.
Like everything in life, it’s all about relationships.