Upside Down Pricing
02-16-22, 12:58 PM
#76
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I can't comprehend the amount of my valuable time I spend trying to find the best deal on the best of whatever I'm trying to buy. If I put a value on it, I'd be losing money every time. And yet, I keep doing it for some reason. I spent months dithering over a new grill and not getting anywhere when we moved to our first house big enough to have one. My wife opened a Lowes add and just bought one that looked nice for me for Father's day. Sure, 8 years later it's mostly rusted out and we'll have to replace it, but we got 8 years out of it at a price my wife was happy to pay without the months wasted on analysis paralysis that I had.
02-16-22, 02:54 PM
#77
Over the hill
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This is one of those things that will definitely cause headaches in the larger direct to consumer market. Every time I bring up something like Carvana and mention they do OK with consumer direct and it's way more complicated of a product people are quick to point out they don't deliver a car that is "mostly" assembled.
I build and adjust many Canyon and TPC bikes that customers bring in because they aren't confident about doing it and adjusting them themselves. As far as how much needs to be done - that varies and there is no hard and fast rule. To take either end of the spectrum from always no adjustments to always needing to adjust everything would be a flawed position imho
I build and adjust many Canyon and TPC bikes that customers bring in because they aren't confident about doing it and adjusting them themselves. As far as how much needs to be done - that varies and there is no hard and fast rule. To take either end of the spectrum from always no adjustments to always needing to adjust everything would be a flawed position imho
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02-16-22, 03:31 PM
#79
Trying to keep up
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I can't believe I just read this whole thread and am going to talk about saving time...
15-20 years ago I had much less disposable income and obsessed about finding good deals. The internet was not as well-developed as it is now, and this was often difficult. As my income has grown, I'm willing to spend more money with less research. On occasion, I'll still do a search for the best price. Right now, I'm considering upgrading an old Orbea with 10 speed Ultegra (the last version with the cables coming out of the sides) to 11 speed. I'm doing a fair amount of research on this process. On other stuff, I'll pretty much just order from usual retailers and, when possible, from my LBS even if it cost a little more. I have more income now.
Bike availability is really weird right now. In November 2020 I was able to walk in a shop and buy my road bike with Di2 that day without pre-ordering. I'm still not sure how that happened. When it came to gravel bikes, I ended up buying a used Canyon cross bike for almost the same as it would have cost new because you could not get anything in my area, and used bikes were disappearing instantly. I contacted the seller of the canyon moments after he posted the ad - he had several others offer above what he paid new so they could get it. Thankfully he honored the price. The guy with the Scott I had agreed to buy before did not - as he told me, "I just graduated college and someone wants to buy it for $200 more than it cost me new... sorry." Another friend of mine with a lot of disposable income really, really wanted a new S-Works Crux. Our local shop couldn't get it. He worked with a regional sales rep to find one and drove well out of state to pick it up. Different people value time and specific options more than others.
The other part of the story is that for some folks $3000, $4000 or $5000 is not that much money. So a bike is in stock that they want and they can have it in a few days? No problem. For others (me 15-20 years ago) such a purchase would be foolish given their circumstance. Hell, my last three bikes cost more than my first car, and my current road and gravel bikes each cost more than I ever thought I'd spend on any bike. Younger me would have laughed about these bikes being wasted on older me. Older, foolish me is cool with it.
The Pros Closet is doing fine. I would bet prices start to drop before long.
15-20 years ago I had much less disposable income and obsessed about finding good deals. The internet was not as well-developed as it is now, and this was often difficult. As my income has grown, I'm willing to spend more money with less research. On occasion, I'll still do a search for the best price. Right now, I'm considering upgrading an old Orbea with 10 speed Ultegra (the last version with the cables coming out of the sides) to 11 speed. I'm doing a fair amount of research on this process. On other stuff, I'll pretty much just order from usual retailers and, when possible, from my LBS even if it cost a little more. I have more income now.
Bike availability is really weird right now. In November 2020 I was able to walk in a shop and buy my road bike with Di2 that day without pre-ordering. I'm still not sure how that happened. When it came to gravel bikes, I ended up buying a used Canyon cross bike for almost the same as it would have cost new because you could not get anything in my area, and used bikes were disappearing instantly. I contacted the seller of the canyon moments after he posted the ad - he had several others offer above what he paid new so they could get it. Thankfully he honored the price. The guy with the Scott I had agreed to buy before did not - as he told me, "I just graduated college and someone wants to buy it for $200 more than it cost me new... sorry." Another friend of mine with a lot of disposable income really, really wanted a new S-Works Crux. Our local shop couldn't get it. He worked with a regional sales rep to find one and drove well out of state to pick it up. Different people value time and specific options more than others.
The other part of the story is that for some folks $3000, $4000 or $5000 is not that much money. So a bike is in stock that they want and they can have it in a few days? No problem. For others (me 15-20 years ago) such a purchase would be foolish given their circumstance. Hell, my last three bikes cost more than my first car, and my current road and gravel bikes each cost more than I ever thought I'd spend on any bike. Younger me would have laughed about these bikes being wasted on older me. Older, foolish me is cool with it.
The Pros Closet is doing fine. I would bet prices start to drop before long.
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02-20-22, 04:43 PM
#80
Senior Member
I hesitate to call someone a fool for buying a bike they want at a price they were OK with.
This is the part of enthusiast cycling that will never seemingly die - A bike is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Not what a by-standing enthusiast thinks it's worth.
This is the part of enthusiast cycling that will never seemingly die - A bike is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Not what a by-standing enthusiast thinks it's worth.
Now, somebody might be willing to pay it because they need said item now, are desperate for it, and are willing to pay a scalper price. That doesn't make it NOT scalping. End of story.
02-20-22, 06:24 PM
#81
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The MSRP for a classic American branded performance vehicle would label a lot of people a fool. if the demand is there & the supply is limited, it boils down to want, perceived value & affordability. If those three are checked off, then it is what it is.
I can go to the vending machine for a $2.50 bottle of water, or I can go to the store & buy a case for under $4.00. A lot of spinning can be done in regards to breaking down a deal.
I can go to the vending machine for a $2.50 bottle of water, or I can go to the store & buy a case for under $4.00. A lot of spinning can be done in regards to breaking down a deal.
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02-20-22, 07:56 PM
#82
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02-20-22, 09:09 PM
#83
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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03-03-22, 03:22 PM
#84
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In a sign of the times. The Pro's Closet is selling a Giant TCR Advanced 2 PC for $2,999.
https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...SAAEgJ24_D_BwE
However, if available locally, I can buy the same bike online new and pick it up at my local Giant dealer for $2,450
https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...SAAEgJ24_D_BwE
However, if available locally, I can buy the same bike online new and pick it up at my local Giant dealer for $2,450
03-03-22, 07:22 PM
#85
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