I spent too much at my LBS
11-09-16, 01:34 PM
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I spent too much at my LBS
Last week, I dropped by my newly-found LBS to inquire about a Hozan lockring wrench. Of course, they didn't have one in stock, but would order one for me. I ended up paying $43; twice what it would have been through Amazon.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
11-09-16, 01:53 PM
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Last week, I dropped by my newly-found LBS to inquire about a Hozan lockring wrench. Of course, they didn't have one in stock, but would order one for me. I ended up paying $43; twice what it would have been through Amazon.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
11-09-16, 02:02 PM
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I like the LBS's. And some things... I wouldn't even think about buying on-line. Like most clothing, helmets and shoes included. I prefer to buy my tires locally as well (I like to see and inspect the tires I buy).
But things like chains, and bar tape... I save a few bucks and order on-line.
But things like chains, and bar tape... I save a few bucks and order on-line.
11-09-16, 02:06 PM
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P.S. If you didn't mind spending what you did, you spent more than you had to, but you didn't spend "too much."
11-09-16, 02:35 PM
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Support your LBS and shop local! You can't get your bike repaired online, and you can't stop by, drink coffee and talk face-to-face bike talk online!
11-09-16, 05:17 PM
#6
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At the expense of food clothing and shelter for your Family?
I've Known Guys who spent their Bike shop paycheck on Parts.
I've Known Guys who spent their Bike shop paycheck on Parts.
11-09-16, 05:24 PM
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No biggie, I do that occasionally. I try to buy something every time I visit, especially if I take up their time with a test ride or chatting with a mechanic about solving a problem myself.
Several weeks ago I thought I'd ruined a rim. Hit a patch of loose gravel on a curve, skidded sideways two or three feet before hitting clean pavement again. I didn't fall but the sudden stop warped the rim pretty badly. I thought it was shot and figured a new wheel would cost $50-$100. The LBS mechanic literally whanged it back into shape by whapping it against a workbench, then tweaking the spokes. Took less than 10 minutes, cost only 10 bucks. Wheel is working fine several weeks and hundreds of miles of rough road riding later.
So I don't mind spending a little more now and then than it would cost me online for that kind of prompt service and expertise.
Several weeks ago I thought I'd ruined a rim. Hit a patch of loose gravel on a curve, skidded sideways two or three feet before hitting clean pavement again. I didn't fall but the sudden stop warped the rim pretty badly. I thought it was shot and figured a new wheel would cost $50-$100. The LBS mechanic literally whanged it back into shape by whapping it against a workbench, then tweaking the spokes. Took less than 10 minutes, cost only 10 bucks. Wheel is working fine several weeks and hundreds of miles of rough road riding later.
So I don't mind spending a little more now and then than it would cost me online for that kind of prompt service and expertise.
11-09-16, 07:27 PM
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When they have to special order and I have to pay way more than I can get it from an online vendor I usually opt for the latter. My LBS(s) are invaluable for mechanical work and in stock parts though.
11-09-16, 08:04 PM
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I buy most things online but I will not go to my LBS and look at something like shoes and try them on then order them online. I figure if I don't know what I'm buying, then my LBS gets my business.
11-09-16, 08:06 PM
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Another benefit of going local is when you go in for really small things like zip ties or cable ferrules and just need a couple, my LBS will just reach into his stash and say here ya go, no charge.
He's also taken time to make quick adjustments for me mid ride when I pop in.
The benefits of buying local.
He's also taken time to make quick adjustments for me mid ride when I pop in.
The benefits of buying local.
11-09-16, 08:36 PM
#12
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I would really love to give every dollar I spend on bikes to my LBS...but I can't spend double. That's been pretty consistently the difference with online.
I'm happy to pay full price for work I cant do myself, or parts if I'm not sure what I need. I just cant do it if I know what I need, especially if they don't have it in stock.
I'm happy to pay full price for work I cant do myself, or parts if I'm not sure what I need. I just cant do it if I know what I need, especially if they don't have it in stock.
11-10-16, 06:05 AM
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You could save your LBS the trouble of overhead. Just buy the wrench on Amazon and hand your LBS friend a $20. Win Win
11-10-16, 01:28 PM
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Last week, I dropped by my newly-found LBS to inquire about a Hozan lockring wrench. Of course, they didn't have one in stock, but would order one for me. I ended up paying $43; twice what it would have been through Amazon.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
But here's the deal; they had it at the shop within two days and I actually like the guys at this shop. No elitist attitude and they seem to appreciate folks who know how to do a little wrenching for themselves.
That's why I paid double. I had a brief moment of buyer's remorse, but building a relationship with a good LBS is priceless.
That's all.
I never do it by ordering something through them that neither saves time nor money. If they don't have it, I just order it myself which is cheaper and quicker 99 times out of 100.
11-10-16, 02:38 PM
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pick and choose, and always throw a bone to your LBS
especially if you like them
especially if you like them
11-10-16, 02:50 PM
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FYI...That was at least at one time called the free rider argument, and it was (rightly, IMO) used to justify vertical trade restrictions, such as a manufacturer refusing to sell to anyone but authorized dealers, challenged under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Both manufacturers and authorized dealers put time, effort and money into stocking, learning about and promoting the manufacturer's products. If the manufacturer is forced to sell to anyone, consumers can take advantage of the expertise of the authorized dealer then walk out the door and buy from the unauthorized dealer who can sell for less because it doesn't have the same expenses as the authorized dealer.
11-10-16, 02:52 PM
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FYI...That was at least at one time called the free rider argument, and it was (rightly, IMO) used to justify vertical trade restrictions, such as a manufacturer refusing to sell to anyone but authorized dealers, challenged under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Both manufacturers and authorized dealers put time, effort and money into stocking, learning about and promoting the manufacturer's products. If the manufacturer is forced to sell to anyone, consumers can take advantage of the expertise of the authorized dealer then walk out the door and buy from the unauthorized dealer who can sell for less because it doesn't have the same expenses as the authorized dealer.
Both manufacturers and authorized dealers put time, effort and money into stocking, learning about and promoting the manufacturer's products. If the manufacturer is forced to sell to anyone, consumers can take advantage of the expertise of the authorized dealer then walk out the door and buy from the unauthorized dealer who can sell for less because it doesn't have the same expenses as the authorized dealer.
11-10-16, 03:21 PM
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11-10-16, 05:00 PM
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After one does learns to do their own wrenching, anything spent at the LBS is too much. Other than something like chain lubes or socks, and even then.
I find good prices on line that save me nearly 50% on most items I need. Tyres, water bottles, chamois creme, hubs, rims so if I have to spend $5 for a few cable ends, I'm still way ahead.
Why would I spend $300 when I could have gotten the same thing online for $150 to get free cable ends at the LBS?
Conti GP: 2 for $76 online...............$80 each at LBS
Podiumd bottles $7..........................$17 at LBS
Cinelli Cork tape $7 online.................$20-$30 at LBS
Ultegra hub $125 PER SET onine.........$120 rear only at LBS
You really think great service is giving you a free screw!
I find good prices on line that save me nearly 50% on most items I need. Tyres, water bottles, chamois creme, hubs, rims so if I have to spend $5 for a few cable ends, I'm still way ahead.
Why would I spend $300 when I could have gotten the same thing online for $150 to get free cable ends at the LBS?
Conti GP: 2 for $76 online...............$80 each at LBS
Podiumd bottles $7..........................$17 at LBS
Cinelli Cork tape $7 online.................$20-$30 at LBS
Ultegra hub $125 PER SET onine.........$120 rear only at LBS
You really think great service is giving you a free screw!
11-10-16, 08:25 PM
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I'm lucky. Both of the LBSs that I frequent the most price match any regular online price (not closeouts). I check online and print out the lowest price and take it with. There have actually been quite a few times the LBS met or beat the online price before we even talked price matching. I get about 50% of my stuff online as my LBSs are 45 miles away and sometimes it's just more convenient to have two-day shipping to my doorstep.
11-11-16, 12:10 AM
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I'll tried on shoes I needed at my lbs and bought them. I've bought a few tools, odds and ends but all else I buy on line.
If I need mechanical work, I pay the going rate.
If we're talking, they are trying to sell me something.
We have a normal business relationship. They know it and I know it, we don't romanticize it.
If I need mechanical work, I pay the going rate.
If we're talking, they are trying to sell me something.
We have a normal business relationship. They know it and I know it, we don't romanticize it.
11-11-16, 04:38 AM
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I noticed some things online are no cheaper than at the lbs. I bought my bontrager racks and trunks at a local which were the same price as online plus I didn't have to pay shipping. I think the lbs makes a lot of their money in service. For instance one of the stores in my area saysfor a 40 buck price they will adjust your front and rear derailleurs. I would think a good mechanic can do this pretty quickly. So paying 40 bucks for this is a pretty big profit for them.
11-11-16, 05:12 AM
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I won't overpay at any LBS UNLESS I went in and picked their brain on a particular item then I'll buy it regardless of the price. I buy about 90% of my bike needs on the internet, most the time I get free shipping, and no taxes, and all the time I get stuff for at least 50% less than the same item at an LBS. Another problem with my local LBS's is they don't carry most of the brands that have been highly reviewed on the internet either, they carry some off brand stuff the the quality is suspect, sure you can order something else but what's the purpose of that when I can order it online? And get it for a lot less!
I've never ever had any tire issues buying them online, so looking at them first is just a waste of time and money. Besides I inspect everything, tires or otherwise after I get it, if there is an issue I send it back. I've gotten far better service from online stores than I have from any LBS except for 2 in my entire 40 plus years of dealing with many LBSs! Just two in cities all over Southern California and NE Indiana, granted I haven't been to every single LBS in So California but it has become apparent that finding a good LBS with outstanding service like I can online, is the exception and not the rule. Add on top of all that the elitist attitude that seems to go along with the territory that I don't experience online. Human contact? with attitudes like that who needs human contact!
I've never ever had any tire issues buying them online, so looking at them first is just a waste of time and money. Besides I inspect everything, tires or otherwise after I get it, if there is an issue I send it back. I've gotten far better service from online stores than I have from any LBS except for 2 in my entire 40 plus years of dealing with many LBSs! Just two in cities all over Southern California and NE Indiana, granted I haven't been to every single LBS in So California but it has become apparent that finding a good LBS with outstanding service like I can online, is the exception and not the rule. Add on top of all that the elitist attitude that seems to go along with the territory that I don't experience online. Human contact? with attitudes like that who needs human contact!
11-11-16, 05:36 AM
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I can't do half the crap I send to the shop or I just don't dig fixing flats. I learn some things along the way. He critiques my ideas. His dad runs a coffee shop in the same building the bike shop used to be in, it was his father who took over from the man who had a Schwinn dealership where I bought my first 1995 model (Classic Cruiser with the springer).
I have two generations of bike mechanics who think I put together really cool bicycles. There were dark periods between the father and son's shops when some tried to make an LBS work and failed, and it was rough. Fortunately the son is young, a family man with two young boys and I think kids in general keep him focused...a lot of sales go to parents as well as repairs.
He is blessed in that his family is strong, from his late grandfather down, inventive, and extremely fun loving. His dad branched into microbrewing as well.
My LBS owner knows I'm not rich and he helps me figure out how to be creative and how to use old as well as new parts.
He's got to find a few new bike film downloads though...
I have two generations of bike mechanics who think I put together really cool bicycles. There were dark periods between the father and son's shops when some tried to make an LBS work and failed, and it was rough. Fortunately the son is young, a family man with two young boys and I think kids in general keep him focused...a lot of sales go to parents as well as repairs.
He is blessed in that his family is strong, from his late grandfather down, inventive, and extremely fun loving. His dad branched into microbrewing as well.
My LBS owner knows I'm not rich and he helps me figure out how to be creative and how to use old as well as new parts.
He's got to find a few new bike film downloads though...
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11-12-16, 06:14 AM
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I recently bought an item at the LBS and paid $13 more than what I could have bought online. Here is the break down.
Product on line: $139 plus $10 shipping, total $153
Product at LBS: $139 plus $13 tax plus $14 shipping. $166
$13 difference
I figure that I am supporting people who I know and who can offer a service. I also got the bike there and they will be providing 12 months of free service and warrantees if needed.
Product on line: $139 plus $10 shipping, total $153
Product at LBS: $139 plus $13 tax plus $14 shipping. $166
$13 difference
I figure that I am supporting people who I know and who can offer a service. I also got the bike there and they will be providing 12 months of free service and warrantees if needed.