I purchase last years models, get them for about 1/3 off and usually get a maintenance deal worked in. The bike shop is happy as your moving their older inventory and your happy you get a significant price drop. Just got the son an 08 stumpy expert for $1850. Not bad at all. In fact after i got the bike the sales manager come up and told me that in the future if i need another bike come see him and he will get an additional 15-20 of the list price. I dont know if that will count on already discounted bikes...but i thought it was a nice gesture. I have bought 2 brand new mountain bikes and a new road bike, all last years inventory (around september time frame) for far less than they were stickered at and the bike shop is always giving me discounts for accesssories as i am consistent with giving them my business. Seems to work well for both of us and i have a good relationship with them...always getting my bikes maintainenced and out within a day or two.