Originally Posted by
Atlas Shrugged
Hey we have AliExpress. Super low prices and lots of inventory virtually free shipping on most items as well. Why is it that the Chinese have plenty of inventory of items that are virtually impossible to find in the West? I needed a Shimano 160mm disc brake spacer for flat mount and was told not to expect one until October. Two weeks from Ali Express and exactly 1/2 the price. Plus when I order parts never in that dumb retail packaging which all needs to be thrown out. Comes in a simple plastic OEM bag.
Distributors have contracted agreements with brands to distribute product in a specific geographic area. They have costs, obviously, which increases the price you pay. Distributors are out of some things, so shops are then out of those things.
Ali Express has no contracted agreements with those brands. Some products are fake, some are gray market, and some are legitimate.
Its quite simple to see the difference in supply models.