asking for discount / extra stuff... what can you get?

gthang

If you were spending £850 (list price) on a bike would you try to get some money knocked off / stuff thrown in.

Would the guy in the shop be expecting this? If yes any idea what I could try to get away with without looking like I am taking the wee-wee?

Underscore

gthang wrote:

If you were spending £850 (list price) on a bike would you try to get some money knocked off / stuff thrown in.

Would the guy in the shop be expecting this? If yes any idea what I could try to get away with without looking like I am taking the wee-wee?

Absolutely I would. How much you may be able to get probably depend on the bike - I always go in with "How much discount do you offer off the list price?" and see what they say. Some say that they don't discount but I've always found at least one LBS that will. I've had ~10% off the last three bikes that I've bought.

Having said all that, remember that price isn't everything. I wouldn't buy a bike on the internet because I value being able to go and try it out before I buy it. Likewise, consider the pre-sales service and consider that it might be worth paying a little more so that you get better post-sales service too. However, I've found that the better bike shops have been the ones willing to consider discounting...

_

irishdan13

Go for it,

I did a fair bit of internet research before I bought my new bike this year and found a good price before I went to look at it in the shop. I asked the shop what they could do it for and when they dithered I explained that I could get it 10% cheaper on line. As soon as they thought my cash would go elsewhere they matched the internet price.

Give it a go. If you don't try then you will never know and what is the worst that can happen? They will still want to sell you the bike.

Cheers.

Great Ayton

It all depends on the brand and the shop. First off you have to understand that there is not a great markup on bikes. But then don’t forget the shop has to pay VAT on top. Also the bike shop has to make the bike and then there is even possibly if it’s a special order. It is possible that the bike shop is making as little as 10% profit on a bike. So don’t expect too much but it never hurts to ask.

If the bike you want is in stock at the shop and it’s a big brand you should be able to get something on it. A lot of bike shops have to pay for at least 20 bikes from a brand to get an even sensible trade rate. So there are often bikes sitting about they will do a deal on.

Some time the supplier has deals on bikes and then so your local bike shop can sell them for less. Its how wiggle does it. They just tend to get the stuff that did not sell and then pass it on to the public.

Normally your local shop will charge a bit more but you get support from your local shop and just think if you don’t support your local shop it may not be there. So I for one have always tended to go to my local shop unless there a world away on price.

gthang

interesting to hear 10% being, though I will prob ask for stuff i need to be thrown in as I would buy it anyway and works out less for the shop as the retail price I would guess on say a pump is prob twice the wholesale price.

(I do value buying from a good shop with decent people. Having been in a few shops recently its so hit and miss with they people that you talk to, some are really good and some are frankly arrogant and rude. Even with a 10% discount I'd rather pay full price else where not to deal with an arse hole)

I would not buy a bike online, I defo want the option to go back to the shop and talk to people face to face. The bike I want is going to be a special order so maybe ill just try to blag a floor standing pump and be happy with that.

stumpyjon

Also depends if they do interest free deals on the bikes. There is no such thing as interest free, someone somewhere has to pay interest if you don't pay for something all in one go. Therefore if you pay interest free over 2 years your payments may not include any interest but the upfront cost of the bike probably does.

When I got my bike from Leisure Lakes at the beginning of the year the sales guy admitted they could do a discount of upto 9% for cash because that's how much an interest free deal really costs them.

the mvps

I'd echo all of the comments made.

I'd barter and ask for more discount right until I'm blue in the face and he is about to hit me !!

Seriously though, I would'nt dream of paying list price - be persistant & most importantly be nice !!

If you are an arse, then they will not go that extra bit for you !!

If you are paying cash - then doen't be afraid to show 'em the money - then they'll know you are buying and not tyre kicking.

I would also agree with the comment about paying a bit more from a bike shop rather than the web - The personal service has got to be worth something - particularly if they are OK. !

I too would recommend Leisure Lakes - go during the week not a Saturday though - everyone has got more time for you during the week (plus you have the full attention when negociating the discount)

I picked the brains of 1 guy for a combined total of 5 or 6 hours over a month or so. He spent the time with me - so he got the sale

Once you have sorted the % discount, then start talking about the extras - Lizards skins / frame patches / shock pump

Finally I'd also ask for a free service - NOT the 6 week check up - a proper 1st service

Just for referance - if you go onto the Evans website, you'll see they have a new store opening in Manchester.

They have a voucher you can print off for 10% off all new bikes purchased in that store - so thats the starting point for you !!

No matter if you don't live near manchester - once you have stated that you can get 10% off, then most places will price match particularly if it's another Evans store.

I even got the Specialized Concept store in Chester to match it and when I first asked about a discount - they looked at me as though I was daft - so don't be put off !

milese

I got offered a brand new, just out Stumpjumper Comp Elite 08 for £1500, down from £1800 just by saying I was looking for last years model in a sale.

the mvps

I got offered a brand new, just out Stumpjumper Comp Elite 08 for £1500, down from £1800 just by saying I was looking for last years model in a sale.

Can I ask which bike shop that was ?

That's a great discount.

habitrail

the mvps wrote:

I'd echo all of the comments made.

I'd barter and ask for more discount right until I'm blue in the face and he is about to hit me !!

Seriously though, I would'nt dream of paying list price - be persistant & most importantly be nice !!

If you are an ars*, then they will not go that extra bit for you !!

If you are paying cash - then doen't be afraid to show 'em the money - then they'll know you are buying and not tyre kicking.

I would also agree with the comment about paying a bit more from a bike shop rather than the web - The personal service has got to be worth something - particularly if they are OK. !

I too would recommend Leisure Lakes - go during the week not a Saturday though - everyone has got more time for you during the week (plus you have the full attention when negociating the discount)

I picked the brains of 1 guy for a combined total of 5 or 6 hours over a month or so. He spent the time with me - so he got the sale

Once you have sorted the % discount, then start talking about the extras - Lizards skins / frame patches / shock pump

Finally I'd also ask for a free service - NOT the 6 week check up - a proper 1st service

Just for referance - if you go onto the Evans website, you'll see they have a new store opening in Manchester.

They have a voucher you can print off for 10% off all new bikes purchased in that store - so thats the starting point for you !!

No matter if you don't live near manchester - once you have stated that you can get 10% off, then most places will price match particularly if it's another Evans store.

I even got the Specialized Concept store in Chester to match it and when I first asked about a discount - they looked at me as though I was daft - so don't be put off !

it is people like you that put local bike stores out of business and most the folk that have posted on this topic.

i personally believe if the lbs (local bike shop) has a good pricing policy i don't see why the lbs should have to give anymore discount to the customer.

Banking cash costs no more or less than a card transaction.

Also why should the LBS through anything in for free, just so you buy a bike, put it one way, buy the bike on-line, don't get any back up, nae customer service, no free 6 week/6month service and then if summit goes wrong grump about having to send it back to the place ya bought it from or take it to LBS with the correct dealer i.e. giant etc.. so they can send it back then be shocked they ask you to pay the postage to send it back to the supplier.
So ya get no warranty cover by buying online. The LBS then gets grief from said skint flint customer, and has to work extra hard to keep said customer happy as the warranty is actually with the shop you bought it from and not with the LBS that might happen to be a dealer.

if ya get what i am saying.

This society we live at the mo of, must ask for discount etc.. is terrible, buy the fucking bike local, get decent back up, decent customer serivce and support local bike shops. Or go online, buy a bike and them moan that the local bike shop is nae helping ya oot with warrenty as they are not obliged too as the bike was not bought from their shop.

This also works in most forms of retail. Why if the pricing policy of a company is set to be competitive must they give more discount to customer that harp on about wanting discount? Maybe i just don't get it.

Least in a LBS ya get to ride the bike etc.. and hopefully being a good shop get a bit a banter n leave with a bike n a smile on ya fae knowing you may get it cheaper on line but the staff have been reet helpful and full filled your every need.

I wouldn't personally go into a clothes shop and try and heckle the poor sales assistant for money off on a pair of jeans so why is it any diff with a bike?

Another question, why is it the ones that have the most money i.e drive fancy cars etc.. the customer that either spend very little on a bicycle or the ones to ask for the most discount? hmmmm........ why is this?

gthang wrote:

If you were spending £850 (list price) on a bike would you try to get some money knocked off / stuff thrown in.

Would the guy in the shop be expecting this? If yes any idea what I could try to get away with without looking like I am taking the wee-wee?

To answer the original question, If the bike is listed at £850 rrp and in the shop at £850 why ask for disco? no harm in asking once, will prob end in a bit of banter from sales guy and a no, maybe a wee speel about pricing policy etc.. but then leave it at that. The guy in the shop would bes expecting it. as most customers do it due to the way people think now a days but like i said if there is a pricing policy in place they will know what to say. A shock pump is a usual treat thrown in but why ask for more?

or am i just not understanding?

This may make me sound like an arrogant wanker, which is not what i want to do, but why do people not see the benefits a LBS can give to you the paying customer.

Oh and this is my opinion, let the can of worms be opened. I do expect argument posts back..

gthang

gthang wrote:

interesting to hear 10% being, though I will prob ask for stuff i need to be thrown in as I would buy it anyway and works out less for the shop as the retail price I would guess on say a pump is prob twice the wholesale price.

(I do value buying from a good shop with decent people. Having been in a few shops recently its so hit and miss with they people that you talk to, some are really good and some are frankly arrogant and rude. Even with a 10% discount I'd rather pay full price else where not to deal with an ars* hole)

I would not buy a bike online, I defo want the option to go back to the shop and talk to people face to face. The bike I want is going to be a special order so maybe ill just try to blag a floor standing pump and be happy with that.

I agree with habitrail to an extent, I defo want my LBS to make a decent living and keep the shop open so they can help me should I need it.

As for the comments about people who drive fancy cars asking for discount that sounds a bit bitter if you ask me and stereo typing….. Often people who drive fancy cars are in business to make money, company managers / directors / sales people who are always being beaten with the price stick in their line of work and are used to driving (excuse the pun) a hard bargain and working on low margin in their industry.

All the LBS has to say is no sorry I can’t afford to do that. And then sell the benefits of buying from the shop to justify the higher price, Actually say “look I have a nice shop for you to look round, bikes to sit on, advice, free servicing, full assembly and test of bike before collection you do not get any of this shopping online. If the bike arrives with one pedal missing you will not be happy that sort of thing will not happen if you buy from me.”

When buying a bike or anyother high value product people must think “Win Win” i.e. both parties must be happy with the deal and remain friends at the close. The shop wants to sell a bike and make a good profit and the buyer wants a good deal. The customer will need the follow on service and the shop needs the follow on business and word of mouth recommendations.

Good bike shops will have a policy on discount, one shop I have seen offers bewteen 5 and 10% of the bike price in free accessories. Thats a sound business idea in my opionion.

Just some of my thoughts..... :-)

milese

the mvps wrote:

I got offered a brand new, just out Stumpjumper Comp Elite 08 for £1500, down from £1800 just by saying I was looking for last years model in a sale.

Can I ask which bike shop that was ?

That's a great discount.

The guy told me not to tell anyone, as specialized would be seriously pissed off apparently.

If your serious about buying one at that price phone around the specialized dealers in Devon!

As for getting discount, no one makes the LBS sell at a discount, and they obviously have quite a mark up to be able to offer £300 off brand new bikes, whilst including a free first service etc.

If I say 'can you price match online prices', they either say yes and I buy from them, and they make, for example £100 rather than £400 that they make on RRP, or they say no and make £0.

Its all about making something rather than nothing.

fly4fun

got 10% off new fork without even trying - but with most lbs' i guess you get to know the guys quite well, so you know how uch you can push them - they still need to make a profit!

Father Faff

The thing is to be nice to each other. If the LBS is nice to you you'll come back and recommend them and if you are nice to the LBS and don't overdo the bargaining bit they'll help you out when you need it, lend you bits when you break your bike, fix little niggles for nothing, give you a regular a discount on spares, let you test ride bikes for more than 10 minutes round the car park, not laugh at you too much (at least not in front of you), etc. I wouldn't dream of buying a bike on-line ( though I may buy some bits if I find a really good bargain on-line) and I really value having a good friendly LBS nearby.

the mvps

it is people like you that put local bike stores out of business and most the folk that have posted on this topic.

i personally believe if the lbs (local bike shop) has a good pricing policy i don't see why the lbs should have to give anymore discount to the customer.

Banking cash costs no more or less than a card transaction.

Also why should the LBS through anything in for free, just so you buy a bike, put it one way, buy the bike on-line, don't get any back up, nae customer service, no free 6 week/6month service and then if summit goes wrong grump about having to send it back to the place ya bought it from or take it to LBS with the correct dealer i.e. giant etc.. so they can send it back then be shocked they ask you to pay the postage to send it back to the supplier.
So ya get no warranty cover by buying online. The LBS then gets grief from said skint flint customer, and has to work extra hard to keep said customer happy as the warranty is actually with the shop you bought it from and not with the LBS that might happen to be a dealer.

if ya get what i am saying.

This society we live at the mo of, must ask for discount etc.. is terrible, buy the ******* bike local, get decent back up, decent customer serivce and support local bike shops. Or go online, buy a bike and them moan that the local bike shop is nae helping ya oot with warrenty as they are not obliged too as the bike was not bought from their shop.

This also works in most forms of retail. Why if the pricing policy of a company is set to be competitive must they give more discount to customer that harp on about wanting discount? Maybe i just don't get it.

Least in a LBS ya get to ride the bike etc.. and hopefully being a good shop get a bit a banter n leave with a bike n a smile on ya fae knowing you may get it cheaper on line but the staff have been reet helpful and full filled your every need.

I wouldn't personally go into a clothes shop and try and heckle the poor sales assistant for money off on a pair of jeans so why is it any diff with a bike?

Another question, why is it the ones that have the most money i.e drive fancy cars etc.. the customer that either spend very little on a bicycle or the ones to ask for the most discount? hmmmm........ why is this?

gthang wrote:
If you were spending £850 (list price) on a bike would you try to get some money knocked off / stuff thrown in.

Would the guy in the shop be expecting this? If yes any idea what I could try to get away with without looking like I am taking the wee-wee?


To answer the original question, If the bike is listed at £850 rrp and in the shop at £850 why ask for disco? no harm in asking once, will prob end in a bit of banter from sales guy and a no, maybe a wee speel about pricing policy etc.. but then leave it at that. The guy in the shop would bes expecting it. as most customers do it due to the way people think now a days but like i said if there is a pricing policy in place they will know what to say. A shock pump is a usual treat thrown in but why ask for more?

or am i just not understanding?

This may make me sound like an arrogant wanker, which is not what i want to do, but why do people not see the benefits a LBS can give to you the paying customer.

Oh and this is my opinion, let the can of worms be opened. I do expect argument posts back..

Well I value your right to have an opinion - however I have to say you show an acute lack of understanding about how buisness actually works !

I am not putting anyone out of buisness - as an earlier post stated they always have the option of saying "NO" !! All I try to get is the best deal for the money I have worked bloody hard to earn.

In fact by actually buying a bike from a shop I am keeping them in buisness - re-read my post I stated quite clearly that :-

I would also agree with the comment about paying a bit more from a bike shop rather than the web - The personal service has got to be worth something - particularly if they are OK. !

You are correct bike shops don;t have to give discounts and if all bike shops didn't discount then everything would be hunky dory.

The flaw in your thinking comes when 1 bike shop decides to discount - then he sells more bikes !!

(Using the theory that if he sells 1 bike per month at 100 quid profit, if he then reduces the sales prices by 20 quid but then sells 2 bike per month - then he's better off by 60 quid !! He still has the same fixed costs - rates / electricity / staff costs - but is making more money)

The other bikes shops can continue to sell at RRP, but sell less bikes, or try to reclaim the loss sales buy doing one of two things:-
1. Discount
2. Offering extra services / products that give added value to the customer over the ones offered by their competitors

It is what value the customer places on point two that is crutial.

This is'nt just specifically about bike shops either, it applies to every buisness in the world !! That's how buinesses grow or fail.

Finally, just to put you straight - if I do go into a clothes shop and buy a couple of things, then I do actually ask for a discount. I've even got one from Markls & Spencer !
It's my money and I'll get the best deal I can for it - if you chosse to pay full wack for everything fine - it makes it easier for me.

Comment about fancy cars ??? Not sure where you are going with this - stereotyping every person you percieve to have a nice car... Have a rethink !! But I have to say that I agree with gthang on this - I think his comment was pretty much on the money (so to speak !!)

As for the comments about people who drive fancy cars asking for discount that sounds a bit bitter if you ask me and stereo typing….. Often people who drive fancy cars are in business to make money, company managers / directors / sales people who are always being beaten with the price stick in their line of work and are used to driving (excuse the pun) a hard bargain and working on low margin in their industry.

habitrail

i guess i am just someone that doesn't ask for discount!

i aint getting into a forum argument i have said my views and you have said yours, job done!

warreng

Asking for a discount isn't immoral - the bike shop just have to say no. Just for info though around margins - I bought a £1200 Trek Fuel 90 direct from Trek through a friend at cost plus VAT for £853 so there is room for haggling - although not much. It'll depend on the store and how desperate they are to protect their margins versus how much they need the cashflow. Just ask - if they can do it they will - I can't imagine any sane shopowner being conned by some of the amateur negotiating tactics offered above.

the mvps

guess i am just someone that doesn't ask for discount!

i aint getting into a forum argument i have said my views and you have said yours, job done!

Agreed !! no argument to be had - just exchange of views !

WarrenG

I can't imagine any sane shopowner being conned by some of the amateur negotiating tactics offered above.

Please give me an insight into your professional negotiating tactics - clearly you have some secret knowledge when buying a single purchase from a retailer - Enlighten me !

cjw

Milese wrote:

the mvps wrote:

I got offered a brand new, just out Stumpjumper Comp Elite 08 for £1500, down from £1800 just by saying I was looking for last years model in a sale.

Can I ask which bike shop that was ?

That's a great discount.

The guy told me not to tell anyone, as specialized would be seriously pissed off apparently.

.

I imagine he was just telling you not to tell anyone as a bit of sales patter. It is actually illegal to fix prices eg RRP under Chapter 1 of the Prohibition of the Competition Act 1998. Manufacturers may suggest a RRP, but they CAN NOT enforce retailers to stick to it and not offer discounts. If they do this they are in breach of the law and can (and are) fined heavily. The recent fines dished out to manufactureres of replica soccer kits are a case in point.

warreng

There's no secret but I'd imagine if I was a shopowner and soeeone started waving cash around like a complete Del-boy I'd thnk he was a bit odd. I don't think it'd swing his decision one way or another - what you do won't influence his decision that much - he's just working his margins

the mvps

There's no secret but I'd imagine if I was a shopowner and soeeone started waving cash around like a complete Del-boy I'd thnk he was a bit odd. I don't think it'd swing his decision one way or another - what you do won't influence his decision that much - he's just working his margins

Fair point - not sure I thought that through when I wrote it !!

I do agree that the shop owners do know exactly how far they can go - I also imagine that each retailer gets a different price from the Brand, which is entirely dependant upon the amount of bikes they sell.

This actually perpetuates the discounting route, as the shop which sells the most bikes gets 'em cheaper and therfore sells 'em cheaper, so then gets 'em cheaper etc etc etc

But back to my orginal post, I think it's more important to be nice throughout the process, I think this would influence the shop owner far more than being bullish.

warreng

the mvps wrote:

But back to my orginal post, I think it's more important to be nice throughout the process, I think this would influence the shop owner far more than being bullish.

Oh I completely agree with that bit - I "negotiated" (I believe that's just a posh word for "ask") a PC deal and a LCD TV at Currys and got more than 20% off. Not through anything you learn through CIPS but just by asking and being well-informed about prices elsewhere on the high street. I don't think you can bring the net into it as they have diffferent pricing structures and offer different services

Not sure whether the retailer perpetuates discounting in the cycle trade - it may well be more to do with the main brands setting the benchmarks. Every now and again a big player will introduce a new bike at a new price level creating a new category and the other players will follow suit - Specialized Pitch is a good example - just watch Trek and Giant follow. This is where the consumer can win by exploiting the differences

Amos

Ive put so much money into my LBS that they give me 10% off everything i buy there now anyway, even things like clif bars lol!

I think most LBS expect that customers will try and haggle them down on prices or get accessories thrown in for free.

I got a '06 fork earlier this year in Feb for £230 (price matched against CRC) down from £380 on last years RRP but paid also paid them the £20 for fitting it, even if I could have done it at home myself.

Support your LBS, they will go a certain distance in giving you extra's but at the end of the day they will help you a lot when you need it.

sam1234

Last time a made large purchase from LBS (fork and wheels). Got a good discount without asking and fitting included. This is probably due to I buy all my parts from them know. I didn't buy my bike from them but brought it of net, but as they have know got my custom they will help me out.

I thimking about getting FS bike next year so they will be first point of call to see what they have got on offer.