Do bike shops discount?

dbrent
dbrent Posts: 31
edited March 2008 in MTB beginners
I know that when you buy a new car the dealer will knock money of the advertised price but do bike shops do the same?

Obviously I'm not planning on spending anywhere near the amount of money for a bike that I would for a car, but it seems to me that all the shops I've been in have the same bikes advertised at the same price as everywhere else. Are they expecting to get knocked down on price?

If so what price can I realistically expect to pay for a Scott Scale 80, a Trek 6000 or a Trek 4500?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    "most" will do a deal on accessories when you get a bike. "Some" may doscount but "most"already have reduced the ticket price. But ask and you may get.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    dbrent wrote:
    Obviously I'm not planning on spending anywhere near the amount of money for a bike that I would for a car ... *snip*
    My main bike cost the same as the last car I owned.* :wink:

    In response to your actual question - some will, some won't, some will sometimes.

    *Cheap car, not expensive bike. £750 each.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • Cps
    Cps Posts: 356
    Most shops in my area (W.Mids) were prepared to discount, but not if you took out 0% finance.

    So look for shops offering 0% finance and pay in full on purchase - I got 10% !!! on 08 kit
  • dbrent
    dbrent Posts: 31
    Any ideas what I might pay for the 3 bikes listed?

    It seems then that accessories thrown in as part of the deal maybe the way to go then?
  • z000m
    z000m Posts: 544
    you can usually get a discount on old stock in most shops
  • dbrent
    dbrent Posts: 31
    I read on another topic that the new models are introduced in approx. July. Is this the time when the discounts start to appear?
  • KonaMike
    KonaMike Posts: 805
    You will get a good deal on an 07 bike now as the 08 models are coming out .Look in the magazine adverts for big discounts.I Got £100 off my 07 Fury !
  • i find is best to say the phrase `so if I pay cash now and take this away today...` because sentences like `well, I'd like to pick it up next week when i know I've got the moeny` don't inspire the salesperson to be confident you're doing business
    Train hard, ride easy
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    My LBS is prepared to price match any other shop, so check if yours will do the same.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • dav1
    dav1 Posts: 1,298
    if you are a regular customer then your bike shop is more likly to do you a good deal, My LBS has offerd me parts which match the best online prices as well as a slight discount on fitting.

    If you are well known to the shop and spend a lot of money over a period of time your loyalty is likley to be rewarded. If it isn't then i guess you need a new LBS.

    Bear in mind that a larger bike shop is less likly to do this, but then again a larger bike shop is more likly to sell things at discounted prices off the shelf due to its larger buying power.

    The best advice is shop around fist to find the best price.

    For other things where you need a shop find a good LBS that gives a more "personal service" when you need parts fitted professionaly and build a good relationship with your LBS. You may even fond that for cirtain things your LBS will be better then buying online.
    Giant TCR advanced 2 (Summer/race)
    Merlin single malt fixie (Commuter/winter/training)
    Trek superfly 7 (Summer XC)
    Giant Yukon singlespeed conversion (winter MTB/Ice/snow)

    Carrera virtuoso - RIP
  • dav1
    dav1 Posts: 1,298
    i find is best to say the phrase `so if I pay cash now and take this away today...` because sentences like `well, I'd like to pick it up next week when i know I've got the moeny` don't inspire the salesperson to be confident you're doing business

    SORRY FOR DOUBLE POST

    indeed in many casesthis is true. If your LBS has offerd you something you may want though honesty is often the best policy.

    If you know you "may want it when you have the money" its probably best to say so rather then "yeah next week" then when the time comes "a few more days" because the last thing a shop wants is somone that messes them about.

    I am in this situation with a chainset at my LBS, i was asked if I am interested so I told him that I would want it when I have some cash but don't hold onto it for my sake because that may be a long time.
    Giant TCR advanced 2 (Summer/race)
    Merlin single malt fixie (Commuter/winter/training)
    Trek superfly 7 (Summer XC)
    Giant Yukon singlespeed conversion (winter MTB/Ice/snow)

    Carrera virtuoso - RIP