Buy at LBS or on the web?

flyer

I often have a dilemma and feel guilty buying expensive stuff on the web and using the LBS for small purchases and service etc.

Problem is, I don't mind paying a bit more but as an example I have just bought some wheels from Merlin £425, LBS £575, Stem on Ebay £41, LBS £77.

They will haggle a little, ie they would have done the wheels for £550 and Stem for £70, but there's still a big gap. I suppose its how much value you put on their help!

What do others do?

Flyer

iain_j

Some things I stick with the LBS, as I prefer to try or at least see before I buy, like clothes. Anything I need advice on buying (beyond asking on a web forum) I'll go with the LBS too as I think it's a bit cheeky to ask their advice then take my money elsewhere. Otherwise I go online as it tends to be cheaper.

ilm_zero7

In my experience it pays to strike up a good relationship with they guys you use the most and be open about the prices - any retailer will know its far easier to loose a customer than retain one, but easier to retain one than win one from someone else!

I do use a local bike shop for giving the bike a once over and little bits, but have a half way house to the web - so i can highly recommend the e-bay advertisers: High on Bikes - see what they have a ring them for a deal - they can only say no!

for a personal touch - the London stores of Fudges have been excellent for me when an item I bought was defective when just out of warranty (a big shout for them ), and for Bikes and big stuff I get great prices and a willingness to price match if at all possible from Epic cycles

One thing to remember is not all bike shops are equal - some have preferred dealer status with suppliers and get preferential pricing, so when your LBS cant match a price it is often because they have a higher base wholesale price than others. Then its for you to decide if paying a little more to an LBS or someone you have used before is worth it - I suspect if you've ever had something break prematurely, or not be just right, you will know the answer to that already.

if you buy anonymously on the web - expect to be a nobody when theres a problem.

NWLondoner

I always stick to web for my purchases.

I did try a Fudges recently and while the web side of the purchase was great the in store experience has put me off using them ever again!!!

Bunneh

I'd prefer to stick to local shops, to help their business, but when you're on a strict budget you have to find cheaper alternatives. There's 3 major bikeshops in my town, MK Cycles, Geoff Smiths and Lifecycles; there are 2 others but Ride n Drive got dropped due to some of the staff in the past being a little too arrogant, and Green Machine is too far for me.

Geoff Smiths and MK Cycles have been around for bloody years! The former is run by one of the old mechanics good at his job but a tad grumpy, good selection of gear and a nicely cluttered shop. MK's is my main port of call, primarily because I know the mechanic quite well, plus I know the owner to a degree. They are always happy to help and I got my new baby from them.

Lifecycles are okay, if a bit more expensive than the others so I find myself shying away from them due to costs - 4.99 for GT85 at Lifecycles, 4.50 at MKs. It's little differences like that that put me off buying from Lifecycles All three do good work, each one has done jobs for me and each time it's been exceptionally well done; so can't fault any of them on that regard.

It is worth having a LBS on your side, you have someone you can instantly go to when something goes wrong - online retailers won't let you sit down in the back room as they rip apart your failing baby.

Smokin Joe

I only buy clothes from my LBS, the guy who owns it is very experienced and can tell the size I need at a glance. Online is too much hassle, nothing ever seems to fit as one firms medium is anothers extra small.

Virtually all hardware come via the interweb though, I do all my own mechanics and the money I save on parts is considerable. I do feel sorry for local shops who have to compete, but it works both ways. Anyone who was round when the mountain bike boom started will probably remember how roadies were virtually abandoned by a large percentage of the shops, to the point of even being sneered at when you tried to buy road bike kit.

That was the time I started buying mail order from the likes of Ribble, and with the savings and the considerable amount of stock they and other onliners carry it was worth sticking with them.

MikeWW

Do a bit of both but recently paid an extra £70 for a set of wheels through LBS
We both knew Merlin could do a better deal but I also know that the LBS would always help me out on anything if I was ever stuck with

zedders

In any other walk of life and you wouldn't put up with it would you? So why oh why do folk put up with it from a LBS??? Some seem to think the LBS is fountian of all knowledge, when in my experience they are not? Don't forget they are a retail shop and want your money?

I have had indifferent advice from my LBS, and wouldn't trust them with a barge pole. Despite buying a road bike, gloves, a turbo trainer, wheels and various other bits and bobs, I don't seem to be have been treated very well? But surely my money is as good as anyone elses? Or is it beacuse I don't ride with the local CC?

Therefore after about two years of moaning I have given up on them and buy everything off the internet.

woodywmb

Bunneh: A fiver for GT85? Eight miles up the road from you is this:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/raleigh-gt8 ... nt-p137642


Half the price.

jthef

Some people online retailer is some else's LBS
I have the luck of having Merlin as my nearest LBS with Paul Hewitt's and Ribble not much further (I don't count Halfords which is even closer), But I still get stuff from other on line retailers, I am always looking for my next but of kit I might need or needs replacing as some very good prices can be had, ie chan set for £80 instead of £300+ just bought it a few month before I required it. But I do buy from LBS as I want their services, but Ribble was so much better when they had the shop thier wherehouse shop is not a match .

Bunneh

Woodywmb wrote:

Bunneh: A fiver for GT85? Eight miles up the road from you is this:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/raleigh-gt8 ... nt-p137642


Half the price.

Wow nice one! Thanks for that. Man that's such a saving! I was running out too - guess I'm off to Wigan today. Woooo!

/hugs Woody