Deals when purchasing

bazoozoo

Having had my bike stolen in Manchester last month (an 'antique', sorry 'classic' hardtail Marin Indian Fire Trail - and yes, I will have my revenge in this world or the next!), I have ordered a new bike from a well known high street bike store.

I am spending c£900 and I am interested in your thoughts re bargaining at the point of purchase. To put this in context, I had originally ordered a bike for £1000, and I had agreed a 5% discount - however, that particular model is not available in the UK so have opted for an alternative for the lower price of £900. I have not discussed the transfer of the 5% discount to this model with the sales staff - but that isn't really the point - I'm wondering what your expectations are when picking up a new bike in terms of what you might expect them to 'throw in'. A number of online deals at the £1000 mark include promises of '£100 of accessories' (albeit from a limited range), so there is at least some evidence of sweeteners on the part of the vendor in a competitive marketplace.

Of course, through the theft of my bike, I lost my lock and the mounts for my cycle computer and lights, and I had cleated pedals - naturally, my new bike will not have these included. So, for example would you think it would be reasonable to ask for a lock to be included, the pedals to be exchanged or lights of some sort to be thrown in? (actually, I'll get in touch with the light manufacturers and get some more mounts sent through, scrub that last one)

Just wondering what your experience is / approach would be, bearing in mind the bike's value is £900 and it is a 2011 model? Thanks.

Chunkers1980

IME - you can ask, but if they are offering you a lot of stuff rather than discount then it's likely if the bike is widly stocked you'll be able to get it cheaper else where and better overall value.

Shops wiill throw stuff at you as a sweetner as many people see the RRP price and think that's what they are getting free, but more likely it'll be cheaper else where and of course the shop paid less than 1/2 the RRP most prob, where as cash discount is the money they lose off their bottom line.

trebor127

IME of buying anything wheter it be cycling or electrical I always aim for at least 10% discount...The shops are more willing to give you accesories than money off so maybe even try to get them to chuck in 15% worth of accesories

thebikechain

of course the shop paid less than 1/2 the RRP

Can you direct me to the suppliers that do this magic less than half price deal on 2011 bikes please? or indeed 2010's....! Ta

Pete-C

thebikechain wrote:

of course the shop paid less than 1/2 the RRP

Can you direct me to the suppliers that do this magic less than half price deal on 2011 bikes please? or indeed 2010's....! Ta

Im sure by this he means that the shop buys it in at less than half the RRP of the product itself, not that they actualy sell it at less than half

antfly

Don't settle for less than a 10% discount if you're spending nearly a grand.

njee20

m sure by this he means that the shop buys it in at less than half the RRP of the product itself, not that they actualy sell it at less than half

Trade prices are not below half, ie the shop pays significantly more than half the RRP, accessories have a slightly better margin, but very very few products are anywhere near 100% margin

From working in a shop for 9 years I very rarely went beyond 10% in accessories, I think that's a reasonable offer.

Pete-C

njee20 wrote:

m sure by this he means that the shop buys it in at less than half the RRP of the product itself, not that they actualy sell it at less than half

Trade prices are not below half, ie the shop pays significantly more than half the RRP, accessories have a slightly better margin, but very very few products are anywhere near 100% margin

From working in a shop for 9 years I very rarely went beyond 10% in accessories, I think that's a reasonable offer.

Yeah i know they are nowhere near half, I cant think of anything in the shop i work at that gets stuff for even remotely half, I was just trying to explain what the other poster meant.

njee20

I think Chunkers1980 is just wrong about the margins being made!

Chunkers1980

njee20 wrote:

m sure by this he means that the shop buys it in at less than half the RRP of the product itself, not that they actualy sell it at less than half

Trade prices are not below half, ie the shop pays significantly more than half the RRP, accessories have a slightly better margin, but very very few products are anywhere near 100% margin

From working in a shop for 9 years I very rarely went beyond 10% in accessories, I think that's a reasonable offer.

One comment slightly off the cuff and it's shat all over.

Were we not talking accessories - which you say do have a higher margin than bikes.

10% - shop buys product for £5 then sell plus margin for £5.50 - that does not happen in shops under normal curcumstances, internet aside - I think not - otherwise10% discount sales are just about shifting excess stock.

Not sure, for example, if it's exactly cassified as an accessory but a M972 Shadow RM RRP at 169.99 - I paid £92 for mine - so shipping, and stocking and it's stll at about 55% of the RRP.

The point is if a shop offers you a 'free' lock with your bike that RRPs at £50 - to them it's only costing "around" £25 for them, then it is better than giving you a cash £30 discount off the bike, simples.