buy parts then take to lbs for fitting?

ianbar

i took a frame round to lbs ad had a box of bits for them to fit(headset, bb etc) they seemed a little put out that i had brought them, in fairness i certainly did not mean anything by it because i had intended to install the parts myself till i realised how impossible it could be. they did seem a bit off about it. is it normal to buy parts(possibly a fair bit cheaper) then pay lbs to fit them?

snoopsmydogg

Some say its a bit like getting a steak and taking it to a restaurant then asking the chef to cook it.

Yacoby

I know one of my LBSs will do it but has a 25% markup on price of labour when you do.

humpyg

I don't think it should be an issue as long as the shop charge extra for fitting the gear, and aren't responsible for any issues with the actual items supplied. After all it's extra business for them.

One time they fitted parts to my bike that I bought elsewhere and I got a full service from them at the same time. They seemed OK with that. The next year when I got my service I bought some items off them that they fitted.

ianbar

thank god i didn't take the whole group set with me then lol i personally hadn't given it any thought, i guess some of it could be dependant on the relationship you have with your shop, also maybe i have been a tad presumptuous that they would be more friendly and relaxed.

jim453

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

timrichardson

I personally would see if the lbs would do a pricematch first and if not then say that you were going to get them cheaper online and see if they would fit them.

indysmith

Fuck em if they're gonna be shitty about it man! I never could understand this whole butthurt LBS thing. That's just capitalism. There are services that your LBS can provide that online retailers can't and vice-versa; why the hell you shouldn't you go for the best price, and choose the right business for the right application? why the hell should you pay that extra £50 for something as trivial as gear shifters for your bicycle. Just to "support" some stranger as opposed to some other stranger?

k1875

This attitude that some LBS's have really grinds my gears, if you'll pardon the pun.

I used to drive a mini (a proper one, not a small BMW) and had to pay through the nose and wait 2-3 days for tyres if I bought them from Kwikfit, but I could get them cheaper if I bought them online and they were delivered free the next day. Not only were Kwikfit happy to fit them for me, they often did so for free.

Bike shops are just that, shops, not charities that you choose to support. I find it impossible to sympathise with someone who argues that they are struggling for business, then turns away or grudges taking your business because you bought elsewhere.

Just out of interest, for those that feel the LBS have a point, how would you feel if you bought a used part off the classifieds on here and took it to your LBS to be fitted only to be treated with contempt for buying used ?

Bozman

Done that a few times in the past. A frame and the rest in a box... £35 for the build, i tend to buy bits and bobs there plus i push work their way if people ask and i put the odd service their way when i don't have the time.

I know and they know that they can't match the net for price so why the hell would i pay up to 20% more....... just to feel good? The LBS will make money off Joe Bloggs that buys his family bikes there not from Mr Lycra riding a few grands worth of road bike.

ShutUpLegs

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

ianbar

basically i bought a frame off ebay, and then a really cheap fork to fit to it as i wanted to build a bike so i knew how it all works etc. the problem came to the headset in the main and some scare stories of ruining the frame by doing a bad job on the bottom bracket.so i took the frame to lbs, with a box which had fork, bb, headset and chainset in. the lad on the desk went round to the gaffer who clearly scoffed at the fact i had brought everything, and there was disapproving looks.this is my most lbs but don't tend to use it and usually go further but thought i would put my business there way and try get a relationship built up with a store nearer. i also think they were not very beginner friendly, as i clearly was nervous answering technical questions etc and felt very uncomfortable. i started this post really because i wasn't sure if i was breaking etiquette by taking my parts in so only paying them for labour.

jim453

ShutUpLegs wrote:

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

They're trying to make a living, like everyone else. If absolutely everyone sourced parts cheaply (a few pence) on the Internet and took them to shops to fit then there would be no LBS's.

If you can't see that it's out of order then you probably won't understand a fuller explanation.

Personally, I'm going to continue using my LBS and accept that they can not compete with the economies of scale of a massive Internet outfit and so will occasionally charge me a little extra for some of the things I need. Safe in the knowledge that I will recieve personal and face to face service and a reliable opinion when my bike needs attention.

You can do what you like.

rozzer32

Your local bike store seem a bit up themselves to be honest.

I've had headsets and forks fitted on two frames (which I didn't buy at the LBS) and a BB (stupid press fit) fitted which I bought online and they had no problem in fitting the parts. Although I do buy the odd bits and bobs from then and have got to know the guys fairly well so maybe that is why.

But they would definitely not be disapproving.

Can't see why any LBS would be disapproving, at the end of the day they are making money as they are charging you for the work.

rozzer32

jim453 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

They're trying to make a living, like everyone else. If absolutely everyone sourced parts cheaply (a few pence) on the Internet and took them to shops to fit then there would be no LBS's.

If you can't see that it's out of order then you probably won't understand a fuller explanation.

Personally, I'm going to continue using my LBS and accept that they can not compete with the economies of scale of a massive Internet outfit and so will occasionally charge me a little extra for some of the things I need. Safe in the knowledge that I will recieve personal and face to face service and a reliable opinion when my bike needs attention.

You can do what you like.

Yes but normally the difference isn't a few pence is it.

When I was looking at getting my Sram Force groupset the LBS would have wanted about £150 more than online price. When I needed to change a stem the LBS was about £15 more expensive. My LBS wanted £200 for my helmet which I managed to get for £85 in the planet x sale.

Indeed you can do as you like, and I'll be buying at the cheapest price

ianbar

my last reply doesn't seem to have worked so apologise if this shows up twice!
my frame was a dolan for £50 so thats a lot more than a few pence.

jim453

rozzer32 wrote:

jim453 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

They're trying to make a living, like everyone else. If absolutely everyone sourced parts cheaply (a few pence) on the Internet and took them to shops to fit then there would be no LBS's.

If you can't see that it's out of order then you probably won't understand a fuller explanation.

Personally, I'm going to continue using my LBS and accept that they can not compete with the economies of scale of a massive Internet outfit and so will occasionally charge me a little extra for some of the things I need. Safe in the knowledge that I will recieve personal and face to face service and a reliable opinion when my bike needs attention.

You can do what you like.

Yes but normally the difference isn't a few pence is it.

When I was looking at getting my Sram Force groupset the LBS would have wanted about £150 more than online price. When I needed to change a stem the LBS was about £15 more expensive. My LBS wanted £200 for my helmet which I managed to get for £85 in the planet x sale.

Indeed you can do as you like, and I'll be buying at the cheapest price

Good for you Rozzer, good for you.

whosthedaddy

I am being charged £120 to build my bike from my supplied parts and I'm happy to pay for it
Just hope I've purchased everything right :oops:
The shop in concern seems ok about you supplying parts, but charge you accordingly for fitting them
If they supply, fitting is free

xpc316e

I have a little sympathy for your LBS, but not much. If they really don't like what you have done, they could always refuse to do the job. That way, they'd ensure that in the future you either went to them to both purchase the bits and have them fitted, or go somewhere else entirely. Once they agree to do the job, they ought not to be sniffy about it.

As consumers, we ought to be more savvy when dealing with businesses. I used to take my own engine oil in a 5 litre can to one garage for a service instead of them charging me the earth for the same thing - if we all did it, they'd soon learn to be more reasonable in their charges.

k1875

jim453 wrote:

rozzer32 wrote:

jim453 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

They're trying to make a living, like everyone else. If absolutely everyone sourced parts cheaply (a few pence) on the Internet and took them to shops to fit then there would be no LBS's.

If you can't see that it's out of order then you probably won't understand a fuller explanation.

Personally, I'm going to continue using my LBS and accept that they can not compete with the economies of scale of a massive Internet outfit and so will occasionally charge me a little extra for some of the things I need. Safe in the knowledge that I will recieve personal and face to face service and a reliable opinion when my bike needs attention.

You can do what you like.

Yes but normally the difference isn't a few pence is it.

When I was looking at getting my Sram Force groupset the LBS would have wanted about £150 more than online price. When I needed to change a stem the LBS was about £15 more expensive. My LBS wanted £200 for my helmet which I managed to get for £85 in the planet x sale.

Indeed you can do as you like, and I'll be buying at the cheapest price

Good for you Rozzer, good for you.

I take it this principled stance extends to your food shopping and you ignore the supermarkets & buy your weekly provisions at the butchers, fruit & veg shop, baker etc ? I trust you've never purchased a CD online or from HMV, or downloaded a song from Itunes or the like since you wouldn't like to see independent record shops lose out on your business ?

Or are bike shops somehow a special case ?

Steve John B

Sidestepping the buy from LBS/don't buy from LBS debate... You might have a non-shop mechanic near you. There was one local when I lived in North London, and there's one local now I'm in Skipton. As they don't sell parts you don't have to face the great moral dilemma

Fursty Ferret

Is there not a local technician that can do the work for you, thus obviating the need to go through the awkward 'will they/won't they' dilemma at the lbs? There's a chap near me who does everything from basic servicing to full builds. Will even source the parts for you. Then he comes round to your gaff or place of work and gets to work. Have a look, see if there's any similar services near you.

southdownswolf

k1875 wrote:

I take it this principled stance extends to your food shopping and you ignore the supermarkets & buy your weekly provisions at the butchers, fruit & veg shop, baker etc ? I trust you've never purchased a CD online or from HMV, or downloaded a song from Itunes or the like since you wouldn't like to see independent record shops lose out on your business ?

Or are bike shops somehow a special case ?

So do you get the supermarket to cook the food for you or do you take it to a local restaurant for them to cook. Or perhaps do you actually cook it yourself?
With the CD that you have bought online, do you then ask the local independant record shop to play it for you? Thought not.

If you buy parts off the internet, do not be surprised if the local shop does not want to fit, whether that be bike shops or any other type.

Personally, I do buy parts off the internet, including ebay, I also buy parts from local bike shops. However, I generally fit them myself as I like to know how things work. If I was to buy parts from the internet and then asked my lbs to fit them for me, then it would not surprise me if I was charged more for the service.

I bought the wine /champagne for my wedding a few years back and it certainly worked out cheaper than the hotel would have charged, it also meant that I could choose the specific wines that I wanted. The hotel charged me a corking fee for the privilege of serving it though.....

ianbar

Steve John B wrote:

Sidestepping the buy from LBS/don't buy from LBS debate... You might have a non-shop mechanic near you. There was one local when I lived in North London, and there's one local now I'm in Skipton. As they don't sell parts you don't have to face the great moral dilemma

might be me being stupid but how would i go about searching for one? i like the idea much better.

MountainMonster

Mobile mechanics and your area normally pulls up a few, but independent can also pull up some stuff in my experience.

MountainMonster

Also on the original topic, if you have a decent chunk of parts you need to have bought and installed, you can often come out at the same price/ cheaper as ordering online and having them fitted. I had my commuter serviced and a new crankset fitted. I could have ordered the one I wanted offline for 10 pound cheaper then the shop wanted, but would have paid more in fees for installation. I ended up coming out cheaper because I got free work hours due to having bought the parts from them, they were happy, I was happy so in the end good.

themekon

I cant see for the life of me how difficult it can be to do any work on a pushbike your self. Just for fitting parts you hardly need any specialist tools

Ber Nard

What's the general concensus on wheelbuilding? Specifically, taking rims and hubs sourced elsewhere to your LBS and asking them to do the build?

Rob

Pickled Pig

southdownswolf wrote:

k1875 wrote:

The hotel charged me a corking fee for the privilege of serving it though.....

Is that a corking corkage fee or was the wine so bad they charged you to put the corks back in?

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/corkage

rolf_f

jim453 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

jim453 wrote:

It's out of order. No question. How much did you save by sourcing the parts yourself?

Why :?:

They're trying to make a living, like everyone else.

Yep - they are trying to make a living. So if they have any sense, they will take advantage of the OPs business and build his bike up for him making themselves a fair profit on the deal (perhaps a slightly larger one than if he'd bought the components from them but a fair profit all the same). They earn some money and maybe the OP is that impressed with their work that he spends more with them next time.

Or they could turn him away and make no money at all and probably lose a potential customer.

k1875

southdownswolf wrote:

k1875 wrote:

I take it this principled stance extends to your food shopping and you ignore the supermarkets & buy your weekly provisions at the butchers, fruit & veg shop, baker etc ? I trust you've never purchased a CD online or from HMV, or downloaded a song from Itunes or the like since you wouldn't like to see independent record shops lose out on your business ?

Or are bike shops somehow a special case ?

So do you get the supermarket to cook the food for you or do you take it to a local restaurant for them to cook. Or perhaps do you actually cook it yourself?
With the CD that you have bought online, do you then ask the local independant record shop to play it for you? Thought not.

If you buy parts off the internet, do not be surprised if the local shop does not want to fit, whether that be bike shops or any other type.

Personally, I do buy parts off the internet, including ebay, I also buy parts from local bike shops. However, I generally fit them myself as I like to know how things work. If I was to buy parts from the internet and then asked my lbs to fit them for me, then it would not surprise me if I was charged more for the service.

I bought the wine /champagne for my wedding a few years back and it certainly worked out cheaper than the hotel would have charged, it also meant that I could choose the specific wines that I wanted. The hotel charged me a corking fee for the privilege of serving it though.....

Supermarkets primarily sell ingredients, so no I wouldn't expect them to offer a cookery service. Likewise, restaurants typically serve prepared food as a service, so no I wouldn't expect them to accept my ingredients and turn it into a meal. Bikeshops however, typically offer both sales and service, so I don't accept that your comparison is valid.

You bought the wine for your wedding because you wanted a wider choice, at a lower price. The hotel charged a fee for you to do this. If I take parts bought elsewhere (for the same reasons of price and choice) into my LBS, I am quite happy for them to levy a charge to fit them. What I don't expect is to have to put up with a stroppy attitude when I am bringing them business. Just the same, I imagine, as you would not have expected the waiting staff at your wedding to treat you & your guests differently for having sourced your own drinks.