Is it ok to buy online rather than from my local bike shop?

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Comments

  • Tashman
    Tashman Posts: 3,497
    My LBS is a diamond. I can't afford all the high end stuff and he understands that completely. he's happy to talk to me about needs and advise accordingly, even sold me hid own training wheel for what I thought was very good value after I'd spoken to him about otions for a cheap wheel.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    Veronese68 wrote:
    Ok just to clarify 1 thing, this guy is a nice lad and tries to give the best deals he can but it's just that my budget doesn't suit the price of bikes he has to offer. I would hate to see him go out of business and I do buy the small stuff from him.
    In which case it should be fine and I'm sure he will understand.

    He will understand. He will have been trading in this environment for years by now and will know how it has to be for it to work for him.

    The most successful LBS are those which engage with the local community and are part of the cycling scene. There is a whole load of customers who know naff all about bike maintenance and are happy to pay the going rate for repairs and servicing. There is also a decent margin on the small stuff so if he can sell a reasonable amount then there is a living to be made.

    I doubt anyone will make a fortune though.