Q on negotiating with local bike shop

joah

I was just wondering about the etiquette around negotiating a price with ones local bike shop.

I spoke to mine about the bike I'm interested in and they're ordering it in for me to demo now. Before they did that, I mentioned that I'd seen the bike on sale at various shops on the net (it's a 2024 model) and asked if they'd match that price. They said they could come close but might be £1-200 or so over. I said ok as I'm happy to support them. However in the meantime prices have come down more - I'm now seeing the bike at one place for nearly a grand less.

With the bike now on order for demo, I feel bad about going back to them again with a lower price request. However a grand is a very significant price difference.

Any thoughts on the protocol here?

Thanks,

Josh

veronese68

You could be straight with them and explain the situation and offer to pay them for the time and trouble of getting the bike in for you. That could be a win/win as you save something (although not quite as much) and they make something. It's worth keeping them onside in case you need their help in future.

gethinceri

Tell them it’s x price elsewhere and ask them to match it.

They need to secure your business, not you theirs.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Sounds like they have already indicated their ceiling so unlikely they will knock several hundred quid more off.

Personally, I would try and have a final negotiation on price before the demo arrives. If they get the bike in, you try it and then go elsewhere to buy it doesn't look the best. I appreciate others will tske a different view though.

I would also factor in the benefit of a good relationship with an LBS, particularly if something goes wrong. I bought a new bike last year, paid a bit more to buy it locally compared to online. The frame has had to be replaced under warranty, also had a couple of mechanical issues with disc brakes. All fixed easily and at no cost to me as (the mechanical issues were not warranty and they could have charged me but didn't). For me, this has easily outweighed the extra I would have saved buying online.

slowmart

Communication is key. As you’ve stated you would like to support your local bike shop but you also need to get a good deal.

most shops are stuck with 2024 stock and should get sort of support from their UK distributor in this situation.

you might end up paying a bit more but ensuring your LBS is still around for servicing or warranty claims is also a consideration

joah

MidlandsGrimpeur2: Personally, I would try and have a final negotiation on price before the demo arrives.

Yeah was thinking that except I think it's coming Tuesday now and I've only just seen prices lowered again over the weekend.

MidlandsGrimpeur2: For me, this has easily outweighed the extra I would have saved buying online.

Agree, although two points: 1\ one of the places is another LBS (although part of a chain); 2\ if it was just one or two online places then yes, one is always going to find someone selling cheaper online somewhere. However in this instance a simple Google search for the bike shows most places are now selling it at least a few hundred pounds cheaper - so it's not like I'm cherry picking one random online dealer.

slowmart: Communication is key. As you’ve stated you would like to support your local bike shop but you also need to get a good deal.

I think in conclusion, given the fact that so many other shops are now selling for a fair bit less, it's reasonable for me to point this out and see what they'll do. As it happens, I need to buy other kit like a new helmet etc. so perhaps there's room for them to offer a discount on those items, if they can't/won't go lower on the bike.

Thanks all.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21093010#Comment_21093010

Yeah, nothing wrong with having an honest discussion on price. I think the only real issue is with people who want to demo bikes with a shop but know they are going elsewhere to buy. You aren't doing this, so I don't see any issue, your intention is to buy from them if you can get to a good price.

FWIW, based on rrp and the online discounts you found, I'd personally decide on a price you were happy to pay and ask if they can get to that. IME I have never had a bike shop turn round and say no when I've done this.

joah

Thanks, will let y'all know what transpires...

joah

Ugh well this has all got bogged down.

So LBS ordered the bike for demo. The wrong size was delivered (XL, so really too big for me to even try) so they sent it back, only the couriers lost it. Scott won't send a new bike out for demo until they get the other one back, or get reimbursed by the courier.

In the meantime, because it's the 'old' 2024 model, it's now selling out everywhere, and the places which had it on significant discount (see OP) have sold out. The LBS can't tell me when another one will be sent by Scott and the most they can say is that they'll ask Scott to put one on hold, though don't seem to have any hard confirmation that it's been done.

I can only find one or two other places which are selling it still and they're quite far away. My only choice to be sure is just to go travel to one of them and get it, or leave it. Annoyingly the 2025 model has had a significant price increase for no real upgrade in spec. Meh.

daniel_b

I'd definitely travel - always feel it is worth it for purchases such as this, expensive bikes, vehicles etc.

I'd be tempted to try and make a day or weekend out of it, if you can find one in stock somewhere nice in the country, drive up there, get an airbnb, see the bike, hopefully buy it, and have a nice day/weekend out from your time there.

joah

Definitely - alas I've got a tonne of family commitments taking up the weekends (3 young boys) and work during the week - but will try make the time - as you say it's a significant purchase.

daniel_b

Ah ok, a large young family will make that massively difficult then, I appreciate that entirely!

Maybe book a day off to travel?

joah

Yeah, might have to!

Munsford0

Last time I asked my LBS if they could do a discount on a bike they said a flat no, but did dangle the vague carrot of reduced price accessories, kit etc. Same bike was available a lot cheaper at several other places.

In the end I went to a shop on the other side of the country. The LBS subsequently went bust...

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Any updates Josh?

From my experience of buying Scott bikes, they operate a slightly different system to other manufacturers I believe. I don't think they put bikes on hold, it is open to the dealer network and is someone nabs it before then you are stuffed. If you have not already done so, and can make time to travel, that is what I would do as per Dan B's suggestion.

As 2025 models are due soon your chances of grabbing a 2024 model will be getting lower by the week. Incidentally Scott did that with my spark, I grabbed the 2021 model, the next year the exact same spec was £2000 more expensive!

joah

Hi, so funnily the bike shop said they were able to get one put on hold. In the meantime there seems to be some internal argument at Scott about sending the demo bike (from what I can gather the sales rep wants to send it but HQ don't). Sales rep has been away on honeymoon though so will have to wait til next week to get an update.

I think I will still try go to another shop and get there as it feels safer - just need to try find the time - not been possible to take time off this week or weekend. Hopefully can do next week.

Re the price hikes - it's crazy. I keep seeing articles from the likes of Guy Kesteven about the troubles of the MTB industry but surely things can't be helped by the constant increases of bike prices (I'm sure costs have gone up but surely not by that much?)

MidlandsGrimpeur2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21096372#Comment_21096372

That's good, when I bought my last bike, Scott wouldn't hold it, the shop had to buy it in. Luckily they were happy to do so and give me first refusal on it. Perhaps they have eased up their policy a bit.

Good luck with it!

steve_sordy

@joah

Hi Joah, you tried to get in touch with me recently, but this Forum seems to be doing its best to frustrate me answering you. It won't allow me access to my notifications. and it won't allow me to send a reply to your note. I sent a reply to one of your posts, but I can't now find it, not even the message you sent originally!

Resend your last message please.

joah

@steve_sordy I've replied. For some reason it's created multiple versions of our conversation, some without the latest messages. The PM function on this forum is completely... banjaxed.

If you click on the mail symbol and try clicking through a few messages, hopefully you'll find the right thread. My last message is my email addy - probably better to continue by email.

steve_sordy

Not seen themessage with your email.