Q on negotiating with local bike shop
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
Comments
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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.
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Tell them it’s x price elsewhere and ask them to match it.
They need to secure your business, not you theirs.
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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.
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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
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring”
Desmond Tutu1 -
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.
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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.
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Thanks, will let y'all know what transpires...
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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.
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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.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 181 -
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.
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Ah ok, a large young family will make that massively difficult then, I appreciate that entirely!
Maybe book a day off to travel?
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
Yeah, might have to!
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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...
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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!
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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?)
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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!
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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.
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@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.
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Not seen themessage with your email.
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Well just to give an update on this saga, the LBS kept saying they were chasing Scott but never seemed to have an update - I'm pretty sure they hadn't moved fast enough and it had sold out, but they didn't want to tell me. I wasn't able to make it to Scott's larger dealer (Pedalon) before they sold out in my size.
For context it was a Scott Spark RC I was interested in.
Although I'd been set on a Spark for a while, someone suggested I take a look at the Specialized Epic 8, a comparable 120mm XC bike. I wasn't sure on the sizing as at 5'10" I seem to fall in the middle of M / L, but found a main dealer not too far from me (Ruislip - London). They had both sizes in store, which was a pleasant surprise, given previous experience, and were very helpful. They also agreed to price match as I'd seen the bike at fairly big discount somewhere else fairly locally.
So I was very excited to finally find a bike (I've been riding an old hardtail for years, and for one reason or another, just not been able to get round to getting a new bike until now). Except I go to order it last week and when I go to sort out my cycle-to-work scheme vouchers, my company tells me I can't submit the request until the end of the month. Ok, I think, I'd have liked it for the holidays but it's not the end of the world. I tell the shop and they grumble a bit as they'll have to hold on to the bike for a few weeks now, but it's fine. Then I learn that although I can submit the request at the end of the month, it won't get processed until first week Feb, and then I won't receive the vouchers for a few weeks after that! So looking at mid-Feb.
In the grand scheme of things, having waited years, another month or two, in mid-winter, isn't going to make a big difference. I need to tell the bike shop though and doubt they'll be happy. Maybe I'll offer to pay a refundable deposit for them to hold the bike for me, until the vouchers come through.
One day, people...
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Definitely pay a refundable deposit.
When I bought my Scott Gravel bike (From the truly excellent Balfe's bikes) they requested a 10% deposit to hold the order, and this was refunded when I sent through my vouchers - this was in the days when there was no stock though, so I didn't end up getting the bike until I had paid off 3/4 of it 🤣
Thinking of going with Balfe's again next year to order a Brompton G-Line.
What a shame you can't get the Scott you wanted :-(
I hope you love the Spesh, and it treats you well.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 182 -
That's a shame regards the Scott. I did wonder when you said the bike shop would just order one in without any payment/deposit. As you suggest, I am sure Scott sold it to another dealer who paid up front for it.
The Spesh will be a great bike though. When I got my Spark I had the chance to buy an ultra top spec Epic at a ridiculous saving but it just seemed like a bit too much bike for my rather basic MTB experience!
I know waiting can be a pain, but as you say a few more months when you have already waited years won't do any harm.
Enjoy your new bike when it arrives!
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Re Balfe's, they were the store with the Spesh on discount that the Spesh retailer said they' match.
I actually went to them first and they were helpful but they didn't have either M or L size in stock and would only order one at a time - and there was some other odd complication. I'd have worked through it with them but when I called the Specialized store they had both sizes in, in both colour schemes, so it made sense just to go to them.
I didn't realise that's how it worked. I think the LBS was trying to get hold of a demo bike and would then order one in if I liked it, or something like that. If I'd known the process I'd have just offered to put down a deposit to order one in - lesson learnt for future!
Btw, not to get ahead of my skis, but in looking at chain lube and degreaser, it seems like there are lots of good options, with reviews all having different favourites. Any opinions/advice here on which to get?
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Yes, lots of opinions, so many that you’re probably better off either guessing or just following the first suggestion you read!
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