what would you do?

[inatree]

well, i found the perfect bike for me, but...
when i test rode it a week ago they said it would be on sale this weekend...
i came back today, and they said that its not on sale, its one of their "no sale bikes."
well, technically i have enought to get it, but it means i wont have ANY $ left over....(to buy goodies for the bike)
so...what would you do?

they said they would take the tax off but thats it. grrr...

[KSH]

I would buy the bike. I know for me, I rarely find the *perfect* anything... and everytime I have found something I *love* and I think that I will keep looking, I always go back to that orginal item. Unfortunately, sometimes it is gone.

If you really love it, get it. You can find a way to get the goodies later. Maybe sell some items you don't use/need anymore or save some money from paychecks.

Also, if you really need shorts, I would even be willing to send you some of my old Cannondales. They are nice, but the padding is a little thin, but will certainly work for 10-20 mile bike rides. Not perfect stuff... but FREE!

[pooks]

What bike is it? Tell us, so we can drool, too!

And what a runaround, telling you to wait for the sale when it's not on sale. I'd be inclined to push that point, but it sounds like you already have if they're offering to knock off the sales tax.

[SouthernBelle]

Yes, We must know what the bike is!

[Bluetree]

I'd call around other LBSs and see if they have the same bike/same size and ask if they will beat that price.
Some LBS owners may see a discounted bike as a loss leader. They lose a bit up front, but they gain much more in the long run by getting a long-term and happy customer.
Couldn't hurt to try.

Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

Also, if they aren't charging you tax, you are getting a discount of whatever your tax rate is: 6%, 7%, whatever. It's not huge, but it's something.

Let us know what you decide!

Emily

[fatbottomedgurl]

This time of year bike manufacturers are blowing out all their 2006 inventory so I say call around if the LBS doesn't stay true to their word. Another store might order it for you for the year-end sale price.

[velogirl]

I've been working in a bike shop for four years. The only shops that have year-end sales (or any regular sales) are the shops that inflate their prices in the first place, so you're not really getting a discount.

The margin on bikes is very small. Dealers make a much better margin on clothing and accessories. It's very tough for a dealer to discount a bike, especially the higher end ones (the margin is smaller on the more expensive bikes than on the less expensive ones).

A bike is a bike is a bike, whether it's a 2007, 2006, 2005. Many models don't even change that much from season to season. And some prior-year models are better (especially component choices) that the new models. All you'll see at this time of year is low inventory while the dealers are waiting for the 2007s to trickle in.

Don't make a significant purchase like a bike because you're going to save a few bucks. Make that decision based on the shop -- is it a shop you want to develop a long-term relationship with? And base your decision on the bike -- is this the bike that absolutely rocks your world (fit, color, component choices, etc).

ps -- how do you spell trickle?

[inatree]

well i will most likely get the bike anyway, ive decided since its been so hard to find something that actually fits, to not pass this up. its a trek 1000 road bike, 2006 (i'm a newbie to road bikes). its expensive but i think its worth it
($700)

[Bikingmomof3]

well i will most likely get the bike anyway, ive decided since its been so hard to find something that actually fits, to not pass this up. its a trek 1000 road bike, 2006 (i'm a newbie to road bikes). its expensive but i think its worth it
($700)

I *love* my Trek 1000. My husband also bought a Trek 1000 and gave his old Trek 800 MTB to our oldest son. The bike store we settled on (actually found via word of mouth) is awesome and they get all of our business. They do not put their bikes on sale, yet I find their prices quite reasonable-example, my 2006 Trek 1000 was $650.

[inatree]

well, after calling everywhere and getting nowhere, i went back, and got the trek anyway. but their size was too small, and i'm glad i insisted they check the size even tho they were busy and didnt really want to, because it was too small. so i ordered the next size up, they did a no tax sale and added a water bottle, bottle cage, and one of those computers that tells you speed and distance. i'm satisfied, its what i really wanted anyway. i just had a feeling i needed the next size up. the hardest part now is WAITING!!!

[pooks]

Soun ds like you got a great deal! I hope your bike gets there soon.

[mimitabby]

well, after calling everywhere and getting nowhere, i went back, and got the trek anyway. but their size was too small, and i'm glad i insisted they check the size even tho they were busy and didnt really want to, because it was too small. so i ordered the next size up, they did a no tax sale and added a water bottle, bottle cage, and one of those computers that tells you speed and distance. i'm satisfied, its what i really wanted anyway. i just had a feeling i needed the next size up. the hardest part now is WAITING!!!
well, THAT is good news! I am glad you got a few extras!

m

[inatree]

oh, i forgot to mention this, but i'm not driving right now and i rode my other bike to the bike shop (an elektra cruiser) and left it parked in front of the store while i was in there, and its missing one of its handlebar grips. after finishing my business, i came back out to my bike to find a little tag around a new grip which said "have a new grip - the grip fairy"
i went back in and asked them who did that, and i suspect it was the weird guy who kept smiling at me who was in the back (i live in santa cruz, its very common for weird people to smile at you) i said thanks and i left. i dont know, its always those real little things that i remember most. i thought it was sweet. :)