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Hey, my Visa just did a bike push-up tonight! It just has to hold it until the bill comes (I know I couldn't do it, but I have confidence in the power of plastic). It's a Jamis Xenith Pro, and is she (the first bike I've ever had that was definitely a she, despite her non-WSD design) SCHWEEEEEET! :D
Now, who can I find around here to buy my Trek 5200? Big triathlon here this weekend - guess I'll slap a for sale sign on it and take it for a ride on the car. That would sure take some of the sting out of this purchase.
Sounds like Jamis is going up 20%, according to the shop.
so should i get my DH that new 07 Volpe ??
now I'm all awash w/anxiety...:p
credit card needs exercise???
maybe so.
I keep one card as a back up in case of emergency. It's never used. stays in my safe deposit box. It's been flat lined since the day I got the card. just the other day, I got a letter from Chase bank. "due to inactivity of the card... WE ARE CANCELLING YOUR ACCOUNT!" Suprise that :D Sure, I'm a bad girl for not using the card :p.
a LBS who carries the Look has a 12 month interest free credit for buying anything over $$. Financially, this makes sense since I do have the money and I can earn about 5%/year. Instead of spending it now I can earn the 5% then pay off the bike on 1 day before the end of 12 month.This way, it will be interest free loan. :cool:
Same thing with car dealers. It piqued my interest. interest free for xx month, and $3,000 less on sticker... Again borrow interest free and let my money make interest income then when the note starts bearing interest, pay it off. :cool: :D
Still, I really can't justify spending money on Look 595?? Or buying another car. I have a car and just had it serviced. It still runs like a charm at 200,200 some odd miles. I think I can squeeze another 75,000 miles out of it. Then its to the scrap metal yard to be recycled.
I need to get back on my bike....:o
Smilingcat
Sadly, I'm flip-flopping on my previous stance. Got home last night to find my lease renewal in the mail from my landlord. Rent's going up $75/mo:( Considering I still have one more credit card to pay off, it doesn't seem right to spend the money on a bike right now. Rent's up, car insurance is up, and I have to believe it's going to cost more to heat the place this winter. That's a lot of spare change to try to find under the cushions. Oh well, I'll just have to ride the bike I have and be content with that. Damn, I hate when I'm responsible!
How much do you think these prices reflect actual costs vs. jacking up the prices because of increasing demand? 30% increases seem like jacked-up pricing to me, at least in part.
At the low end it seems crucial to keep the cost down to get people to buy from their LBS instead of Wal-Mart. Those folks that buy at the LBS and then get good service may be buyers of better bikes down the road. People also sometimes get 'branded.' Buy a Trek commuter, then get a Trek road bike, etc.
My guess is that this "part" is quite low.
Commodities have gone up big time recently. As others pointed out, bikes are made of energy-intensive materials (steel, aluminum) and require transportation from far away (or high labour costs if they are made nearby). Energy certainly has gone up 30% in the last 12-18 months... Demand is part of the equation, but only a small part I am sure.