LBS vs discount prices

[blackhillsbiker]

I got a new bike recently and I've recently had some accessories put onto it. I could've gotten them quite a bit cheaper on Amazon or some such place, but I've heard it is tough to get things onto a disc brake bike. The LBS guy (it's a small shop, just the owner and one employee) put them on for me with no labor charges. Also put my Topeak rack and Ergon bars onto the new bike with no charge. Am I crazy, in this economy wherein we are all pinching pennies until they scream, to pay more. In my mind, I'm glad the shop is there (the other dedicated bike shop in town is terrible, and the only other one is a department in a large sporting goods store), so I feel like I should support him when I can.

Deb

[Tri Girl]

You're not crazy, Deb. My bike shop feeds a lot of employee's families, so I shop there most often. Plus- if he goes out of business- I'm screwed because it's the only shop in the city that I truly trust.
Now, I DID just buy a new cassette online because it was about $80 cheaper than the bike shop, and I bought tires online because my shop doesn't sell them and said he probably couldn't order them . Other than a few random things, I buy mostly from him.
Supporting our local shops not only helps small business owners, it helps your local economy. I'm all about that!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I buy from the LBS and it has paid off. I hadn't bought a bike from them but this summer when I bought my mountain bike they ordered and expensive model they do not stock and required no deposit or obligation to buy. This gave me a lot of piece of mind and since I ride a small size it is not something they could sell easily. I also get a lot of small labor for free and discounted labor. I could get things cheaper online but having a good relationship with the LBS never hurts.

Now I don't go there for clothes but they don't stock a lot of women's clothing I like.

[MartianDestiny]

No you aren't crazy.

Occasionally I will buy something online on an impulse. Normally because it's severely discounted (over 50% off).

When I need something or am saving for something I go to my local shop. By the time I factor in the added shipping cost + some value for my time and headache to get it all working (assuming it's parts) + the 15% discount off everything in the shop (club discount) the shop isn't any more expensive. Plus they are awesome people and my bike always runs flawlessly (something I doubt I could achieve myself).

The last thing I bought online (and the only thing this year, excepting some shorts I got from REIoutlet at an absurd deal) was actually 2 TE jerseys, because I liked them and obviously I wasn't going to get them at the local shop. Everything else has been ordered through the local guys. I haven't felt like I've been had or could have gotten it ridiculously cheaper somewhere else yet.

[blackhillsbiker]

He did tweak my stem height, and give her a "mini tune-up" while he had her there to put the fenders on. I'm worried about all our local favorite shops. They can't deeply discount like the big box stores do, but they know their customers and merchandise. Their expertise can't be replaced. I'm afraid we're losing them to better prices and less service/knowledge.

Deb

[KnottedYet]

I love my LBS. I'll usually look for stuff online, window shopping. Then I go to the LBS to buy it. If they don't have it, I ask them to order it for me. A couple times they've said they couldn't get me something, but they've offered something else which made me just as happy.

I don't mind the wait for ordered things; since I'd be waiting if I ordered them myself anyway. I don't mind paying a bit more because their economic survival is important to me. They get to make a profit, I get my goodie, and if I have a problem with the item they help me.

And I give them beer...

Feel the love!