LBS and component change

[Batbike]

This is long ... I apologize but hope to hear your response to situation!

I decided to change my crank. I went on-line and looked at options, pricing, etc. I talked to a few cycling friends to get opinions. After all this I was still confused about what would be the best crank for my situation. So, I contacted my LBS. I decided to value their opinion and choose whatever they recommended (they are the professionals!).

Well, LBS was first insulted because they thought I would take their advice and use it go on-line to buy and install myself. I found that interesting because I have NEVER done that before -- if I bought on-line and installed myself I would not involve LBS; if I asked them for help, I gave them the business. So, by asking I intended to give them the business. I just wanted to buy the best crank the first time around and have installed correctly the first time around -- I did not want to take the time to fool with it myself, eventhough I could do it, it was just more work than I feel like fooling with. Maybe they knew I could do it myself ... maybe someone recently "burned them" by asking questions and giving their business to someone else ... maybe I need to work on my relationship with my LBS. Anyway, we worked it out and everybody apologized and they gave me their cost for part and installation.

Now the problem. I was not expecting the least expensive price for the crank but I was expecting some sort of discount -- like buy from us and get installation free or reduced; or 10% off (standard discount for club members). However, they did not offer anything -- just MSRP and standard installation cost. I wanted competitive pricing, not through the roof pricing! This will cost be almost $100 over my budget and close to $175 over what I would save if I bought on-line and installed myself or even bought on-line and had them install -- both options I cannot do now because I ASKED.

I am very disappointed. I believe they offered no discount because of the initial misunderstanding -- my inability to communicate and their perspective based on how I asked (I can see their point and mad at myself for how I approached them to begin with. I showed them my on-line research, which included various cranks and prices and asked if they would recommend any of them? Yes, it was bad because I never explained that I would order from them what they recommended ... I just assumed they would know). I feel bad they got the wrong impression, especially when I was talking big bucks, but I also feel that because it is big bucks they don't need to maximize their profit because they feel "used or misunderstood", two words they used during our miscommunication issues, and completely off-the-wall as far as where I was coming from.

I don't know what to do: Buy from them and eat the additional costs; ask for a discount; not change crank because I cannot afford to do it? At this point, I don't feel like buying it on-line and having installation done by me or someone else is an option, and it was not what I wanted to do to begin with. It stinks, because I feel like I am being tested when I had no intention of taking a test.

Interested in what you would do? I know, you probably wouldn't be stupid enough to get yourself in this position to begin with, but your help would be appreciated!

[KnottedYet]

I just changed my crank on Monday, so I'm with you there.

Can you tell the LBS that you just can't afford what they've quoted you?

I got mine done (parts and labor for $50 total) cheaply because I got used parts, but otherwise there's no way I could've afforded it. And finding an 8 spd double crank isn't so easy anymore.

Are there any used parts you could take advantage of?

[Batbike]

knott-- i doubt the used parts is an option, unless i bought somewhere else besides LBS. yep, i think i will just have to tell them i can't afford what they recommended, which wasn't even on my initial list to begin with ... i guess i will just stick with what i have because i feel like IF i did anything outside of the LBS i am screwed, for lack of a better term.

mabye in time ...

thanks for you reply!

[Blueberry]

I think I'm with Knotted on this - just tell them you anticipated it would be less expensive and you can't afford it.

Any chance of finding another LBS? Seriously, if that's their attitude, you may have larger problems. Just a thought...

[Batbike]

yes, i just told them i couldn't afford it via email since that is how they sent me the quote ... there really isn't anything else i could do!

i will just stick with the crank i have and let this "pass" ... hoping that in time i can come-up with an alternative solution that won't make everybody mad ... can't afford for LBS to "black ball" me -- only 2 shops in town and the other specializes in mountain bikes and I am a roadie.

[Blueberry]

Take it somewhere out of town and have had a "mechanical" while on a long ride? (I'm grasping at straws....)

I really wish LBS's would "get" it. Mine does. They love my bikes. They're friendly. I buy them beer. They show me the cool stuff they're doing with their bikes. They used to not be this way - they've actually expanded a little (4 stores under 1 owner now), and have a *great* bunch of wrenches

[Batbike]

Take it somewhere out of town and have had a "mechanical" while on a long ride? (I'm grasping at straws....)

I really wish LBS's would "get" it. Mine does. They love my bikes. They're friendly. I buy them beer. They show me the cool stuff they're doing with their bikes. They used to not be this way - they've actually expanded a little (4 stores under 1 owner now), and have a *great* bunch of wrenches

hmmmmmmmm ... can you have a crank mechanical failure?! the trick will be to have it EXACTLY in front of the DISCOUNT BIKE PARTS CRANK STORE SPECIALIST STORE -- who could deny my need?!