Shopping is different at a LBS

[Trek420]

Think of the price as a carbon offset. The Norwegians are saving the planet by drinking beer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1Lg...eature=related

That's because it's too cold in Trondhiem to have much of a choice of bike shops. So Norwegians (unless they're Ducks DH who almost bikes year round) cant ride year round. They have to fly to the US to get much of a choice in gear or shops.

And why quibble about the price of beer when health care and education are free?

Duck, do you need a self inflating mattress pad for ALC? Do you want to use mine? Sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought of that while cleaning and if I don't mention it I'll forget.

[wackyjacky1]

I work at a bakery, so I occasionally bring 'em fresh-baked goods. The first time I brought them cookies, it was like a swarm of hungry locusts were descending on me: "What's that?" "What's in the box?" "This one's mine." "Save one for me." Etc., etc.

(Not to mention, I've found that if you bring cookies, your service issue gets prioritized. )

[sfa]

Oh, that's too funny! My BIL will love that Michael Moore clip.

But the education and health care aren't free for them, not being Norwegian and only being temporary residents, so they're getting hit with a double whammy with healthcare--their US plan doesn't cover them abroad so they had to buy a second emergency-only plan for the time that they're there.

My BIL is regretting leaving his homebrew supplies at home!

Sarah

[Duck on Wheels]

Think of the price as a carbon offset. The Norwegians are saving the planet by drinking beer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1Lg...eature=related

That's because it's too cold in Trondhiem to have much of a choice of bike shops. So Norwegians (unless they're Ducks DH who almost bikes year round) cant ride year round. They have to fly to the US to get much of a choice in gear or shops.

And why quibble about the price of beer when health care and education are free?

Duck, do you need a self inflating mattress pad for ALC? Do you want to use mine? Sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought of that while cleaning and if I don't mention it I'll forget.

Wouldn't your thermarest be about a foot too short for me I think DH has an extra length one. I hope he won't need it for a few weeks.

As for the beer, I'm thinking of picking some up at the tax-free somewhere along the way. Cheeper than at the local grocery store, not to mention the cost of drinking at a bar or restaurant here . (And no, unfortunately, I don't think it's any cheaper in Oslo, especially if you're looking for Mack beer from Tromsø, which I think is better than the Oslo brewery, Ringnes.) Anyway, it wouldn't be in the unpressurized baggage hold. It would be a carry-on item, in an airport-security accepted sealed plastic bag with the airport tax-free shop receipt showing through. Or at least, accepted by airport security here in Europe. Hmmm. I'd have to ask first if they're accepted in the US, which has rules unto its own on many aspects of airport security. Homemade cookies are not a security or safety issue, but would be crumbs by the time I arrived. Marzipan would work, though. There are Easter shapes available now. I could go to the little bakery that makes the cutest ones and pick some up. Do you think the guys in the LBS like marzipan? And I'll bring more GF crackerbread for Knott, even if they do arrive broken and crumbled. She says even crumbs are better than none of those crackers at all.

[Trek420]

True, there's the height thing on the Thermarest. I am your "scale model" Better look for tent decor.

Do you Yelp? Your independent LBS needs you. Larger companies, big box stores, bike manufacturer themed stores (the shops that all look the same, even their websites) have arrangements with advertisers, even their own writers to post adds in social networking/review sites like Yelp and keep them on the top of the list. I'm not going to start in about Yelp, that's another thread or discussion group.

If you like your LBS, write about it! Say so.