LBS vs discount prices

[Cataboo]

oh yeah? What about the time you need a bolt for your crank and Brian knew exactly what it was and gave it to you for free? Huh? Huh?

That was after he sold me the wrong spoke wrench despite telling him which brand of wheels I have (there's a shimano specific tool)

But that's why I bought a $70 free hub from Brian instead of getting it online.

[ny biker]

I prefer to buy stuff at my LBS whenever I can. Their service is great so I want to support them. I'm pretty sure the owners are not rich. They're a married couple with 2 kids who are very active in the day-to-day management of the their 2 stores, and they opened them because they love cycling. They also are hugely supportive of cycling in the community, including sponsorship of Trips for Kids Metro DC as well as local races and charity rides.

There are plenty of bike shops that are closer to where I live, but they're worth a bit of a drive.

My second favorite place to shop is Team Estrogen, because they also have great service.

[Owlie]

The LBS at home is not somewhere I'd want to spend money, at least, not at the particular store I went to. I went when I was trying to decide between the road bike and a hybrid. The guy looked me up and down and dragged out the hybrid. Yeah.

[Zen]

That was after he sold me the wrong spoke wrench despite telling him which brand of wheels I have (there's a shimano specific tool)

But there's more than one Shimano specific tool. Ammi rite?
I remember talking to him about that

[zia]

I want to like my LBS, but when their prices on accessories are !twice! what I'd pay online, it's difficult to justify shopping there. So I travel two towns over to a place with better prices. And less slimey salespeople. So I guess I'm still shopping "local." Somewhat.

Still, I'd rather have my LBS on the corner than another nail salon or Chinese take-out place. They sponsor many rides and provide support at races. I think our community is better with them here than with them gone.

[Cataboo]

But there's more than one Shimano specific tool. Ammi rite?
I remember talking to him about that

Only one shimano spoke wrench pops up when I google it made by diff brands. Park makes one, it does 4.3 and 4.4 mm. Shimano makes 1 model spoke wrench for their wheel. Nashbar makes 1 model.

Either way, I told them the exact wheel make and model I needed it for. I'm assuming a bike shop somewhere has a handy dandy chart saying which tool to use.

and that's why I usually go to Bike doctor & not bicycle escape when I need something - he did give me a crank bolt. and the bike escape guy when I was asking about riding in the area was telling me to ride baker park. He'd been asking me how much I ride and the rest of that, but maybe I looked too chubby for the mileage I told him I was doing? And while Baker park is nice, it's not something that I'd ride regularly for a workout.

[tulip]

I think there's a misconception about LBS. "Your LBS" does not have to the the closest bike shop to you. I consider any independent bike shop to be an LBS. I go to the ones that I like, not the ones that are closest to me. My favorite is Proteus in College Park, Maryland, but I don't get there much because I live 125 miles away. But if I were in the market for a new bike, I'd go there to get it. Unless I wanted a Surly, then I'd go to the shop nearest my house because they are a Surly dealer. I go there for tubes for my Luna. And I'm going to get my roof rack at another independent shop in town because they stock Thule racks.

The point is that small, independent shops cannot exist without customers.

[Cataboo]

I think there's a misconception about LBS. "Your LBS" does not have to the the closest bike shop to you. I consider any independent bike shop to be an LBS. I go to the ones that I like, not the ones that are closest to me. My favorite is Proteus in College Park, Maryland, but I don't get there much because I live 125 miles away. But if I were in the market for a new bike, I'd go there to get it. Unless I wanted a Surly, then I'd go to the shop nearest my house because they are a Surly dealer. I go there for tubes for my Luna. And I'm going to get my roof rack at another independent shop in town because they stock Thule racks.

The point is that small, independent shops cannot exist without customers.

If I'm in that area, I do grab odds and ends at Proteus.

[Becky]

I'm assuming a bike shop somewhere has a handy dandy chart saying which tool to use.

If there's one out there, no one's showed it to me. Most of the time, we Google it or go to the manufacturer's webpage... The QBP catalog has some good advice on parts and tools as well.

[Cataboo]

If there's one out there, no one's showed it to me. Most of the time, we Google it or go to the manufacturer's webpage... The QBP catalog has some good advice on parts and tools as well.

Oh, I ended up googling it - I was just by the bike shop and figured that since none of the 6 spoke wrenches I had fit these wheels, I'd pop in to see if they had what fit. I figured shimano wheels weren't exactly a rarity or an unsual item. So they sold me some spoke wrench after I'd told them I needed the shimano one and none of mine fit - it didn't fit either, so I ended up buying one from nashbar or something like that.

[Trek420]

The point is that small, independent shops cannot exist without customers.

And our sport can't exist without them, their advice, support and help.

[OakLeaf]

Most of the time, we Google it or go to the manufacturer's webpage...

Just put a caliper on the nipple. You're not always going to know what brand of spokes they used.

[leithh]

I have never felt like I was visiting family at any LBS I have bought bikes at. And while it IS better to support local shops, they just charge outrageous prices. Is supporting the extremely wealthy owner of the LBS where I bought my bike any better than supporting a wealthy owner in another city or state? This guy is loved by many, but disliked by just as large of a contingent. One of my physicians keeps going in there to look at bikes, and he is constantly being shown bikes that cost 10-15K, just because he is a doctor. He stopped looking. I have not experienced any of the special treatment I've read about here at any shop, large, small, family owned, or part of a local chain. Frankly, I am glad I don't have to deal with it, the same way I am glad I don't shop at department stores anymore and deal with them.

My cousin lives in your fair city, Crankin, and I was visiting this past weekend. We drove by a bike shop that, from her description, MUST be your LBS...

[Running Mommy]

Ok, I just have to weigh in here. Hopefully those of you reading this realize that what I am about to write is from life as *I* see it. I'm not nor have I ever (imo) tried to sway people one way or the other... So hopefully I will not get a mailbox full of hate.
Here we go...

I honestly think that there is a place for both Internet shopping sites, and the brick and mortar store. But there is a line there that some people cross, and that's when the lbs folks get cranky.

First the internet. Ok, Susan has brought more to the market for those of us on the plus size that you even know. I have had two different clothing companies, and a wetsuit company tell me that SUSAN O from TE was the reason that they developed their plus size line. Or that she gave them advice. IMO that is huge! Not only is she a savvy biz owner, but she is helping us "adipose tissue" challenged athletes.
And because she has a bit less overhead (I would imagine??) she is able to bring in a lot more inventory than a typical shop ever could. I send women to TE all the time, because I would rather have my inventory dollars go to hardgoods rather than a jersey that may or may not sell.
Also, I may own a bike shop, but I have to watch my pennies. So when you can get Easton bars for less online than I can buy them at wholesale, I'm not going to beat you up for it! In fact I may suggest it to you. There's a group of items out there that you can just find cheaper online, and I understand that and don't mind helping you save a few dollars.
And this is where the BUT comes in....
(and the caveat here is that your lbs is owned by and employs nice people. If they are jerks then all bets are off)

If you do not have a history with the shop. Do not call them and announce straight away "I bought xxxxx on ebay, and I'm trying to install it. Do you have a mechanic that can tell me how.
- My mechanics are certified, and it takes a few thousand dollars to do that. So their expertise is not free. And I pay them by the hour whether they are working on a customers bike or chatting on the phone.

When looking for new components, at least give yourt lbs a chance to earn your business. We try to price match the internet as much as possible, or at least come in the ballpark.
Also personally I will tell you if I know it can be had for less than I pay for it. I may also warn you that the ones you see online are a previous years model with known flaws, or things we see in the shop a lot. A particular crankset comes to mind.

Realize that your local bike shop is keeping at least their family fed, and if they have employees, then there are even more folks you are supporting by giving them your business. And as for the rich absentee owners?? Wow. I've never really run into that in all of the owners I have met the last couple of years. Most are just like me, driving an old used car, and barely paying bills. Poor in the pocketbook, but rich in lifestyle and satisfaction. It is very very tough out there right now. Even the shops that have been around for decades are feeling the pinch. I've talked to more than a few who relied on a yearly bank loan to pay things off and get through the off season. But banks aren't lending as much, and credit lines are being cut. It is not easy even for the vets. So imagine how a rank newbie like me is feeling right now... ugh

Experience. Don't discount the fact that your lbs may have a knowledge in certain areas that could really help you. You can read reviews online all day about xxxx. But if the bike shop see's xxxx in all the time for repair or warranty issues, then they will give you the heads up when you ask their advice. Also if you are changing your drivetrain they may know little things that can help you or hurt you in your choices. Esp. if you are mixing old and new.

But again, there can be a happy balance. I guess I'm basically saying if you have an lbs that is worthy of your business- throw them a bone every once in awhile.
And not all online retailers are huge corporate conglomerates either. TE is the first that comes to mind, as does Trisports. There are more than a few that are a lot like a typical small biz owner, employing folks and helping out in their community. So why not support them as well??

Oh yes, and don't forget the community aspect. I spend a ton of time volunterring my services to schools, prodding the city managers to improve the roads and complete bike lanes, and donating to charities. So if you are civic minded, you may want to take that into account.

Ok to close, as I said in the beginning. Not all bike shops are run like I run my business. In fact that is the REASON I opened a shop in the first place. So if the owner/employees are rude, unhelpful, surly etc. don't give them your business. But I would think that problem would solve itself.
And if the owner seems nice, but the employees leave something to be desired, talk to the owner. I recently had a complaint about my manager for things he did when I was not there. It was delt with swiftly.

But as said, I think we can both exist peacefully.

[Cataboo]

Runningmommy, I think most of us would love to have a shop like yours near us.