It's important to note that to this day MEC remains a cooperative. It offers good working conditions to its employees and generally works hard to conduct business ethically. Items there are priced fairly, not cheaply.

Unlike REI, you HAVE to be a MEC member to buy at MEC. ($5 share)

When MEC polled its members, I indicated that I was strongly against having them carrying bikes, primarily because I do think it will hurt the local retailers. However, I'm starting to change my mind, and I find the recent communications of the Canadian bad industry to be in bad faith, especially with regards to cycling accessories. Most widely available non-MEC products, unfortunately, are very poor design and quality compared to what MEC offers, and MEC's price point is very reasonable. The comparison to Wal-Mart kills their point in my opinion: seriously comparing MEC to Wal-mart?? Who do they think they are kidding?

When I shop for a touring bike in the coming months, I will seriously consider MEC bikes, although at first glance I don't think they'll fit the bill of what I'm looking for. But I'm really hoping that a chunk of the business will move from real big-box stores (like Walmart) to MEC. I don't think it's the LBS's business that will suffer.

Off my soapbox.