LBS Loyalty ???

[Geonz]

If the LBS doesn't **have** what I want... then they're not serving their market, me. I might make a point of going in and asking "do you have any other women's shoes?" so that they know the market is there.

However, if I have to pay a bit more than at the discount Nashbar catalogue, I'll do it, at least to a point.

I also won't go there for advice on stuff... and then walk out and order it online. That's just cheesy, IMHO... I save enough on the petrol to be able to support them a bit.

[CorsairMac]

My LBS knows it can't carry everything for everyone and has recommended another LBS or an online shop where I can find whatever it is I'm looking for. Because of their willingness to help me find what I need, and their honesty about why they can't carry it (small shop, trying to keep inventory/overhead down) I will Always go to them first. Even if I don't end up buying from them. They also know - they'll be the first place I come to if I ever buy a new non-custom bike, and they take care of all my bikes rather I purchased it from them or not. As a trade-off, they take care of me!

[li10up]

If the LBS doesn't **have** what I want... then they're not serving their market, me. I might make a point of going in and asking "do you have any other women's shoes?" so that they know the market is there.

However, if I have to pay a bit more than at the discount Nashbar catalogue, I'll do it, at least to a point.

I also won't go there for advice on stuff... and then walk out and order it online. That's just cheesy, IMHO... I save enough on the petrol to be able to support them a bit.

I agree with you totally. In my situation, small town, only one LBS it makes sense for me to support them as much as I can. Otherwise, if they go out of business there is nobody there to help me when I need it. I wish I could do better but changing a flat is about the best I can do right now.