Is this normal LBS behavior on pricing?

04-25-2004, 08:03 PM

Hi all:

I am new to biking (at least with bikes that cost more than $100), and
thinking of getting a hybrid bike for tooling around town, maybe to
ride to work, probably some light dirt trail riding. There is a shop
near me that sells two of the brands I've been looking at (Raleigh and
Trek), but when I asked the guy about prices I got a strange response:

"The price on the tag is probably higher than what you'll actually
pay."

The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?
I realize I should support a small bike shop, but there are a couple
other small shops within driving distance (but this one is in riding
distance).

04-25-2004, 08:55 PM

"Jacque_Strapp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?

It's pretty standard in my experience. There are several factors at work
you have to realize. One is that some manufacturers don't like shops
marking their bikes cheaper than list price. I would recommend you find the
shop you're most comfortable with, who take the time to FIT the bike
properly for you and look like they have competent shop staff and pay
whatever they want. Well, try to knock them down a big.. ;-) Believe me,
a proper fit and competent staff are worth the bucks.

Cheers,

Scott..

04-25-2004, 08:55 PM

"Jacque_Strapp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?

It's pretty standard in my experience. There are several factors at work
you have to realize. One is that some manufacturers don't like shops
marking their bikes cheaper than list price. I would recommend you find the
shop you're most comfortable with, who take the time to FIT the bike
properly for you and look like they have competent shop staff and pay
whatever they want. Well, try to knock them down a big.. ;-) Believe me,
a proper fit and competent staff are worth the bucks.

Cheers,

Scott..

04-25-2004, 08:55 PM

"Jacque_Strapp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?

It's pretty standard in my experience. There are several factors at work
you have to realize. One is that some manufacturers don't like shops
marking their bikes cheaper than list price. I would recommend you find the
shop you're most comfortable with, who take the time to FIT the bike
properly for you and look like they have competent shop staff and pay
whatever they want. Well, try to knock them down a big.. ;-) Believe me,
a proper fit and competent staff are worth the bucks.

Cheers,

Scott..

04-25-2004, 08:55 PM

"Jacque_Strapp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?

It's pretty standard in my experience. There are several factors at work
you have to realize. One is that some manufacturers don't like shops
marking their bikes cheaper than list price. I would recommend you find the
shop you're most comfortable with, who take the time to FIT the bike
properly for you and look like they have competent shop staff and pay
whatever they want. Well, try to knock them down a big.. ;-) Believe me,
a proper fit and competent staff are worth the bucks.

Cheers,

Scott..

04-25-2004, 08:55 PM

"Jacque_Strapp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?

It's pretty standard in my experience. There are several factors at work
you have to realize. One is that some manufacturers don't like shops
marking their bikes cheaper than list price. I would recommend you find the
shop you're most comfortable with, who take the time to FIT the bike
properly for you and look like they have competent shop staff and pay
whatever they want. Well, try to knock them down a big.. ;-) Believe me,
a proper fit and competent staff are worth the bucks.

Cheers,

Scott..

04-26-2004, 05:34 AM

Hi Jacque, Yes, this is pretty much normal in just about every bike
you'll walk into. It's nothing to be leery, or afraid of. I
understand what you say how this makes things a bit confusing. Never
be afraid to ask them what thier bottom line price is for anything,
Bikes, Parts, Servicing.

Yes, hybrids/MTB's like Trek/Raliegh can get quite pricey. Easily
exceeding $1,000 in price. I recommend getting a price on a bike you
like, take down its model number, and come home, and at least do some
homework online, or possibly visit another trek/Raliegh dealer in town
if you have one.

If your looking for basic transportaion, in a bike that is not too
shabby, and the prices are very low (less than $200), maybe check out
Wal-Mart?

No, naturally, they are not of Trek, or Raleigh quality, but some
aren't all that bad either for a basic bike. The choice ultimately
has to be yours for what exactly you are looking for. There's pro, and
con in buying a $149 bike versus a better quality bike in the
$300-$500 range. Usually the Wal-Mart quality bikes will have
components that are of much cheaper quality than these better brand
bikes. Things like wheels/tires/saddles brakes/etc.etc.

One thing you won't find at Wal-Mart though, is someone who can help
you when your bike has a problem down the road. If you have no great
knowledge in maintaining, or servicing a bike, then the bike shop will
be a wiser move.

Most, if not all Bike Shops will service/adjust/inspect your bike for
free from when it is first purchased. Some shops will do this up to
one year from date of purchase, and that is a nice plus versus
somewhere like Wal-Mart.

Most bike shops have pretty decent people there, and welcome your
business.
hope this helps, and best of luck, Mark

It doesn't meanJacque_Strapp <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>. ..
> Hi all:
>
> I am new to biking (at least with bikes that cost more than $100), and
> thinking of getting a hybrid bike for tooling around town, maybe to
> ride to work, probably some light dirt trail riding. There is a shop
> near me that sells two of the brands I've been looking at (Raleigh and
> Trek), but when I asked the guy about prices I got a strange response:
>
> "The price on the tag is probably higher than what you'll actually
> pay."
>
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?
> I realize I should support a small bike shop, but there are a couple
> other small shops within driving distance (but this one is in riding
> distance).

04-26-2004, 05:34 AM

Hi Jacque, Yes, this is pretty much normal in just about every bike
you'll walk into. It's nothing to be leery, or afraid of. I
understand what you say how this makes things a bit confusing. Never
be afraid to ask them what thier bottom line price is for anything,
Bikes, Parts, Servicing.

Yes, hybrids/MTB's like Trek/Raliegh can get quite pricey. Easily
exceeding $1,000 in price. I recommend getting a price on a bike you
like, take down its model number, and come home, and at least do some
homework online, or possibly visit another trek/Raliegh dealer in town
if you have one.

If your looking for basic transportaion, in a bike that is not too
shabby, and the prices are very low (less than $200), maybe check out
Wal-Mart?

No, naturally, they are not of Trek, or Raleigh quality, but some
aren't all that bad either for a basic bike. The choice ultimately
has to be yours for what exactly you are looking for. There's pro, and
con in buying a $149 bike versus a better quality bike in the
$300-$500 range. Usually the Wal-Mart quality bikes will have
components that are of much cheaper quality than these better brand
bikes. Things like wheels/tires/saddles brakes/etc.etc.

One thing you won't find at Wal-Mart though, is someone who can help
you when your bike has a problem down the road. If you have no great
knowledge in maintaining, or servicing a bike, then the bike shop will
be a wiser move.

Most, if not all Bike Shops will service/adjust/inspect your bike for
free from when it is first purchased. Some shops will do this up to
one year from date of purchase, and that is a nice plus versus
somewhere like Wal-Mart.

Most bike shops have pretty decent people there, and welcome your
business.
hope this helps, and best of luck, Mark

It doesn't meanJacque_Strapp <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>. ..
> Hi all:
>
> I am new to biking (at least with bikes that cost more than $100), and
> thinking of getting a hybrid bike for tooling around town, maybe to
> ride to work, probably some light dirt trail riding. There is a shop
> near me that sells two of the brands I've been looking at (Raleigh and
> Trek), but when I asked the guy about prices I got a strange response:
>
> "The price on the tag is probably higher than what you'll actually
> pay."
>
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?
> I realize I should support a small bike shop, but there are a couple
> other small shops within driving distance (but this one is in riding
> distance).

04-26-2004, 05:34 AM

Hi Jacque, Yes, this is pretty much normal in just about every bike
you'll walk into. It's nothing to be leery, or afraid of. I
understand what you say how this makes things a bit confusing. Never
be afraid to ask them what thier bottom line price is for anything,
Bikes, Parts, Servicing.

Yes, hybrids/MTB's like Trek/Raliegh can get quite pricey. Easily
exceeding $1,000 in price. I recommend getting a price on a bike you
like, take down its model number, and come home, and at least do some
homework online, or possibly visit another trek/Raliegh dealer in town
if you have one.

If your looking for basic transportaion, in a bike that is not too
shabby, and the prices are very low (less than $200), maybe check out
Wal-Mart?

No, naturally, they are not of Trek, or Raleigh quality, but some
aren't all that bad either for a basic bike. The choice ultimately
has to be yours for what exactly you are looking for. There's pro, and
con in buying a $149 bike versus a better quality bike in the
$300-$500 range. Usually the Wal-Mart quality bikes will have
components that are of much cheaper quality than these better brand
bikes. Things like wheels/tires/saddles brakes/etc.etc.

One thing you won't find at Wal-Mart though, is someone who can help
you when your bike has a problem down the road. If you have no great
knowledge in maintaining, or servicing a bike, then the bike shop will
be a wiser move.

Most, if not all Bike Shops will service/adjust/inspect your bike for
free from when it is first purchased. Some shops will do this up to
one year from date of purchase, and that is a nice plus versus
somewhere like Wal-Mart.

Most bike shops have pretty decent people there, and welcome your
business.
hope this helps, and best of luck, Mark

It doesn't meanJacque_Strapp <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>. ..
> Hi all:
>
> I am new to biking (at least with bikes that cost more than $100), and
> thinking of getting a hybrid bike for tooling around town, maybe to
> ride to work, probably some light dirt trail riding. There is a shop
> near me that sells two of the brands I've been looking at (Raleigh and
> Trek), but when I asked the guy about prices I got a strange response:
>
> "The price on the tag is probably higher than what you'll actually
> pay."
>
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?
> I realize I should support a small bike shop, but there are a couple
> other small shops within driving distance (but this one is in riding
> distance).

04-26-2004, 05:34 AM

Hi Jacque, Yes, this is pretty much normal in just about every bike
you'll walk into. It's nothing to be leery, or afraid of. I
understand what you say how this makes things a bit confusing. Never
be afraid to ask them what thier bottom line price is for anything,
Bikes, Parts, Servicing.

Yes, hybrids/MTB's like Trek/Raliegh can get quite pricey. Easily
exceeding $1,000 in price. I recommend getting a price on a bike you
like, take down its model number, and come home, and at least do some
homework online, or possibly visit another trek/Raliegh dealer in town
if you have one.

If your looking for basic transportaion, in a bike that is not too
shabby, and the prices are very low (less than $200), maybe check out
Wal-Mart?

No, naturally, they are not of Trek, or Raleigh quality, but some
aren't all that bad either for a basic bike. The choice ultimately
has to be yours for what exactly you are looking for. There's pro, and
con in buying a $149 bike versus a better quality bike in the
$300-$500 range. Usually the Wal-Mart quality bikes will have
components that are of much cheaper quality than these better brand
bikes. Things like wheels/tires/saddles brakes/etc.etc.

One thing you won't find at Wal-Mart though, is someone who can help
you when your bike has a problem down the road. If you have no great
knowledge in maintaining, or servicing a bike, then the bike shop will
be a wiser move.

Most, if not all Bike Shops will service/adjust/inspect your bike for
free from when it is first purchased. Some shops will do this up to
one year from date of purchase, and that is a nice plus versus
somewhere like Wal-Mart.

Most bike shops have pretty decent people there, and welcome your
business.
hope this helps, and best of luck, Mark

It doesn't meanJacque_Strapp <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>. ..
> Hi all:
>
> I am new to biking (at least with bikes that cost more than $100), and
> thinking of getting a hybrid bike for tooling around town, maybe to
> ride to work, probably some light dirt trail riding. There is a shop
> near me that sells two of the brands I've been looking at (Raleigh and
> Trek), but when I asked the guy about prices I got a strange response:
>
> "The price on the tag is probably higher than what you'll actually
> pay."
>
> The implication being they are open to haggling. That kind of makes
> comparison shopping impossible, even between different models in that
> store. Is this acceptable behavior, or should I look for another shop?
> I realize I should support a small bike shop, but there are a couple
> other small shops within driving distance (but this one is in riding
> distance).