LBS reasonable markup - Page 11 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-14-2004, 08:55 AM

Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
order.

The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
consumerism?
I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through mailorder.
Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
service.
Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not go
personally to the local florist or candy shop?
Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns have
just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
shopping trip.
How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned coffee
shop? The list goes on and on.

"Keith Vetter" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:b811ab79.0406110833.7d35fc62@posting.google.c om...
> I'm all in favor of supporting local bike shops (LBS) but what do
> people consider a fair markup?
>
> Last year I needed some Look-type bike cleats. I went to a
> bike shop, and, while they didn't have any in stock, the owner
> just happened to be on the phone to the supplier and he added it
> to their order. When they came in, the store wanted $27 for
> them--that seemed expensive but not knowing better and
> since they were ordered explicitly for me, I bought them.
>
> Later I saw that Performance was selling Look cleats (not clones)
> for half that price.
>
> Last month, I needed another pair and I went to a different bike shop.
> Again they didn't have them in stock, but they looked it up in
> the catalog. The catalog price was $13 and they said they could
> sell it to me for $21. This time I declined.
>
> So what to people consider a reasonable markup? My first example
> I feel is clearly too high. The second one seems to high but by
> how much?
>
> Keith

06-14-2004, 09:33 AM

"GS" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?
> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through
mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.
> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not
go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns
have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned
coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

Okay, I have no idea where this computer came from, but I can tell you
I have never found anyone here in the silicon valley that can take care
of my computer as well as my husband. But I do hit the downtown
bookstores first before Amazon, just because then I can bring them
home. I like the little downtown area near my house and buy from the
local stores any thing I can. I hate going to Home Depot, and much
prefer the local hardware store owned by one of the parents at my
kids school because they can help you find stuff, even if they have
less inventory. So actually, my order of shopping preference is 1) any
store I can walk or bike to 2) internet shopping 3) Nice malls 4) big
box stores.

That said, for really good service I've been known to drive to little
local stores. But the service and products have to be really good.
And they need to have plentiful, easy parking. I hate searching
for parking, that's up there on one of the reasons I ride a bike.

06-14-2004, 09:33 AM

"GS" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?
> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through
mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.
> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not
go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns
have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned
coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

Okay, I have no idea where this computer came from, but I can tell you
I have never found anyone here in the silicon valley that can take care
of my computer as well as my husband. But I do hit the downtown
bookstores first before Amazon, just because then I can bring them
home. I like the little downtown area near my house and buy from the
local stores any thing I can. I hate going to Home Depot, and much
prefer the local hardware store owned by one of the parents at my
kids school because they can help you find stuff, even if they have
less inventory. So actually, my order of shopping preference is 1) any
store I can walk or bike to 2) internet shopping 3) Nice malls 4) big
box stores.

That said, for really good service I've been known to drive to little
local stores. But the service and products have to be really good.
And they need to have plentiful, easy parking. I hate searching
for parking, that's up there on one of the reasons I ride a bike.

06-14-2004, 09:33 AM

"GS" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?
> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through
mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.
> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not
go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns
have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned
coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

Okay, I have no idea where this computer came from, but I can tell you
I have never found anyone here in the silicon valley that can take care
of my computer as well as my husband. But I do hit the downtown
bookstores first before Amazon, just because then I can bring them
home. I like the little downtown area near my house and buy from the
local stores any thing I can. I hate going to Home Depot, and much
prefer the local hardware store owned by one of the parents at my
kids school because they can help you find stuff, even if they have
less inventory. So actually, my order of shopping preference is 1) any
store I can walk or bike to 2) internet shopping 3) Nice malls 4) big
box stores.

That said, for really good service I've been known to drive to little
local stores. But the service and products have to be really good.
And they need to have plentiful, easy parking. I hate searching
for parking, that's up there on one of the reasons I ride a bike.

06-14-2004, 09:33 AM

"GS" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?
> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through
mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.
> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not
go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns
have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned
coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

Okay, I have no idea where this computer came from, but I can tell you
I have never found anyone here in the silicon valley that can take care
of my computer as well as my husband. But I do hit the downtown
bookstores first before Amazon, just because then I can bring them
home. I like the little downtown area near my house and buy from the
local stores any thing I can. I hate going to Home Depot, and much
prefer the local hardware store owned by one of the parents at my
kids school because they can help you find stuff, even if they have
less inventory. So actually, my order of shopping preference is 1) any
store I can walk or bike to 2) internet shopping 3) Nice malls 4) big
box stores.

That said, for really good service I've been known to drive to little
local stores. But the service and products have to be really good.
And they need to have plentiful, easy parking. I hate searching
for parking, that's up there on one of the reasons I ride a bike.

06-14-2004, 09:33 AM

"GS" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?
> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through
mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.
> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?
> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not
go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns
have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned
coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

Okay, I have no idea where this computer came from, but I can tell you
I have never found anyone here in the silicon valley that can take care
of my computer as well as my husband. But I do hit the downtown
bookstores first before Amazon, just because then I can bring them
home. I like the little downtown area near my house and buy from the
local stores any thing I can. I hate going to Home Depot, and much
prefer the local hardware store owned by one of the parents at my
kids school because they can help you find stuff, even if they have
less inventory. So actually, my order of shopping preference is 1) any
store I can walk or bike to 2) internet shopping 3) Nice malls 4) big
box stores.

That said, for really good service I've been known to drive to little
local stores. But the service and products have to be really good.
And they need to have plentiful, easy parking. I hate searching
for parking, that's up there on one of the reasons I ride a bike.

06-14-2004, 09:37 AM

In article <UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?

IMO, the reason for supporting your LBS is so that they will be there
later on when you need them to answer questions, touch up your wheel, or
figure out what that strange noise is.

> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.

Buying a computer doesn't need the level of personal attention that
buying a bike does. We all know that the most important part of buying
a bike (after deciding what general type you want) is to get the correct
fit. Sizing and adjusting a bike needs personal interaction. Getting a
computer with the specs you want does not (usually).

> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?

Actually, I go to the Barnes and Noble down on West Main St.

> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

The Starbucks is still a local shop, hiring people from the local area.
The same applies to the Home Depot.

.....

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-14-2004, 09:37 AM

In article <UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?

IMO, the reason for supporting your LBS is so that they will be there
later on when you need them to answer questions, touch up your wheel, or
figure out what that strange noise is.

> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.

Buying a computer doesn't need the level of personal attention that
buying a bike does. We all know that the most important part of buying
a bike (after deciding what general type you want) is to get the correct
fit. Sizing and adjusting a bike needs personal interaction. Getting a
computer with the specs you want does not (usually).

> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?

Actually, I go to the Barnes and Noble down on West Main St.

> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

The Starbucks is still a local shop, hiring people from the local area.
The same applies to the Home Depot.

.....

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-14-2004, 09:37 AM

In article <UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?

IMO, the reason for supporting your LBS is so that they will be there
later on when you need them to answer questions, touch up your wheel, or
figure out what that strange noise is.

> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.

Buying a computer doesn't need the level of personal attention that
buying a bike does. We all know that the most important part of buying
a bike (after deciding what general type you want) is to get the correct
fit. Sizing and adjusting a bike needs personal interaction. Getting a
computer with the specs you want does not (usually).

> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?

Actually, I go to the Barnes and Noble down on West Main St.

> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

The Starbucks is still a local shop, hiring people from the local area.
The same applies to the Home Depot.

.....

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

06-14-2004, 09:37 AM

In article <UTjzc.12$0z6.7@fed1read07>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> Seems most people here are in favour of supporting the local shop - some
> regardless of price, and others within reason. Even though my post wasn't
> well liked, I assure the group that I too shop at the LBS more often than
> mail order. I've never made a major purchase, such as a bike, through mail
> order.
>
> The whole topic got me wondering... how many on this group who are gung-ho
> on supporting the LBS don't support the local guy in other areas of their
> consumerism?

IMO, the reason for supporting your LBS is so that they will be there
later on when you need them to answer questions, touch up your wheel, or
figure out what that strange noise is.

> I'll bet some of you here are on a Dell computer - bought through mailorder.
> Why not go to the local computer guy? You would've gotten much better
> service.

Buying a computer doesn't need the level of personal attention that
buying a bike does. We all know that the most important part of buying
a bike (after deciding what general type you want) is to get the correct
fit. Sizing and adjusting a bike needs personal interaction. Getting a
computer with the specs you want does not (usually).

> Some of you probably buy your books and CDs on Amazon. Why not spend
> full-price at the mom and pop book store down on Main Street?

Actually, I go to the Barnes and Noble down on West Main St.

> Ever send flowers or candy through 1-800-Flowers.com, or FTD.com? Why not go
> personally to the local florist or candy shop?
> Even when you're not using mail order, sometimes your shopping patterns have
> just as much impact. Ever notice how the local hardware shop is now almost
> extinct? Yet we all willingly go to Home Depot because we know that their
> prices will always be the best and we can get everything we need in one
> shopping trip.
> How many of us go to Starbucks instead of the small, privately owned coffee
> shop? The list goes on and on.

The Starbucks is still a local shop, hiring people from the local area.
The same applies to the Home Depot.

.....

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).