LBS reasonable markup - Page 12 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

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, 09:53 AM

tcmedara wrote:
> kantspel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>A sucessful shop owner once told me "if no one complains about the
>>price then you're not charging enough". As a customer you don't want
>>to hear that (I was a little stunned when I heard it), but the guy
>>ran a great shop.
>
>
> That's a great way to look at it! And if enough customers don't like it,
> they will seek alternatives. The shop will then lower prices, find ways to
> cut costs, or go out of business. That's the system! I'm new to this
> group, but recently kicked off a flame-a-thon in alt.mountain-bike for
> posting letter to an LBS where I complained about a mickey mouse charge and
> crappy customer service. You'd think I'd insulted the Pope while visiting
> Rome!
>
> Ironically, I support both sides on this one. Shops should charge as much
> as they think they can get away with, and customers shouldn't let 'em get
> away with it! That's why competition -- in bike parts, airlines, or
> breakfast cereal -- is good. If forces innovation and gives buyers options.
>
> Tom
>
>
you got flamed because in your original post you made it look like you
assumed you should get something for nothing.

06-14-2004, 09:53 AM

tcmedara wrote:
> kantspel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>A sucessful shop owner once told me "if no one complains about the
>>price then you're not charging enough". As a customer you don't want
>>to hear that (I was a little stunned when I heard it), but the guy
>>ran a great shop.
>
>
> That's a great way to look at it! And if enough customers don't like it,
> they will seek alternatives. The shop will then lower prices, find ways to
> cut costs, or go out of business. That's the system! I'm new to this
> group, but recently kicked off a flame-a-thon in alt.mountain-bike for
> posting letter to an LBS where I complained about a mickey mouse charge and
> crappy customer service. You'd think I'd insulted the Pope while visiting
> Rome!
>
> Ironically, I support both sides on this one. Shops should charge as much
> as they think they can get away with, and customers shouldn't let 'em get
> away with it! That's why competition -- in bike parts, airlines, or
> breakfast cereal -- is good. If forces innovation and gives buyers options.
>
> Tom
>
>
you got flamed because in your original post you made it look like you
assumed you should get something for nothing.

06-14-2004, 09:53 AM

tcmedara wrote:
> kantspel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>A sucessful shop owner once told me "if no one complains about the
>>price then you're not charging enough". As a customer you don't want
>>to hear that (I was a little stunned when I heard it), but the guy
>>ran a great shop.
>
>
> That's a great way to look at it! And if enough customers don't like it,
> they will seek alternatives. The shop will then lower prices, find ways to
> cut costs, or go out of business. That's the system! I'm new to this
> group, but recently kicked off a flame-a-thon in alt.mountain-bike for
> posting letter to an LBS where I complained about a mickey mouse charge and
> crappy customer service. You'd think I'd insulted the Pope while visiting
> Rome!
>
> Ironically, I support both sides on this one. Shops should charge as much
> as they think they can get away with, and customers shouldn't let 'em get
> away with it! That's why competition -- in bike parts, airlines, or
> breakfast cereal -- is good. If forces innovation and gives buyers options.
>
> Tom
>
>
you got flamed because in your original post you made it look like you
assumed you should get something for nothing.

06-14-2004, 09:53 AM

tcmedara wrote:
> kantspel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>A sucessful shop owner once told me "if no one complains about the
>>price then you're not charging enough". As a customer you don't want
>>to hear that (I was a little stunned when I heard it), but the guy
>>ran a great shop.
>
>
> That's a great way to look at it! And if enough customers don't like it,
> they will seek alternatives. The shop will then lower prices, find ways to
> cut costs, or go out of business. That's the system! I'm new to this
> group, but recently kicked off a flame-a-thon in alt.mountain-bike for
> posting letter to an LBS where I complained about a mickey mouse charge and
> crappy customer service. You'd think I'd insulted the Pope while visiting
> Rome!
>
> Ironically, I support both sides on this one. Shops should charge as much
> as they think they can get away with, and customers shouldn't let 'em get
> away with it! That's why competition -- in bike parts, airlines, or
> breakfast cereal -- is good. If forces innovation and gives buyers options.
>
> Tom
>
>
you got flamed because in your original post you made it look like you
assumed you should get something for nothing.

06-14-2004, 09:53 AM

tcmedara wrote:
> kantspel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>A sucessful shop owner once told me "if no one complains about the
>>price then you're not charging enough". As a customer you don't want
>>to hear that (I was a little stunned when I heard it), but the guy
>>ran a great shop.
>
>
> That's a great way to look at it! And if enough customers don't like it,
> they will seek alternatives. The shop will then lower prices, find ways to
> cut costs, or go out of business. That's the system! I'm new to this
> group, but recently kicked off a flame-a-thon in alt.mountain-bike for
> posting letter to an LBS where I complained about a mickey mouse charge and
> crappy customer service. You'd think I'd insulted the Pope while visiting
> Rome!
>
> Ironically, I support both sides on this one. Shops should charge as much
> as they think they can get away with, and customers shouldn't let 'em get
> away with it! That's why competition -- in bike parts, airlines, or
> breakfast cereal -- is good. If forces innovation and gives buyers options.
>
> Tom
>
>
you got flamed because in your original post you made it look like you
assumed you should get something for nothing.

06-14-2004, 12:55 PM

On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:37:43 -0400, David Kerber wrote:

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

But the profits depart for the pockets of distant shareholders and
extravagantly paid senior management. If you patronize a local shop, more
money stays in your community and improves the health of the local economy.

Reid

06-14-2004, 12:55 PM

On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:37:43 -0400, David Kerber wrote:

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

But the profits depart for the pockets of distant shareholders and
extravagantly paid senior management. If you patronize a local shop, more
money stays in your community and improves the health of the local economy.

Reid

06-14-2004, 12:55 PM

On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:37:43 -0400, David Kerber wrote:

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

But the profits depart for the pockets of distant shareholders and
extravagantly paid senior management. If you patronize a local shop, more
money stays in your community and improves the health of the local economy.

Reid

06-14-2004, 12:55 PM

On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:37:43 -0400, David Kerber wrote:

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

But the profits depart for the pockets of distant shareholders and
extravagantly paid senior management. If you patronize a local shop, more
money stays in your community and improves the health of the local economy.

Reid