Bike shop discounts
- Thread starter TheExecutiveBoff
- Start date
tu plang
knob
AMB policy?
Derka Derka
Likes Dirt
Same thoughts as the other posts, however i would just like to add this..
I like to buy stuff from shops that support my sport. These days i am buying stuff more and more from TBSM because they have jump days, they have build days at the local DJ's and they are at heaps of the downhill events.
I am sure that others do similar stuff, however to date these guys seem to be ahead of the rest!!....
I like to buy stuff from shops that support my sport. These days i am buying stuff more and more from TBSM because they have jump days, they have build days at the local DJ's and they are at heaps of the downhill events.
I am sure that others do similar stuff, however to date these guys seem to be ahead of the rest!!
....
Tomas
my mum says im cool
Quoting myself:
"There is a serious problem with shops running around and lopping off 10-20% whenever a customer winks. Many of these shops dont make money from your sale, they dont guarantee your future business (because you're an anal price conscious person and will shop at CRC whenever you see fit) but devalue the product and their professional sales service in the process.
If you are trying to spend money wisely, it is my opinion that you are less inclined to 'support' your LBS and more likely to buy over the net. If so, what have i gained by giving you 10-20% off sticker price? Yep, you'll come and buy convienience products off me (tubes, maybe the odd helmet or brake pads), but any major piece, that we stand to make money out of you will buy OS.
You say you'll go where its cheapest. Me giving you a discount this one time will not necessarily get your business later on (when we have proven how easy it is to shop over the net). Yes, anal price conscious was a bit harsh.
I think outstanding, speedy, efficient customer service is the best way to ensure loyalty, not by knocking 10% off the price.
Thats boff for bringing this up. It's good to see both opinions on the matter.
tu plang
knob
Albeit for the 2957th time.
Tomas
my mum says im cool
2957th time lucky.
tu plang
knob
I'd love to think that was the case.
(Anyways, enough one-liners from me)
udi
swiss cheese
What about if my bike breaks and I send mummy in to the shop to get it fixed and then the big bad salesman makes her pay for all these things that it didn't even need, what happens then?
I do like this idea, it is all about the extra benefits you get from that shop. sometimes it is a free tube or a small discount, but in this case it is support at ride days etc. I have the same thing with CBD in Sydney, that I like to support because they are active in supporting our activities.Same thoughts as the other posts, however i would just like to add this..
I like to buy stuff from shops that support my sport. These days i am buying stuff more and more from TBSM because they have jump days, they have build days at the local DJ's and they are at heaps of the downhill events.
I am sure that others do similar stuff, however to date these guys seem to be ahead of the rest!!
In this instance, mummy paid, so anything extra is a bonus. Only problem is if she makes you pay it backWhat about if my bike breaks and I send mummy in to the shop to get it fixed and then the big bad salesman makes her pay for all these things that it didn't even need, what happens then?
on a serious note, if the LBS pushes unsuspecting buyers into things they don't need, they probably aren't supporting the biking community the way they really should.
brisneyland
Likes Dirt
Supporting the riding community is a great way for a shop to earn some customer loyalty. FTR in Brissy are great for this and I've recommended friends and family to them on this basis.
And as it happens, they recognise me now and would help me out if needed...
But it SHITS ME that the 'bro attitude' is so prevalent at so many other shops... I shouldn't have to build up a relationship with a shop in order to get decent service, as some people here seem to be implying.
And a tip for you sales folk: if someone comes in asking for a price match or something (particularly on an internet price) - don't be so dismissive. Too often, a sneering 'we don't match internet prices' gets thrown at the customer who understandably forms a very negative impression of the shop/sales person. EXPLAIN to them that you can't match the price, but you can throw in a free pair of gloves and offer great after sales support. I've gone and asked for a discount before, really not expecting the shop to match the internet price but at least work with me a little and do something to get my business and been treated like shit for it. So I go home and order the internet part, simple!
And as it happens, they recognise me now and would help me out if needed...
But it SHITS ME that the 'bro attitude' is so prevalent at so many other shops... I shouldn't have to build up a relationship with a shop in order to get decent service, as some people here seem to be implying.
And a tip for you sales folk: if someone comes in asking for a price match or something (particularly on an internet price) - don't be so dismissive. Too often, a sneering 'we don't match internet prices' gets thrown at the customer who understandably forms a very negative impression of the shop/sales person. EXPLAIN to them that you can't match the price, but you can throw in a free pair of gloves and offer great after sales support. I've gone and asked for a discount before, really not expecting the shop to match the internet price but at least work with me a little and do something to get my business and been treated like shit for it. So I go home and order the internet part, simple!
Nathan_
Likes Dirt
Ive worked retail the past 7 years, mobile phone sales.. this is a market where we are treated as "dogs" before the customer even says hello to you!
Almost all think we are like car salesman (just generalising her as an example)
EVERYONE expects a discount or something "thrown in" when purchasing a phone.. Even crappy "prepaid" customers think i will dance on the moon for them, what a shame not all realise what prepaid sales are to a store - absolute shit, they dont count for nothing!
i was asked 10 times a day to chuck in a bluetooth device that was more expensive then the original purchase.. you just learn to grit your teeth and politely say - sorry cant do... half will buy, half will walk out and return 15 minutes later to buy..
i would do a discount when the customer didnt ask for it, as you get personal satisfaction off the sale, Vs "being ordered by the customer".
Almost all think we are like car salesman (just generalising her as an example)
EVERYONE expects a discount or something "thrown in" when purchasing a phone.. Even crappy "prepaid" customers think i will dance on the moon for them, what a shame not all realise what prepaid sales are to a store - absolute shit, they dont count for nothing!
i was asked 10 times a day to chuck in a bluetooth device that was more expensive then the original purchase.. you just learn to grit your teeth and politely say - sorry cant do... half will buy, half will walk out and return 15 minutes later to buy..
i would do a discount when the customer didnt ask for it, as you get personal satisfaction off the sale, Vs "being ordered by the customer".
Hate to say it, but phone companies treat customers like shite, especially loyal customers.
My olds stayed with one particular telco with internet, mobiles and landline for a number of years before they figured out that while the products had been rapidly evolving, they'd been left with these far, far outdated packages and were being thoroughly ripped off in regards to the current standards in products and services. Rather than rewarding them for loyalty and advancing their service, the telco simply took advantage of their lack of current marketplace knowledge.
As such, telco's seem to reward the customers who continually shop around for the best deals, rather than the ones who simply pay the bill every month and don't ask questions.
Combine this with the telemarketing I get on mobiles, and that I recently changed provider to one who promised the moon and couldn't deliver the simplest of services like maintaining my number fromt he previous provider, I have less than zero respect for telco's and unfortunately, as the face to face contact for those companies (and not necessarily the ones personally at fault for the BS policies of the company), the guys in the store will have to put up with my dubiousness and resentment.
Back OT - in my experience, the service at LBS is pretty poor especially for the specialised customer. There are exceptions of course, but the number of times I personally, or witnessed others experience-
1) an inability to get stock - "Sure we'll order it in for you!" was proceeded by months of waiting and uncertainty while Gods in the ether set about obtaining the ordered part. I know floor stock is exxy, but the unreliability of some LBS to provide parts and bikes was sometimes hard to swallow.
2) Utterly terrible mechanical service, to the point of being dangerous, particularly on specialised parts. Oil in pads, wrong oil weights in forks, uneccessarily replaced components, paying for parts broken by the workshop gorilla... There are shops in Sydney I would rather push my broken bike past than go buy a puncture kit from. If you're keen on bikes and been around them for a while it doesn't take long to know how to fix your own bike than pay $60 an hour for a lottery ticket in bike repairs.
3) Utterly terrible service in regards to time. If you race, you can't have the shop take twice as long to fix something as they said it would.
That said, there are good shops out there who offer good service, timely and reliable repairs and have the stuff I want on the floor. However they are the exception rather than the rule. When I can get the bits I need online for half the price, know they'll be here in less than a week and know I can service and install them more reliably than most mechanics - well, sorry but that's what I'm going to do.
Small business in any guise sucks. SCUBA dive shops are being hit harder - the gear costs a lot more than bikes, and is the same deal with online stuff being absurdly cheaper. Only they need to provide hire gear, a boat, a compressor (it's pretty different to the one in your garage and costs tens of thousands), pay instructors, insurance etc etc along with all the usual shopfront costs.
I'm sure it's the same for a whole heap of these types of businesses. Shit (well internet sales) happens, and you can't blame people for expecting a better deal when your competing with the internet guys, even if it it frustrating. At least they came in the shop at all.
I am guessing there is some level of sarcasm in there?
Anyhow, businesses have three points of differentiation - price, service and product. Given that most bike shops will stock a few different brands of bike and accessory, there is minimal ability to truly differentiate in product (unless you carry a boutique brand, but there isn't really a huge market in this) which leaves price and service.
As people have mentioned, when there are issues with service (and servicing of bikes), then it does come down to price - and naturally a physical shop will never be able to compete with an online store due to different cost structures. I guess it is always hard to put a value on service, particularly when the price difference is so huge.
But there will always be a market for LBS as there will always be a need and desire to just look over bikes and accessories.
As a side note, i think this has to be one of the most in depth and well argued threads on farkin, and there has been minimal flaming and name calling (so far).
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petri
Likes Dirt
That in itself is the foundings of a huge thread...... If I am reading your question correctly.
To make it quick..... Internet usually means you are by-passing Aussie suppliers. Nothing wrong with that in my books but the suppliers here get really pissed when shops do that... fair enough. Aussie suppliers often have a reputation of being expensive compared to online hence the inability to compete with the online market. When Steve Cramers charges $150 wholesale for a part and it can be delivered to your door for a similar amount why would u use the shop?... Guarantee it's going to be more expensive.
That brings up the warranty issues and the loyalty issues. I was happy to help people when they spent money IN my shops and I was happy to charge them for the help when they bought their parts online.
I usually buy online anyhoo but do it knowing the risks if something screws up.... Or I hassle a mate 'still in the industry'..
That's enough from me.
Z100
Likes Bikes
Simply put: I agree. I will try and get the best price for my hard earned dollar on big ticket items. For me spending $2000+ on a bike was a big move, I shopped around to find the best price on the model I wanted. I made my money go further. I have the option of buying small items online, some I do, some I don't. Mainly items I need to size I will go to my Lbs.
I would do the same with any big dollar item, not just bikes. It seems a bit silly to expect people to purchase the bike they want, at $500 less, just because you don't make much margin on it. More so now with the state of inflation.
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Z100
Likes Bikes
Yeah, I was going to expand on it but I think it might hijack the focus a bit.
Tomas
my mum says im cool
Funny, but completely irrelevant.What about if my bike breaks and I send mummy in to the shop to get it fixed and then the big bad salesman makes her pay for all these things that it didn't even need, what happens then?
What do you do? Slader the shop to the shithouse ensuring it cost them 20 fold in sales.
McPete
Likes Dirt
I work like this;
Size critical items, bikes and major components are bought from the LBS.
I buy online when they're running a good special, and that's about it.
My LBS are good to me, they know my name, what bikes I ride and what I like. Most stuff they'll throw a pretty decent discount on without me saying a word. They know they'll have my continued business so long as they don't treat me like an idiot. If they don't have a particular item I want, I'll find a shop that has it, find my size then get my LBS to order it in.
A lot of people hang shit on this particular bike shop. They're good to me, stop telling me that I'm mad and that every purchase should be from T7 or CRC.
Size critical items, bikes and major components are bought from the LBS.
I buy online when they're running a good special, and that's about it.
My LBS are good to me, they know my name, what bikes I ride and what I like. Most stuff they'll throw a pretty decent discount on without me saying a word. They know they'll have my continued business so long as they don't treat me like an idiot. If they don't have a particular item I want, I'll find a shop that has it, find my size then get my LBS to order it in.
A lot of people hang shit on this particular bike shop. They're good to me, stop telling me that I'm mad and that every purchase should be from T7 or CRC.