marc.r
Likes Dirt
Yup what JD said. Any LBS worth their salt will provide excellent service to any loyal customer. A few weeks ago I destroyed my rear derailleur. Limped the bike back into the shop for repairs. Sure I could have bought the derailleur for cheaper online but the LBS said they would have it fixed and ready to roll the next day.
24 hours later I am on my bike with new derailleur (at a better then expected price), spokes (I manged to bust a few of them in the crash) and the bike has been serviced and cleaned - that level of customer service brings me back time and time again.
An online shop can't do that. If I took the online option I might have saved a few $$ but it would also mean waiting for the item to be sent to me - that's time off the bike I would rather not have. The LBS might not be able to beat online for price, but it sure can beat them when it comes to great customer service.
this type of customer/service is the only way LBS can survive. about the only thing LBS have left to offer over online is making their customers feel good and connected.
i like to think of myself as a penny pincher but sometimes when you get good service you actually like spending money in the store! it becomes part of your lifestyle and you forget about the fact you could be saving yourself online.
most of my shit I still buy online but if im in a hurry there are only a few LBS that will get my business and thats the ones who make me feel good when I walk in the door.