No, it's not your imagination. It's just part of getting older - and some of the few rewards that ageing brings - meaning wiser, and inevitably, shrewder.
Part of the above means that older, more experienced cyclists usually know what they want, do their homework, and while most have the maturity to seek and listen to advice from others with an open mind, usually also know how to sort the good from the bad. Life experience has shown time and again that a good salesman will always try and sell what he has in stock first, and second, offer to place an order for a non-stock item in exchange for a deposit. That is after all, what his boss pays him/her to do, and in turn, pays his/her wages. Unfortunately, there are those who are unscrupulous and always try to take advantage of the unsuspecting who aimlessly wander through their doorway.
Good advice should never be considered to be free - most of it comes from experience, both good and bad, and has usually cost someone something in terms of dollars or lost time to earn that experience. Simply put, the person at your LBS is there to earn a living, so if you feel that you have been given sound advice, reward them somehow for their time spent talking with you. This face to face contact is something you can not find on the internet.
Make no mistake - times are tough in retail in Australia right now - and coupled with the rapid growth of internet based discounters, the game has changed forever for our LBS's. Heck, even the guys who work in my LBS's buy from online discounters - the prices can't be matched by their employers even at cost price from Australian Distributors! Some have put strategies in place to survive, (such as increasing the size of their service departments) while others have'nt found an answer.
By comparison, what is happening in the bike industry today started in the computer industry around 10 years ago and changed the retail scene there forever - most computer shops now derive their income from servicing and repairs, routine stuff like virus removal etc. and the supply of higher end equipment to a niche market, leaving the sales of discount components to the online retailers or discount chains. Our LBS's will need to go the same route to survive - and some will evolve survival strategies, some won't. Their problem is compounded by our homegrown Australian Distributors, whose response has been to reduce stock levels and the lines they carry (but maintain their substantial profit margins) to try and survive as part of their defensive postion to combat online discounting. I have had this discussion with many of the LBS's and it is one thing we all agree on - as evidenced by my (frustrated) attempts to order parts through them from their local Distributors only to find that said Distributor has either no stock; or can not advise when the item will re-stocked; or has deleted that product line from what they import from the manufacturer; or has a RRP of double the price that the identical item can be purchased on-line.
The simple fact is that some of our LBS's are switched on and some aren't. It's all a matter of shopping around and finding a LBS who you can deal with and those you can't and should avoid. Definitely speak with your LBS staff to get to know them, and give them a chance to know you - once they find out you have owned more than one bike or have more than one in your stable, many cycling k's under your belt and are looking at mid-range or up-market for your next purchase, their attitude toward you will change significantly. It's also worth asking about warranties on frames and component parts for various brands, spare parts backup and product recalls by manufacturers for any reason. This is where local expertise comes in. Also, it's worth talking to fellow enthusiasts or club members to find out where they go for their needs and why they go there. For example, I took my rear wheel to a LBS, the largest retailer in Adelaide for my bike (one of the big brand names) and asked about having some broken spokes replaced and the rim re-trued. I was told that they were booked out for two weeks solid and that it would mean a three-week turnaround - take it or leave it. As a temporary measure, I bought the spare spokes and replaced same myself and re-trued the wheel to reasonable accuracy to get the bike back on the road. This led me to visit other LBS's and eventually discovered the 'go-to' shop where most of the other LBS's send their wheels for lacing and truing. I've since built a spare wheelset for my bike and have sent eight wheels to that LBS over two months for myself and friends... all with fast turn-around.
Online forums such as this one are also worth looking at for advice or suggestions - but always be aware that due to human nature, those who have had a bad experience with a product or service will be quite vocal about it, whereas those who have had no issues with same product or service will be part of a silent majority. Temper your judgement accordingly. During a recent conversation in a local LBS the sales guy told me he didn't take online forums seriously, as he questioned the mechanical aptitude and abilities of those making complaints. Oh well - each to their own.
For me personally, I'm happy to buy most of my parts online, and would likely buy my next new complete bike from one of my favourite LBS, provided that their pricing is fair. Servicing work I do myself when I have the time, yet still go to my LBS to get stuff done like wheel truing or anything special - meaning if I don't have the special tools or equipment or spare time to do myself. Most likely scenario for me however, is that I will be building my next bike from scratch. I know the pros and cons of my current and previous bikes and know where I need to go next.
Each to their own - diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.
Caveat Emptor
