Is My Local Bike Shop Ripping Me Off?

[landsurfer]

I own and operate a UK wide engineering company. If I was to charge twice what an item costs us we would have gone bust years ago.
It's all about the service.
You can buy a bit from Wiggle but can you fit it ?
And when it goes wrong who will put it right ?
It's all about added value.
Value is added to the cost of a component that gives you confidence that it will perform.
That's what we do.
Add value.
That's what your LBS does.

[brumster]

I own and operate a UK wide engineering company. If I was to charge twice what an item costs us we would have gone bust years ago.
It's all about the service.
You can buy a bit from Wiggle but can you fit it ?
And when it goes wrong who will put it right ?
It's all about added value.
Value is added to the cost of a component that gives you confidence that it will perform.
That's what we do.
Add value.
That's what your LBS does.

Well said ! - I would also point out, some Mail order & internet companies source components that are known as "Grey imports" - These are often sold much cheaper than the RRP & may not be covered by the usual warranty with the manufacturer if things go wrong.

[chocjohn9]

Don't forget the elephant in the room - rent and rates for your LBS....which is a killer for a smaller business.*
They will also have have a higher amount VAT to pay of the items (cash, obviously not the %) and will undoubtedly pay the full corporation tax rate, which is probably unlike the huge mail order competitors who act within the law but "juggle money about" to reduce this burden, none of which the LBS can do....

*How many landlords went bust during the post 2008 fallout....err....very, very few - I can't think of one.....

[horizon]

Despite all this, I am almost certainly doing my own repairs from now on.

I wouldn't if I were you. Just get them to do a full strip-down service every six months and you've got an up-and-running bike for less than half the cost of your car insurance.

Yes, of course I do all my own repairs (for the reasons you went on to mention) but I would never claim that someone who uses their LBS is mistaken - some people just don't want to do greasy bike repairs. BTW if you want to spend an evening or two working out which BB you need and then the whole of the following weekend getting the old one out of the frame, you're welcome.

No, don't worry, you've done alright. I don't blame you for questioning it but now you have, you can have either the affordable luxury of the bike shop doing it or the pleasure of doing it yourself. Neither option is usually possible with car repairs.

[horizon]

But why pay out all that money for something thats quite easy to do yourself?

Al

Because for most people it isn't easy. Or they don't have the time. Or the inclination. Or the kitchen space. I do my own repairs, so I agree with you, but the repairs that the OP mentioned can be tricky, starting not least with removing the BB and going on to avoid catching your skin on the chainwheels and sprockets. And he didn't even mention tools.

It's not for everyone even though it's a joy for many who persevere and a no-brainer for those with the skills and facilities.

[PH]

may not be covered by the usual warranty with the manufacturer if things go wrong.

Except your warranty is with the retailer rather than the manufacturer. In my limited experience of things going wrong I've had better service from the internet suppliers I use than from any of the LBSs.

[PH]

*How many landlords went bust during the post 2008 fallout....err....very, very few - I can't think of one.....

That's an interesting question, I wonder how many have. With the number of shops and commercial properties I see empty I'm pretty sure some of the landlords will have gone under.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Last time I walked into a LBS, the last two times I was ignored and was treated like I lost my way and should move on............................what goes through the minds of the staff....................probably Zero.

I would suggest you start now to fix it yourself, your riding its and you will learn what works fast.
It not rocket science, even buy a hack and do it up for practice.

[blackbike]

I own and operate a UK wide engineering company. If I was to charge twice what an item costs us we would have gone bust years ago.
It's all about the service.
You can buy a bit from Wiggle but can you fit it ?
And when it goes wrong who will put it right ?
It's all about added value.
Value is added to the cost of a component that gives you confidence that it will perform.
That's what we do.
Add value.
That's what your LBS does.

Would your engineering company still be in business if many people could just buy the hardware involved off the internet and do the labour themselves?

Probably not.

Your income depends on specialised, detailed knowledge.

Bolting bits of bikes together does not require that. Anyone with a bit of common sense can do it.

[gregoryoftours]

Your income depends on specialised, detailed knowledge.

Bolting bits of bikes together does not require that. Anyone with a bit of common sense can do it.

I think it's a little more complicated than that, actually.

[horizon]

Your income depends on specialised, detailed knowledge.

Bolting bits of bikes together does not require that. Anyone with a bit of common sense can do it.

I think it's a little more complicated than that, actually.

I agree. Most people either haven't a clue or don't want to have. And I'm not criticising them either. It can be dirty, skin-scraping fiddly work at times and technically challenging as well as so many posts on here testify.

[greyingbeard]

but its more fun than trying to fix a broken down car

[pete75]

I own and operate a UK wide engineering company. If I was to charge twice what an item costs us we would have gone bust years ago.
It's all about the service.
You can buy a bit from Wiggle but can you fit it ?
And when it goes wrong who will put it right ?
It's all about added value.
Value is added to the cost of a component that gives you confidence that it will perform.
That's what we do.
Add value.
That's what your LBS does.

The point is many people don't need that added value when buying their bike parts etc so why pay for it?

IME when a part does go wrong it's far, far easier to get it changed or a refund from a large retailer than a small one. LBS can be some of the worst establishments when people are trying to get a refund/replacement if the experiences of folk at work are anything to go by.

You can get the occasional glitch working on a bike, I had one a few weeks ago removing a tandem free wheel that had been in place for over 20 years got it off in the end though just had to be a bit brutal, but by and large cycle maintenance, repair, rebuilding is straight forward.

[pete75]

No, don't worry, you've done alright. I don't blame you for questioning it but now you have, you can have either the affordable luxury of the bike shop doing it or the pleasure of doing it yourself. Neither option is usually possible with car repairs.

Eh? It's no different. You can either take your car to a garage to be serviced and/or repaired or do the same yourself.

[beardy]

He did say usually possible.

It is easy to take the nice garage and extensive tool collection for granted. Even before we consider the experience that often goes with it.

On the other hand we were not born that way, nor did we inherit it. It all started when you had to fix your own bike as a teenager.