Online shops

[bunnie wabbit...]

Afternoon!

Just thinking about something...How come a online shop like www.bti-usa.com (http://www.bti-usa.com) does not have prices on their website? Many of the parts and apparellthat i have ordered are from www.pricepoint.com (http://www.pricepoint.com) and i cant compare prices:confused:

I can order parts through my LBS, and they use bti-usa as one of thier catalogs. If i order through the LBS, i get parts in 1-2days (no shipping charge), but i can get extremely cheap parts online( for example: Avid Juicy 5's $200.00 total, front and rear.) but i still pay shipping...

What would be better, ordering through LBS or online?
and Why dosent www.bti-usa.com (http://www.bti-usa.com) have prices online? (its annoying that i cant see what i am getting if i order parts.)

[Pete Hamer]

BTI is a wholesale distributor. They sell to retail bike shops and maybe some other places too. You would have to be a dealer to order direct from them. The reason they don't have prices online is that different shops can sell the parts for different retail prices so BTI doesn't know what the price will be for the customer.
I looked at the pricepoint site. From what I see the Avid Juicy 5s are $119.98front and $119.98rear for 160mm rotor versions. Not a bad deal!

[Rocky Mountain]

You could probably get Juicy 7's for a little more, not much really so give Chad @ Red Barn Cycles a call and see what he can offer. http://www.redbarnbicycles.com/home.html (http://www.redbarnbicycles.com/home.html)

[bunnie wabbit...]

Good morning!

Avid Juicy 7 sounds good. if they arent to much more than the Juicy 5's i will get them! sorry, but the link below doesnt work; it might be my computer, i'll try again later this afternoon.

Thanks.

[iceskier]

Cambria ( www.cambriabike.com (http://www.cambriabike.com) ) has Juicy 7's for $129.95, but only in 6". Quite a nice deal though.

For comparing prices check out www.qike.com (http://www.qike.com) or www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/ (http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/)

QBike will check Ebay auctions too.

[soupboy]

I don't know anything about Behind the Red Barn Door Bicycles (Voelkel, did they ever get you your 5S frame?) but for me the most consistently superior service and pricing comes from Larry Mettler - aka Ventanarama on MTBR - at www.mthhighcyclery.com. (http://www.mthhighcyclery.com) The website is stale but the pricing and service ain't. Anything from $10 parts to complete boutique bikes costing $5K+.

Also, use www.bestbikebuys.com (http://www.bestbikebuys.com) for a quick scan for specific parts. Jenson is good. Price Point is good. Cambria is decent. Some are full-fledged dealers, some specialize in remarketing overstocked items and excess OE mfr inventory.

Some shops like Mtn High and www.speedgoat.com (http://www.speedgoat.com) are really good at building high quality, blingy wheelsets too.

Puuhlease do not turn this thread into a blathering "support you LBS" filibuster!

[Pete Hamer]

Puuhlease do not turn this thread into a blathering "support you LBS" filibuster!
Please support your local bike shop because..............blah, blah, blah:D . Just kidding Soupboy. I won't do that.
Quite frankly I'm always amazed at how low the mail order prices are. It's hard to fault a person for wanting the best deal. Some day I hope retail bike shops can compete with mail order on price alone. Oh well.

[Burke]

Please support your local bike shop because..............blah, blah, blah:D . Just kidding Soupboy. I won't do that.
Quite frankly I'm always amazed at how low the mail order prices are. It's hard to fault a person for wanting the best deal. Some day I hope retail bike shops can compete with mail order on price alone. Oh well.

There's no reason for LBS to compete with mail order on price alone. The value proposition is different. Mail order has price and that alone to sell the product. Plus they have to overcome the fact it isn't real time gratification and frequently postage is extra.

LBS has easy warranty, frequently free installation, guaranteed compatibility, knowledgeable staff, etc...

Price alone = Mail Order

Convenience service and extras = LBS (and good ones can come close to matching prices)

[soupboy]

to be price competitive...largely the nature of the beast. This has been discussed ad nauseum here and elsewhere. The LBS is great for those who aren't handy (or don't care to be), those who don't really know what they're looking for, and for those with different needs such as specific fit issues.

I still direct plenty of business to the LBS - primarily on the higher margin consumable stuff that I "need" vs. "want". Gloves to replace lost/forgotten ones, chains I broke, lube I've run out of, etc. Heck, I even bought a road bike (once) from the LBS...worst decision ever.

That, and their employees are all so darn cute:crazy2: !

Please support your local bike shop because..............blah, blah, blah:D . Just kidding Soupboy. I won't do that.
Quite frankly I'm always amazed at how low the mail order prices are. It's hard to fault a person for wanting the best deal. Some day I hope retail bike shops can compete with mail order on price alone. Oh well.

[Pete Hamer]

Heck, I even bought a road bike (once) from the LBS...worst decision ever.

I've never had a road bike. That's one mistake I'll never make.

[nigel]

I've never had a road bike. That's one mistake I'll never make.

I said that for years, but then it happened and.....................

[Aaroneous]

I said that for years, but then it happened and...

...my mountain bike hasn't seen quite as much action this year.

;)

[bunnie wabbit...]

I am thinking of buying some parts online, but others at the LBS. I feel kinda awkward bring in parts to fix from another source...:confused:


Price? or Service? that is the question. Who wants to pay $400.00 more for the same quality bike?

[iceskier]

Not only will you feel awkward walking in with parts from mail order, but you may be paying a little extra to have them installed versus buying them at the LBS.

Mail Order = Cheap prices for someone who can wait and do it themselves.
LBS = Service, Clean hands, Instant gradification (almost):jumpy:

[bunnie wabbit...]

I can install most parts myself and tune them except mabye installing the fork and crank....mabye its time to dish out the money for a repair book and some tools;) mabye i can convince my dad to buy some tools for Christmas:D

[Pete Hamer]

I am thinking of buying some parts online, but others at the LBS. I feel kinda awkward bring in parts to fix from another source...:confused:


Price? or Service? that is the question. Who wants to pay $400.00 more for the same quality bike?
It shouldn't hurt to get a quote from an LBS and compare it to online prices. Even if you decide to go with the online place at least you know it was the right decision for you. As long as you don't just use the shop for info/expertise, when you know that you are going to buy online anyway, you aren't doing anything wrong.

[bunnie wabbit...]

It shouldn't hurt to get a quote from an LBS and compare it to online prices. Even if you decide to go with the online place at least you know it was the right decision for you. As long as you don't just use the shop for info/expertise, when you know that you are going to buy online anyway, you aren't doing anything wrong.

True... I do buy parts and accesories like chains, tubes, gloves, grips etc. at the LBS... $500 is outrageous when you can buy it online for $350 and only pay $20 for shipping, its still $130.00 cheaper!

[Pete Hamer]

True... I do buy parts and accesories like chains, tubes, gloves, grips etc. at the LBS... $500 is outrageous when you can buy it online for $350 and only pay $20 for shipping, its still $130.00 cheaper!
Have you ever had luck asking your LBS to match. They might be able to make up the $130 right off the bat with service, and maybe the rest in future service. I'm reaching but you never know until you try.

[chad@redbarn]

Hey there folks..... a quick introduction since some of you may have never heard of us, Red Barn Bicycles is a shop i created 5 years ago in our old family run Dairy Barn (hence the simplistic name and logo). Yes.....we're actually really in a real old / wood heated dairy barn. ANYWAY, at 34 years of age i figured it to be the right time to work for myself and so i finally strayed from the local family run bike shops that i have been working in since i was 19 or 20.


RedBarn's start was simple, fun, and has always been energenic from our passion of riding mtb's. Our growth was fast even though we started as a LOCAL shop in a town of 8000. I soon came to a cross roads though....get into skis or start selling on-line to help out during our 5 months of winter. I came to the conclussion that allthough i do like skis, i certainly am no expert on the topic and so for the past three years we've been selling on-line. My approach was and is to keep it personal. If you have a question or concern or just wanted to know the price of an item all you have to do is drop me an e-mail or pick up the phone....chances are you'll be dealing with me from step one. And chances are that you'll also be impressed by the time the deal is finished.


AS always i recommend your first stop to be that of your local ma & pa store. Support them when you can. Afterall it's how most of us got our start into this wonderful world of mtb's.



I don't mean for this to turn into a sales plug.....i felt a jolt in my rib and figured i should introduce myself. And if ANY of you are ever headed down hwy 93 and thru Hamilton, MT i suggest you do the same.



take care, Chad

[Paul Swenson]

Have you ever had luck asking your LBS to match. They might be able to make up the $130 right off the bat with service, and maybe the rest in future service. I'm reaching but you never know until you try.

I would have loved to see someone ask ol' Elmer if he would price match an internet retailer. I suspect he would have gotten his shot gun and chased them off his property.

God I miss that man.:cryin:

[Rocky Mountain]

The reason for the late bike frame delivery involves Turner's paint supplier which is logically out of Red Barn Cycle's control. Chad charged me $25 for shipping (3) packages which was reasonable like his prices.

LBS's are not always convienent when they have to order it with the "once a week ordering system".

Power to the People, Build your own bike!


I don't know anything about Behind the Red Barn Door Bicycles (Voelkel, did they ever get you your 5S frame?) but for me the most consistently superior service and pricing comes from Larry Mettler - aka Ventanarama on MTBR - at www.mthhighcyclery.com. (http://www.mthhighcyclery.com/) The website is stale but the pricing and service ain't. Anything from $10 parts to complete boutique bikes costing $5K+.

Also, use www.bestbikebuys.com (http://www.bestbikebuys.com/) for a quick scan for specific parts. Jenson is good. Price Point is good. Cambria is decent. Some are full-fledged dealers, some specialize in remarketing overstocked items and excess OE mfr inventory.

Some shops like Mtn High and www.speedgoat.com (http://www.speedgoat.com/) are really good at building high quality, blingy wheelsets too.

Puuhlease do not turn this thread into a blathering "support you LBS" filibuster!

[ppgc]

I don't mean for this to turn into a sales plug.....i felt a jolt in my rib and figured i should introduce myself. And if ANY of you are ever headed down hwy 93 and thru Hamilton, MT i suggest you do the same.

I get to Missoula, MT a few times a year for fishing and the future in-laws, I will swing down in the spring and check it out. You don't rent any bikes there do ya?

-pete

[Pete Hamer]

I would have loved to see someone ask ol' Elmer if he would price match an internet retailer. I suspect he would have gotten his shot gun and chased them off his property.

God I miss that man.:cryin:


Atta boy!;)

[chad@redbarn]

Missoula is a great town, you're lucky to be able to spend so much time there. Hamilton is about 50 miles to the south and in the Bitteroot mountain range. The riding is technical, and the mountains are BIG, a 28 mile loop generally consists of one climb and one VERY fun decent. I'm always willing to show new faces around so come on down on your next visit. The snow doesn't melt up high until damn near July, so if you want to see the REALLy good stuff plan a summer trip out.

To answer your question....Yes, we rent bikes.

later

[ppgc]

Missoula is a great town, you're lucky to be able to spend so much time there. Hamilton is about 50 miles to the south and in the Bitteroot mountain range. The riding is technical, and the mountains are BIG, a 28 mile loop generally consists of one climb and one VERY fun decent. I'm always willing to show new faces around so come on down on your next visit. The snow doesn't melt up high until damn near July, so if you want to see the REALLy good stuff plan a summer trip out.

To answer your question....Yes, we rent bikes.

later

Awesome, Thanks for the info. You are right, Missoula is very cool. I would love to move out there some day. I am sure I will see you sometime next summer. :)

-pete

[SprocketHead]

Nice riding pics on redbarncycles! Makes me want to go MOUNTAIN Biking

Back to the Subject...

I shop at both LBS and online. Many times if you ask a shop to compete, they will try. Erick's is my favorite in general, I like Freewheel for clothes.

Online is also a great place to get stuff cheap during a budget crunch. www.aebike.com (http://www.aebike.com) is excellent!... They are actually a little shop in Kalamazoo, MI.

They're "shipping department" is the workbench in the back corner of the store.

http://aebike.com/merchant/319/images/site/aebike-ext3.jpg

[emcoda]

The choice is obviously yours but something everyone should consider....

a. I don't believe a single shop in this town is gouging people on prices. Some mail order pricing is impossible to compete with.
b. Does the mail order company do anything to support local trails, local events, local organizations, or local race series?
c. If you do stop into local shops ask your favorite shop guy or gal if they are vacationing in St. Thomas or The French Rivera this winter.

Most LBS's support more than you may realize. If you do not support them you may start losing in ways you do not realize.

One challenge: If you will save SO MUCH coin that you cannot pass a deal up then donate half of your savings to MORC. You'll sleep better.. Maybe.

Best,
Dave O

[Tetreves]

Here's one point I know some people are missing:

By the time you're done paying for shipping and handling, you pay about the same as you would from an LBS. (Assuming you're buying 1 item).

Sad, really...

[drmrboyalex]

Here's one point I know some people are missing:

By the time you're done paying for shipping and handling, you pay about the same as you would from an LBS. (Assuming you're buying 1 item).

Sad, really...

not only do you pay the same....you have to wait to get it:( and some mail order places for other stuff is actually more after shipping (CCS for skateboard and snowboard stuff)

[Tetreves]

(CCS for skateboard and snowboard stuff)

Check out "The House" They do mailorder for boards (snow, skate, wake), but they're local, so you just go to their shop. And they have they're own brand of stuff, too.

[drmrboyalex]

Check out "The House" They do mailorder for boards (snow, skate, wake), but they're local, so you just go to their shop. And they have they're own brand of stuff, too.

they've done mailorder for a few years...havent ordered from them and i dont get to St. Paul very often(once or twice a year) and i dont usually order thru mail because i usually want something right-away so I'll just go to the Zumiez in ridgedale...which is going downhill

[rowland]

funny, shipping and handling usually cost about the same as sales tax.
it is not hard to figure out the true cost of what your buying. lbs plus sales tax, online plus shipping.

[SpecHR55]

www.jensonusa.com (http://www.jensonusa.com) has good prices but not much selection

www.speedgoat.com (http://www.speedgoat.com) has a lot of stuff

[Primo Tiki]

I would rather support my local bike shop. Thank you for the info though.

[manual63]

Usually I will walk into or call One on One or Hollywood Cycles and ask Geno or Jay to order something for me. Being that I know them well and they both know I will pay them, they will usually order the item for me, unless it's really odd or super expensive. Most people will need to go in and put down a deposit. But this relationship works quite well for me. I can get any part I want and no, it doesn't have to be from just these two shops, I order through Erik's sometimes too. Shops have gotten pretty good at special orders and with Quality so close, I have been able to get parts same day or next day many times.....and no shipping. If I have a problem with any part I buy, which I had once with a SRAM shifter, I just take it back and they exchange it for a new one. That's the service I like and want.

If you are out to save every penny and you don't care how your goods arrive.....then go for it. last time I mail-ordered, my parts where not in a package.....but wrapped in newspaper. The part looked like it was removed from a complete bike. I personally like it when I know the parts I bought have never been assembled, or maybe even riden. I also like to get the manuals if needed, which I didn't get with some parts once. Mail-order is sketchy and there is a reason you can save money by ordering from them.....they scam and pinch every penny out of the products they are selling you.

In my TC BMX days I remember a complete bike that was being sold that came with 4 pegs. One of the mail-orders was selling that same bike, but didn't ship the pegs. They sold the pegs separately. So the customer might have saved $20.00 by buying the bike mail-order, but they were not getting all the parts that were supposed to come with the bike. Another $40.00 or so and the can buy pegs for their bike that was originally equipped with them. If you order mail-order......make sure you absolutely know what you are doing and getting......they will take advatage where they can.

[Rocky Mountain]

"Buyer Beware" which applies to purchasing parts, bikes, etc. and/or bike repair or service. Recently I requested a LBS to do the specific work as described on a provided typed document. The person said they could do all the work and never mentioned there would be any other added costs or restrictions. Well the savior thought he would do more than what I asked him to do and then wanted to charge me for a tool that he purchased to do the job. The tool was going to be provided to me since he purchased just for this job, but this was the reason I took it to the shop to begin with since I do not own the tool. I was told all the other bike shops do this but this is not true.

This is the rare occurance of a bike shop issue and is not intended to create a jaded view of all LBS.
Usually I will walk into or call One on One or Hollywood Cycles and ask Geno or Jay to order something for me. Being that I know them well and they both know I will pay them, they will usually order the item for me, unless it's really odd or super expensive. Most people will need to go in and put down a deposit. But this relationship works quite well for me. I can get any part I want and no, it doesn't have to be from just these two shops, I order through Erik's sometimes too. Shops have gotten pretty good at special orders and with Quality so close, I have been able to get parts same day or next day many times.....and no shipping. If I have a problem with any part I buy, which I had once with a SRAM shifter, I just take it back and they exchange it for a new one. That's the service I like and want.


If you are out to save every penny and you don't care how your goods arrive.....then go for it. last time I mail-ordered, my parts where not in a package.....but wrapped in newspaper. The part looked like it was removed from a complete bike. I personally like it when I know the parts I bought have never been assembled, or maybe even riden. I also like to get the manuals if needed, which I didn't get with some parts once. Mail-order is sketchy and there is a reason you can save money by ordering from them.....they scam and pinch every penny out of the products they are selling you.

In my TC BMX days I remember a complete bike that was being sold that came with 4 pegs. One of the mail-orders was selling that same bike, but didn't ship the pegs. They sold the pegs separately. So the customer might have saved $20.00 by buying the bike mail-order, but they were not getting all the parts that were supposed to come with the bike. Another $40.00 or so and the can buy pegs for their bike that was originally equipped with them. If you order mail-order......make sure you absolutely know what you are doing and getting......they will take advatage where they can.

[manual63]

The person said they could do all the work and never mentioned there would be any other added costs or restrictions.

This is why I always tell them the highest amount I am willing to pay. I tell them that if the price goes over blah...blah...blah....then call me. I tell them this after I get a quote from them. I mostly do this for auto service, which is where I have had them do work I did not approve many times. If I tell them my cap and that I can't/won't pay over that amount......they don't go over it.

[nigel]

"Buyer Beware" which applies to purchasing parts, bikes, etc. and/or bike repair or service. Recently I requested a LBS to do the specific work as described on a provided typed document. The person said they could do all the work and never mentioned there would be any other added costs or restrictions. Well the savior thought he would do more than what I asked him to do and then wanted to charge me for a tool that he purchased to do the job. The tool was going to be provided to me since he purchased just for this job, but this was the reason I took it to the shop to begin with since I do not own the tool. I was told all the other bike shops do this but this is not true.

This is the rare occurance of a bike shop issue and is not intended to create a jaded view of all LBS.

They should have given you a rough estimate close to what the end would be. We used to even figure tax for people in our estimates and ALWAYS called when anything more than what was discussed needed to be done. That or we would as the person if they wanted to be called or just have it done up to a certain $ over, usually we were under or would give them $ off if we "had" to go over which happens sometimes.

As for charging you for a tool, that is crazy! If a shop does not have a tool, they buy it or borrow from another shop. You also NEVER charge a customer for a tool, if anything now you got it, so you can do those repairs, they could have always turned you away but they did not, so they should eat the tool cost, its part of doing business. Geeze im not even in a shop anymore and i cant count (well i could) how many tools i have at home that i use on peoples repairs maybe twice a year, but i dont charge em for the tool, just the labor, it works out in time.

D