LBS Discounts normal?

[gp1699]

So I visited my local bike store at the weekend to check out what bikes they had.

I noticed a guy buying a new orange five pro, he had manged to get 15% off a £3500 bike.

So is this normal? If you were spending that much money on a bike would you expect a nice discount?

cheers
mike

[Disco You]

As a new customer, it's typical to get a decent(ish) percentage off (the list price of) accessories when you buy a new bike. If you're a regular customer then you can often get a reduction off the list price.

But he could also have asked them to price match someone else perhaps?

[TonyHetherington]

Simply put; yes.

If you're new, it's to get the sale and keep you going to them.

In my case, I bought a new bike 3yrs ago from them, and have bought most things (and soon a new bike) from them since. Every time I go in there and buy, say, £50 of stuff he says "call it 40!?" kinda thing.

[okgo]

Given they're usually 25% more expensive than online retailers in the first place, yes, there is usually margin.

[lufbramatt]

When I got my Trek EX8 mountain bike, it was a 2011 bike bought at the end of 2011, so had 20% off to clear space for the 2012 stuff they had coming in. Managed to get another £100 off that price for cash- "let me go and talk to my manager" stylee- saving myself £560 off the RRP At the time it was loads cheaper than I could find it online- some bike mfrs have trading terms that won't let online/mail order retailers sell at discount. At full price I think it was overpriced, but with the discount it made it cheaper than the equivalent spec Canyon which I was considering, so that plus the benefits of buying from a real shop swayed it for me.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 11th March 12:03

[TwistingMyMelon]

Went to my local old skool shop in Swindon, was after a bike with a £1000 rrp

They had it in their warehouse and got it for me a few days later

Immediately said he would do it for £840 as he was keen for business

When I rang the next day and said I wouldn't be using the cycle to work scheme he knocked it down to £800

When I said I was happy to leave a deposit now, as he was ordering the spec from the factory he knocked it down to £770!!

Was pretty happy with £770 as nowhere on the net had the bike cheaper and I thought £1000 was good value for the spec!

The other "newer" shops give me 10% off on stuff if I show my club membership card, only if it isn't already discounted

[Birdthom]

I took my 7 year old son into my LBS for his first bike. He now gets a bit of a discount whenever he goes in. He's thrilled, and will probably be a lifelong customer.

It may not be a sophisticated tactic, but it works for them!

[bakerstreet]

I use my LBS for servicing and I always get a decent discount on the labour charge. I mainly buy things like tyres and clothing online. I don't know how much I've spent on servicing in the last 18 months, but its a lot

I use my bike for commuting, so I am always scared that if I service it myself and screw it up, I won't be able to commute the next day

[P-Jay]

Yes, although my LBS is becoming less so - typically you need to buy a bike from them to get a decent discount on bits, and ideally have bought a series of bikes over the years - then all the staff you know move on and you're back to square one!!!!

When it comes to bikes, you should never have to pay full price for a current year bike after August (bike years run Sept-Sept) or for last years bikes and it's worth keeping an eye out for 0% deals, they're not free for everyone of course, typically they'll cost the LBS 10-20% to give you free credit so you can usually make a deal - Specialized bikes are different - they don't allow their dealers to offer any sort of discount on current year bikes, but they often allow the equivalent in shop vouchers.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Interesting about Spesh, I never see their kit or bikes discounted much if not at all (esp when I was looking at their shoes)

[mini1380cc]

okgo said:

Given they're usually 25% more expensive than online retailers in the first place, yes, there is usually margin.

That doesn't mean to say they are both paying the same cost. Online retailers will no doubt be buying in bigger volume therefore have a bigger margin to play with.

[bakerstreet]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Interesting about Spesh, I never see their kit or bikes discounted much if not at all (esp when I was looking at their shoes)

They are discounted. Just like the other major manufactures, they discount the 2013 bikes as soon as the 2014 bikes are announced. I know several shops that are trying to shift 2013 Specialized Venge Comps for £2k and they were £2500 when they were current. Some stires still have some of the Tarmacs left too.

[Antony Moxey]

P-Jay said:

Specialized bikes are different - they don't allow their dealers to offer any sort of discount on current year bikes, but they often allow the equivalent in shop vouchers.

Tosh. I've yet to pay anything like sticker price on anything Spesh I've bought from my LBS whether it be bikes, upgrades, clothing or shoes. I guess spending half my salary in there helps...

[TwistingMyMelon]

Spesh kit seems OK, had their entry level road shoes and I couldn't kill them, they didn't wear at all!! Even when I drilled out one of the SPD bolts (dont ask I was a prick) I rand one shoe with only 2 spd-sl bolts in for 2 years with no probs .

I imagine thats where the profit is for them and the markups.

[vwsurfbum]

gp1699 said:

I noticed a guy buying a new orange five pro, he had manged to get 15% off a £3500 bike.

I think you've all missed a point here?
Who in there right mind buys a Orange 5 and even worse.... New!!! £3500 for a bike from the early 00's?
Madness.

[gp1699]

vwsurfbum said:

I think you've all missed a point here?
Who in there right mind buys a Orange 5 and even worse.... New!!! £3500 for a bike from the early 00's?
Madness.

come on, there not that bad (not that I want one)... well I will try my luck and see what deal can be done

[missing the VR6]

I managed to negotiate about £750/800 of my Orange 5 when I bought it in Feb 2012. It was current model year, I had 3 shops I was happy to deal with and played them off against each other.

Well worth a haggle.

[gp1699]

missing the VR6 said:

I managed to negotiate about £750/800 of my Orange 5 when I bought it in Feb 2012. It was current model year, I had 3 shops I was happy to deal with and played them off against each other.

Well worth a haggle.

Nice to know! it's a shame that they dropped the 26" wheels on the five, wanted one for a while but the new one didn't quite feel right

[Pkh72]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm detecting a slight touch of dislike for the chap?

[gp1699]

well they where* willing to supply and fit a Reverb for free, but no discount on price.

Edited by gp1699 on Monday 14th April 11:35