Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 6, 2014 at 5:11am

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 6, 2014 at 5:33am

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 6, 2014 at 5:38am

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 6, 2014 at 5:56am

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by globalguy on January 6, 2014 at 6:18am

But then you miss the witty repartee of those nattering wrenchers ...

Duppie said:

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 6, 2014 at 6:33am

Oh, so you checked one shop, how noble of you.

If your LBS is not helping you to make sure you get he right part or provide you with advice you're not going to the right bike shop.  Lots of shops out there will give attention to your small order, you just have to put a little effort into finding the right shop.

True, it's not as easy as clicking around the internet but if you don't spend the time to patronize your local shop they just aren't going to be there when you actually need them.

Duppie said:

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 6, 2014 at 6:57am

Shame on me Dug for not putting in enough effort to find the right shop, for giving up after visiting a five or six shops, and instead ordering online. I am truly sorry I let you down once again ;)

Maybe you should read some articles about how locally owned, independent bookstores are once again thriving. Hint: They didn't do it by publicly shaming their highest spending customers.

notoriousDUG said:

If your LBS is not helping you to make sure you get he right part or provide you with advice you're not going to the right bike shop.  Lots of shops out there will give attention to your small order, you just have to put a little effort into finding the right shop.

Duppie said:

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 6, 2014 at 7:38am

Don't you have to buy from a shop to be it's highest spending customer?  I also don't think that book shops have to deal with anywhere near the degree of show rooming that bike shops do.  I bet a book shop has never had a customer come in, spent an hour or more fitting them and helping them figure out exactly what size bike they needed and what bike worked for them only to have them go purchase it online.  Or come in and ask questions to figure out exactly what it is they do need so they can save 10% by purchasing it online.

Sorry if you feel  I shamming you but local bike shops are getting the short end of the stick and somebody needs to say it.  Maybe I'm just self righteous about it but it annoys me to see people who are part of the 'Chicago cycling community' provide free advertising for online retailers when there are so many excellent shops out there more than willing to go that extra mile, shops run by people active in the community, for whom those lost sales make a difference.

I don't believe you talked to 5 or 6 shops and were unable to find a shop able to get what you wanted in a timely manner, sorry.

Duppie said:

Shame on me Dug for not putting in enough effort to find the right shop, for giving up after visiting a five or six shops, and instead ordering online. I am truly sorry I let you down once again ;)

Maybe you should read some articles about how locally owned, independent bookstores are once again thriving. Hint: They didn't do it by publicly shaming their highest spending customers.

notoriousDUG said:

If your LBS is not helping you to make sure you get he right part or provide you with advice you're not going to the right bike shop.  Lots of shops out there will give attention to your small order, you just have to put a little effort into finding the right shop.

Duppie said:

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 6, 2014 at 8:08am

Don't feel sorry for shaming me. In case you hadn't noticed, my replies are tongue in cheek.

But your shtick about online stores is getting old and repetitive. It may be a real concern, but the solution is not shaming. Bikeshops, like any other business, should adapt to the changing world: For example, provide in store ordering with shipping directly to the customers home, where the LBS takes a referral fee. Or build a community around a niche market (JC Lind, Boulevard Bikes, Uptown Bikes) or concept (Heritage Bikes).  Or charge a reasonable amount for help beyond basic questions. Mrs Duppie's retail environment does that. Does it turn away customers? Sure, but mainly those who weren't willing to spend money in your store anyway. You can even discount that fee against their purchase.

As far as high spending customers goes, on top of what I buy online, I spend about $1400-$1500 a year at LBS's (averaged over the last 6 years). How much does your average customer spend annually, measured over a number of years? 

Of course, if all this just serves as an opportunity for you to vent your frustrations, then I am glad to have provided you with an outlet for your venting ;)

notoriousDUG said:

Don't you have to buy from a shop to be it's highest spending customer?  I also don't think that book shops have to deal with anywhere near the degree of show rooming that bike shops do.  I bet a book shop has never had a customer come in, spent an hour or more fitting them and helping them figure out exactly what size bike they needed and what bike worked for them only to have them go purchase it online.  Or come in and ask questions to figure out exactly what it is they do need so they can save 10% by purchasing it online.

Sorry if you feel  I shamming you but local bike shops are getting the short end of the stick and somebody needs to say it.  Maybe I'm just self righteous about it but it annoys me to see people who are part of the 'Chicago cycling community' provide free advertising for online retailers when there are so many excellent shops out there more than willing to go that extra mile, shops run by people active in the community, for whom those lost sales make a difference.

I don't believe you talked to 5 or 6 shops and were unable to find a shop able to get what you wanted in a timely manner, sorry.

Duppie said:

Shame on me Dug for not putting in enough effort to find the right shop, for giving up after visiting a five or six shops, and instead ordering online. I am truly sorry I let you down once again ;)

Maybe you should read some articles about how locally owned, independent bookstores are once again thriving. Hint: They didn't do it by publicly shaming their highest spending customers.

notoriousDUG said:

If your LBS is not helping you to make sure you get he right part or provide you with advice you're not going to the right bike shop.  Lots of shops out there will give attention to your small order, you just have to put a little effort into finding the right shop.

Duppie said:

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 6, 2014 at 8:32am

Do either of you guys have an opinion on the fact that Divvy is temporarily closed due to inclement weather?

Duppie said:

Don't feel sorry for shaming me. In case you hadn't noticed, my replies are tongue in cheek.

But your shtick about online stores is getting old and repetitive. It may be a real concern, but the solution is not shaming. Bikeshops, like any other business, should adapt to the changing world: For example, provide in store ordering with shipping directly to the customers home, where the LBS takes a referral fee. Or build a community around a niche market (JC Lind, Boulevard Bikes, Uptown Bikes) or concept (Heritage Bikes).  Or charge a reasonable amount for help beyond basic questions. Mrs Duppie's retail environment does that. Does it turn away customers? Sure, but mainly those who weren't willing to spend money in your store anyway. You can even discount that fee against their purchase.

As far as high spending customers goes, on top of what I buy online, I spend about $1400-$1500 a year at LBS's (averaged over the last 6 years). How much does your average customer spend annually, measured over a number of years? 

Of course, if all this just serves as an opportunity for you to vent your frustrations, then I am glad to have provided you with an outlet for your venting ;)

notoriousDUG said:

Don't you have to buy from a shop to be it's highest spending customer?  I also don't think that book shops have to deal with anywhere near the degree of show rooming that bike shops do.  I bet a book shop has never had a customer come in, spent an hour or more fitting them and helping them figure out exactly what size bike they needed and what bike worked for them only to have them go purchase it online.  Or come in and ask questions to figure out exactly what it is they do need so they can save 10% by purchasing it online.

Sorry if you feel  I shamming you but local bike shops are getting the short end of the stick and somebody needs to say it.  Maybe I'm just self righteous about it but it annoys me to see people who are part of the 'Chicago cycling community' provide free advertising for online retailers when there are so many excellent shops out there more than willing to go that extra mile, shops run by people active in the community, for whom those lost sales make a difference.

I don't believe you talked to 5 or 6 shops and were unable to find a shop able to get what you wanted in a timely manner, sorry.

Duppie said:

Shame on me Dug for not putting in enough effort to find the right shop, for giving up after visiting a five or six shops, and instead ordering online. I am truly sorry I let you down once again ;)

Maybe you should read some articles about how locally owned, independent bookstores are once again thriving. Hint: They didn't do it by publicly shaming their highest spending customers.

notoriousDUG said:

If your LBS is not helping you to make sure you get he right part or provide you with advice you're not going to the right bike shop.  Lots of shops out there will give attention to your small order, you just have to put a little effort into finding the right shop.

Duppie said:

Of course I did, thanks for asking ;)

The only LBS on or near my commute route that I found remotely interested in ordering parts for me was J.C. Lind, who indeed stocks some of the common items (lights, etc). But he orders it with his normal orders, so it may take weeks for the part to come in.

Others simply weren't interested in my small order.

Dug, sometimes, ordering online is the simplest, fastest way to go, especially when an LBS provides no value-add for my purchase (i.e determining whether this is the part I really need, or explaining how to install it, etc.) And mind you, I am not shopping for the cheapest price either. These products have a pretty well controlled price, n-line or in brick and mortar.

notoriousDUG said:

Much of that stuff can now be found places other than Peter White these days, but I am sure you gave your LBS a call to check and see what the cost and availability was, right?

Duppie said:

You mean going to a LBS, tell them exactly which bracket you want, wait for them to place their next order with Peter White, which may require waiting for weeks, then go back and pick up and pay for the part?

Yes, you can do that too ;)

notoriousDUG said:

You can also buy that stuff at your local bike shop.

Crazy I know, right?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on January 6, 2014 at 8:43am

This discussion is fascinating. Are there solutions? Is a local wholesale business to distribute parts to bike shops feasible? Should/will cycling become more like the automotive industry which largely separates sales, service, and parts?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 6, 2014 at 8:49am

Interesting thought. Is each one of these 3 seen as separate profit centers in the automotive industry?

Tom Dworzanski said:

This discussion is fascinating. Are there solutions? Is a local wholesale business to distribute parts to bike shops feasible? Should/will cycling become more like the automotive industry which largely separates sales, service, and parts?

• ▶ Reply

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