Hi group;
I just found this site yesterday while researching a planned bike purchace. Just call this research project a 'get my ass off the couch intiative project'. I have been surfing manufacture's sites for a couple of weeks and trying to answer as many question to myself before visiting local bike shops. I plan on visiting 3 shops this weekend and hopefully make a purchacing decision the following weekend. This will be my first 'quality' bike purchase (bike shop Vs department store) ever so I am trying to be careful and getting as much information as possible before jumping in. However I do tend to study things to death sometimes which often leads to inaction ( I still haven't bought a digital camera after 2 years of looking!).
Anyway I have decided that a 'hybrid' bike is probably the best choice for me and have selected several manufacture's models to look for. I'm not asking advice on any specific choice but rather what to expect from dealers on the MSRP price often listed on manufactures web sites Vs what to expect a dealer to sell me one for. I have seen at least one local bike shop that has a web site selling a $710 MSRP model for $499 (specialized) and was wondering if I should approch dealers with the expectation that a little haggeling is expected or is that in bad form? I have read that one should be prepaired to build a relationship with a dealer for ongoing support, service, upgrades, advice, etc. I am prepaired and expect to need to purchace many additional items, helmet, car rack, etc and would be glad to give my dealer of choice first crack at meeting such needs.
So any advice and opinions on this subject would be appreciated
Larry
Hercules, Calif....
Measurement changes behavior