Worth Chasing a Deal?

It sounds like you place the LBS as part of the equation, so unless its hundreds$ you are talking about, you may want to buy from the one you like best. I don't believe Trek discounts like Fuji, Giant, Iron Horse... A hundred bucks off is all you'll get in Boston, for instance.

woodgab said:

It sounds like you place the LBS as part of the equation, so unless its hundreds$ you are talking about, you may want to buy from the one you like best. I don't believe Trek discounts like Fuji, Giant, Iron Horse... A hundred bucks off is all you'll get in Boston, for instance.

Agree the right LBS is worth some money. Service after the sale means a lot; a good LBS will take care of the initial service and any warranty repairs painlessly for you.

Worth is a personal value and is different for different people. I do a lot of purchasing using the internet and ebay to save some money (and I have saved about 30-40% of the retail on average) but there are some risks.

First, Trek has an agreement with the LBS to allow only pick up. The LBS should not be shipping the bike. However, sometimes if you are willing to have the previous years model, and you can get some real big savings, and the shops will sometimes ship those bikes. The Trek 5000 though from my reasearch was a product where demand exceed supply which means there are almost no new previous year models available.

You can check ebay, and sometimes you will find new bikes for sale (called NIB). Be sure to check out the seller before you buy, also if looking at a near new bike and they have a picture, be sure to verify it is a picture of the bike (and not copied for some other place).

Saving money on the internet requires patience, time, and research. The LBS has a value and you may want to pay the higher price.

In May 2005, I purchased a Litespeed Firenze 2004 Model, full Ultegra for $1650 delivered (normal retail is $2100+local tax). I also purchased some American Classic CR420 Bladed Spokes for $550 (retail for $900 + local tax).
Both were NIB. So you can see I saved a lot, but I did about 3 weeks of daily internet research (about 1 hr each day) to find them.

Hope this helps. --Jeff

buckybux said:

Worth is a personal value and is different for different people. I do a lot of purchasing using the internet and ebay to save some money (and I have saved about 30-40% of the retail on average) but there are some risks.

First, Trek has an agreement with the LBS to allow only pick up. The LBS should not be shipping the bike. However, sometimes if you are willing to have the previous years model, and you can get some real big savings, and the shops will sometimes ship those bikes. The Trek 5000 though from my reasearch was a product where demand exceed supply which means there are almost no new previous year models available.

You can check ebay, and sometimes you will find new bikes for sale (called NIB). Be sure to check out the seller before you buy, also if looking at a near new bike and they have a picture, be sure to verify it is a picture of the bike (and not copied for some other place).

Saving money on the internet requires patience, time, and research. The LBS has a value and you may want to pay the higher price.

In May 2005, I purchased a Litespeed Firenze 2004 Model, full Ultegra for $1650 delivered (normal retail is $2100+local tax). I also purchased some American Classic CR420 Bladed Spokes for $550 (retail for $900 + local tax).
Both were NIB. So you can see I saved a lot, but I did about 3 weeks of daily internet research (about 1 hr each day) to find them.

Hope this helps. --Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Yeah...I appreciate the value of the LBS relationship, but want to be sure I am not going to see the bike $500 less in 30 days somewhere...not that I can help that. Of course, "worth" is 100% subjective, but it's still nice to hear from those of you who may have had similar experience (like you).

sgnden said:

Thanks Jeff. Yeah...I appreciate the value of the LBS relationship, but want to be sure I am not going to see the bike $500 less in 30 days somewhere...not that I can help that. Of course, "worth" is 100% subjective, but it's still nice to hear from those of you who may have had similar experience (like you).

Remember that price depends on the time (of delivery, quicker is more expensive), quality of the outlet (LBS is more due to the expected increase in service), and risk (ebay should be less due to the higer risk involved with the seller).

So when you are concerned about finding it cheaper 30 days later, and if you purchase from a LBS, you will usually find it cheaper! You are paying more to the LBS for the time, quality and risk. Bottom line, make a decision based on the facts at that time. If you are not comfortable with the decision, take more time, but if you are comfortable then make the purchase.

I have had some issues with ebay, because often the bidding increases to nearly the level you can purchase either locally or online. I have a rule that ebay has to save me 30% or I go someother place. In purchasing online from a reputable dealer, difference has to exceed 10% (and always include S&H and the local sales tax) and I need to be saving at least $30.

--Jeff
PS: That first paragraph comes from my lecture in Marketing on Pricing. I hope I didn't come off too preachy

buckybux said:

Remember that price depends on the time (of delivery, quicker is more expensive), quality of the outlet (LBS is more due to the expected increase in service), and risk (ebay should be less due to the higer risk involved with the seller).

So when you are concerned about finding it cheaper 30 days later, and if you purchase from a LBS, you will usually find it cheaper! You are paying more to the LBS for the time, quality and risk. Bottom line, make a decision based on the facts at that time. If you are not comfortable with the decision, take more time, but if you are comfortable then make the purchase.

I have had some issues with ebay, because often the bidding increases to nearly the level you can purchase either locally or online. I have a rule that ebay has to save me 30% or I go someother place. In purchasing online from a reputable dealer, difference has to exceed 10% (and always include S&H and the local sales tax) and I need to be saving at least $30.

--Jeff
PS: That first paragraph comes from my lecture in Marketing on Pricing. I hope I didn't come off too preachy

Thanks for the input Jeff. Not too preachy at all...I am more than a little guilty in that area more often than I care to admit.

I decided to turn-off my analytical mode and bought a Trek 5000 (hard to find!) yesterday! The LBS is excellent...and yes, I am probably not getting the VERY 'cheapest' price...but there is value of course in the relationship and service. I go in for full-on fitting (Serrota training) on Friday. Can't wait!! SG

sgnden said:

Thanks for the input Jeff. Not too preachy at all...I am more than a little guilty in that area more often than I care to admit.

I decided to turn-off my analytical mode and bought a Trek 5000 (hard to find!) yesterday! The LBS is excellent...and yes, I am probably not getting the VERY 'cheapest' price...but there is value of course in the relationship and service. I go in for full-on fitting (Serrota training) on Friday. Can't wait!! SG

Good choice, it is an excellent bike. I got to ride one in Florida for a week in June and the ride was really smooth. I am also sure that you got a "good" deal too, and will receive lots of support from the LBS shop.
--Jeff

Interesting thread. I just got a new 5000 frame as a warranty replacement for my 12-year-old OCLV. It's gloss black (not exactly what I wanted), and only has a decal on either side of the downtube.

Trying to decide whether to build it or sell it and buy something else.