I want to support my local shop...I really do

[Phate]

but I just can't seem to do it! The prices are insane! I am all for supporting small local bike shops as much as possible and I really would like to throw mine (which is about 2 blocks away) some business but I can't. I really dont have a ton of money, only 1 year out of undergrad and very underpaid, but I would still do it if even reasonable prices were available. For example they had an icon sweatshirt that I have seen before and thought it looked nice so I decided to check it out. I have seen it online everywhere for $80, which is a ton anyway but it was just my birthday so I have a tiny bit of scratch to spend on myself. At the store it was $120!!!! NO WAY. What can you do?

[Zed]

I hear ya. I try to throw business to the local brick & mortars as much as possible too. You could always try just taking that sweatshirt up to the parts counter and saying, "Look, I can get this same sweatshirt for $80 online but I'd really like to give you guys the business. How about a discount?" Got nothing to lose.

[KillBill]

I agree that some not all retailers overcharge. I know a lot of retailers will price match in this day and age of the internet. It's in their best interest. Have you asked them?

As a business owner myself I realize that in order to survive I MUST stay competitive on many levels. If you can support your local businesses. I have had many instances where my local shop has lower prices and MUCH better service. Just my 2 cents.

[highsider]

Its a valid point. I have had the same dilemma before; why spend 50% more on the same items? I'm all for supporting local businesses, but when I can get a set of tires that they want $350 for off a web site for $195, guess which way I'm going?

If the local shop *tries* to price things reasonably, I will support them. But when the markup is ridiculous, I say screw it, and get it shipped to my door cheaper.

[SSearchVT]

Its a valid point. I have had the same dilemma before; why spend 50% more on the same items? I'm all for supporting local businesses, but when I can get a set of tires that they want $350 for off a web site for $195, guess which way I'm going?

If the local shop *tries* to price things reasonably, I will support them. But when the markup is ridiculous, I say screw it, and get it shipped to my door cheaper.

I'm not sure if this valid for all the shops - but - the service in the shops around here leaves a lot of room for improvement... I was at the parts counter, cash in hand, ready to spend it. They acted like they were doing me a favor by waiting on me. I left - I'll get the brake pads over the phone or internet. I was going to put them on myself anyway.

[zachary6]

I would tend to agree with the general consensus but it is really nice to be able to go to a shop and try something on for fit before ordering it off the internet. Pretty much stick to buying parts from GBM and lately had 2 good experiences from their service department (that is definitely a change!), but their sales department is seriously lacking. Its hard to go anywhere else for service when it is a five minute walk to your house. Pretty much keep Moto Market in business on gear, although I did have to purchase the new helmet on the internet. Nice to keep them around as it is a good way to meet other bikers from all over.

[Zed]

Yeah I've bought quite a bit of stuff from Moto Market over the years too. I like the place. Just wish they carried Shoei and Sidi.

[zachary6]

+1 Seriously

[LiononaLeash]

We're capitalists in America. We vote with how/where we spend our money. Businesses will adapt/die accordingly.

I buy as much as I can online, and continue to learn all I can to do my own work. It seems to be the only way to make things even remotely cost effective.

[benVFR]

This one should be easy.

The $1 made in Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia/China sweatshirt at $80 online is you being ass-fucked by the vendor. The only difference with the $120 sweatshirt is you're not getting a reach around.

$80 for a sweatshirt with a trendy gear-name on it! Holy Ridiculous... ! It's not a helmet or piece of gear that has to be engineered to be safe and perform well...

[highsider]

This one should be easy.

The $1 made in Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia/China sweatshirt at $80 online is you being ass-fucked by the vendor. The only difference with the $120 sweatshirt is you're not getting a reach around.

$80 for a sweatshirt with a trendy gear-name on it! Holy Ridiculous... ! It's not a helmet or piece of gear that has to be engineered to be safe and perform well...

I'm not really sure what you're trying to say, but I think everyone in this thread is comparing the same item's price at a local place vs. catalog/internet/whatever.

[Awesome]

What do you owe them? If you're getting good service and they're going above and beyond, maybe that could justify a slight price difference. I just paid $480 for a helmet I could have got for $400 at a closer shop and cheaper online too. But motomarket knows their stuff, is doing the sizing on site at the track, and delivering it for me. (thanks Allan). Their service won my business and will probably win it again for another helmet soon.

You don't owe anything to the local shop just because it's near your house. Of the majority of shops I've been to they're not very knowledgeable and they don't treat the customer well. Don't even get me started on the hacks they have in the service department.

[Awesome]

I think Ben is saying $80 for a sweatshirt is rediculous. And he's right. You could probably have it made custom for $50

[benVFR]

Just saying an $80 sweatshirt with an ICON logo on it is such a rip-off that complaining about the shop marking it up even more is kind of ridiculous.

No kidding shops mark stuff up. But when they're selling stupid and useless products you just don't buy the product period.

[KillBill]

What do you owe them? If you're getting good service and they're going above and beyond, maybe that could justify a slight price difference. I just paid $480 for a helmet I could have got for $400 at a closer shop and cheaper online too. But motomarket knows their stuff, is doing the sizing on site at the track, and delivering it for me. (thanks Allan). Their service won my business and will probably win it again for another helmet soon.

You don't owe anything to the local shop just because it's near your house. Of the majority of shops I've been to they're not very knowledgeable and they don't treat the customer well. Don't even get me started on the hacks they have in the service department.

I agree with you 100% on Allan. He is extremely knowledgeable and totally sold me on the Furygan jackets. This day and age it is a rarity to find someone who is not only willing to help but happy to help too. Vote with your dollar.

[TheIglu]

He even recognized me when I rode the Rex up there for some helmet parts last year. I was suprised, we have never been introduced.

My next Arai will be from them.

[union]

Im lucky enough to have friends in the retail business and also work at a shop that can get pretty much everything I could want. I understand all your frustrations with some of the local shops. A lot of them leave a lot to be desired. A lot of the shops hire people that are not that knowledgable about the stuff they are selling. They are just looking for that sale. Along with that a lot of these people are not paid well so spending a lot of time with someone just isnt what they want to do.

We can pretty much get everything but we dont stock stuff like gear and the showy parts. Our main thing is suspension. What you do get is the experience and knowledge of Peter Kates. For those of you that know him, you know what Im talking about. He pretty much finds a way to amaze me everyday. Our prices are pretty much on par with the rest of the stores but the service and concersations are much better with Pete.

[a13x]

I support my local shop by buying everyday stuff from them. Oils, lubes, small parts (chain links, tie downs), and DVDs perhaps on impulse.

Otherwise it's a) way overmarked or b) staffed by retards.


For service that I can't handle myself I DO NOT take it to just any old dealer. I take my motard and dirtbikes to Pete's Cycle and Sled, a small one-man operation out of Marlboro, whom I know will do it right and look out for me at the same time. Pete's Cycle and Sled

For more expensive gear I like to support rider owned smaller operations like Moto Market, Woodcraft, or Street and Comp.

[nerijusj]

I buy all of my gear online, simply because I didn't see any shops around carrying full line or at least what I want from AStars, AgvSport, Oxtar, etc...Looks like most of the stealerships around carry Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, First Gear, Icon stuff. I'm not saying it's bad stuff, but I preffer something else. I do however get OEM bike parts, oil filter from my stealership. I was gonna get some oil too, asked for a price of Mobil 1 mx4t. They want $13 for a quart!!! When I told them Autozone across the street sells it for $8.19 and asked them if they could match the price or give a discount they said no and gave me this "you cheap ass" look. So fuck that...I know I know it costs a lot of money to keep that kind of business running, but....what can I say, I'm not gonna pay THAT much more for a quart just to support local business.

[katana0215]

Ill buy oil filters and stuff like that at the dealer, but all my gear is purchased online because the prices are usually like 40% less, and the dealers seem to have no intention of making the prices close

[richw]

Survival of the fittest
My favorite is when they don't have it...

Give me deposit
Make a 2nd trip there to pick it up next week

Alternative
Call from your home save 40 percent
Brown truck to your house in 2 days



ALSO PSST back 40 years ago the price of stuff like oil was
In the f'n machine not in your hand.

Originally clothes with names on it were a give away to advertize the
the brand then some HOOPLE asked to buy some the rest was
marketing history

Racers are cool
Racers wear BS brand
I overpay for BS brand
Now I am cool................pathetic assholes

[Tiller Ayuh]

I see both sides of the coin here...For me personally, I support my local shop 100%...Could I get it cheaper online, maybe...probably yes...But when I walk into the shop and ask to make an appointment for something small, and they say, if you have a little time, we'll take it in now for you...That goes a long way...Or if I need a tire plugged, they fix it and say no charge, Also, because my I have been giving my dealer my business for a long time, I get a discount off his retail prices for jackets, helmets, tires, basically everything...Every scenario is different, but the people who work there are great and they do great work...

[sanfelice]

Shops make most of their $$$ on service, not on parts (maybe Brockton Cycle is the exception). But, I do most service myself since my bikes are plain simple and end up shopping for parts in the shops and online. I buy most stuff from GBM even though they don't give a break to the list price ( ) on parts. Gear I buy when it's on sale locally or online. GBM has some good gear deals now, but limited selection.

[JohnnyV]

I like to support my local guys as well. Any time I find a deal on something online that the local guy has in stock, I'll ask him if he can match it, and if not what's the best they can do. If it's only a few bucks more I'll buy from the store, but sometimes they just can't do it.

[tonyd]

It's simple and been said a few times but if you want to help out the locals and save your cash just ask them to match the webby price, to be fair include the shipping. If you ask and they say no, it's there loss.

I don't have a problem with buying stuff online but I hate the guys that go to the dealer to try shit on and then order online once they know what size the need.

To defend SOME dealers on tire pricing... Tires are priced on a tier system from most distributors. The place that buys 5000 tires a year (online) gets a much better price than the local shop that buys 150. I'm not saying you should pay the difference, just don't think that the shop is pocketing the $40 difference.