Looking out for the little guy

Gentlemen (and ladies), I have read a few posts about some of the prices the speciality shops are charging and feel I should say something (that has probably already been said).

Some of you have been somewhat dismissive about the (seemingly) exorbitant prices of some of the product being offered for sale.
I used to feel exactly the same way until I ran my own business. If you sell everything on without making a profit...it's not a business. It may seem expensive but these shops have got to keep themselves afloat, pay staff, pay themselves and buy new stock.

New product, 'risky'/'exotic' product (bear in mind it is the supplier/shop's risk, NOT your own) would never see the light of day without someone investing themselves and reinvesting whatever profit they made from previous sales. It pains me to read some of the comments in the classifieds section (yes, I know £75 for a set of coloured allen keys is somewhat optimistic) but at least new, different product is being brought to the table. If you buy it, fine, if you don't, you don't. The choice to buy, or not, is yours. I'm sure if TFG/14/FGL/etc closed down everyone would be 'fuck, that place was so good whilst it lasted' but seriously, you people have the last word in whether these places continue to exist, by buying from them.

I used to specialise in importing a niche car from Japan. Along with the car we'd investigate new parts and products and try to ONLY cater for our selected niche otherwise it was all too easy to dilute your core market. We were supported by a hardcore of fanatics and enthusiasts and it made the difference and meant I could keep the doors open and pay staff. In the current economic climate every single fucking penny you decide to put with one supplier rather than the other could be the tipping point in whether that supplier can open their doors tomorrow morning. Can you imagine wandering into Halford's Bikehut, putting in a special order for some Nitto drops and know you were being served by someone who actually gave a fuck about the relative merits of radial lacing?

For me, I take my hat off to 14/TFG/FGL. I fully respect the history places like BLB has, but I'll happily ride an extra 5 miles and pay an extra £2 for product knowing the money is in their pockets rather than some huge Internet-based store or a bike shop that will clearly be there for years to come.

Just something to think about. Rant over.

As you were.

well said, respect your lbs. all the prices will be the same soon enough.and with postage etc it can soon add up

I expected this thread to be about your penis

i thought it was about a midget cyclist

I expected this thread to be about your penis

Me too! I agree about with the sentament (being part of a co-op now and having to pay attention to finances), but I am disapointed that this wasn't about your johnson.

and no one's dibbed it*

*this thread is in classifieds

Ha! I don't need another one.

in enough trouble already balki?

£1400.00 for a complete bike with shit components ie, Ambrosio hubs, Miche chainset. Sorry but the buyers paying these prices in my eyes are MUGS. I don't want to mention any names ahem SPAGHOOPS ahem. you MUG.

£1400.00 for a complete bike with shit components ie, Ambrosio hubs, Miche chainset. Sorry but the buyers paying these prices in my eyes are MUGS. I don't want to mention any names ahem SPAGHOOPS ahem. you MUG.

You seem like a really nice guy...

might of known you'd wade in dean. 14 have managed to get it together in a big way, what have you done? When's the Swagger shop opening? don't be bitter.

while it is good to support small suppliers due to the fact they can offer a different business model to larger internet based stores they actually have to offer something truly different and competitive

my favorite small bikes stores are the ones where you can chat to the owner about your bike problems and hang about for a bit using tools he/she lent you to install the bits you just bought, maybe with a few helpful hints from them

tokyo just doesn't do it for me its to hipster-cool, busy and a little intimidating It offers me nothing I couldn't order from a specialist website at the same or cheaper prices without the trip up to hellish east (although i'm sure they are good to there regulars and time will prove if they are a good shop)

case in point the other day my house mate was given a free quick release skewer when he broke his at our local bike shop tightening it after fitting an awkward derailleur for touring (he was leaving on a plain the next day so didn't have time to spare) and thats what keeps us coming back

I agree, loyalty pays. The TDV guys have been brilliant in helping me out, even after closing hours, which is something you don't get elsewhere.

in enough trouble already balki?

If only...

I expected this thread to be about your penis

+1 I was expecting a discussion of chafing. Quite looking forward to it, actually.

Yeah, I made it a priority to open too Sharkstar! Would have clicked all the image links too.

Yeah I was looking forward to some penis talk...nevermind eh.
Back on topic, in case anyone hadn't noticed already, i'm a big shop14 fan, those guys are giving great customer service, always extremely helpful, they have lent me tools, helped me out with parts etc more times than I count in a short period of time, and I am happy to give them my repeat business and would recommend them to anyone I meet.

Yeah I was looking forward to some penis talk...nevermind eh.
Back on topic, in case anyone hadn't noticed already, i'm a big shop14 fan, those guys are giving great customer service, always extremely helpful, they have lent me tools, helped me out with parts etc more times than I count in a short period of time, and I am happy to give them my repeat business and would recommend them to anyone I meet.

+1
you are not alone james :{)

I agree with CJ, nice shop nice people nice bikes.
seem to be doing ok, swagger seem to struggle to sell on eBay, look crap and I've heard anyone who rides one loses their soul....

I love the friendly vibe of the shop as well, like you can go down hang out, chat to people, and even if you're not actually there to spend any money, everyone is really cool and welcoming.
Tour De Ville is very much the same as well, really nice vibe, lots of bike porn, and a great place to hang out, plus Tour De Ville has awesome Coffee!

£1400.00 for a complete bike with shit components ie, Ambrosio hubs, Miche chainset. Sorry but the buyers paying these prices in my eyes are MUGS. I don't want to mention any names ahem SPAGHOOPS ahem. you MUG.

Ha!
ambrosio fucking hubs???
no.

one word.... CYCLESCHEME.
i only pay 54% of that back.
it works out quite nicley.

but i suppose a 'redline' ltd edition 'fixie' would be worth it hey?
you are as dumb as that specialized tattoo on your neck.

good luck with your swagger bikes though... they seem to be selling really well.
i've got an old Giant Bowery in my basement that you can have powdercoated and sell on as ltd edition SUPREME X BAPE X CARHARTT X MASH X MACAFRAMA bike if you want.

Hahahahahahahahaaahahahaha

Cavendish have always been pretty helpful to me (rummaging around for bits, lends of tools etc.)

Condor are also really good, even though they are normally stupidly busy when I'm in there and often a couple of quid more expensive.

The place in Lambs Conduit street (bikefix?) seems a bit dozy, though maybe I've just spoken to the wrong dude.

14 is a helpful place, looks more like a gallery but fun nonetheless. Entails a trip down the spice route so I don't go over that much.

And (not a shop) but Retro gets a mention in my bike contact pantheon for always having a few nice bits at decent prices.

whatever bike shops are selling, whoever they are, they should not moan about being undercut elsewhere. i think its the shops responsibilty to check the prices of competitors. a couple of quid here and there i can live with no problem, but if we are still banging on about the 75 squid allen keys, we can bitch and moan and not buy them, or buy them if we want to. its not our fault that a shop didnt research its stock before it bought it and therefore lost out big time. support your locals, importers, specialists, gallery boutique vintage stores whatever they are ,if they have good service and stuff you actually want. if they have stuff you dont want, dont buy it. the shop takes the risk, respect to them doing it, but they sometimes im suprised by the lack of research some shops do before buying in expensive stuff they cant shift... that is not the fault or problem of the consumer and should never be put at their feet. consumers should not have to pay for the mistakes of a retailer. period.

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