Show Rooming

My LBS is my local hang out. I support my LBS cause they support me. I rarely buy online mainly because I like to see, touch, feel, before I fork out the cash. Dropping off some goodies, snacks, drinks every now and then can save you time and money down the road as well. What ever it takes to ensure that when you call that LBS 5 min befor close on a Friday night (with #pioneertowngravelgrinder the next morning) that tey will hang out and swap out your bent chain for you. Thanks LBS.
 
I shop on Amazon all the time... I was even able to find some of the fixtures we needed for our bathroom remodel- to the amazement of our contractor/neighbor. But, when it comes to bikes, I support the shops as much as possible, even if it means paying a few bucks more- as in my recent Continental tire purchase.


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I know squat about different parts and "trim levels." SLX, XLS, BFQ, GHB, XX1, etc. And I'm actually not interested in learning all the minutiae. I can just about adjust my own derailleurs and swap out tires. :o

I have yet to buy anything (bike related or otherwise) online, except for 2 ebooks - which by definition you can't buy in a brick and mortar store - and ride/race registrations.

I want the LBS to be there when I need them to wrench on my bike.
 
My drive train rapidly reached the end of its service life on Saturday, and failed on Sunday. I could have shopped for all of the parts through Amazon and saved a few dollars, but I also knew I could go to the Path and/or Bike Co to get EXACTLY what I need - 11x36 10sp XT cassette, KMC 10sp chain, Race Face Turbine 36 AND 24 t chainrings. Hard to believe you can actually go out and get such specific product, so yes, I absolutely will support the convenience of having that stuff available right when I need it. BTW, The Path had it all but the 36t Turbine, but Bike Co had that. Oh and each store pulls 10% off the retail price for me, which covers tax and a bit more.

I love that I can still get a variety of 26" tires right off the rack too - at both shops.

Yes, showrooming is bad. Don't go to the shop to try on the helmet to then go order it for $10 less. If you do that, you suck.
 
herzalot said:
Yes, showrooming is bad. Don't go to the shop to try on the helmet to then go order it for $10 less. If you do that, you suck.
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Well said Herz. I'm the type of guy that likes to look,touch, try on, go home, research it and go back the next day and buy something totally different. My problem is I have a couple local shops plus a not so local shop that I like to frequent and share the wealth or lack thereof. :D

Ive bought a few bike related things online and saved a bundle but thats because they were discontinued items or weren't on the shelves locally and I needed em now. Both my bikes were purchased as prior year models thru local shops and they were heavily discounted(like 30-35%) and I seriously doubt I'd beat those deals online. I can't remember ever running into an amazon or chain reactions employee or owner out on the trails, but I've seen and ridden with several peeps from the local shops out there. Bottom line is we all get up and go to work to make money and support our families and hobbies and so do the people who own & work at these local shops. Nuff said...
 
I have previously worked in a shop. People have come in asking to get sized for an Internet bike, and then get p issued when I turn them down.
Other people come in want to see and handle a part, ask how to install it and then leave.
Same people come in and try on shoes....making the employee go through hoops to find the right fit, and leave, to buy the shoes online.
This is a theft of services and a result of showrooming. I don't care if you justify your savvy Internet skills to be superior to your local lbs, you are ripping them off.
No one thinks about the daily costs of running a business, they just want to save a few bucks.
But where do they go when thing go wrong? The local lbs. To get that wheel they "built" true and round?
If you showroom you suck and you deserve it when you crash and eat Sh!t.
 
rossage said:
I have previously worked in a shop. People have come in asking to get sized for an Internet bike, and then get p issued when I turn them down.
Other people come in want to see and handle a part, ask how to install it and then leave.
Same people come in and try on shoes....making the employee go through hoops to find the right fit, and leave, to buy the shoes online.
This is a theft of services and a result of showrooming. I don't care if you justify your savvy Internet skills to be superior to your local lbs, you are ripping them off.
No one thinks about the daily costs of running a business, they just want to save a few bucks.
But where do they go when thing go wrong? The local lbs. To get that wheel they "built" true and round?
If you showroom you suck and you deserve it when you crash and eat sh!t.
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I work In a shop and could not agree with rossage more, If I had a dime for every time I heard a customer say, " I could get it cheaper at ( insert Internet site here), i'd be pretty rich. Then why make me do all this work for nothing? Why are you here bothering me when you say that crap. It is especially worse when you are a dealer for a brand that is sold online and in chain stores and get told they have it for this much. Can you match it, and it is less than what I can get it for.
 
KTMTOM said:
herzalot said:
Yes, showrooming is bad. Don't go to the shop to try on the helmet to then go order it for $10 less. If you do that, you suck.
Click to expand...

Well said Herz. I'm the type of guy that likes to look,touch, try on, go home, research it and go back the next day and buy something totally different. My problem is I have a couple local shops plus a not so local shop that I like to frequent and share the wealth or lack thereof. :D

Ive bought a few bike related things online and saved a bundle but thats because they were discontinued items or weren't on the shelves locally and I needed em now. Both my bikes were purchased as prior year models thru local shops and they were heavily discounted(like 30-35%) and I seriously doubt I'd beat those deals online. I can't remember ever running into an amazon or chain reactions employee or owner out on the trails, but I've seen and ridden with several peeps from the local shops out there. Bottom line is we all get up and go to work to make money and support our families and hobbies and so do the people who own & work at these local shops. Nuff said...
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I'm in full agreement with so far all these post's, I especially like your post! You see I own my own business also the same as my LBS. So I know the shop is in business to make money, and as long as I am not getting bent over than there is no problem with sharing the wealth. Like Warren said, if you know how to interact with people and build a repore with not only the owner, but all the employees, that way you are more apt to get a break in some way. In fact I try to frequent 3 bike shops. There is one imparticular shop owner that actually drops off my bikes or parts cause he drives by my town on the way home to the city he lives in, we are not best friends, he is a shrewd owner but he appreciates my business cause I buy most of my merchandise from him, he appreciates it and I appreciate him! The damn internet takes out the personal interaction of human beings and believe me,that's for sure where we are headed, and it's pretty sad! And what Herz said!
Edit- And what Ross said!
 
To play devils advocate, I have got to ask...
One person goes into a bike shop to look at stuff and then goes home and buys it online for a better deal...
Another guy just goes online and buys the better deal...

According to Scottay's link http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singlespeeder-dont-showroom-your-local-bike-shop to the article by Angry Singlespeeder I get the impression it's okay to hit up Craig's List, Price Point, Competitive Cyclist, Chain Reaction, "add in your favorite online retailer here", if you DON'T walk into your local LBS???
But neither of which supports the local bike shop...?
Whether it's Show Rooming or not, isn't it important to SUPPORT your local Bike Shop?

Did anyone read the banter below the article?
Some good (and stupid) stuff...
 
Some of us aren't fortunate enough to have a competent LBS so online shopping is the best option. I do however support an LBS 30 minutes away on a regular basis. While I'm there I check prices and if it's relatively close to online I purchase there.
 
UPSed said:
Some of us aren't fortunate enough to have a competent LBS so online shopping is the best option. I do however support an LBS 30 minutes away on a regular basis. While I'm there I check prices and if it's relatively close to online I purchase there.
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Well, since you make your living from internet sales, you could be exempt from this argument. :shh: :thumbup:

However, I assume you don't treat your almost-local bike shop as a personal showroom for pre-purchase fit, feel and advice.
 
I think a lot of people who are showrooming already have an idea of what they want to buy and the prices they've seen online. They just want to see how it fits or see the quality of it. It really doesn't hurt to ask if the sales person can give them a better price. Clearly, they don't buy in the same bulk an online retailer does, so price matching is an unrealistic expectation. The worst that can happen is get a flat out no. More often than not, I get the "I'll see what I can do." This type of dialog builds up good relationships.

In general, no matter what the industry, it's always good to give back and let the people who've helped you know that they are appreciated. Like Warren, I like to drop off donuts and snacks at the LBS I frequent, and I've seen him there time to time. I also like donating money toward trail digs because I rarely have the time to spend a whole day digging or even riding.

My personal perspective is that time = money, and my time is VERY valuable. The time it takes to drive to the shop, showroom ,then potentially pay tax and shipping, and actually wait for the product to arrive does not make sense to me. Of course, this may not be the case for someone else who has tons of free time and some sort of anti-social disorder.
 
I used to work in a shop also. I just see it as part of the business now. There isn't much one can do. Its just how things are done now. People come in all the time trying on stuff and asking about bike sizing. I just try to help them out as much as possible. Even if they buy online and not from me and I'm cool to them...there is a good chance that when they do need service on a bike...they'll bring it to me. We have assembled plenty of bikes that were not purchased through my shop. Customers would bring bikes bought down the street for us to work on...because they "like our mechanics better". :mrgreen:

For me now...I pretty much buy online only. I know enough about myself, bikes, parts, and sizing to not need to go to a bike shop. I will use a bike shop if I need something right away (like tubular glue)...or if there is something on my bike that I don't want to physically do myself (or can't do)...like servicing a fork and truing a wheel.
 
I do almost all my shopping online. Every once in a while I'll need to pickup a cable, tube, CO2, or something like that from a local shop but all the large parts purchases are online. I know what I need, it's always much cheaper, I can install it myself, and my parts come right to my door. That being said, I don't showroom. The two things I've never bought online are shoes and helmets because I really need to try those on for fit.

The other problem is I don't have a shop I really like in my area. I'm in North Hollywood and I have several shops nearby, but I wouldn't consider any of them to be all that great. Most of them have the same problems- not enough inventory, hours are too short, Sh!t customer service.
 
I showroomed 4 bikes over 3 hours at Cyclery USA in Riverside knowing full well I was going to buy two of them from that same business, but the store in Rancho Cucamonga instead. To reciprocate for their time in Riverside, I sent the gang four dozen chocolate covered strawberries and a postcard from Sedona. Hell yea I showroomed, but I also ride with those same dudes on weekends and drink lots of beer afterwords.

Nothing solidifies one's relationship with a LBS more than joining them on a shop ride and, like Mr. Bomb says, "hauling the mail!" You can buy 5 expensive bikes from a LBS, but if you suck at riding them, you won't get as much respect.

I have consumed so much bike stuff that I need vendors on all fronts to support my cycling habits. It's a case by case basis for me, but I usually go for the best deal be it brick and mortar or online. Usually my LBS (Cyclery USA in Rancho Cucamonga) would match an online price or come close enough to it that I readily pull the trigger. Kenda tires always from Jenson USA, unless I need the awesome ( and true to size) Bontrager XR4, which I will pick up from my LBS. Lights and battaries from Westernbikeworks. Backpacker also hooks it up, and they give freebie GOAT stickers! When I upgrade or replace parts, only my LBS will trickle down parts from my primary ride to my secondary ride to my Hardtail turned commuter for no charge! The catch is I show up on shop rides and bring beer...done and done! The occasional chocolate covered strawberries or bombers from the Kern River or Mammoth Brewing Companies also earn points, and it feels good to go into a shop and see yourself on the video monitors from a GoPro shop ride. Also, I have Trek Redshield [wear and tear coverage], which has paid for itself so many times over its just insane that I would consider buying a different bike without similar coverage, and only my LBS gets my drive train, brakes, and "worn out" fork stanchions replaced every two years. My LBS friends have taken good care of me indeed. A few of them even came to my wedding! Having said that, give me a coupon for wherever, and I'll shop there.

Near the office I have Helen's and REI close by, and both have come in handy for a mid-day parts replacement or tune up before an afternoon ride because I needed the work done same day before 4pm and they got 'er done! These two shops are usually utilized when I'm tinkering the night before a weekday ride and either break something or notice my spokes or cables are toast. I have taken coworkers to both shops for showrooming bikes, and to date no bikes have been sold from either merchant, but the service is definitely handy.

How about this for a LBS business model: Have one competent mechanic work the graveyard shift from 7pm (when all bike shops close) until 3am and a second mechanic from 3am until 10am so that (1) the service backlog gets completed sooner than later, (2) the showroom is always well stocked with fresh builds, (3) for those of us tinkering in the middle of Friday night for a big weekend epic and break something or realize our brakes or drivetrain is shot, we could go to the LBS at 2am and find salvation...for a premium price of course!
 
+ 1 on the Bontrager XR-4 2012 or later! :thumbup: :thumbup: :clap:

I don't think any of us are complaining about customers who treat their LBS shop well, as you certainly do, and I have no problem with treating douchebag shops like the d-bags they are. So we are all in agreement then - be cool, reciprocate and don't use your local shops as a showroom without patronizing them, unless they patronize you. :wave:
 
I forgot to mention, I have to give a shout-out to Cory and Brian at the Orange County Bicycle Service and Garage in Lake Forest! When I lived at Quail Hill, the OCBSG was a savior!
 
I do just the opposite and showroom the internet, Find what i want for the best price and then go to my LBS and ask if they can match. Unless its some crazy blowout deal, usually they can. Of course if does help that I ride with these guys and spent $10k there last year alone.
 
Great topic and good amount of comments...
well I do support my lbs jensonusa, they're all great guys and Abby, the only girl, really knows the sport and gives great advice, also when I found something on the web they always try to match it or give a good price, but they earn my 90% of business and the other 10% the web, also when I go to tijuana I always get a case or at least 3/4, of those little cokes for them, and they l're always happy when they see me walking inside the door with the case of cokes on my hands, and last but no least they always check/adjust gears/breaks deraileurs, check noises and sometimes do a little ride on the parking lot to see if the adjustment was done properly...
almost forgot... sometimes I buy stuff from cyclery usa in riverside, they're cool too.
 
Reasons I don't buy from the LBS: (sorry guys I try when I can, but I'm being honest)

Not convenient, My LBS is across town. I can barely make it there before they close after I'm off work. Mail order will deliver right to my door within a few days. Usually use Jenson USA.

My LBS dosen't stock the brands I want. They carry only a few lines of bikes.

Price: I shop sales. Hard to pay full retail for big dollar items when they can be found on sale for 50% or more off retail. You can have Champagne on a coors light budget if you shop around.

I really do want to support my LBS and buy a new bike from them, but it is hard to find one I like at a decent price. I keep going in there and looking though. and thats the only time I "showroom"
 
I posted my feelings in that other thread, and still say - especially if they're upfront about it - that a smart LBS owner won't have a problem if someone were to try some bikes with the intention of buying used, whether it's because they can't afford new right now or because they're not sure they're going to like it. I'm going to gamble that they will like it and eventually spend some money with me. From my perspective, the more people hooked on cycling the better. But, I'm not an LBS owner.

That said, shopping at the LBS then buying the product online sucks. You're an *******, stealing someone's time (not only the LBS employee, but the real customer that's not getting his questions answered because you're taking all the employee's time). There are exceptions - the shop can't get what you want, or get it in your size (I found a pair of shorts I really liked and wanted a second pair in a different color - they were discontinued and LBS couldn't get any more. Found 'em online. Didn't feel at all bad about it).

Sure, I shop online. Mostly Jenson, which I kind of consider an LBS anyway. But it's usually stuff that while I'm working think, "Oh, I need such-and-such." A few clicks and it's on it its way. (And yes, I spend too much time thinking about riding when I should be working). I also shop the closeout sites like The Clymb and ChainLove. But for the most part I shop at my favorite LBS. Frankly, I'd be afraid to add up what I've spent there over the five years since I bought my first "real" bike from them.

Until a couple of years ago when they opened a second location closer to me, my LBS wasn't actually all that local - a 30 minute drive. The closest LBS to me was unfortunately in full douchebag mode the first time I walked in, ready to drop several grand on a new mountain bike. Couldn't get anyone to even say hello in the 30 minutes I was in there (and they weren't helping other customers, unless you count chatting about that morning's ride "helping.") I've since warmed up to them through some of the charity stuff they've done and some improvements I've seen in their stores, but usually only shop there out of pure convenience (as in, I'm driving by and remember I need some Stan's or something).

There are valid arguments to be made regarding shopping online vs. LBS. But in my mind there is no valid argument for using an LBS owner's or employee's time to gain knowledge before buying the product elsewhere. I've been on the receiving end of a time-waster before, and it sucks.
 
I worked in the bike industry for quite a few years, and never really cared. I always did my best to help any customer with any requests; and as a result, was known as the go to guy at the shops I worked for. I would get the occasional d-bag that never bought a thing from me, but I also had loyal customers that spent thousands of dollars with me every year. It is what it is, and it is a competitive business marketplace for sure. I deal with ONE shop and ONE shop only these days, The Patch- the best price they give me is the price I pay and I'm thankful for the service and discounts that I receive there. It doesn't hurt that I've known Tani for 20 years now and have worked along side him at the good ol Bike Source before he opened the shop. Even without that, I'd say their service and atmosphere and dedication to the bike industry is worth spending a few extra bucks.
 
Is there anybody besides a shop owner, shop employee, or "bro" that exclusively uses the LBS? I doubt it. I'm not a "bro" so I've come to expect to pay the marked price.

This will always be a touchy subject because so much of this depends on good will. I don't see any issue with visiting the LBS in a good-faith intent to purchase, but then determining that the LBS price is out of line and walking out. Everyone's definition of what constitutes a "good-faith intent to purchase" will vary, so unless you can read minds it's best to reserve judgement and leave it to the shop owners to set their prices however they want, because they're the only ones who have to live with the results.
 
I think a lot of people have misunderstood what is meant by showrooming....it is not a LBS vs. Online issue....price vs. price....stock vs. ordering.

When I hear the term showrooming the LBS here is what I picture: You wanna buy a new pair of shoes, so you head down to your LBS that stocks them. You try them on to figure out what size works for you, then head home and order them on line. Actually I see it happening with clothing/helmets/protective gear in general....items that are very size specific to each user.

Bikes, not so much....Giant/Trek/Cannondale/SpecialEd dont' sell online so you are pretty much stuck getting those from the LBS.
 
mtnbikej said:
I think a lot of people have misunderstood what is meant by showrooming....it is not a LBS vs. Online issue....price vs. price....stock vs. ordering.

When I hear the term showrooming the LBS here is what I picture: You wanna buy a new pair of shoes, so you head down to your LBS that stocks them. You try them on to figure out what size works for you, then head home and order them on line. Actually I see it happening with clothing/helmets/protective gear in general....items that are very size specific to each user.

Bikes, not so much....Giant/Trek/Cannondale/SpecialEd dont' sell online so you are pretty much stuck getting those from the LBS.
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Good points. The shop guys know who we customers are and it doesn't take very many visits to get a reputation. In econ terms, this is a "repeated game" where your behavior the last visit determines the level of service you receive this visit.

And on the flip side, it's not the customer's duty to pledge allegiance to the LBS. My duty is to the family budget. If you want loyalty, offer me the "bro" price up front. I'll be your best friend. (I'm not holding my breath...)
 
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