Haggling

king_crisps

When it comes to purchasing a bike in a bricks and mortar store what are people's thoughts on haggling over the price? Don't particularly enjoy haggling for anything personally, but I suppose it's part and parcel of buying a bike it seems. Taking a sample, non-sale price of e1700 on a bike, what do people feel would be a reasonable price to settle on after a bit of negotiation?

Hatcho

Quite simply ask what's the *best* price that can be done on the bike...or else push for some bits n pieces to be included in the purchase. It's in the shops best interest to keep the customer and make the sale - a reduction in their margin is a small price to pay for possible future custom.

8 to 10% discount perhaps? Thats what I'd pust towards (but not necessarily achieve).

TheBlaaMan

You cant haggle successfully if you dont have some idea of the limits that the other party can go to............in other words, research the item to see what is the realistic lowest price he will sell it for and then pitch close to this allowing for both parties to get a 'win-win'. The price you pay is realistically going to be above this figure after all haggling completes. Any good negotiator will know his limits and that especially goes for the guy selling!

As mentioned, any other goods that the LBS brings to the deal will benefit him (insofar as he will calculate the RRP of these as the "discount", whereas he has actually paid a lower wholesale price for them ) and you as you would have to pay the full ticket price in any case. Just make sure that all bits included are actually things that you want/see as essential, and not just crap he want to get rid of.......

king_crisps

Thanks for the replies. Plenty of good advice there to keep in mind when making a decision.

Captain Havoc

I work as a salesman but outside of the cycling industry. We've a no haggle policy, I'd imagine that this would be similar in a lot of larger stores. If you go into a place where the owner is there, I'd imagine you've got some scope to haggle. One of the best ways to haggle, is to get a few items and see what he can do. Ask if they give discounts for cycling club members or if you work for a large company, we give 5% discount if you work for one of the large employers around. As previously mentioned, check out the prices elsewhere. The biggest benefit of buying in bricks and mortar as opposed to online is service.

reilig

When I was buying my bike, one of the large Irish online bike retailers had it up for €1150. I was tempted to buy online. Went to my LBS just to price against it and they told me that their stock of the bike I wanted came from this online retailer. Told me they could give me a discount and offered the bike to me @ €1000. I bargained a bit with them but the said that they couldn't budge on price but would throw in pedals and shoes. Got specialized shoes that were on sale for €70 in the shop for free!

check_six

As reilig says, if you don't feel comfortable asking about the price of the bike, see if you can get a few complimentary bits and bobs thrown in; pedals, speedo, bottle cages, lights, that sort of thing. You'd be surprised what you might get.

I've always been a reluctant haggler, but looking back I've had some really good results with little effort. I've had prices reduced, extra bits thrown in, semi-permanent price reductions when I went back to the same place to get new bits, etc. Maybe the gormless confused look I bring to the negotiating table is more steely than I had imagined!

One occasion where it did not work was when I was buying a bike for my kid. We'd picked out the bike and were going to pay for it when I asked if they could throw in a couple of those little elastic band lights (rrp. about a fiver), and maybe a bottle cage. They said sure they could, and they proceeded to ring up the cost of each item on the till. Lurching uncomfortably into haggling mode, I asked if they could just include the small items in the price of the brand new bike (the bike was quite expensive for a childs bike). Perhaps they had misunderstood me. The guy just looked a bit confused and said the total cost again. Eventually he conceded 10% on the cost of the bits and bobs. That worked out at < €2 saving. It kind of reminded me what made me uncomfortable about haggling in the first place, but it was a once off.

I think you've also got to pick the right person in the shop as well.

petethedrummer

If there is more than one bike shop in your locality, ring around and see who will do the best deal.

nilhg

I always have the attitude that if you don't ask you don't get but always recognise that the other fella has his limit too.

When I was buying my bike the LBS reckoned that he didn't have a lot of wiggle room on the price but was giving me a small discount, we came to an agreement and since he didn't have my size in stock I had to wait a day or to for it. Next morning I got a call from him from the distributors office to say that he could upgrade me to the next model up (Ultegra v 105, better wheels) if I was willing to take a 2011 rather than 2012 model at no extra charge. A good example of the shop looking after their customer.

DirkVoodoo

What's wrong with haggling?

If shop owners are offended or unprepared to haggle, then they are in the wrong business.

You're not forcing their kids to starve, if they can't do it, they won't accept and will stay firm on the price, but most prices have a bit of "wiggle room" and sometimes they will make up the "wiggle" by selling you other stuff at full price with the bike.

king_crisps

check_six wrote: »

Maybe the gormless confused look I bring to the negotiating table is more steely than I had imagined!

I hope you're right. I'll be relying on that myself

Captain Havoc

The best option for both parties is to throw in a freebie, €100 worth of extras probably cost the shop about €50, you get €100 worth of gear and you don't look for €100 off, both parties are up by €50, if you get my drift.