CELLbikes said:
Hey guys, cheers for your thoughts again!
God Bless PBK! I even buy stuff from them, however we've had some customers that come in saying that they've had bad warrantee issues with them, as you need to post things back to England and the turn around time may be lengthy.
Yeah, and I rarely buy stuff that is likely to be a warranty problem from them. Mostly, I get tubes, tyres, cassettes - that sort of stuff. Stuff that just is - wont be the wrong size or wont work properly. Computers, clothes etc. I will buy where I get to see, touch and take back if there is a prob. What I said about going into the shop and grabbing tubes is a case in point. If I'm told I need to pay more because my presence is a pain in the **** to the manager, I will say stuff it - PBK.
However, there are a few places where I actually feel welcomed. They talk to me, don't make me feel like I'm a burden. Sure the business model is different but, the feeling of being encouraged in is important.
I'm not going to give them a free plug (they don't pay me - where Dallas used to be). They are more pricey but I will still go in there to have a chat, see a tube and think, "geez, need a few of them - don't wanna wait 2 weeks from PBK." I buy, even though it is more $$$.
Yes, if I walked into CELL, I'd prob get it cheaper despite the fact it's the higher store price but, I still feel like Cell prefers not to see me.
Last time I walked into the other shop to "have a chat", I had my wife with me. She got chatting about tubes and tyres. The chat developed, she ended buying a $1600 bike. This is despite the fact that they are known as a little pricey (and were going to go everywhere else first try for a better price)
Wouldn't have happened on-line.
CELLbikes said:
If you're happy with PBK, then by all means by from them, however, if you disagree, perhaps you should check out Woolies wheels, go to their shop and ask for the online price.
Woolies. I bought my SCOTT from them. Went back once thinking I could get a relationship with them - I thought they would value that. I went back to buy a spare set of cleats. I had the online / store price argument with them. I walked out - haven't been back. For about $4 (the difference), they lost me forever
Scotty