mike s wrote:
>
> "Lorenzo L. Love" <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> > "Jude T. McGloin" wrote:
> > >
> > > , I'm reminded that BikeE went to the same "purchase at the shop only"
> > policy just before they folded. This is a disservice to the majority of potential customers. If
> > I wanted to buy a Bacchetta, I could not. Why should I be discriminated against? So I guess if I
> > want a bike of that type, my money will go to someone else, someone willing to sell to me by
> > mail order like Hostellshoppe.
> >
> > Lorenzo L. Love
http://home.thegrid.net/~lllove
> >
> >
>
> I can understand your position and don't quarrel with the affect that "on-site" sales requirements
> may have. On the other hand, presuming you do not buy untested, that means that a visit to some
> shop is necessary. You then use the services of the shop owner and tie up his equipment. The shop
> owner has staff and rent he is paying. I don't think anyone would disagree that he is entitled to
> make a profit on what he sells (none of us are in business as a hobby). He is at a disadvantage to
> a mail order warehouse type operation who only offers a lower price because he doesn't have the
> investment in running a shop. Also, whenever I have had a bike shipped to me, no matter how
> meticulous the reputation of the shop, it always needs to be adjusted due to the breakdown and
> packing. I think a manufacturer has an interest in making sure its bikes are set up right and a
> shop which handles them on premises would, presumably, be more qualified to properly set up and
> fit the bike to the rider than someone filling orders by mail. Therefore, while an on-site policy
> required me to travel hundreds of miles to test ride units, I don't begrudge the owners (who spent
> a lot of time with me) the opportunity to get his price. I am sure there will be many who will now
> rip this position to shreds, but I think there is a logical argument for this policy.
I've bought four out my five bikes including three recumbents by mail or internet untested. If I
want anything new other then a Walmart bike, I have no other choice. I've never had the slightest
problem assembling them. If the seller knows what it is doing, the drive train is completely setup
and adjusted and should be good right out of the box. That was the case with bikes ordered direct
from Easy Racers and from Hostel Shoppe. I have no reason to travel hundreds of miles when there are
dozens of manufacturers quite willing to do business with me. They will be the ones getting my
money, not Bacchetta.
Lorenzo L. Love
http://home.thegrid.net/~lllove
"We recognize, however dimly, that greater efficiency, ease, and security may come at a substantial
price in freedom, that law and order can be a doublethink version of oppression, that individual
liberties surrendered for whatever good reason are freedom lost." Walter Cronkite, in the preface to
the 1984 edition of 1984