Mountain Bike Price fixing??????

carl_east

If you try the mountain bike magazines they always have adverts with last years models with big discounts. You can even get half price bargains. I've always bought my bikes from adverts out of magazines and never paid more than half price.

One of the best are Pauls Cycles. All the bikes are discounted. I think they may be older models but I personally think it's crazy to buy newer models when the technology in bikes doesn't change very much any more. There are some half prie bargains to be had here.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/index.shtml

EvilMonkey

Nesima wrote:

There is clearly price fixing / price maintenance going on.
I assume the manufacturers/distributors refuse to supply unless the retail price is guaranteed

This seems to be a fairly large logical jump? You can't find something cheaper so therefore it is CLEARLY price fixing??

Not supply and demand then? Not small margins?

EvilMonkey

greigc wrote:

I'm looking for a Specialized Hardrock pro 2004. I have seen it advertised for £350 (usually £500) but they have no more left. I have found one place that has one for £399

The best I can see online is £399 too (at evans cycles) but to be honest I only looked around for 10 minutes... I'd also try an offline approach and pop into your local bike shop (who stocks specialized) and ask him what he can do for you?

Sarahsaver

Theres a shop on London road in leicester, a little independent store but its always busy.

Have you tried stirling house - mail order and internet, they are ok if you don't want a mega trendy top-of the range bike.

mike_the_bike_2

I would agree on the original post..I bought a Specialized Rockhopper three years ago...It was the current years model and cost me £550...Everywhere I went charged exactly the same price ..and NONE of them would budge on price..

I don't agree on the small margin excuse because as has already been mentioned when a new model comes out the "old" model suddenly has its priced slashed!..My advice unless the bike is being bought for a fashion conscious teenager ....buy the previous model and get a bargain..wish I had!

tulips

if thats your budget - check out an on-one geared inbred. Classic steel design. Though the retail is over your budget (http://www.on-one.co.uk/products/completebikes.html) the company also sell them on ebay at around £400 which is a cracking deal (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72571&item=7132166341&rd=1) - you have to like white though as that is the only colour they are made in. Try singletrackworld.com forums and classifieds to help your search.

oxter

My son works in a bike shop. He tells me that most shops only get about a 30% mark up from dealers, 1/2 price bikes come from the distributor e.g. Specialized selling previous year's models at a cheap price to the supplier.
Also bikes change every year like P.C.s

Hope that helps

EvilMonkey

Price cuts don't have to come off the retailers margin, in many cases promotions are funded by suppliers in all types of retailers.

I think it's a bit of a jump to assume price fixing from the available evidence. I had no problem getting a bargain on either the current or previous years bike for the model I was after.

Specialized is a big and popular name, why should shops sell it less if they don't need to?

Poppy9

I bought a bike for my daughter from Wheelies in Feb 2004. It was a 2003 model and was less than 1/2 price. It still included adjustment and a free service after 6 weeks use (they were flexible on this as it was a birthday present). It was one of only 2 sale bikes in the shop - so I suppose you just have to be lucky.

tomek_2

If you know your bikes well and can tell a quality one, go for a used one, you can find some incredible bargains. People sell £700 bikes one or two years old hardly used for about £200 or less, simply because they got bored with them and found pedalling hard work !!!
LOL