Cycling UK Forum

I can't help feeling we're being ripped off here in Blighty. I only have a snapshot and a fairly select one, at that. However, an SRAM Spectro S7 hub on eBay UK is advertised new at 185 Quid, including the shifter. On eBay De (Germany), I can get the new hub built into a wheel, a shifter AND a front wheel for 90 Euros. About 65 Quid! Now, I'm no economist, but something is awry somewhere...

UK: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SRAM-S7-7-speed-c ... dZViewItem
DE: http://cgi.ebay.de/28-ZOLL-SRAM-S7-HINT ... dZViewItem

The commercial philosophy in the UK whenever a new product or service has to be marketed is this: "How much can we charge before people say it's too expensive", in other countries, the USA in particular, they ask: "How little can we charge and still make a profit".

I was looking at a Black & Decker power tool in B & Q price = £100. Checked the web, same price everywhere in UK.

Same item on sale universally in US for $100.

In pricing, £1 = $1 seems a standard rate of exchange Mick Agar

It pays to shop around in the UK.

The same UK company I mentioned in the original message wanted 130 + 10 Pounds P&P for a Sturmey Archer XRF5 hub. I got one from www.oldbiketrader.co.uk for 56 Quid, inc. P&P. Brand new. Now is my deal a bargain, or...

"Rip Off Britain" is probably the one major reason which made 80% of people asked in a recent poll if they would like to leave the UK say YES!!. Problem is, we winge about it but just pay up anyway, if we keep paying they will keep on charging and laugh all the way to the Bank, on route to buying their new monster 4X4. I'm beginning to think K.Marx was right.

"It pays to shop around in the UK."

Other than for most bike components! One of the main players seems to have a strangely old style retail pricing policy, with carefully structured categories (and enormous margins!). There is at least one major dealer who state that they cannot supply outside UK: that would imply a restraint of trade that would not be tolerated for most goods (and would seem to be in breach of the Single Market).

I have to travel to the USA once a year and bring back bike parts. The savings pay for part of the trip.

I think we would have been better off forming an economic partnership with the USA instead of Europe, we have more in common with Americans anyway. I'm for ditching the EU and becoming the 51st State.

Having worked in the UK cycle trade for a year as a sales rep for a cycleparts wholesaler, I feel I must point out that there is virtually no money in the cycle industry at the retail end.
In my experience most independent bike shop retailers are in the business for the love of bikes and cycling, and struggle to make ends meet.
They cheerfully put up with charging a pittance for skillfully servicing the tank of a bike that their customers have bought from their local motor store, supermarket or discounted on the internet.
I only know of an isolated few who seem to make a good living from the trade.

Well said, tandemist

As the owner of amongst other things - an independent cycle shop, I think the idea that we're all sitting here earning fortunes on selling bikes and parts is laughable.

To the original poster - have you ever considered how much it costs to run a bike shop?

For example, as well as paying rip-off rents for often substandard buildings, we also have to pay up for ongoing repairs and maintenance. - What's known as a self-repairing lease.

On top of those costs we have every tom dick and goverment's harry out there with their hand out at every twist and turn.

On top of our business rents, insurances, lights and electricity bills we have to pay the government Business rates - which equate to roughly 40% of rent.

What do we get for our business rates? Not alot, this additional tax doesn't even include collecting our bins.

When it comes to disposing our trade rubbish, we have to pay to have it collected.

If we dare do it ourselves and take it to a designated trade waste disposal site, we not only have to pay to have it disposed, but we also have to pay the Dept of Envirn. to have a Waste Carriers Licence. Currently circa £185.

Then we have to pay staff..

And our staff's National Insurance.

And we have to pay Employer's Liability Insurance.

There are lots of other costs also.

I could go on, but the reason we have our cycle shop is that we love cycling.

Same can't be for said Online Joe Ebay trader who'll sell you a bottom bracket today and a nozzle for your hoover tomorrow.

In this life you get what you pay for.

In our business our service begins once the service has been completed.

I can assure you we're not ripping anyone off.

Paul Power

www.paulpower.co.uk

As for comparing prices to the US - remember that the US sales taxes are far lower than ours and are applied at the point of sale. Our retail prices include VAT at 17.5% an amount that would have most Americans lynching their government.

Our courier charges/transport costs etc are far higher here in the UK. As is our cost of staffing, elec bills etc.

Bit narrow minded to simply look at the retail price of something and declare those selling it are ripping everyone else off.

If it's so easy to make a mint in this business - what you lot opening your own bike shops?

There's a thought, eh?

Paul

www.paulpower.co.uk

i find my local bike shop(Geoff Smiths,BoltonLancs)consistantly cheaper than anywhere else and the service is second to none plus I get 10% off most products as a CTC member no rip off here.

Well said, and well done for supporting an independent, local business.

Not so long ago our high streets, town and villages had butcher shops, book shops, tailors, and the like - sadly not anymore. What we have is TESCOS nearby or failing that, A TESCO Mini Mart....

Where quality and services comes a poor second to price.

Somewhat ironically, the people who I hear moan the most about what's wrong with this country, refuse to support home-grown businesses. Instead surfing abroad to save a few miserable pounds.

If you want a quality service, you have to pay for it.

None of my staff work for peanuts. None of them earn the minimum wage. All of them without exception earn more working in our business than they would were they working for Tesco-type businesses.

When you buy from a good independent bike shop you're not being ripped off - it's a win-win situation. You get the best service and in the bargain build your local economy.

Paul

www.Paulpower.co.uk

I posted the original message and I stick by the qualified opinion.

I sympathise with your plight and I use my local bike shop when I need stuff quickly.

Had you checked out my original posting, I did qualify it by saying it was a snapshot and I did compare eBay prices.

I still cannot understand how a UK retailer who operates via a website can sell a hub gear for 185 Quid on eBay UK, when a German eBay business seller offers the same hub built into a wheel complete with a front wheel for about a third of the price. What else can I assume other than a rip-off???

FWIW, I have learned my lesson about buying a complete bike via the internet and would only buy one from a shop.

I think German overheads will be significantly higher than British ones, particlarly wages...