A friend of mine told me that you can negotiate with a bicycle salesman. I was told, on average, that bike shops can discount up to 15%. The usual mark up on a bike is 30% - 40%. What is a reasonable offer on a $550 bicycle?
2007-05-21 10:47:41 · 7 answers · asked by BobbyPeru 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Absolutely you can negotiate price. Don't expect huge markdowns from the original price though. You may have better luck negotiating some sort of deal for service. Pay the shop what they are asking for the bike and get two or three free tune-ups.
2007-05-21 11:42:17 · answer #1 · answered by Reeohas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check on other bikes and see if you can find a cheaper one for almost the same or the same performance.And literally say the the salesman, "Well I found a bike that has the same performance for a cheaper price.." And a reasonable offer on a $550 bicycle would be somewhere around $470-500
2007-05-21 10:56:22 · answer #2 · answered by yougotshook21 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have turned down an offer from my shop to give me a discount. They offered it to me because I'm in the shop a lot, I bring customers to them, and I've built a relationship with them. They are good guys and I want them to be there for a long time. Does this make me stupid? I don't think so. Offer them $550.00. If they offer you a discount, then take it, or ask if they can include a few accessories. They are working hard at a low-margin, service-intensive and high-inventory business. They probably do it because they love it. If that idea doesn't resonate with you, just go to Costco and put your plastic down.
2007-05-21 16:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by Paul 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the best way to bargain is to show them that you can get the same bike from another source for $X and ask the to match it. Use PriceGrabber or SearchAllDeals to find the best price online and take the price to the bicycle salesman.
2007-05-21 12:27:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would do some shopping on the Internet for the model bike that you want and ask the shops if they will do a price match on the same bike. Also ask them to throw in extra accessories to make up for the difference if they don't price match, like a helmet, water bottle cage, hydration packs etc.
Look for last years closeout specials in big bike shops in your area or on the internet. Most bikes from last year are just paint and graphic changes anyway. Good luck!
2007-05-21 11:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jett Boy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Considering the cost of inventory and overhead, most bike dealers do little more than break even on bicycle sales. Their sugar is in service and accessories.
Lets look at the sale of a single bike:
A $550.00 retail bike costs the dealer about $305.00 plus $19.00 shipping plus the cost of storage, labor to assemble and sell, insurance, rent, and all those other things nobody thinks about. This leaves the dealer with about $41.00 in profit to buy more inventory, pay taxes and to live on.
Can you live on $41.00 for whatever period there is between getting the bike in, selling it and buying another to replace it, not to mention paying for the typical free service included with most models?
Lets look at it another way....
The average mini market grocery store marks up their strawberry ice drink thing 200% to 300%. Are you asking them to go down on their price? I bet most people spend more than $550 a year on them....
Don't be so cheap. If you want a good deal look for a leftover model or buy a used one.
2007-05-21 11:18:28 · answer #6 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buy last years model, in fact try the net. They will usually discount a reasonable amount to get rid of old stock. Check frame size though, you don't want a 21" frame if you are 5'4".
Luck
2007-05-22 00:25:54 · answer #7 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋