a Note on the Bicycles we stock….
In addition to the internet being very efficient to order something, it’s not necessarily, and more frequently NOT the better deal than in person sales. It’s extremely confusing, to both of us, if there is a better deal ordering online vs. calling us up, or going to your local bike shop. There are many instances, where the deal is better if you call us or stop into the shop, there are many instances where it is the same. Very difficult to understand, I often have to check on every bike (price, freight, etc.) because the changes are very fluid.
There are many good bicycle brands out there. We know this because we have worked on many of the bikes you graciously bring to us to service. We stock some of the best of them because we believe in that brand to deliver you a great ride, years of personal enjoyment, warranty protections, and curb appeal! They are beautiful.
Manufacturers have created new “online bicycle shops”. So you can now go online through their websites and order a bike independent of your local bike shop. Here’s how it works. Let say you buy your bike for $1000 AT your local bike shop. First, thank you very much, this helps us exist in Yardley. The shop makes “margin” just like any other retailer, on selling that bike in order to operate, pay salaries etc. Now, if you go online, order it from the manufacturer and have it delivered to you, that local shop makes $0. If you go online, order that bike, have it delivered to your local shop, have the shop unbox, grease, tune, assemble for safety, dispose of the trash, test ride, possibly store it for you if you are out of town or something comes up, and then pick it up from them, the manufacturer deducts a percentage of that shops original margin. If you go online, order it from the manufacturer, have it unboxed, greased, tuned, assembled for safety, have the shop dispose of the trash, test ride, possibly store it for you if you are out of town or something comes up, then have the local shop load it onto their car, and drive it to your home, the manufacturer deducts a percentage of that shops original margin.
We’re not aware of a brand that is not doing this. It’s the way the industry is going. If it was an onerous situation, we would not exist. It’s not there yet, we hope that never occurs, but the genie is out of the bottle right? We stand on the shoulders of other shops that for decades just wanted to be part of the community, provide a service to that community, be able to live in that community. We really do enjoy continuing that existence.
Firehouse Cycles appreciates your walk in business. We’ve been happy to deliver bikes purchased from us at no additional expense to you, for years. Always enjoyable. Happy to do that anytime. Firehouse Cycles and its in house brands continue to be excellent partners and we enjoy selling them to you. You are getting an excellent product. We have had many inquiries about this process so wanted to do our best to explain to the best of our understanding.
WE moved…..
After 15 seasons in the same spot, with the planet heating up, we felt it was a good idea to get closer to the river.
THE NEW SPOT; WILL BE EASIER FOR YOU TO PARK AT, EASIER FOR YOU TO DROP YOUR BIKE(S) OFF FOR SERVICE, EASIER FOR YOU TO VIEW NEW BIKE INVENTORY, SAFER FOR YOU TO TEST RIDE, ALLOW US TO REMAIN IN YARDLEY FOR YEARS TO COME. IT IS 2.5X LARGER THAN THE LAST SPACE WE HAD. IT HAS 2! BATHROOMS, WE FEEL RICH. MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE.
THE SHOP CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE, LIGHTING IS BEING INSTALLED WEEKLY, BUT STOP IN AND TAKE A PEEK, IT’S PRETTY COOL.
WE ARE NOW A TRUE “NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE SHOP”. WE ARE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, SO PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY, TURN DOWN VAN HALEN A NOTCH. WE APPRECIATE THE KINDNESS OF THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE WELCOMED US IN, WE PLAN ON BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR.
STILL CARRYING SPECIALIZED, AND NOW ELECTRA! (A Trek Brand) AND BUILDING UP GREAT FRAMES LIKE SURLY, GUNNAR……
