[ja001son]

Today I bought a 2010 Trek 4300 at Bike Barn in Houston.

"on sale" and "$50" off I was out the door for $691

from what ive read on the reviews, it seems I got hosed, as Im seeing people say they paid MUCH less than that on average.

also, after I got home I checked their website, and it said the sale was $100 off the same model, not $50.


I dont know much about bikes, this is the first bike Ive ever bought that didnt come from Academy or similar.

Just curious about where I should take or not take future business.

 

[falcodawgs]

Depends on if you got the disc or regular model. They may have also charged you for some sort of lifetime service with them so you want to check that out. But with the discount and tax it sounds about right depending on if they charged you for a service plan. And if you think you should have gotten 100 off then go back and ask them to clear it up... wont hurt atleast.

 

[ja001son]

Yea, i got the disc model, dont get me wrong, im really happy with the bike, but I was a little shocked reading the reviews and seeing people say they paid as low as $450 for the same bike.

 

[jeffgre_6163]

You paid your money and took your chances before researching pricing fully.
Live with it or it could cloud your perception and ruin the feeling of having a new bike.
As for where to direct your business?
Shop around, make an LBS earn your loyalty but always keep and open mind

 

[falcodawgs]

Sometimes when ppl review bikes they are giving the price they paid for it years ago or sometimes the price is what they paid for it when the dealer was trying to unload the previous year models. This is normally how people can get such good deals from the dealer and avoid paying the retail price.

 

[BrokenFoot]

Some people get lucky, and arent 2011's out? Just a thought I don't know how the bicycle market works, but maybe those people who got it for 450$ live in an area where people always buy the new year so 2010's are discounted to get rid of them, or opposite an area where that style bike isn't big so they had to move them somehow. I would go back and ask why the website says 100 off. Other than that, ride and enjoy it and forget about it. Now that I bought and rode my first mountain bike, I know how mich I love it, price wouldn'tof been an issue. Ha. Just enjoy it, have a good one.

 

[ja001son]

Yea, im not going to sweat it too much, my main concern is not this purchase, but future ones, I tend take take my hobbies VERY seriously.

 

[jeffj]

Yea, read those reviews carefully. Even several that were posted in 2010 were for bikes they have been riding for up to 3 years.

IMHO, no, you didn't get screwed with respect to MSRP. Now, if they said it should have been $100 off for that bike on the day you bought it and they only took off $50, I would check to make sure you were given the advertised price. Doesn't hurt to ask for clarification.

In the meantime, don't let that put a damper on the joy of riding your new bike and for some reason, the 'couch shot' is not posted yet. . . . .

 

[San Marcos]

I paid 430, but that was probably 6 years ago.

 

[saxen]

the prices could be many things, used bike, damaged bike. 1,2,+ years old sitting on the shop floor- or in my case i worked at a shop and got pro deals- in other words a 3K bike would run me 1200- they would sell it to us under wholesale- everyones buy is different- go enjoy your bike

 

[Snagged7]

Yea, i got the disc model, dont get me wrong, im really happy with the bike, but I was a little shocked reading the reviews and seeing people say they paid as low as $450 for the same bike.

Well maybe those people got V brakes instead of disc and don't know any better?????

 

[bevanse]

I would at least take a print-off of the website with the $100 off, and ask them if they could refund you the extra $50. If not, maybe an in-store credit of the same price?

 

[G-FOURce]

MSRP for the 4300 Disc is $689. i am not sure how cooperative your bike shop is, but if the purchase didnt include a maintenance program then it seems you paid over MSRP. if the shop raises their prices over MSRP and then gives a "discount" down to MSRP i'd be leary of them in the future.

 

[blunderbuss]

MSRP for the 4300 Disc is $689. i am not sure how cooperative your bike shop is, but if the purchase didnt include a maintenance program then it seems you paid over MSRP. if the shop raises their prices over MSRP and then gives a "discount" down to MSRP i'd be leary of them in the future.

? 2010 4300 Disc MSRP was $659, he got $50 off bringing it down to $609, and then I think sales tax in Houston is 8ish%, which gets close to the $691 he paid out the door.

edit, my math is off, looks like they may have been going off the new pricing.

 

[Ktse]

I would at least take a print-off of the website with the $100 off, and ask them if they could refund you the extra $50. If not, maybe an in-store credit of the same price?

Sometimes the employees are not fully aware of all the discounts that are in effect on their website or deals especially when they have a lot of bikes on inventory.

It certainly does not hurt to ask. When I bought my FS bike, the price tag on it was 2 grand and a bit. The sale was about to go through but I interjected stating that their website had the bike going for about 300 bucks lower. They honoured it on the spot after checking out the website.

 

[G-FOURce]

? 2010 4300 Disc MSRP was $659, he got $50 off bringing it down to $609, and then I think sales tax in Houston is 8ish%, which gets close to the $691 he paid out the door.

edit, my math is off, looks like they may have been going off the new pricing.

yeah, at an 8% tax rate, an all in price of $691 would have had a pre-tax price of $639. so, with a $50 discount, the list price would have been $689 which is the 2011 price. seems kinda shady that they'd list a 2010 bike at a 2011 price and offer a discount to get it back down to last year's MSRP. if that turns out to be the case, i'd be looking for another LBS...

 

[ja001son]

it was $689 had a $50 off sticker

so I paid $639 + tax making it $691.

I just called them and asked about it and they said they would call me back to see what they could do. Seems like its going to be refunded in the form of a gift card, which is not really ideal considering you cannot use the gift card to order on line, so I would have to spend about $50 in gas to drive up there and actually use it.. Will see how it pans out though.

EDIT: they called me back, seems like the gift card is the only option, its not worth it, at all for that amount.

 

[hdparrish]

Sorry, ja001son. Look at it as a valuable learning experience--always shop around and don't rush into a purchase.

Hopefully, the LBS will make good on the rest of that discount. Try not to hold it against your bike--ride that thing and enjoy it as if you paid $2,000 for it!

Happy trails,

HP

 

[Glide the Clyde]

Since they sold you a 2010 for a 2011 price and the $50 off price should have been $609/$100 off price should have been $559, I would insist they send you a check for a $50 refund. What they did is a bit smelly. Ask that they sort it out or find a new shop.

 

[G-FOURce]

well, unfortunately for you caveat emptor comes into play here. however, its still pretty busch league of the bike shop to do what they did so stay away from that bike dealer. like parrish says, man, its yours now so just go enjoy it!