Internet claims another LBS

[Tony T]

Bethel Cycle, Washington Depot, CT

I have some sad news to share. Bethel Cycle will be closing on December 7th. For 16 years Bethel Cycle has been my life. I have given it my all. Our business grew strongly, more than doubling by 2010. Only to erode quickly over the past few years from low price driven direct Internet competition. This loss of sales has been very hard for our small shop in our seasonal climate.
I am especially proud of the club we created and I remain touched by the passion and commitment of our riders. We shared some amazing experiences. We had riders win World and National Championships and the Bethel Cycle jersey was known all over the world.
I want to thank all of our customers, club members, racers, sponsors our employees and my good friends and family who have supported my dream.
Greg

[Louis]

Too bad they weren't able to figure out a way to make money doing what they were good at. It's bad news if your primary money-maker is something you can't do very well compared to others out there.

[peanutgallery]

Tough market, but the internet doesn't tune or provide service. Leverage that and you can do well

Being in CT, having something that carries the mail thru the winter is a big deal. Skis, exercise equipment, anow blower repair, whatever it takes

All that aside, the balance sheet tells no lies. Other than overhead there is no line for that

[MattTuck]

If you are in the same business as amazon (namely: trying to serve products at the lowest price to customers who's only brand loyalty is determined by how fast and cheaply you'll ship to them, you are going to be doing a lot of this

There are ways to make money in cycling, but they almost definitely do not involve 'competing with the internet'. I obviously have no idea of the specifics of this case, or the area or the competitive environment or their level of service, etc... but it is kind of a cop out to blame it on the internet. Now is the time for introspection, not blame.

[sg8357]

The LBS probably had a better quarterly margins than Amazon,
can your LBS survive on 2.5% margins ?
Amazons last number was .31%......3/10s of a percent.

[txcid05]

I feel their pain. The problem isn't the internet per se, it's also got much to do with the distributors. They have practically pushed out smaller orders like those of mom and pop shops. In fact, many manufacturers don't even want to be in smaller shops. They would rather have larger $20k orders, than several $2k orders.

I understand what he's going through, because I owned a guitar shop. It was a routine for someone to come in, test a product, then purchase online. Frustrating? Yes. But whatcha gonna do, you just can't beat the online big boxes. Ain't gonna happen.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by txcid05

It was a routine for someone to come in, test a product, then purchase online. Frustrating? Yes. But whatcha gonna do, you just can't beat the online big boxes. Ain't gonna happen.

Maybe I'm a hero, but I refuse to do this to my LBSs. If I want to buy a new-to-me brand of shoes that is available locally I go try it and if I like it I buy it. However, I do know that Sidi Genius 3 and 4 size 45 fit me like a glove, so if I'm buying that (or G-5) I buy either here or elsewhere online.

[buddybikes]

Integrate service, and I don't mean a break/fix wrench. Look at margin stuff:

Local shop with friendly people in it could probably draw people for weekend bike trips to VT.

Custom fitting

Custom frames - bring in a framebuilder - have glass windows showing the brazing, cutting etc. More apt to sell part package off a frame

specialize - recumbents for example

All above to a lower rent district - rent is killer

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by steveandbarb1

Integrate service, and I don't mean a break/fix wrench. Look at margin stuff:

Local shop with friendly people in it could probably draw people for weekend bike trips to VT.

Custom fitting

Custom frames - bring in a framebuilder - have glass windows showing the brazing, cutting etc. More apt to sell part package off a frame

specialize - recumbents for example

All above to a lower rent district - rent is killer

They sponsored a local club.
They had custom fitting.
They had a great location.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by Tony T

They sponsored a local club.
They had custom fitting.
They had a great location.

Was Greg still in downtown Bethel?
The note mentioning the Depot made me wonder if they moved.

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

Was Greg still in downtown Bethel?
The note mentioning the Depot made me wonder if they moved.

Yup, still in downtown Bethel. They actually purchased the old train station and converted it into a very nice shop...maybe a bit of Serotta's Saratoga facility is at play here. I think Greg the owner lives in Wash Depot.

I don't live in that area anymore, but know that they were a huge supporter of the cycling scene in there. A big loss.

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

Was Greg still in downtown Bethel?
The note mentioning the Depot made me wonder if they moved.

Yes. 5 Depot Place Bethel.
(was) A great shop at an old RR Depot:


…probably will now be a Starbucks

[kmla320]

Sad to see it go out like this.

[54ny77]

Wow that's a cool space.

Too bad for the shop.

The internet has been one massively disrupting vehicle in the world.

Who could have imagined it being what it has become, and the industries surrounding it (or entirely supported by it).

Originally Posted by Tony T

Yes. 5 Depot Place Bethel.
(was) A great shop at an old RR Depot:


?robably will now be a Starbucks

[jischr]

This weekend I went to my LBS for a 10S chain. They offered a Tiagra for $40. It took 3-4 minutes for the guy to find it but I bought it with the thought that I was paying the guys salary. I could have driven a couple miles further, paid $5 more at REI, and gotten Ultegra. Or paid $17 for Tiagra on the internet, plus shipping. The LBS is convenient, but if time isn't critical I tend to look elsewhere.