Was I wrong...

[svelocity]

...to feel totally overcharged when my local bike shop rung me up for $20 for 4 cables (two brake and two shifter, no housing)? Is this the going rate?

Is it just me or does it seem a bit overpriced? Maybe because 9am, it was hot out, and I hadn't had my proper quota of coffee. Just trying to gauge my feelings here...

[josephr]

...to feel totally overcharged when my local bike shop rung me up for $20 for 4 cables (two brake and two shifter, no housing)? Is this the going rate?

Is it just me or does it seem a bit overpriced? Maybe because 9am, it was hot out, and I hadn't had my proper quota of coffee. Just trying to gauge my feelings here...

Sounds about right....just bought a shifter cable from my LBS and it was $5. Not sweating the $1 I would've saved buying online. I needed, they had it.
Joe

[thirdgenbird]

Good stainless cables seem to be $4-6 per. I wouldn't complain at $20 and friendly service.

[batman1425]

Depends what kind of cables. A tiny bit steep for standard cables, a pretty good deal for the high zoot PTFE/Teflon coated ones.

[tiretrax]

Last time I bought one, it was $3 - installation was another $15!

[ericssonboi]

My lbs usually charges $2-3 each cable. So at $3 * 4 would be $12. Given if they are better quality ones (teflon coated), their a little more..

[ultraman6970]

Here are around 5 bucks each.

[onekgguy]

You're in San Diego...I have to believe it's expensive to operate a bike shop in that part of the country. Hopefully he made some money off you because that's his reason for being there.

Kevin g

[cinema]

i get a full set with housing for $15... in LA. surely not 13sp ultra low friction super lubed magic cables but they work just fine.

[tv_vt]

Not out of line. Need more info, as others have mentioned. If they were stainless Dura Ace or Campy cables, you got off cheap. Even for basic cables of decent quality, that sounds about right, actually.

[rnhood]

One of my local dealers tried to charge me list for a Specialized Prevail helmut (great helmut by the way) when Specialized had a 10% off sale in effect. I don't think this is common, certainly not around here, but it is only prudent to be careful and call their hand if necessary.

[alioup]

I get sunlite cables for under a buck. I feel dirty using them with dura ace components.

[Ralph]

Sounds about right for quality wires. After all.....they did have them in stock.

[jmoore]

Derailler cables and housing on my Bedford rebuild were $17 each installed

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

...

[bikser]

For standard cables. Shimano's PTFE's are something like $18 each, ouch.

[Tandem Rider]

Did you bring a 6-pack with you??

[jtakeda]

Sounds right to me. If they're campy they're like $7 or more if I remember correct.

[AngryScientist]

c'mon. it was 20 bucks and you got what you needed. is this really something to complain about?

[jr59]

they had them. You needed them. Seems fair to me.

Keep on hammering the LBS over the head and before long they won't be there when we need something

[merlincustom1]

You could have spent $4.00 on that cup of coffee you didn't have.

[oldpotatoe]

...to feel totally overcharged when my local bike shop rung me up for $20 for 4 cables (two brake and two shifter, no housing)? Is this the going rate?

Is it just me or does it seem a bit overpriced? Maybe because 9am, it was hot out, and I hadn't had my proper quota of coffee. Just trying to gauge my feelings here...

Vecchio's sells Jagwire slick stainless for $5 per, der and brake and have for probably 5-6 years.

[yakstone]

I'm with "Angry Sci..." on this. Have another $5 cup of coffee and get over it.

[christian]

Took a cable car ride in the alps. 15 Euro. Was I overcharged?

(I saw a marmot if that matters.)

[Nooch]

as another data point, shop I used to work at charged $10/cable & housing, Jagwire.

Another $10/each to install -- full cables installed ran you $80.

[Gummee]

as another data point, shop I used to work at charged $10/cable & housing, Jagwire.

Another $10/each to install -- full cables installed ran you $80.

Where I'm working, cables/housing installed is $50. That's on top of any tune-up.

I buy SRAM cables and Shimano housing for my shop. Charge $5 ea and $2/foot.

We typically have some less expensive Clarks stuff out on the floor for those that don't need the better stuff.

M

[ohsnapitsed]

c'mon. it was 20 bucks and you got what you needed. is this really something to complain about?

agreed! I'm more than happy to pay the guys at my LBS without complaint. They are the same folks that sponsor local races and are (on more occasions than once) willing to do a quick wrench for free. You get what you pay for and loyalty to LBS is often reward.

to OP - Bring those guys a 6 pack (or $5 cups of coffee) next time you drop in.

[Clydesdale]

I paid 18 bucks for 2 standard brake cables at our local shop last week. Though I really like those guys and try to support them when I can, I probably won't be doing that again. I would have been ok with $5 each to buy local.