Quote:
Originally Posted by Burnette
Two things for me.
First, you have to price things, it is a leading item on the list for most buyers, affluent or not.
It can be done and to say otherwise is wrong. The market is full of custom builders who also build to suit and they too work in a fluctuating currency and materials cost changing world and can give a price for frames if nothing else. I'm not a big of secrecy when buying things and feel this tactic is all very well and good for the seller only, not so for the buyer though. Only divulging pricing information during consultation is an insulation device for the seller to avoid being directly compared to the competition based on the price metric alone. Good for the seller, not for the wise shopper looking for information easily found elsewhere. If the product is good and priced right it will withstand this scrutiny of potential buyers. Value can be a virtue.
One too could get a more expensive priced deal and be none the wiser for who can say if it is high or low compared to the competition and who knows what the guy before you paid? And again, good for the seller as your prices are hidden and can be raised or lowered at will without direct comparison.
I go to about five different cycling forums and one thing I have learned is that the internet will uncover everything eventually. Someone will undoubtedly buy one of these and post up prices and thoughts. Just as well to do it yourself because those who do it for you may not be so kind in the delivery of it.
Second, for each model on the site I see one picture, some of which only show a small section of the frame or just mostly a handle bar and stem. On Facebook I see unfinished frames with just a set of wheels on them, as if there are bare frames there but not many built up. It looks early days in this endeavor with more packed up than packaged. More pictures of all of these bikes fully built would go along way in selling these.
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I appreciate your candor and constructive criticism. I can assure you that I wouldn't have joined a forum if I took it personally. I agree that the internet is a fantastic way to look up pricing and such, but in my defense, a simple email concerning pricing on the model of choice, with options discussed during a consult, is a better way to determine a correct price in my opinion. A simple starting price was not was I was looking to achieve, as most of us would agree that prices typically goes higher when including options.
I also assure you that I am in no way trying to insult anyone or looking to be deceitful to my competition. Being wise to the internet myself, I simply take a total cost in euros including import duty, and match the British Pound. Consistent for everyone. Nothing more, nothing less. Legend frames are for those looking for something different than the off the shelf Treks, Giants, etc. No doubt these are fine bicycles, as are offerings from Shimano and Sram.
These are the only frames I sell and I like to keep it small. Certainly not my day job, as I'm a Pharmacist by trade. Just a business venture I took on to allow someone in the states the option of doing business closer to home than overseas. Is it for profit? Of course, but in no means a get rich scheme. I've raced on a junior pro development team in my early days, and have been around bikes my whole life. My decision to sell Legend was of pure passion and loyalty to his brand, as I've been on most of the other offerings out there.
While my site may seem rudimentary to some, it's just a taste of what is offered.
The bikes you see on Facebook are unfinished examples of what Marco has built for clients waiting to be shipped with their groupset of choice. A small taste of the many color choices available as a custom frame builder.
Thank you, and again I appreciate the candor.
Kindest regards,
Eric