The Pro's Closet at it again

[nmrt]

Monday morning quarterbacking is gosh darn easy. But I am not sure who could not have predicted the demise of TPC. They grew too fast. The first time I was at their facility (pre covid), my jaw dropped at the sheer size. Not sustainable for any era, covid or not. Just a few years ago, they were a dinky little thing on Broadway and Lee Hill.

Sad also is the sheer number of fine folks who have lost their jobs as the cog of private equity churns.

[glepore]

Monday morning is easy. What business doesn't seize the opportunity to grow?
I didn't like what they became, but back in the day they were killer, and they went with the flow. Sorry for all that got hurt, there and customers.

[prototoast]

Sometimes we get the idea that a business should exist in perpetuity, but I think it's positive from a social perspective if businesses come and go, in order to meet the needs of the moment. It's hard to start a business and it's hard to end a business, but just because a business is no longer viable doesn't negate the value it provided along the way.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by benadrian

Too many posts, but why not add my thoughts?

I really appreciated that the Pro's Closet existed, but I would probably never have used them.

I enjoy wrenching on bikes. TPC might buy a bike for $1,000, tune it up, replace a few bits, and then sell it for $2,000. If I wanted that bike, I'd look to get it for $1,000 to $1,200 used, and then fix it up myself for a maybe a couple hundred in parts. I get a better deal, and the person who sold me this bike might get a bit more cash.

I can understand why people would want the backing and warranty from the used bike reseller. I have to imagine, though, that people who are cool with buying a used bike are also people who can do tune ups and most basic maintenance. I suppose TPC was trying to show a demographic of non-wrenching cyclists that used bikes could be okay to buy.

Been in the bike biz a long time and IMHO, MOST who ride bikes, new or old, cannot do 'basic tuneups' and do 'most basic maintenance'. Air in tires, 'maybe' change a chain but not much else. And why should they? I don't change the oil in my 2017 car either. I probably could but don't want to invest in jacks, pans, tools, etc...

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by prototoast

Sometimes we get the idea that a business should exist in perpetuity, but I think it's positive from a social perspective if businesses come and go, in order to meet the needs of the moment. It's hard to start a business and it's hard to end a business, but just because a business is no longer viable doesn't negate the value it provided along the way.

Very true about so many things in life. The duration of a thing is not always indicative of its value, I don't just mean financial value.

[cmg]

Just looked got Look 785 Huez rs from them in August. It was a good deal. How unfortunate.

[commandcomm]

Officially announced a going out of business sale on the front page.


https://www.theproscloset.com/

[RemixRob4]

So many people reselling the stuff they got from the pros closet - This open was there and is identifiable with the beast bars and tires that are below recommended minimum for the levante Wheels

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11632888848...s&media=COPYOn

[jtbenson]

don't h8 the playa, h8 the game!

[RemixRob4]

Originally Posted by jtbenson

don't h8 the playa, h8 the game!

Fair enough! I've played the game a lot - just a pointing out 🥳

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by RemixRob4

So many people reselling the stuff they got from the pros closet - This open was there and is identifiable with the beast bars and tires that are below recommended minimum for the levante Wheels

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11632888848...s&media=COPYOn

Can't remember exactly what that went for at the end but by the time you take 13-15% out in fees and the actual shipping charge they're going to incur for sending an ISP bike...... it's not exactly a re-sale flip that's going to net the buyer/seller anything. I think it's more likely they bought it and don't fit it - and can't return.

[RemixRob4]

I think it was listed for around $2600? So yeah you're right after eBay fees they're not getting much

[Jaybee]

I think it was pretty much expected - a lot of people had credit they had to spend at the last minute and bought bikes and equipment that may not fit or they had to take a flyer on. I would expect to see most of this stuff on resale platforms.

I know I've got a vest that's too small for me and helmet that my kid hates the color of (even though it was his favorite color as recently as 3 weeks ago).

[AngryScientist]

Well,

It's sad to see them go, but you can't argue that they ran a successful business for a good stretch. Good for them.

"Everything dies baby, that's a fact"

-Bruce Springsteen.

https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/...m-the-tpc-team

After 18 remarkable years of serving the cycling community, The Pro’s Closet (TPC) will close its doors in October. Since our founding, we’ve had the privilege of helping over 160,000 customers find their perfect ride and have sold more than 46,000 bikes. It’s been a hell of a ride, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the customers, employees, and vendors who made this journey possible.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Well,

It's sad to see them go, but you can't argue that they ran a successful business for a good stretch. Good for them.

"Everything dies baby, that's a fact"

-Bruce Springsteen.

glory days
yeah,, they'll pass you by, glory days

ps

arrange disorder