MEC raises ire of bike industry
A few of us were talking about this last night at the weekly ride. MEC has recently started selling bikes.
The Globe & Mail published an article on the situation last night as well. Independent bike shops don’t like the big-box model, and feel that they have more to offer in terms of selection and service. They might be right – MEC is only offering 10 models of bike. And yet, they are offering bikes that one can’t necessarily find at a local bike shop – such as their cyclocross bike with disc brakes.
Some have critisized MEC because it is a Co-Op, and has a different tax status than a retail, for-profit entity. I’m not sure why those independent shops don’t become Co-Ops though.
More drama related to MEC and cycling has also surfaced, after New Westminster based Race Face issued a letter to Canadian Independent Bike Dealers, letting the dealers know that they were now selling to MEC, but still committed to the IBDs. In response to Race Face selling to MEC, Lambert, a large dealer of bicycle parts and accessories released a letter saying that they are no longer distibuting Race Face products.
Personally, if I can get good service at an independent bike shop, and get the product I want, I will likely support the independent bike shop (it means I get to see the product in person (rather than online), and I don’t have to drive for hours to do so). However, to do this, you have to know & trust you’re local bike shop. You might not get the most knowledgeable salesperson at MEC – but you won’t get someone who is working on commission/pushing a sale, or trying to clear their floor of inventory either. I’ve read/heard a lot of comparisons between MEC and Wal*Mart too – but the truth is that MEC treats their employees well, whereas Wallys doest.
On a related note, the specifications & prices of the MEC bikes are now on their website.
I just took a quick look at MEC’s bikes and prices. I didn’t look too closely though since nothing really caught my eye. Prices seem a bit high, only one road bike under $1000 and that was at $990. I got a similar spec bike at Max Edge for $500 on sale. Regular price was around $750-800. Even for a commuter bike that wasn’t a fixie they want $990 at MEC. From what I’ve seen in local shops, they still beat MEC. Max Edge does anyway. I still like MEC though. Mostly since when I have a ‘got to have’ moment and no shop in town has it, or is charging too much, I go to MEC.
Yup, I agree. The prices aren’t that great – especially for that fixie. That $990 road bike/cyclocross bike is comparable in price/spec to some other bikes like the Felt F95X which has a carbon fibre fork, or the Kona Jake which has all Tiagra components. The Mec COTE has disc brakes, which not many CX bikes have. In regards to their other bikes, I’m not very knowledgeable I guess!
No reason MEC and the IDB’s can’t co-exist. I have been a member for years and love MEC’s business model. I don’t buy much bike stuff from them, usually just hiking & camping gear. My only complaint is that I have to either buy sight unseen online or travel to Toronto in order to buy from them. That being said, if I need parts installed or good advice, I’ll be stopping in at Ambassador. You can’t beat the service of a good local bike shop if you’re fortunate enough to find one that you like.
I feel the same. It’s hard when I need things like shoes or clothing from there and can’t try it on, or even need to go to the shop in toronto since i know they have more stuff there than on the site. but i’m grateful they’re around as an alternative to local shops. Ambassador and Max Edge are my favorite shops in town.
The prices at MEC are not all that great. Plenty of competitors pop up near MEC stores and do a very nice job of undercutting MEC’s prices. IMO, the bike dealers have nothing to worry about.
Where MEC excels is in creating new products. Their tents, their sunglasses, their clothing: good stuff. But the things you can buy at any decent outdoors store — well, it’s worth shopping around, because it’s very unlikely MEC has the best possible price.
MEC might not have the best price, but the quality is usually head and shoulders above the competition. My wife and I bought traveling backpacks at MEC 4 years or so ago… Since that time they have been on a good dozen or more flights, and have held up as good as they day they were bought. Before this, I had luggage that would be ruined after one or two flights.
Yes maybe they are a “big box” type retailer, but if they sell me a product, especially one with their logo on it, I know it’s not going to be a piece of crap. Do the same a normal “Big Box”, and you’ll likely find yourself SOL.
I don’t see them as big box, but I know the little shops don’t like them. I know it can be hard for them to compete, but we still have quite a few shops here in town getting by. I got some great fenders from MEC this week that I don’t think any local shop could beat the price of. The local shops could never carry the inventory MEC does so I’ll always use them as another option, but still check locally first when I need things.
Waaaaa. If the local bike shops are so weak at what they do that people will purchase things without seeing them or drive long distances to purchase it speaks volumes about those shops. MEC produces quality products. If the brand is MEC the value will be there.
MEC is also open when I can shop. That includes sundays and evenings. I have never had anything but great skilled service at the bike department in a MEC. The honest truth is I don’t see the difference between a LBS showing me something to order from a catalogue and me looking at a MEC catalogue.
A strong shop should be able to out compete MEC on every point except price. The problem is that most shops are run by people who like to ride bikes. Not by people who want to be great retailers. Being a great retailer means having what the customer wants to buy when they want to buy it for a fair price.
With the bikes, they can definitely out compete MEC on price. I’ve looked at a few of the bikes, and for that money I can get something similar/better for the same price in an LBS.