Over gotten closer to pulling the trigger on my $2.5k, integrated battery e-mtb and have email threads going with a few online vendors with my questions. They've all been really nice and helpful. Willing to email volumes, text from their personal cells and have long phone conversations, sometimes from their homes at night!
Since I can't see the bikes in person, the process is slow. They'll email me specs, pics and their 'best price'. I'll spend 30 minutes looking at reviews online. Then I'll email them my questions, plus what other bikes I'm looking at with their competitors.
I've created a price war between 3 different vendors. "Forward me their emailed offer and I'll beat it" is the usual refrain. They'll come down a little in price, but if that doesnt work, will offer the 2017 model, or a few hundred off with a slight reduction in components, or toss in some extra labor....tuning, a free cheapo seatpost suspension, some flat goo in the tubes....anything to get the advantage. It seems endless.
I'm honestly feeling like a dick for putting good people in this situation. I feel like I'm spinning their wheels. It's always 'after all the time I've given you, at least let me know what deal you're taking so I have a chance to compete".
I don't know how it all ends and am feeling a little guilty.
Since I can't see the bikes in person, the process is slow. They'll email me specs, pics and their 'best price'. I'll spend 30 minutes looking at reviews online. Then I'll email them my questions, plus what other bikes I'm looking at with their competitors.
I've created a price war between 3 different vendors. "Forward me their emailed offer and I'll beat it" is the usual refrain. They'll come down a little in price, but if that doesnt work, will offer the 2017 model, or a few hundred off with a slight reduction in components, or toss in some extra labor....tuning, a free cheapo seatpost suspension, some flat goo in the tubes....anything to get the advantage. It seems endless.
I'm honestly feeling like a dick for putting good people in this situation. I feel like I'm spinning their wheels. It's always 'after all the time I've given you, at least let me know what deal you're taking so I have a chance to compete".
I don't know how it all ends and am feeling a little guilty.