Discounts or freebies on Creo purchases?

[Buckeyebobm]

I’m getting ready to pull the plug on the purchase of a Creo carbon comp evo. The last time I bought a new bike was 9 years ago. I feel I may not be up on how bike shops operate as far as negotiations are concerned. I was wondering if any of you, in the US, have received discounts or free mods or accessories as part of your Creo purchase? Were you able to negotiate?

Thanks!

 

[StmbtDave]

When I purchased my Creo, the shop gave me 3 items. They swapped the 28 road tires for the 38 gravel tires, they swapped the seat post for the S-Works post which has some shock absorption, and they threw in the TCD display.

 

[matt-h]

The LBS my wife got her Creo from didn't charge their "normal" $50 assembly fee. So I guess that's something.
There's a shortage of most new bikes, including the Creo. It wouldn't shock me if there's some price gouging happening.

 

[Deacon Blues]

The LBS my wife got her Creo from didn't charge their "normal" $50 assembly fee. So I guess that's something.
There's a shortage of most new bikes, including the Creo. It wouldn't shock me if there's some price gouging happening.

In the last five years I've purchased 4 new bikes (2 were ebikes) and wasn't charged an 'assembly' fee. Kinda sounds like it's a way for the LBS to make an added profit in this era of bike shortages.

 

[Cruzing]

First post here. I recently purchased a Creo Comp Carbon. The LBS was reluctant to discount but offered to sell accessories or shoes at wholesale prices (so about 20-50% off, depending on the item). In the end, he did take $120 off the price of the bike plus wholesale prices on lights, carbon water bottle cage etc. Never heard of assembly fees but I don't buy bikes very often

 

[StevenC56]

Seems like Specialized models have always been priced higher than all other brands with equivalent features and components. I'm sure there is enough of a profit that most dealers could offer a bit of a discount and still make a good profit, but apparently they won't and just stick to retail most of the time. Dealers that don't carry Specialized seem to be more willing to negotiate in my experience. I doubt I will ever buy the brand as I just can't feel like I made a good purchase paying retail for anything. Just my opinion.

 

[Amoto65]

In the last five years I've purchased 4 new bikes (2 were ebikes) and wasn't charged an 'assembly' fee. Kinda sounds like it's a way for the LBS to make an added profit in this era of bike shortages.

Outrageous that they can even think about charging for assembly, I can't see a car dealer getting away with that.

 

[jodi2]

Seems like Specialized models have always been priced higher than all other brands with equivalent features and components. I'm sure there is enough of a profit that most dealers could offer a bit of a discount and still make a good profit, but apparently they won't and just stick to retail most of the time. Dealers that don't carry Specialized seem to be more willing to negotiate in my experience. I doubt I will ever buy the brand as I just can't feel like I made a good purchase paying retail for anything. Just my opinion.

You may be right with some statements, I was also used over the last 25 years to get at least 10% discount for other brands at most LBS even for new bike models.
But you are wrong with your first sentence, there is almost no equivalent vor the SL drive. At least I've never ridden something similiar and more suited for me. So I swallowed both of the two bitter pills, the high price and the almost non-existing discount.

 

[StevenC56]

You may be right with some statements, I was also used over the last 25 years to get at least 10% discount for other brands at most LBS even for new bike models.
But you are wrong with your first sentence, there is almost no equivalent vor the SL drive. At least I've never ridden something similiar and more suited for me. So I swallowed both of the two bitter pills, the high price and the almost non-existing discount.

OK-So no other manufacturer has a carbon frame mid drive 28mph bike? If that is the case then I see your point. My statement was more focused on specialized bikes overall being higher priced then the competing brands.

 

[Prairie Dog]

We purchased our Creos out of province 6 months ago and received a 5% discount on the bikes. The shop also shipped them to our location over 800 km away at their cost and the bikes were virtually assembled out of the box. I doubt that we could ever strike a similar deal given the current market conditions.

 

[jodi2]

Yes you can. Just don't buy a Creo for the next six month and convince all of your compatriots also not to do so... ;-)
That's what happened last June here in Germany, where many many race bikers (more than in other countries) have high prejudices against every kind of E-bike. I hate it when I need to explain these folks the difference between my Creo and the usual Bosch or an even more powerful speed pedelec or that you can sweat and work hard an a Creo. But I like their closed minds when they force the brand to a 8% price reduction... ;-)

OK-So no other manufacturer has a carbon frame mid drive 28mph bike? If that is the case then I see your point. My statement was more focused on specialized bikes overall being higher priced then the competing brands.

There are almost no other e-bikes that light, that effective and with less disadvantages (like restistance, weight, range (also an empty battery is not a real problem), etc.). The only other similar system I know is Fazua, but with slight differnces, some better, some worse. Surely not for everyone, but for ME and MY circumstances (like a Garage with a plug) the SL was the better choice.
If you compare the SL drive with others and just look at power and price, you surely will find better ones, but these aren't the reasons for SL or any light assist drive. Of course, SL and Fazua are not the only assist drives. There are others with a rear hub motor, which are useful e.g. for "city use", but not good and not efficient uphill for longer or stronger uphills.

 

[StevenC56]

I can see that if you require a bike that can do 28MPH, the market is a bit smaller. An apparently without regard to price, the Creo is at the top of the list as it checks all the boxes. But the price of ownership is steep. I just ride by myself for recreation and exercise, so a 20MPH model fits the bill for me and opened up several choices that included some attractive discounts off MSRP.

 

[eddief]

I can see that if you require a bike that can do 28MPH, the market is a bit smaller. An apparently without regard to price, the Creo is at the top of the list as it checks all the boxes. But the price of ownership is steep. I just ride by myself for recreation and exercise, so a 20MPH model fits the bill for me and opened up several choices that included some attractive discounts off MSRP.

This looks like an interesting new option if not a scam from bikesdirect.com

Save Up to 60% Off eBikes LTD QTYS of these 29er eBikes Electric Disc Brake Gravel/Road bikes 2024 Motobecane eMulekick PRO SL with Shimano E5000 / E6010M Electric MidDrive 29er Front Suspension Mountain eBikes Shimano M6000 Hydraulic Disc Brakes Ca

 

[jodi2]

I can see that if you require a bike that can do 28MPH, the market is a bit smaller. An apparently without regard to price, the Creo is at the top of the list as it checks all the boxes. But the price of ownership is steep. I just ride by myself for recreation and exercise, so a 20MPH model fits the bill for me and opened up several choices that included some attractive discounts off MSRP.

28mph e-bikes in Europe have to fulfill much stronger rules and laws, for driving one but also for the production. Therefore there is only a limited number of 28mph models here and they are quite expensive, much more than the standard e-bikes, which are limited to 16mph here. So many brands do not offer 28mph models or if so, only few ones and only with powerful motors and quite big batteries for fast commuting. Nothing with assist drives like SL, Fazua or X35. Maybe that's the reason, why the Creo with only 16mph is less popular here and maybe it would be different here with 28mph. But you get used to it and I wanted/needed a small help in the (quite tough) mountains around me. I don't care if I ride 20 or 23mph on a flat road. If I need maximum speed for commuting I would not choose a Creo. But I care if I ride 7 or 10mph uphill or more important, if I can do 10 or only 2-3 mountains in a trip. But of course, unlimited/with 28mph a Creo would be even more useful for many people and also in the flat. For a 16mph Creo you need hills, I won't buy one if I live in the Netherlands.