Walmart bicycles

[Michael Press]

I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
and easy to spot.

Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
"Will the bicycle assembler please
come to the front for a bicycle inspection."

--
Michael Press

[Bill Sornson]

Michael Press wrote:
> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
> and easy to spot.
>
> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
> "Will the bicycle assembler please
> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048

Bill "can't hang at WM" S.

[datakoll]

and your point is?

[SMS]

Michael Press wrote:
> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
> and easy to spot.
>
> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
> "Will the bicycle assembler please
> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."

The Wal-Mart near me doesn't have the bikes in sporting goods, they have
a dedicated bike shop area in the front of the store, with a bike shop
manager. I don't know if they lease this out or what.

[Michael]

Michael Press wrote:
>
> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
> and easy to spot.
>
> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
> "Will the bicycle assembler please
> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>
> --
> Michael Press


I get there several times a week and nearly every week, but last weekend was the
first time I'd ever inspected the BSO's (bicycle shaped objects). Spying a
silver one with amazingly fat (frame) tubes and razor thin wheels, I lifted the
mfgr's hype sheet for a read. One particular "bullet" grabbed my attention: "Do
not ride at night". WTF!

Michael

[Michael Press]

In article
<1187567894.646760.87720@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.c om>,
datakoll <datakoll@yahoo.com> wrote:

> and your point is?

That Walmart is not always as laissez-faire
about bicycle sales as represented; or they
may be changing.

--
Michael Press

[Leo Lichtman]

"datakoll" wrote: and your point is?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Come on, DK, you don't get it? It's as clear as a bell to me: They inspect
bicycles in the restrooms.

[datakoll]

yes, there was some question about what his intentions were, john
surfing, shop lifting?
I've annoyed Wals mechanics thru expressing interest in their work.
They're harried. The assembler down here works several stores,
assembling when the cycles are unloaded, assembled cycles are then
rolled in and hung.
Assembly is by drill torque stop but rechecked for accuracy. I've
turned a few, no noticeable differences from one to the next.
It's unlikely the "assembly mechanic" was in the store when you were
there.

[Jim Flom]

"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote in message
news:46c8f2d6$0$23581$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Michael Press wrote:
>> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
>> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
>> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
>> and easy to spot.
>>
>> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
>> "Will the bicycle assembler please
>> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>
> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048
>
> Bill "can't hang at WM" S.


Why am I not surprised they're listed under "toys?"

[Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®]

"Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote in message
news:46c8f2d6$0$23581$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Michael Press wrote:
>> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
>> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
>> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
>> and easy to spot.
>>
>> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
>> "Will the bicycle assembler please
>> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>
> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048
>
> Bill "can't hang at WM" S.
>

I just love their list of sizing for the ubiquitous American metriphobes-

# Available in 3 sizes:

* Small 5'2" - 5'5"
* Medium 5'6" - 5'9"
* Large 5'10" - 6'2"

[Bill Sornson]

Jim Flom wrote:
> "Bill Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote in message
> news:46c8f2d6$0$23581$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Michael Press wrote:
>>> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
>>> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
>>> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
>>> and easy to spot.
>>>
>>> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
>>> "Will the bicycle assembler please
>>> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>>
>> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048
>>
>> Bill "can't hang at WM" S.
>
>
> Why am I not surprised they're listed under "toys?"

I found it under "Sports".

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Aug 19, 11:15 pm, "Jim Flom" <jim.flomREM...@telus.net> wrote:
> "Bill Sornson" <as...@ask.me> wrote in message
>
> news:46c8f2d6$0$23581$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> > Michael Press wrote:
> >> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
> >> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
> >> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
> >> and easy to spot.
>
> >> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
> >> "Will the bicycle assembler please
> >> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>
> >http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048
>
> > Bill "can't hang at WM" S.
>
> Why am I not surprised they're listed under "toys?"

when they should be listed under "weights"

[Kenny]

A possible reality one day in future: Your local Wal-Mart takes away
all your excuses for not buying your bike from them. They will have
excellent selection, excellent pricing and have knowledgeable trained
sales and service employees. Anybody here thinking this and shaking in
your boots?

[Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com]

On Aug 20, 12:45 am, Kenny <Postoas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> A possible reality one day in future: Your local Wal-Mart takes away
> all your excuses for not buying your bike from them. They will have
> excellent selection, excellent pricing and have knowledgeable trained
> sales and service employees. Anybody here thinking this and shaking in
> your boots?

I'm not but some that read this oughta. With the $ WM has it wouldn't
be a reach to 'buy' a more professional, trained bicycle staff that
could correctly assemble and provide service for these bicycles.
Something along the line of REI, but cheaper bikes. But I think their
bike sales are small, and not worth the extra $ spent. They sell the
bikes as they are, poorly assembled and fit with no after sales
service..I don't think Mr Wally really cares.

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Aug 20, 1:45 am, Kenny <Postoas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> A possible reality one day in future: Your local Wal-Mart takes away
> all your excuses for not buying your bike from them. They will have
> excellent selection, excellent pricing and have knowledgeable trained
> sales and service employees. Anybody here thinking this and shaking in
> your boots?

The "up and coming" force in retail bicycle sales around here is a
locally owned (two outlets in NW Arkansas and one in Central Arkansas)
version of REI. They have a bicycle department with a decent
selection, including Cannondale, and a nice environment. However, the
bicycle staff leaves alot (ALOT!) to be desired in terms of even basic
knowledge and the service department often does as much harm as good.
Yet, they continue to thrive. IMO, it would not take much for a
retailer such as Wal-Mart or Target to 'outdo' this effort, should the
will be there.

IMO, the sticking point will be getting one of the "big
names" (Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc.) to commit to
selling through these retailers.

[Real.Dale.Benjamin@gmail.com]

On Aug 20, 5:06 am, "Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com"
<pe...@vecchios.com> wrote:
> On Aug 20, 12:45 am, Kenny <Postoas...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > A possible reality one day in future: Your local Wal-Mart takes away
> > all your excuses for not buying your bike from them. They will have
> > excellent selection, excellent pricing and have knowledgeable trained
> > sales and service employees. Anybody here thinking this and shaking in
> > your boots?
>
> I'm not but some that read this oughta. With the $ WM has it wouldn't
> be a reach to 'buy' a more professional, trained bicycle staff that
> could correctly assemble and provide service for these bicycles.
> Something along the line of REI, but cheaper bikes. But I think their
> bike sales are small, and not worth the extra $ spent. They sell the
> bikes as they are, poorly assembled and fit with no after sales
> service..I don't think Mr Wally really cares.

I think Mr Vecchios got it right. Bicycle sales are a very small part
of any department store's revenue. Department store bicycles are
generally cheap in the derogeratory sense of the term, poor stuff that
don't wear much. It would be hard to believe WM or any other
department store is selling anything of decent quality, well asembled,
or providing service.

Bicycles are a 'niche' marketed item. Get a WM cycle, tear it apart,
relube, and reassemble it right before riding, and you extend the life
expectancy 1000%. But it still is the cheapest stuff you can get.
Another hundred bucks and you can buy a machine at the LBShop, do as
much for it, and you have something that will last thousands of miles,
rather than hundreds. You get what you pay for.

[Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman]

Ozark Bicycle wrote:
> On Aug 20, 1:45 am, Kenny <Postoas...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> A possible reality one day in future: Your local Wal-Mart takes away
>> all your excuses for not buying your bike from them. They will have
>> excellent selection, excellent pricing and have knowledgeable trained
>> sales and service employees. Anybody here thinking this and shaking in
>> your boots?
>
> The "up and coming" force in retail bicycle sales around here is a
> locally owned (two outlets in NW Arkansas and one in Central Arkansas)
> version of REI. They have a bicycle department with a decent
> selection, including Cannondale, and a nice environment. However, the
> bicycle staff leaves alot (ALOT!) to be desired in terms of even basic
> knowledge and the service department often does as much harm as good.
> Yet, they continue to thrive. IMO, it would not take much for a
> retailer such as Wal-Mart or Target to 'outdo' this effort, should the
> will be there.
>
> IMO, the sticking point will be getting one of the "big
> names" (Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc.) to commit to
> selling through these retailers.

A big box retailer could always do a Pacific/Schwinn, and just buy out
one of the "big name" companies. :(

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[still me]

On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:40:51 -0500, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
<sunsetss0003@innvalid.com> wrote:

>> IMO, the sticking point will be getting one of the "big
>> names" (Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc.) to commit to
>> selling through these retailers.
>
>A big box retailer could always do a Pacific/Schwinn, and just buy out
>one of the "big name" companies. :(

Either way, it can be bad for shops in some areas. When I was in the
shop business in days of old, we were in an area where people wanted a
low cost bike most of the time. The choice was to carry a low budget
line or watch customer after customer walk out the door. Since there
was little audience for the upper end in that locale, management
decided the throwing away the lower end was not a good move.

Anyway, the problem we ran into was that we couldn't compete with the
discount sellers because the distributors gave them a much better
price than us because they were buying in volume. We always "sold" the
setup and service aspect of our business, but most people bought on
price, ignored the setup issues (which were significant and a serious
threat to rider safety) and there was no way to compete on the low
end.

[SMS]

Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:

>> IMO, the sticking point will be getting one of the "big
>> names" (Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek, etc.) to commit to
>> selling through these retailers.
>
> A big box retailer could always do a Pacific/Schwinn, and just buy out
> one of the "big name" companies. :(

Specialized once tried to sell through discount retailers with a
rebranded line called "Full Force." The Specialized dealers went
non-linear, and Specialized abandoned the effort.

I don't think the big names will try again, at least not in such an
obvious way.

No one forgets Costco's sale of Cannondale bicycles--Cannondale went
crazy trying to stop them.

[vey]

Michael wrote:
> Michael Press wrote:
>> I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
>> First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
>> front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
>> and easy to spot.
>>
>> Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
>> "Will the bicycle assembler please
>> come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
>>
>> --
>> Michael Press
>
>
> I get there several times a week and nearly every week, but last weekend was the
> first time I'd ever inspected the BSO's (bicycle shaped objects). Spying a
> silver one with amazingly fat (frame) tubes and razor thin wheels, I lifted the
> mfgr's hype sheet for a read. One particular "bullet" grabbed my attention: "Do
> not ride at night". WTF!
>
> Michael

"Do not ride at night". WTF!

I guess you haven't heard? There was a famous lawsuit where a guy was
riding at night without a light or reflectors. He got hit and the family
successfully sued the manufacturer. Ever since then I think all the US
companies warn against riding at night.

[Michael]

Michael wrote:
>
> Michael Press wrote:
> >
> > I do not get to a Walmart often. Very rarely, in fact.
> > First, I saw that the restrooms were at the
> > front of the store, almost directly off the entrance,
> > and easy to spot.
> >
> > Second. While wandering around I hear a page:
> > "Will the bicycle assembler please
> > come to the front for a bicycle inspection."
> >
> > --
> > Michael Press
>
> I get there several times a week and nearly every week, but last weekend was the
> first time I'd ever inspected the BSO's (bicycle shaped objects). Spying a
> silver one with amazingly fat (frame) tubes and razor thin wheels, I lifted the
> mfgr's hype sheet for a read. One particular "bullet" grabbed my attention: "Do
> not ride at night". WTF!
>
> Michael

And another thing: front wheel of that bike was radially spoked. Too
non-mainstream for MallWart?

[datakoll]

are we beating the pig again? what do you propose? all bottom level
new bike buyers go for entry treks, cannondales, fuji's what?
are we *****ing about $150 not the equal of $600 bikes?
One current project is assembling an entry level 29er. I expect the
final report on parts costs will go around $700+ or two forks from
Waterford.
For Wal's bike buyers to go $700 for parts is like my buying a
Waterford.

[vey]

datakoll wrote:

> One current project is assembling an entry level 29er.

Don't forget to put the riding at night disclaimer on it.

[datakoll]

ahma gonna put ah grade 9 flatlink chain onit wheel ta wheel wit a
capacitive discharge 1/4 stick.