Originally Posted by golfandfly

Timsmith,

What planet are you from? Someone wants to buy a bike directly from the manufacturer to save money. Is it his duty to subsidize the local bike shop? Why do I care how much he is making? If the local shop sells the bike (sent from Giant) at a higher cost, why would he buy it? If he saves enough that it is worth him traveling to Taipei to get the bike, what is wrong with that? It's not like the local bike shop isn't selling the same bike. He's cutting out the middleman.

So I am supposed to show loyalty (and pay more money) for a guy that will "do the bare minimum for you or put yours at the bottom of the list?" Just because I bought my bike somewhere else? What a great guy, no wonder he is making less than a regional captain.

Oh brother....