Specialized Grass Roots Program?
Todd
Our team is trying to set up a shop deal with a local shop, however as
with most teams I'd suspect one of the largest benefits we're looking
for from the shop is fully built bikes to race on for a substancial
discount.
Anyway, the shop in question doesn't seem very interested in helping
us with this. We were told that we could get a discount on
specialized bikes through their grass roots program but the discount
would only be 20% off retail prices + shipping and tax. That seems
really high to me, I was figuring it would be something like 10% over
dealer cost to the team.
Does anyone know the specifics of the specailized grass roots team
deal? We'd like to see if the dealer is jacking us around and we
should look elsewhere or if that's the best specialized can do for
it's grass roots team riders.
Thanks in advance
Todd
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JTN
"Todd" <mantr...@bis.midco.net> wrote in message
news:d5428faf.03030...@posting.google.com...
> Hello,
>
> Anyway, the shop in question doesn't seem very interested in helping
> us with this. We were told that we could get a discount on
> specialized bikes through their grass roots program but the discount
> would only be 20% off retail prices + shipping and tax. That seems
> really high to me, I was figuring it would be something like 10% over
> dealer cost to the team.
>
>
>
they dont want to help you go places, they just want to make sure when you
go there your riding their crap.....$$$$$$$$$$$$I I I I I I I I
Todd Kuzma
> We were told that we could get a discount on
> specialized bikes through their grass roots program but the discount
> would only be 20% off retail prices + shipping and tax. That seems
> really high to me, I was figuring it would be something like 10% over
> dealer cost to the team.
The 20% off program is what Specialized offers. Any
additional discount is up to the retailer. If you'd like
more discount, think of what you can provide the shop. Will
they be getting any extra publicity because of this sponsorship?
Unfortunately, many grassroots teams are perceived by shops
as a bunch of riders who want cheap gear for nothing in
return. Specialized wants to support teams because it gets
their name out there. Same with the shop. If you ask for a
discount for your team, tell the shop what you will do for
them.
Do you have team jerseys? If so, do they mention
Specialized and the shop? This would help a great deal.
Make sure that team members wear this jersey during training
rides as well. Does the shop have any special events where
the team can make an appearance? Does your team issue any
press releases to the local paper about team events, race
results, etc.? If so, be sure to mention the team sponsors.
I helped a local team with sponsorship from my shop and
helped arrange some money from a local radio station. The
only thing that the station wanted in return was a photo of
the team wearing their jerseys in front of the station. The
team members never got together to take the picture. So, I
told them that I wouldn't help them the next year. Their
sponsor wanted very little, and the team couldn't deliver.
Remember that most sponsors get a much better return for
their money with other types of advertising. Giving money
or discounts is mostly done just because they want to help.
Don't take that for granted.
Todd Kuzma
Heron Bicycles
Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery
LaSalle, IL 815-223-1776
http://www.heronbicycles.com
http://www.tullios.com
John Forrest Tomlinson
> dealer cost to the team.
Why were you figuring that?
JT
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brian roth
> Hello,
>
> Our team is trying to set up a shop deal with a local shop, however as
> with most teams I'd suspect one of the largest benefits we're looking
> for from the shop is fully built bikes to race on for a substancial
> discount.
>
> Anyway, the shop in question doesn't seem very interested in helping
> us with this. We were told that we could get a discount on
> specialized bikes through their grass roots program but the discount
> would only be 20% off retail prices + shipping and tax. That seems
> really high to me, I was figuring it would be something like 10% over
> dealer cost to the team.
>
> Does anyone know the specifics of the specailized grass roots team
> deal? We'd like to see if the dealer is jacking us around and we
> should look elsewhere or if that's the best specialized can do for
> it's grass roots team riders.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Todd
20% off retail isn't bad, unless the bikes are normally sold at a deep
discount off retail in the first place.
In the final analysis, you have to honestly ask yourself "How many extra
bikes is Specialized going to sell because our team is riding them?"
Todd
race banner. We also are planning on leading their group rides 2
nights a week. So we are already giving them quite a bit of exposure
and making it so they don't have to pay a staff member to lead group
rides twice a week. I'm sure the shop will get a lot more exposure by
other means of advertising but it also costs them money. Ordering us
team bikes for even thier cost is essentially free for them, it
doesn't cost them any money to pass bikes onto us at their cost (by
cost I mean their dealer cost + shipping and tax). Aside probably the
time it takes them to make the order for us and maybe do some extra
paperwork. Giving us 20% off not only gets them free advertising but
they still make a good profit on us buying bikes there. Except of
course that for that deal we won't be very motivated to buy bikes from
them.
If 20% is their standard deal so be it. We will look for other
manufacturers that will give us something more substancial than 20%
off retail. If the shop doesn't like us not riding bikes they sell,
they can give us a better deal. Frankly I don't know why a shop would
sponsor a team and not make it a very attractive to buy bikes they
sell. It doesn't represent the shop very well if the team is riding
bikes they don't even carry.
As to how I came to the conclusion that it should be cost + 10% that's
generally the standard I've heard of for team/employee discounts.
Full bikes must be different cause the host of component sponsors
we've aquired seem to generally be in the 40-50% off of retail, in
some cases as much as 20% less than dealer cost. I think the worst
one we got was about 30% off retail so frankly 20% off retail on a
full bike doesn't impress us much. Most shops offer better deals than
that to anyone that walks in the door toward the end of the season.
Todd
David LaPorte
Todd wrote:
Huh. I promote a National Racing Calendar stage race and I'm pretty happy
with my 20% off retail discount.
But then I don't lead groups rides. Maybe that's why I have to settle for
such a measily discount. ;-)
David
Todd
I'll probably see you at the U of M campus criterium race this year,
course I won't have a clue who ya are :)
If you guys want some help with sponsorship, I'd be happy to give ya
guys some tips cause considering your team's roster compared to ours,
and then looking at your sponsors you could be doing a lot better.
Then again people from MN are happy with the vikings, so you guys are
probably content with 20% too ;-)
sabine
The sense of entitlement simply because your hobby is racing bikes is
astounding! Ask yourself what else you are going to do for these
companies to help them sell product besides just race your bike and
put their logo on a web page that no one reads. I have trouble
procuring deals for PRO riders who can podium at a NORBA NCS race
because the economy is so tight right now. I'm sorry if I'm not
feeling sad for you.
Sabine
www.velobella.org