Postby Random1 » Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:35 pm
OK, when you are browsing a OS online retailer for say, 'bar tape' , 'seatpost' , 'brakepad' or what ever. You wont be buying Sram, because those products will not be displayed in most cases, and if they are you won't be buying them because you are blocked, will you goto your LBS and ask for it? I can't see that happening, you just buy an alternative. Hence exposure to their products will be lower. That has to cost them I would imagine. Additionally, if I am considering a new bike, am I going to want a Sram groupset on it? I can't see it. When factor into your decision that you reliant on your local Bike shop or local online retailer to source or stock parts for it, do you think that will happen? hell no... Once a bike gets a bit old, your LBS will be less likely to be able or willing to get a part, and if they can I reckon it would be a long wait and at a gouged price. No chance of getting that part online locally either, local websites are pretty backward.
Unless you already stuck with Sram group-set and need to use Sram specific stuff then that is too bad, I feel for you because it sucks, but, it is what it is. Would you be 'upgrading' to Sram consciously, not a local retail prices. That has to equal less sales to Sram. Maybe not to the local distributor though, I reckon a slight increase for them.
What Sram has done does not benefit the consumer or them. I question if they have thought this through as they seem to have given their competition a free kick. They deserve any reaction against them. I reckon if you ask them they will have some spin like benefiting the customer by providing consistent products, or combating cloning of their products or some other company speak BS.
I would email them but their website does not have a email address that I could find, I guess they will work it out eventually if they see a sales slump.
But then if Shimano choose the same route......Campagnolo???