We've all seen and know why togoparts discourages the online bashing of bike shops and how many "newer" cyclists esepcially want to clamour for more "power" to the consumer.


This will never stop IMHO, but to many newbie cyclists and the younger generation, I have this to say.

Do not expect the forums or any other online portal for that matter to spoon feed each and every one of you with detailed information about prices. We've been in an era where there's NO internet, NO emails, NO forums, NO mobile phones, NO SMS. About the ONLY technology available to us was either to call them on the PHONE and actually visiting them.

We built up relationships with LBSs the good old way with sincerity and friendliness that goes both ways. We appreciate the efforts of bicycle shop owners, distributors and the likes for without them, we wouldn't be able to get imported brands into Singapore.

Understand why sometimes prices CANNOT be lowered. If you've been abroad, you'll learn that the prices here are already very low indeed. Just because you've bought something that costs a few pennies less at another shop doesn't mean that you've been conned out of your life savings. Remember that different shops in different venues have different overheads.

When bikeshops bend over backwards to offer you a great deal on older models, appreciate the effort and continue to support them on a long term basis and you'll find yourself getting more and more good prices in the future.

Websites and forums such as togoparts (and others) have been abused and maniuplated sometimes to cause conflicts and misunderstandings not only among the cycling community but amongst different LBSs as well.

Please understand that while there is a voice for riders on forums, it can be easily turned into a malicious assault on innocent parties involved. A simple post about where you got this at $x just to "convince" a retailer that he has to match it isn't any more ethical than a ECP bike rental place trying to sell you a cheng sin tube for $12 because yours punctured.

Do understand that both LBS and cyclists NEED each other's support to the continued existent of the sport we treasure and love. Let's be nice to one another and keep this delicate balance in check shall we?

Remember, Emails, faxes, posts, SMSes, phone conversations and etc CANNOT EVER replace a HANDSHAKE after a great deal has been closed