Stuart, I agree with your take on this very interesting topic (thanks for starting it, Jonathan):
On 3/13/08, Stuart O Anderson soa@ri.cmu.edu wrote:
It seems to me that QBP supplies most of the CBS's right now. Maybe someone should approach them about identifying and stocking products that conform to our purchasing policies (i.e. green/fair trade/us made/union made/etc icons in the catalog) and ask about discounts for non-profits promiting bicycle use? I'd think the best way for that to happen would be for several shops to work together to create a request that could be delivered on all our behalfs. Does this interest anyone
- I'd be willing to help with such a project.
I would also help work toward a special CBS account at QBP rather than try to start a distributorship -- definitely "a huge undertaking"!
I think QBP would be willing, with the right guidelines: I learned at the LAB Summit recently something about Steve Flagg, QBP founder, that I could have found on the QBP website: "After graduating in 1974 he helped found Freewheel, the first bicycle co-op in Twin Cities. Though he enjoyed serving the community's passionate cyclists, Flagg realized independent bike dealers also needed a knowledgeable, go-to source for acquiring hard-to-find parts and resolving sticky technical issues. And so the inspiration for Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) was born."
For QBP to find this attractive would require some commitment from CBS's that would build trust with their LBS customers, AND make QBP's job easier (perhaps CBS's contribute some research into most-sustainable products?)
At OCBC, we take seriously QBP's stringent account qualifications, and keep in mind that not competing with LBS's is in the broader interest of cycling -- we have very clear pricing policies for parts sales that don't undercut LBS's, and send folks to their LBS when that makes sense.
I hope we can keep this discussion moving forward, and at least develop a draft plan to show to QBP.
Jim Sheehan Director, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op 1823 Columbus Rd Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216 830 2667 OhioCityCycles.org