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