itsbob
I bowl overhand
Annapolis Motor Sports
I went to Bob's and found the Helmet I wanted, Nolan N102 with the sun visor. Bob's wanted $305 (or was it $310??) called my daughter and had her google Nolan N102, and do a search on Helmetharbor.com. The lowest price she could find on the internet was $270.. figured I was at Bob's wouldn't have to wait for shipping, I'd pay the extra $30.. LUCKILY they didn't have the color helmet I wanted.. Headed back to Annapolis to pick up Tracy and stopped at Crofton.. ALMOST bought a N100E that was on sale for $193 but they didn't have the box so no breath deflector etc.. I actually brought it up to the counter and changed my mind (It was a little too big at XL). I decided to buy one online.. and continued to the mall to pick Tracey up. On the way home there was a small mom and pop motorcyle shop that I drove by but hadn't stopped in yet, and talked Tracey into stopping.. I walked into Annapolis Motor Sports. Lincoln St, Annapolis.. The FRIENDLIEST people I've met in a long time..
First I asked her to price a tire out for me.. I know what I paid for it online, and how much I paid to get it mounted.. for $5 more I can drive my bike into their shop and they will remove the old tire and mount balance and put it back on the bike.. They already had me sold at that point.
I look on their shelves, they have ONE Nolan helmet, another XL N100E this one was $185).. ask her "Anymore??" She replied, "No, but I can have one here next business day for the same price." Well I know everywhere else I've been they've wanted $240 - 250 for the same helmet.. so I asked if that was true with any helmet.. She priced the N102, Black Cherry in color.. $220.. She sold me a helmet, and got me pised at Bob's.. if she can sell me this helmet for 220 and make a profit, why was Bob's selling the same for $305 (retail price in the catalog she was using $284, Bob's was selling it for $20 more then retail).. she answered that question for me.. she has asked him the same thing, and his reply.. "Because I can."
This is the kicker.. because of the Holidays, my helmet won't be in until Wednesday, so I told her I'd try to get off work early to pick up my helmet, figured it would be a nice ride. She replied, "Great, we close at 5PM, I'm usually here a little later then that, and if you can't get off early and still want to pick it up Wednesday, call, and I'll make sure I am here so you can get it." Asked her what time would be too late, if I got out at 5 I wouldn't be there until 7.. she said call.
Great people. SMALL company.. and like she said with their location they have to do SOMETHING to bring in the customers. You won't find them unless you are looking for them, and their customer draw is lower then the internet pricing.. or at least lower then any other bike shop pricing. They have a VERY small showroom, and have little or nothing in stock, but they can get most anything overnight. She said to call the day before I can come up for the tire, they'll order it, and they'll do it while I wait. Find what you want, call them, they'll price it out for you over the phone, and it will be there the next day for you to pick up, or have installed.
They've got my business for sure.
I went to Bob's and found the Helmet I wanted, Nolan N102 with the sun visor. Bob's wanted $305 (or was it $310??) called my daughter and had her google Nolan N102, and do a search on Helmetharbor.com. The lowest price she could find on the internet was $270.. figured I was at Bob's wouldn't have to wait for shipping, I'd pay the extra $30.. LUCKILY they didn't have the color helmet I wanted.. Headed back to Annapolis to pick up Tracy and stopped at Crofton.. ALMOST bought a N100E that was on sale for $193 but they didn't have the box so no breath deflector etc.. I actually brought it up to the counter and changed my mind (It was a little too big at XL). I decided to buy one online.. and continued to the mall to pick Tracey up. On the way home there was a small mom and pop motorcyle shop that I drove by but hadn't stopped in yet, and talked Tracey into stopping.. I walked into Annapolis Motor Sports. Lincoln St, Annapolis.. The FRIENDLIEST people I've met in a long time..
First I asked her to price a tire out for me.. I know what I paid for it online, and how much I paid to get it mounted.. for $5 more I can drive my bike into their shop and they will remove the old tire and mount balance and put it back on the bike.. They already had me sold at that point.
I look on their shelves, they have ONE Nolan helmet, another XL N100E this one was $185).. ask her "Anymore??" She replied, "No, but I can have one here next business day for the same price." Well I know everywhere else I've been they've wanted $240 - 250 for the same helmet.. so I asked if that was true with any helmet.. She priced the N102, Black Cherry in color.. $220.. She sold me a helmet, and got me pised at Bob's.. if she can sell me this helmet for 220 and make a profit, why was Bob's selling the same for $305 (retail price in the catalog she was using $284, Bob's was selling it for $20 more then retail).. she answered that question for me.. she has asked him the same thing, and his reply.. "Because I can."
This is the kicker.. because of the Holidays, my helmet won't be in until Wednesday, so I told her I'd try to get off work early to pick up my helmet, figured it would be a nice ride. She replied, "Great, we close at 5PM, I'm usually here a little later then that, and if you can't get off early and still want to pick it up Wednesday, call, and I'll make sure I am here so you can get it." Asked her what time would be too late, if I got out at 5 I wouldn't be there until 7.. she said call.
Great people. SMALL company.. and like she said with their location they have to do SOMETHING to bring in the customers. You won't find them unless you are looking for them, and their customer draw is lower then the internet pricing.. or at least lower then any other bike shop pricing. They have a VERY small showroom, and have little or nothing in stock, but they can get most anything overnight. She said to call the day before I can come up for the tire, they'll order it, and they'll do it while I wait. Find what you want, call them, they'll price it out for you over the phone, and it will be there the next day for you to pick up, or have installed.
They've got my business for sure.
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