The Pro’s Closet?

**Spats** · 10-25-2022, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by panchosdad

Got a blanket 10% off offer from them today.

For signing up for their mailing list, for buying stuff from them before, or ???

I've noticed that at least some of the new bikes they're selling have the disclaimer "No Manufacturer's Warranty" on them, despite being new and from major brands. So those bikes are clearly gray-market.

**smmokan** · 10-25-2022, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

For signing up for their mailing list, for buying stuff from them before, or ???

I've noticed that at least some of the new bikes they're selling have the disclaimer "No Manufacturer's Warranty" on them, despite being new and from major brands. So those bikes are clearly gray-market.

Serious question, what's gray market for a bike? One they bought from a dealer at a discount and they're now re-selling "as new"? I'm used to that term in the camera world, where gray market means a camera that was imported from another country and the warranty doesn't apply within the US.

**iriponsnow** · 10-25-2022, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by smmokan

Serious question, what's gray market for a bike? One they bought from a dealer at a discount and they're now re-selling "as new"? I'm used to that term in the camera world, where gray market means a camera that was imported from another country and the warranty doesn't apply within the US.

So……… can’t fully comment on the bikes, but recently in SkiWorldz I have a lot of clients coming in & bartering new product & I myself have purchased a ton of skis that are 1-3 seasons old for nickels on the dollar for my clients.

Im hearing that shops don’t have staff to push product & if a consumer can’t find it on their phone as 2023, it won’t move.

This spring I did have a guy swap me a bike frame for some coaching & guess where it went….TPC; so despite having a warranty card- my thinking is no way.

**SumJongGuy** · 10-25-2022, 07:12 PM

Grey market generally means sold by a vendor, usually unauthorized... without the blessing of the manufacturer. It could be stolen, produced at the factory after the company's contract was fulfilled without their knowledge, or just plain sold by a distributor to vendors/retailers that the manufacturer didn't authorize..

**detrusor** · 10-25-2022, 07:18 PM

Slightly different question. Bought a new Stumpjumper frame that was a warranty replacement. Serial number has never been registered, still original packing material. Can I register it and have a warranty?

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**Andeh** · 10-25-2022, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by detrusor

Slightly different question. Bought a new Stumpjumper frame that was a warranty replacement. Serial number has never been registered, still original packing material. Can I register it and have a warranty?

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All the warranty registrations I've ever done have required a receipt to go with an unregistered serial number.

**panchosdad** · 10-25-2022, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

For signing up for their mailing list, for buying stuff from them before, or ???

I've noticed that at least some of the new bikes they're selling have the disclaimer "No Manufacturer's Warranty" on them, despite being new and from major brands. So those bikes are clearly gray-market.

I was on their email list already, just sent me that offer.

**Conundrum** · 10-25-2022, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by detrusor

Slightly different question. Bought a new Stumpjumper frame that was a warranty replacement. Serial number has never been registered, still original packing material. Can I register it and have a warranty?

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Worth trying to register. What are they going to do, take away your warranty if it doesn’t work?

**simple** · 11-01-2022, 09:42 AM

15% of the Pros Closet got laid off including my riding partner. Think their prices will go down?

Not looking good in the bike industry right now..,

**huckbucket** · 11-01-2022, 12:38 PM

Hate to see it.

**beaterdit** · 11-01-2022, 01:50 PM

That's a huge bummer. Their future seems questionable to the casual observer. Also seems like the casual observer could have seen this coming. Presumably MBAs abound in their upper management, business professionals whose job it is to predict this kind of thing. Not sure why they let themselves get so over extended when even Joe Dirts on a ski forum saw it coming. As mentioned above, greed I guess.

I lucked out selling my Firebird to a friend of a friend for $5K right before the bust. Pro's Closet was my backup plan but the timing would have been tight.

**Benneke10** · 11-01-2022, 01:56 PM

Why is it a bummer? I used to buy and sell from them regularly like 8-10 years ago when they were on ebay but the last couple years they have made the used bike market worse for both buyers and sellers.

**beaterdit** · 11-01-2022, 02:45 PM

I meant about people losing their jobs. I'm pretty agnostic about the business model and company itself. Sucks for people to lose their livelihoods though.

Seems like they'll have to drop prices a lot now, further depressing the market for sellers which is fine. Cheaper bikes for everyone is good overall. Lots of people are gonna be left holding the bag when looking to flip their $10K bikes but hey, if you can afford that bike in the first place you're doing alright. Bike shops might feel some pain too but market fluctuations are a fact of life.

**joetron** · 11-03-2022, 12:14 AM

Just saw a TPC ad on IG: 30% off Enve wheels, 40% off Ibis wheels, and 50% off all other wheels.
That’s rather aggressive.

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**smmokan** · 11-03-2022, 07:55 AM

Unfortunately they’re almost all 27.5, which explains the sale.

**jm2e** · 11-08-2022, 08:14 AM

Surprising amount of new stuff in there. Can't figure out their angle.

Though I do see a bright future for anyone looking for 29er rear and 27.5 front wheels!

**Kirkwood** · 11-08-2022, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

Surprising amount of new stuff in there. Can't figure out their angle.

Though I do see a bright future for anyone looking for 29er rear and 27.5 front wheels!

Their angle is that The Pro’s Closet is moving into retail brick and mortar. Think Carmax but for bikes.

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**Westcoaster** · 11-08-2022, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

Their angle is that The Pro’s Closet is moving into retail brick and mortar. Think Carmax but for bikes.

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Pretty crappy company. They have purchased friends used bikes and marketed them as new, or shop floor demos, etc.

**Kirkwood** · 11-08-2022, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Westcoaster

Pretty crappy company. They have purchased friends used bikes and marketed them as new, or shop floor demos, etc.

General consumers are also drinking the “certified pre-owned” kool-aid for peace of mind.

I do know that TPC will fully service forks and shocks before selling a used bike as well as replacing worn parts is needed.

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**XtrPickels** · 11-08-2022, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

General consumers are also drinking the “certified pre-owned” kool-aid for peace of mind.

I do know that TPC will fully service forks and shocks before selling a used bike as well as replacing worn parts is needed.

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Living close by, I’ve dropped off 2 bikes and 2 wheel sets in person. They do a thorough look-over of everything when you drop it off, looking for issues to repair / replace.

The guy even mentioned some stuff I ought to take off because they’d end up replacing them with new items (e.g. seatpost, saddle, grips in good but not perfect shape, etc).

**jm2e** · 11-09-2022, 11:16 PM

Pre-COVID I got multiple “take-off” wheel sets and forks from them at fantastic prices. I don’t care if they came from your mom’s rental fleet. They were as clean as advertised and I beat the fuck out of them in the ensuing weeks.
Looking forward to the return of those deals.

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**Kirkwood** · 11-09-2022, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

Looking forward to the return of those deals.

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RIIIIIGHT! Keep dreaming.

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**fastfred** · 11-10-2022, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by jm2e

P I don’t care if they came from your mom’s rental fleet. They were as clean as advertised and I beat the fuck out of them in the ensuing weeks.
Looking forward to the return of those deals.

ms

now that is funny as fuck
my guess is including his rental fleet that most bikes are sitting around collecting dust when they do get pulled out of cold storage some forty year old punter is going nancy around on his carbon high end pretty bike for a downhilled shuttle run with his buddies for a couple hours before getting back to what his wife wants him to do

so yeah most bikes have little wear and tare
I can destory a pair of skis a bike and shoes in a matter of weeks

**smmokan** · 11-10-2022, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by fastfred

now that is funny as fuck
my guess is including his rental fleet that most bikes are sitting around collecting dust when they do get pulled out of cold storage some forty year old punter is going nancy around on his carbon high end pretty bike for a downhilled shuttle run with his buddies for a couple hours before getting back to what his wife wants him to do

so yeah most bikes have little wear and tare
I can destory a pair of skis a bike and shoes in a matter of weeks

TGR’s judgmental take at AI is getting better at the humble brag. Nice progression. Next up, using punctuation.