Going to the wall

Same here Steve,washer packed up Saturday afternoon,none available locally. Ordered from ao Sunday afternoon delivered 7.15am Monday

That just confirms my father's old theory: most inventions were made out of laziness... People just want it all and they want it now. 

My local MOT garage has been on a wing and a prayer for years , he will happily fit tyres for customers they supply but does not stock tyres anymore as he says he can hardly buy them any cheaper than anyone else on the internet so people complain at his prices , so he's given up on tyres.

I have to admit to even buying oil off the web now , seems daft its cheaper for something like that to be delivered than me going out to fetch it but iI go for the "lazy" cost effective way .

I've used AO.com a few times now , for me ten minutes on the pc beats trudging round the white goods shops anytime

Have to agree with you all on this one as well, like you say it becomes hassle free by using online suppliers, life has become so bloody busy really, wot with jobs, the kids, the kids friends hobbies. Weekends taken up with swimming, rugby, MORE hobby stuff.....fighting the morning traffic into town, avoiding angry drivers trying to push you of the road.
Getting ripped off by car park charges! Telling the kids to ignore foul language by others intent on duelling you out of THERE parking space! It never ends really does it lol.
So what do we do? open the lap top up, have a mug of tea and send the boys out to rake the leaves up lol.

Riding me bike? Pah! When do I get time for that.
Still at least I ordered me bits online, and they should be here next day"..........good eh!
Ps it was only gonna rain tomorrow anyway...rofl.

I agree that a lot of people who are currently in this game (vintage jap bikes) value cost over most other things including quality. An example springs to mind of a member who recently wanted to pay around £30 less for a set of fork shrouds.....the ones purchased looked quite bent and poor in comparison to the mint set that were on offer. This is not slating that member (he had a budget to stick to) but an indication that a lot of folk will put up with inferior items just to save a bob or two.

We all want a bargain - none more so than me. But this really is my hobby / passion - and when I have the cash, second best will just not do. It's sad to see small bike shops like this going under. Harpers of Cowley also disappeared this year which was also a shock.

I can only agree with what Harold has written. I live in a small town and supply of goods is similarly problematic as he describes. I often walk into town full of good intent to shop local, fail to get what I want and go to the internet on my return home, even for trivial, cheap components or materials, in so many spheres. I think now the tide has gone out never to return.

Bike (and car) complexity is a fact and not only do I no longer even try to service my own car, I have to use a main dealer with the hassle and expense that brings. I have resisted for years but frankly, have given in - but not with bikes or home maintenance/DIY. Law changes or old age are more likely to stop me here.

I suspect the French model has a future - a few specialist shops, bakers, delicatessen, restaurants, bars and 24/7 general grocers or convenience stores make up the town shopping opportunity with the balance of space taken up by residents! Many more French live in town centres than do British. Most "serious" shopping occurs out of town or via the internet. Progress, you can't live with it but then again, you can't live without it.