Long wait times for a new bike: “ sometimes wait until next year ”

Ferdinand Boogaard from De Fietsenmakker in Vlissingen shows a new model in his shop. “If you want this one, you have to be patient: 32 weeks. Most of the bikes are already at the factory, but some parts cannot be delivered. They are made in Asian countries, but because of the crown and the lack of raw materials, they are hardly available.

The long delivery time doesn’t just apply to the show model, but according to Bogaard, it applies to around sixty percent of its new bikes. They are often not available or are not available until much later. New models from 2021 are not even expected until 2022.

Boogaard still has enough models available. Sometimes a similar bike is sold from a different brand or from a year earlier. “Bike buyers are mainly looking at what the bike can do. For example, the range of an electric bicycle is important, which is often the same for an available model. Therefore, customers can almost always be helped with an alternative and leave the store satisfied.

Collaborate with a competitor

Due to the shortage there is also more cooperation with bicycle shops in the area. When a customer wants a specific bike size that is no longer available, a colleague is called. If he has the bike, it will be traded. “The competitor is now the colleague and it works very well,” says Boogaard.

The problems are far from over. Boogaard finds that large companies are already placing large orders for 2022. Inventory at many stores is also starting to decline, which means supply is shrinking even more.