Retail margins are daylight robbery says discount operation

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Wednesday, October 25th 2000 at 1:00AM

Businesses and individuals contacted by the National Wholesale Service are told that there are massive savings to be had by joining the NWS Money-Club. Every consumer product is available, says NWS, including bicycles

This was discovered today when BikeBiz quizzed Corrine, a telesales woman from the National Wholesale Service. Diverting her from the prepared script about savings on everything from computers to cars (as a manager are you aware that the difference between wholesale prices and shop prices can be as much as 50 percent, thats daylight robbery...), BikeBiz asked her about savings on bicycles.

What brands were available and what service contracts are supplied because bike shops offer such benefits as six-week checks and so on?

Corinne rang back within five minutes and said all brands of bicycle were available except own-brands supplied by Halfords and the like. Full warranties and postage door-to-door was included in the discount price.

And what about the servicing?

Most bike shops will tighten things up for you free of charge, said Corinne.

BikeBiz has paid £69 to join the Money-Club and we will be asking their personal shoppers to go get us a bike or two so we can track down whether they are being supplied via kosher channels. Watch this space.