Triathlon Website (online shopping)

trisports.com

racycles.com

competitivecyclist.com

nytro.com

It seems very different to me.  I am not sure which side you see as being taken advantage of but:

If you feel the website is being taken advantage of by using their pricing at your LBS, I don't really see that as being an issue because you aren't using the online company's resources.  Ok, a hit on their website, but its not like going into the LBS and using a lot of an employee's time.

If you feel its not fair to the LBS to have to price match an online retailer they are still getting a sale and hopefully making some profit on the sale.

My problem/hangup comes in walking into a local store, using employee's time or to a lesser extent playing with their physical inventory and then ordering the same thing from the internet.  I typically try very hard not to do that. 

I can see both sides of the of the story.. I have been going to the same LBS for a while now, I have become good friends with a lot of the guys up there.. Yes, there are other bike shops closer to me, but I like the service I get from this place and they never make you feel like you have a stupid question. The shop is part of a country wide chain, and the guys that work there even said check a few bikes out online and see if you can find it cheaper. I was buying some new components for my road bike and they even said "hey, check Nashbar out, they have this chain for way cheaper". If I do buy something online, i always go back to these guys for the assembly.

They do not run off commission so they are not trying to push you to buy something every time i walk in there. If I do find a ride online for cheaper than what the LBS is offering, it’s a win-win situation.. I get the bike for cheaper and they still get the sale, the fit, and the returning business.