OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tony T on August 17, 2012, 08:18:28 am
-
Sorry this is off topic, but it's a lesson for every Aussie retailer.
I went to buy 2 laptops yesterday. That's a reasonable sale, I would have thought and with the market being so competitive at the moment, I thought they'd be falling over themselves to sell me something.
I walked out of the first 5 stores without finding someone to serve me!! ::) The worst was one store that had the 2 blokes in the relative section chatting happily to each other while I wandered up and down.
I finally got someone to serve me in one of JB HiFi stores after I virtually had to jump in front of him to stop him. He had one model that he wanted to sell me and wouldn't listen to any suggestions of buying something different.
Finally found a bloke in Radio Rentals that gave me great service. And because of that, I paid a fair bit more for the same thing.
You here these big stores talking about how we need to support local etc, and then we get such poor service.
A letter to Gerry Harvey might be in order................. :D
Rant over........ who goin' riding this weekend? ;)
-
Trouble is a business can only be as good as the people it employs.
A few bad employees in a business can bring the whole thing down as I think most of us tend to steer clear of any business that gives us a bad run.
I was in a Dick Smith a while back trying to pay for some items at the counter only the 2 guys behind the counter were deep into a social conversation and didn’t want to be interrupted until they finished.
They seemed to have superhuman abilities too as my ‘withering stare’ seemed to have no effect on them.
A year or so later that particular Dick Smith outlet closed down.
I wonder if Dick knows that even though he doesn’t own the stores anymore that some stores are giving him a bad name.
-
I've been trying to buy two SDG seats for moderns. Ballards advertises them, but have none in stock and hold zero hope of getting them in anytime soon.
Can't find any other Aussie source of them, so I've gotta buy from the USA.
Next time I see Gerry Harvey whinging about people sending money overseas, I think I'm going to punch the television.
-
Long story, but I'll keep it short. We have a 1986 Saab 900 Turbo, bought ' new secondhand ' in '87. No mechanical issues at all until early last year, then the seal in the water pump quit. I phoned the local Saab distributor, no pump in stock, car too old, but estimated cost in Perth was $250. The engine in these things is in backwards and it's a two day job to find the water pump, longer still to remove it, so I figured I would replace some of the related 25 year old stuff while I was at it. Emailed a list of all parts required to Perth, requested a quote and waited 3 weeks. No response, so checked on the Net, selected two suppliers of Saab parts in Sydney, emailed both of them the same parts list and request for quotes. Waited two weeks. Phoned one of them. Yes, he remembered my email but he didn't have a spare parts guy at the moment, and he was busy. I remember that was a Tuesday because he promised to get back to me ' by friday,' and I counted down the days. Friday came and went.
The job wasn't urgent but I was seriously pissed off by now, so back onto the net, selected one of the heap of Saab parts suppliers in the U.S., emailed one of them the famous spare parts list. Their email was in when I fired up the computer next morning. A choice of SIX water pumps, all of them from OEM suppliers to Saab, prices ranged from $46 to $72. All other parts were available. Resolved a couple of minor questions, all emails were answered almost instantly. Placed an order.
Received one fine German manufactured water pump, five water hoses including the monster which is about a metre long running down the side of the block, six vee belts, a genuine Saab pressure cap, and two special and expensive urethane bushes for the Alternator mounting. Shipping time ten days, from Arizona to country W.A.
The cost ? $226 including $14 internal shipping to an ' on shipper ' in the U.S. $ 34 less than the bare pump in Perth, plus that saga began in February 2011 and I still have not heard from any of the suppliers in Australia. I reckon Geoff has a point right about employees, it's getting tougher to find good ones but whose fault is that ? Govt. training schemes and a fair percentage of management need a shake also, am thinking that this generally slack attitude to service in our fine Country is going to cost us bigtime eventually. >:(.
-
And Saab has ceased to be......
-
I went into a well known motorcycle repair shop who do wheel repairs near Granville the other day enquiring about spoke nipples. Walked up to the counter to see the young bloke working away on a bike. I figured he was in the middle of something tricky so gave him a bit, then I watched him stand up, grab a spanner and sit on the wheelie chair and face his back to me >:( and continue working away. Not a word has been said yet, not be with you in a second or anything!. So I grab the latest AMCN mag on the counter and have time to flick through reasonably slowly, all the while keeping a eye out on young punk. Was probably there for nearly 10mins when old man walks in, and bugger me didn't young punk jump up and fuss over me :o. Turns out they couldn't help me, and turns out that they will not see one red cent from me ever again. The old bloke is rude and arrogant, and the young bloke is just an asshat >:(.
Adam
-
I went into a well known motorcycle repair shop who do wheel repairs near Granville
That's a part of Chivo's "charm". They do my wheels purely because he does a good job, not for his happy smile or disposition.
*I've got an '02 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I've owned since it was 2 years (40k) old. It's been a good solid car with only minor quirks, nearly all related to computer wobblies, easily fixed by a quick reboot. Over the years I've needed the usual consumables like brake pads and rotors, engine mounts and shocks and have found that the local prices are often 4 or 5 times more expensive than getting them from the USA, including shipping. example....engine mounts... local....$329+$29shipping, USA $66+$33 shipping. Gas Shock absorbers front and rear....Aust $415 free shipping...USA $114.25 + $68, brake pads front Aust $94+12 shipping..USA $24+$18 shipping...........and so on.
*A month ago I was looking to buy a new Canon 50d camera body. Harvey Norman were first stop as they're close to my house. After 20 minutes waiting to be served I left in disgust. Next was K Mart purely because they were next door. The 15 year old behind the counter was totally lost with about four customers ahead of me. Nobody came to her assistance so I left there too. I then tried the local camera shop and despite the good counter service, he couldn't get within $100 of the price I could get one for online. In the end I decided to stick with my old camera and buy one next May when I go to the Hong Kong Rugby sevens.
*I take my 92 year old mother shopping once a week. She's a perfectly capable, sharp and articulate old girl but when she's in a retail situation the sales person just about always talk to her like she's retarded or even worse, look straight through her and talk to me as if I'm her interpreter.
And Jerry Harvey wonders why we shop overseas via the internet. Fluck him.
-
Saab has indeed ceased to be, Tim . . . . . . except for ours. That's why it's important that someone out there shows an interest in selling me Spares.
On firko's line of thought, our local Bunnings is worse than Harvey Norman - one employee doing nothing except greeting and farewelling customers as they come and go, even when the queues at the tills are a mile long, and four more staff standing around socialising among themselves and lining up their root for the weekend.
SERVICE ?? Don't know, don't care. Lucky buggers ;).
-
Ts I am actually peeved Saab has gone . A company that said F**k you to the big brothers that told it how they wanted Saab to build their cars, and kept on building them in their own vision of how it should be done. Saab 900 turbo silky smooth, comfortable, easy to drive, fast and fabulous.
-
If you look at a recent publication on "Lemons" Those particular machines are predominatly featured.
-
Oils ain't just Oils Pancho. I wasn't keen on the 9000's, and have driven some of the later models produced after General Motors tried to show Saab how to build cars at no cost. Also, used to :D have mates who bought secondhand V6 9 - 3's and they were a disaster. I was nervous when we bought the first ( secondhand ) 900 Turbo, but it copped some pretty rough country roads and the odd creek crossing for four years and never needed a spanner on it. We've run up 245,000 kays on this one and the water pump is the first replacement part on it in twenty five years apart from brake pads ( 2 sets front, one rear ) and filters. Plenty of stories from owners of 900's at 400K kays without an engine rebuild. The thing gets blown off bigtime at the lights by grannies in ten year old Elantras, but on the open road it's fast, comfortable and reasonably economical. Don't honestly know what sort of a modern wonder I'll replace it with when the time comes. Apologies for the enthusiastic rant, and don't tell Darth Vader ( black 900 Aero Turbo ) what I've just said, he'll break down tomorrow :o.
-
What GM did to Saab is a great example of how to f$%k a brand - they were a niche brand, and GM basically killed all of the nicheness. They burned the existing customer base, without replacing it. And then wondered why they sold so few of them...
Ford's treatment of Volvo wasn't great, but much better than GM's of Saab. So far, the Chinese seem to be showing Volvo a lot more respect than Ford did.
-
Buy local isn't possible today.
Unless you're on a Union's legal team.
The Union movement has done a 180.
-
Buy local is a joke for far, far too many items. I walked into the local Bing Lee and the guy at the counter refused to move 6 feet down to me - kept waving me up to him. So I walked out and have never been back and never will. They probably lost $5-6k in sales to me since then. I now purchase on-line almost exclusively.
I have now racked-up 1042 items purchased on eBay. I get exactly what I asked for, usually far cheaper and delivered to my door. No vacant stares, no "that's 2 years old, we don't stock those any more" and no "we would have to get one in - probably by February"... I could have driven 6km to buy something last week - but a chap on the mid north coast shipped me the same item for $3 less (including postage), to my door in 2 days. Now why would I battle the traffic to go up the road to be sneered at by a pimply youth?
Oh and of those 1042 items - ONE went missing. Ever.
Luke
-
Ts I am actually peeved Saab has gone . A company that said F**k you to the big brothers that told it how they wanted Saab to build their cars, and kept on building them in their own vision of how it should be done. Saab 900 turbo silky smooth, comfortable, easy to drive, fast and fabulous.
Have you SAAB lovers seen this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8PT91JWljQ
Worth a watch.
-
I have now racked-up 1042 items purchased on eBay. I get exactly what I asked for, usually far cheaper and delivered to my door.
Me too, I've got 1103 eBay items under my belt since 1999 and will now only go to a retail outlet if it's something extraordinarily cheap or unusual. I buy almost all of my clothes, 90% of my motorcycle and car parts and like Luke have an almost perfect success record. Since I've been ill I've even been considering buying my groceries online.
The only time I've gone to a large retail outlet in recent times was to buy a big screen telly from Dick Smiths and if the bloody TV hadn't been so cheap I'd have walked out after being left standing for 20 minutes while only three assistants in the store dealt with the one customer, who just happened to be a semi well known female TV presenter whose name I can't for the life of me think of right now.
As far as supporting your local bike shop, with the exception of Les at VMX Unlimited I'll buy my bits from overseas thank you. The last time I went into one of those trendy motorcycle joints to buy a Yamaha DT little end bearing, pin and circlips, I was brushed off at by the 18 year old dickweed behind the counter who actually suggested that I "try eBay for that old stuff" without even taking the time to check on the computer. I was also intending on buying $100 odd worth of oil, plugs and other disposables but I left them on the counter and told him I'd buy them on eBay too. Prick :(
-
agree with nearly everything said - except Firko I have had a great run with West Coast Honda and North City Yamaha (now closed unfortunately) here in north Perth - didn't matter I was chasing old bits but they paid me the respect requried of a customer, knew what I was after and are pleasant to go back to!!
-
I think the core of this problem is this insidious mind set we have in Australia today that there is something wrong with 'work' and a good job is when you don't have to do much for your money or better still do nothing. It is a crying shame that the young are being brought up with no appreciation of the art and honour of serving their fellow countryman, they seem to think good customer service is beneath them. Sooo many people at work do the minimum just to get by, rather than take pride in the job they do. I point my finger straight at the governments since the early 80s here, in their spin to promote and sell compulsory super, so they can have business carry the cost of the pension, they have made a fundamental mistake in the message they sent out about retirement. A whole couple of generations has come in to the work force with the ideal of 'no work is good' and 'early retirement is the holy grail'. I have a mate who is well off enough to never have to work again. At the moment the industry he is in, the stock market, is a no go zone for him as it is too volatile so he hasn't got a work place to go to and it is driving him mad, he is lost. If we fixed this mind set, taught our youth that a hard days work, adding value to other people in our community is an honorable thing to do, perhaps this country would turn around. When I employ people, I gravitate to people from cultures who still see value and honour in doing a fair days work and generally most born and bred Australian youth I won't go near because they only get a job because in their eyes they are forced to.
-
.........of course importers used to fat profits would be nothing to do with it at all ::)
A good for instance is a TZ125/250 4DP piston.
Yamaha Aust $280
boats.net $80
Japan $80
For $350 I got 2 pistons/rings/bearings/gudgeons, with shipping and commission delivered from Japan in 4 days. That's nothing to do with the teenager behind the counter , the government that is just admin costs by the importer. Strange bit is the price of the pistons has been going up instead of down. Compare the cost of the same bike in Australia and the US, importers will crap on about ADR's etc, but I don't see many differences in US and Aust spec bikes.
-
The problem of $$cost is not limited to bike parts, you will find the same with just about anything you wish to buy, even products made here in Australia are dearer here than the US. An excellent case in point is ARB airlockers. Australian designed and made. Call your local ARB store right now and they will quote you $1350 (or more) for the kit.
Now these are made here in Australia and then shipped to the US so you would think they would be cheaper here right? Well you'd be wrong ... they are dearer here because you can buy one in the US for under $1000. In fact they used to be only $USD800 before the AUD went up. Guys I know have shipped them back to Aust for years.
Same with a new Bayliner Bowrider 175 boat I wanted to buy in late 2008. Here in Aust (at the time and before the $AUD went up) they were $38K drive away from Caloundra Marine. My experience with the dealer here was less than inspiring so I went online and looked for a better deal. In the end I purchased a brand new 2009 model from Shep Brown's Boat Basin in the US for $USD13,500 on a trailer with Bimini, MP3 player etc which was $AUD 15,500 at the time. By the time I shipped it here in a container, had the trailer axle and hitch changed (brakes added), registered it, it owed me $22K brand new on the water. A saving of $16K or a little over 40% of the cost in Aust for exactly the same thing. And the experience was brilliant. They couldn't do enough to help. They even winterised it for me free of charge, made sure it was covered up and helped organise some internal transport.
I'm as parochial as the next Aussie and love buying local if I can but at times it just doesn't make sense unfortunately.
-
Drive it down to the marina to tell them all about it? ;D
-
and here is the icing on the cake - gut wrenching as it may be......................................I can buy Bundy cheaper in Lao than here in Australia!!!!!
-
and here is the icing on the cake - gut wrenching as it may be......................................I can buy Bundy cheaper in Lao than here in Australia!!!!!
Is it the real deal though?
-
yep - same as for the bourbons and JW - it all comes back to taxes.
Now I have mentioned that word I will just wait to hear from Jeff ;D
-
I can buy Bundy cheaper in Lao than here in Australia!!!!!
You can buy Aussie wine and beer cheaper in California than here. My friend Lori buys name brand NZ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Aussie reds at Costco near her house for around $30 per dozen! She can get Coopers Ale and a number of Aussie and NZ boutique beers for $12 a six pack.
-
It,s also the same in australia you can buy boags beer cheaper in melb than in Launceston where it is made in
-
Nobody's mentioned the UFO vintage plastics? Aussie importer can't be f$%ked, but they're the importer so UFO in Italy won't sell them to punters in Australia.
>:(
-
3 "local" stores on the way home today in search of a replacement DID 520 o'ring master link..... with no luck.
First stop was a well known accessory store on Parramatta rd .
Kids behind the counter all chomping on lunch , take away food all over the glass top area of customer service counter , with little idea & the wrong part offered.
Second 2 stores had a more professional approach but did not keep joiner links in stock .....could sell me a new DID chain ::).
Starting to take a liking to on- line shopping.
Regards ,
Steve
-
I am a retailer, bike store and I used to get the shits with these threads but I have to agree with all the sentiments above.
I am sick of the importers/distributers ripping me off and making me look like the bad guy.
Cassons recently dropped G165 Renthal grips from $40 retail to $24......there was I saying how awesome these grips are and Chad uses them etc to help justify a price but the reality was I was lining Rob Cassons pockets!!!
Asked, with specs, to get a set of Ohlins made by the importer in Australia ..rang to check to see if he received the fax..It was as if I was bothering him so my customer has had the English Ohlins fitted for two weeks and we are still waiting for a returned call from SCP?
I think a lot of the concerns are service related more than just cost. Sure margins are tight and the internet has slowed the floor traffic but my motto in my shop is " do what we do better every day"..
An interesting aside from one importer though. He suggests that all retailers should refuse to remit GST on all sales under $1000. I absolutely agree with him but it is only 10% of the problem and not up to 1000% of the price issues.
Make sure you all keep a good relationship with a bike store though if possible... most people on this forum are clever enough not to make blunders with internet purchases but some of my customers are buying $10 MCS levers from eBay for $12 with $10 freight and still getting the wrong one. I think the key is to look for the smaller shops..I even have issues with the bigger ones getting parts etc..
I also suggested to some one at a race meeting the other day that All-Balls do a linkage kit for his bike. Good advice I thought until he said "thanks, but I buy all my gear from eBay" I think he thought All-Balls was a shop!!!! Hahaha!!! :)
-
Brought a new moto guzzi last year the other day dropped it of to our only state dealer 100 km away for the second lot of rear wheel bearings, 6000km, asked them if the could do a cheap service while they got it thinking will they had it on the stand they drop the oil got a bill for $437 never again will i use them . Every time they tell you yes that be ok they then do something different . some business just don't know what cutomer service is .Cheers George
-
I completely understand your position, George. And would do the same in your place.
But I also respect blokes like 3858 that are working really hard to keep their customers happy and make an honest living.
I originally started this thread to have a go at the major players that sprout off about loyalty to your local store but then don't offer anything like I'd like to believe that those that do the right thing will win out in the end........... we'll see.............. :-\
-
3858
I feel your retail pain
The point most people are missing is the local retail guys cost or buying price is more than the USA retails price point
How are you going to make ends meet when those middle men have sucked the profit margins dry, call them Importers/Distributers or Price gouging bastards :o
Over here in the West some of the bigger retail outlets have dropped their stock by 70%
Somebody should tell W/sales companys the world has changed >:(
Cheers
-
I have a auto place around the corner and they might be a little bit dear but they are great to deal with I don't mind paying a bit more to support locals as long as they are fair to deal with I will go to them I tried to shop at a local motor bike shop but a few bad experiences put me off for good I won't go there again.
For example I had a couple of parts numbers of parts I knew were still available the guy attending said what bike is it off I said 1980 pe400 to get the response we won't have it I said can you just type the part numbers I have in I had to ask like five times to make him do it and then he said oh they are both available but he was not doing his job how hard is it to just type some numbers in.
I feel sorry for the owners of these places they would struggle you only need one bad employee to give you a bad name and lose you thousands in sales.
-
"you only need one bad employee to give you a bad name and lose you thousands in sales." Sums it up perfectly Frosty
-
I should of wrote I also use a local suzuki dealer here that is very good so good to the point my boys ride a rm125 the other one has a gsx650f road bike . the other week i brought a drz400 for trail riding there good service did influance my reason of buying it .There is good service out there just hard to find when you do use them or they will disappear.The only reason i went moto guzzi is they are low and light and iam a short arse so it suited me cheers George
-
I have nothing but praise for my local suzuki dealer here in Adelaide. The owner is a suzuki rider from way back and is interested in my projects and how they are coming on. I have often got parts for my suzukis that I thought would well and truly be deleted from production years ago. The guys behind the counter are happy to go through the micro fische scouring for the parts I am looking for, and to top it off the prices are very good.
-
Suck it in Jerry..I went to my local Yamaha Shop on Monday wanting price and availability on an exhaust gasket for my 74'' MX250.A young guy serves me and then proceeds to look up the part on his computer mumbling over and over you would have to be pretty lucky to find one of those..Anyway he found the part and gave me a price of $11.95..That same afternoon I jumped on Ebay UK and found the same gasket for GB1.95 [$AU.3.00 [ with $AU6.00 postage..however additional items cost no more to send.. so for AU$14.00 I have two gaskets and postage from England..as opposed to two gaskets costing 2x 11.95 from my local Yamaha shop..You work it out..
-
How good is it that a young guy (have to be someones son trying to earn a living) went to the effort to find out for you that the pissy part you wanted was available for you! And you could maybe even have had it next day and used a couple of coins to pay instead of risking identity theft overseas. But, hey, what a saving! ::)
-
Yes by putting a bit money back into the local economy would be a good thing even such a small amount ::)
-
Yes by putting a bit money back into the local economy would be a good thing even such a small amount
and with this a good customer service grows with the pimply faced kid and his boss,then the discounts flow in the future.
A WIN WIN for your local bike shop and yourself :)
-
Best thing you can ever do is develop a good relationship with your local spare parts guy!
-
Hi guys, I must confess i buy a lot of parts from ebay-But my local bike shop here in Mackay Bullet bikes have to the best bike shop i have ever used. Nothing is a hassel, the boys and girls behind the spare parts counter are very friendly and have a genuine interest in my projects. They can spend up to 15 mins looking up the data base and cross refrence part # while you wait. It does surprise me how many parts are still out there.
Most of the time the parts are cheaper than ebay and i get good service, Bullet bikes ALWAYS texts me or rings the minute my parts come in.
Another shop worth mentioning is JTR excellent service and price.
Have faith, there still are good bike shops out there you just have to find them.
I would Not hesitate in buying a brand new bike from them. :D
-
99% of my parts come from overseas and usually cheaper than locally. Of the thousand or so transactions I've had maybe 2 or 3 items that never turned up. Ironically 2 of those non received incidents were from Aussie sellers. If I can get 2 for the price of one than that's the way I'll go. In 15+ years of online dealings never have I had my identity details stolen. It does make sense to use a separate account to which you simply transfer money from a primary account in order to pay goods online so even if they do get your details they won't get much else ;)
-
Suck it in Jerry..I went to my local Yamaha Shop on Monday wanting price and availability on an exhaust gasket for my 74'' MX250.A young guy serves me and then proceeds to look up the part on his computer mumbling over and over you would have to be pretty lucky to find one of those..Anyway he found the part and gave me a price of $11.95..That same afternoon I jumped on Ebay UK and found the same gasket for GB1.95 [$AU.3.00 [ with $AU6.00 postage..however additional items cost no more to send.. so for AU$14.00 I have two gaskets and postage from England..as opposed to two gaskets costing 2x 11.95 from my local Yamaha shop..You work it out..
It’s so easy to bag our country when you can find something cheaper somewhere else but I wonder if the average retailer ( bike shop) in the UK can sell those gaskets for $3.00 also so as to be able to compete with e-bay merchants.
Many other countries have way more buying power than us.
It’s a bit like bagging your local General Store because they don’t have the same stock levels or pricing of the Independent Supermarkets.
Or chastising your local Independent Supermarket because they can’t compete against Coles & Woolies.
Or abusing Coles & Woolies because they can’t compete with Aldi
In essence Australia is you local corner store
But still, maybe there’s an opening for you. Check with your UK supplier and see if he will sell you wholesale so you can set up a shop over here and sell your gaskets for $3.00 each.
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Did people start buying overseas because the service was poor or did the service become poor because the sales rep knows he’s defeated before he starts as he can’t compete with on line sales.
-
I think because it is so easy to buy online too you can be working on your bike and realise oh I need this jump on the computer or on your phone and order it then and there without having to go anywhere even in the odd case where you pay a little extra you still have the convenience of not going anywhere and buying what ever you need 24/7 so how can a shop beat that unless they join it.
What really pisses me off though is if I go into a shop I am there for no other reason but to buy my mates brother had a shop and people would go in try on gear and put it back so they knew there size to order online that stinks who cares if you have to pay more for gear they have it all there it isn't there to be tried on so you can buy it somewhere else I find that just plain wrong.
-
It’s a bit like bagging your local General Store because they don’t have the same stock levels or pricing of the Independent Supermarkets.
Thats it in a nut shell really, its all about inventory really......ebay has several thousand items and a more competitive environment for both sellers and buyers so normally it is better to shop there. Its really been seriously years since I walked up to the parts counter in a real live bike store. As for having to make a relationship with the parts guy, most of them know less about the products than we do so whats the point.
The motorcycle industry particulalrly the single Japanese franchises I think are on borrowed time. Future is multi franchise stores with decent level of e business.
-
I have to agree with 3858, as a small retailer I cannot figure out why a set of brake shoes from england cost $4 less than my wholesaler, delivered ???
I have blokes coming in with tyres that they want fitted that they have purchased on line aand are only marginaly more than my wholesale price.
You can,t blame anybody for trying to save a dollar but just remember folks if you dont support your local bloke now and then he wil get a job somewhere else. ;)
As the song goes "you dont know what you"ve got till its gone" ;)
-
They're building a tree museum? Fukk yes!
:D
I want to have a rant about crappy service from Aussie retailers, but know it will become a 5,000 word rant that nobody will bother to read...
From a customer's point of view, the rules for successful retailing are not that hard:
1. You don't need to price match, but you do need to be in the ballpark.
2. Customer service is way more than smiling on the way out...
3. Have stuff in stock. Nobody really expects to walk in and get a 3rd gear for a 1983 YZ250 off the shelf, but the number of stories of shops not having stuff like 520 chain joining links is insane.
4. If you don't have it in stock, then always offer to get it. And don't kid yourself that jacking up the price for a "special order" is acceptable nowdays...
5. Know what you're selling. Blank stares and bullshit don't cut it when the customer can walk out and get dozens of independent opinions on the net, especially of you're not offering the best price.
6. Reward your regular/loyal customers - if you show them no loyalty, they will be happy to return the favour...
7. Be up-front about your prices. Nowdays, it's assumed that an item without a price tag is overpriced...
8. If you have a website, make sure it is clear and simple. A shitty web site strongly implies a shitty business.
9. People expect multi-buy discounts, particularly for items that are going through the post.
I know it seems like a long list, and I know its not always possible to nail every single one... But there are just so many businesses doing it badly - and then bleating like stuck pigs when customers desert them in droves.
Further, I reckon that there's a direct relationship between the retailers that stuck to their old business model and those that are no longer around...
I do understand a lot of the challenges facing retailers - getting good staff, getting products at vaguely equitable prices, floor space costs, etc etc - none of which means that not trying isn't just a hiding to nowhere...
Yes, that was the short, calm version. :)
-
YZ 250 piston and rings $365 Unzud at dealer - 5 day delivery parts and freight half price
6 pack RMZ oil filters air mailed For same price as one from Suzuki dealer
Full set riding gear/boots/neck brace etc=delived, freight and GST paid save $450
dealers will have to watch margins to survive
-
As for having to make a relationship with the parts guy, most of them know less about the products than we do so whats the point.
Defeatist attitude ;D You coming over to CD9 and supporting our VMX economy ? 8)
-
My best mate is a Bike dealer of larger country bike shop / The other day he put a nice after market pipe on his demo Yamaha 800 road bike and told me over a beer he purchased it via ebay as it was $200 under his buy price.
-
I can understand why some bike shops aren't interested in paying their staff to run around after VMX people. We're hardly their superanuation fund. :-X
-
What I don't understand is why prices here are double what they are in the USA.
I was in Los Angeles recently and bought a few NGK spark plugs $2.95 here I pay $6. I also picked up one pack (3 sheets) of One Industries number board backing (the thick black/green vinyl sticky stuff) from one shop at $16.99 and a similar pack of Factory Effects FX from Del Amo Motorsports in Redondo for $14.99.
I have purchased this same stuff here before for $34 per pack.
You have to assume that the USA dealers are making a profit so where is the additional 100% mark up going when I buy here. Is it all government taxes??
-
What I don't understand is why prices here are double what they are in the USA.
I was in Los Angeles recently and bought a few NGK spark plugs $2.95 here I pay $6. I also picked up one pack (3 sheets) of One Industries number board backing (the thick black/green vinyl sticky stuff) from one shop at $16.99 and a similar pack of Factory Effects FX from Del Amo Motorsports in Redondo for $14.99.
I have purchased this same stuff here before for $34 per pack.
You have to assume that the USA dealers are making a profit so where is the additional 100% mark up going when I buy here. Is it all government taxes??
I think it was mentioned earlier that the distributors set the prices that retailers pay, the US has a larger market & the distributors can place larger orders which helps them get a better price.
My guess would be that larger turn over means that a smaller margin still works for them. Seems to be lots of stories of greedy distributors in this part of the world though
-
Shops should be going back to importers/distributors and telling them what the customer is discovering. What is stopping a shop here buying online and selling way below rec retail?
-
I can understand why some bike shops aren't interested in paying their staff to run around after VMX people. We're hardly their superanuation fund. :-X
Mont , think about it most of us have at least 2 or 3 bikes in tyres , tubes , plugs , bars grips ect alone we spend more than most modern owners would . When we restore a bike there is a lot of gear we buy that is not just VMX stuff . I pointed this out to the previous owner of Procycles in Hornsby , that after restoring over 15 bikes I would have spent more than any of her modern riders would have . Iain
-
Shops should be going back to importers/distributors and telling them what the customer is discovering. What is stopping a shop here buying online and selling way below rec retail?
Dont worry Lozza, the distributors do know whats going on. What the shops dont sell on Monday they dont buy from the distributor Tuesday. No good for anyone.
A couple of quick reasons that the small shops don't import a lot of items
; they cant carry the risk if the goods dont sell. Most distributors carry multiple lines to help amortise the risks
; most business's just cant afford to buy in quantities that would reduce the item cost below the o/s sales price which the public can buy at anyway
; many of the lines are tied up with distributors because the manufacturers don't want to deal in small quantities
Even if there was some way to price match human nature will have them looking for a cheaper deal regardless. Its the current disparity that is exacerbated by our high dollar.
So this is a great time then apparently to invest your redundancy packages and become 'super' distributors of cheap goods.
-
Mont , think about it most of us have at least 2 or 3 bikes in tyres , tubes , plugs , bars grips ect alone we spend more than most modern owners would . When we restore a bike there is a lot of gear we buy that is not just VMX stuff . I pointed this out to the previous owner of Procycles in Hornsby , that after restoring over 15 bikes I would have spent more than any of her modern riders would have . Iain
Yep.
I spend more on bikes that any of the modern-only riders I know.
-
A few years ago, the local dealer tried to buy Camel backs from the USA. Purchased in bulk at slightly below USA retail, delivered to the door was about a fraction of cost compared to the Aus importing cartels. The transaction was blocked. The dealer's customer purchased overseas. So a local motorbike dealership was not able to compete at all.
These importing cartels are the source of the problem. Old businesses born during Australia's retail isolation, which are now not needed. They will all die together.
BTW, I do not believe we would have a vintage forum, were it not for the ability to buy OS.
-
Mont , think about it most of us have at least 2 or 3 bikes in tyres , tubes , plugs , bars grips ect alone we spend more than most modern owners would . When we restore a bike there is a lot of gear we buy that is not just VMX stuff . I pointed this out to the previous owner of Procycles in Hornsby , that after restoring over 15 bikes I would have spent more than any of her modern riders would have . Iain
Yep.
I spend more on bikes that any of the modern-only riders I know.
I doubt it. You spend more per year on your equipment, suspension, and new bike replacement than a modern racer? ??? ::)
(Granted maybe more from the hardware store)
-
I doubt it. You spend more per year on your equipment, suspension, and new bike replacement than a modern racer? ??? ::)
(Granted maybe more from the hardware store)
Maybe, maybe not.
Without too much thought, I can account for nearly $30k just on buying bikes in the last 18 months. ( :o )
Can't think of a single one of them that still has the same tyres, chain, or grips as when I bought it.
-
I can account for nearly $30k just on buying bikes in the last 18 months..
Good to see you didn't mindlessly blow it all on chain lube.... ;)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/TTR250/160620122723.jpg)
-
And that you've not mindlessly blown your cash on reading glasses.
What you can see there is dirt stuck to the lube on the side plates. ;)
-
Yeah. Right.
-
You coming to spread your good cheer at CD9?
Maybe you could drop past and appraise my chain-lubing skills?
(damn you auto-correct)
-
Its not about the pissy price or the pissy part..and its not an isolated case I would rather order my parts here ,however 90% of the time my vintage parts I want to order new are either NLA ,obsolete or priced over the top..My new tyres and tubes -oil,and most disposable items do come from here..The parts I order for my 08'' road bike are always on time and reasonably priced..Some cater better than others for vintage bikes..I for one will continue to buy parts like the thousands of people who buy online everyday from overseas..and yes the internet and ebay have opened up a whole new world for the vintage bike scene..other wise most of our vintage bikes would still be sitting in the corner of the shed gathering dust..Hey mate..
-
Its not about the pissy price or the pissy part..and its not an isolated case I would rather order my parts here ,however 90% of the time my vintage parts I want to order new are either NLA ,obsolete or priced over the top..My new tyres and tubes -oil,and most disposable items do come from here..The parts I order for my 08'' road bike are always on time and reasonably priced..Some cater better than others for vintage bikes..I for one will continue to buy parts like the thousands of people who buy online everyday from overseas..and yes the internet and ebay have opened up a whole new world for the vintage bike scene..other wise most of our vintage bikes would still be sitting in the corner of the shed gathering dust..Hey mate..
.........but the part you wanted WAS available here ::)
You don't have to tell me about keeping a bike going - I wish I only had to chase common Yamaha parts.. Hey mate..
-
if I was a dealer , wholesaler , wrecker or any of that kind , I would run two books . A black one for the loyal and regular customers and a pink one for the overseas shoppers , ONE day they need something special at a special price , then its time for the pink book discount
Spot on.
Our local dealer years ago, wouldn't sell you parts if you bought your bike out of town for the sake of saving some dollars.
Should be more of it.
No Nathan. I'll be looking for some buckets of rusty nails and coach bolts to stick on eBay. ;)
-
Its a free wild now world to buy what ever and from who ever you want . But if I was a dealer , wholesaler , wrecker or any of that kind , I would run two books . A black one for the loyal and regular customers and a pink one for the overseas shoppers , ONE day they need something special at a special price , then its time for the pink book discount ;) What goes round , comes around .
I'm sure a lot of places do something similar already...
Just gotta be careful that you've got enough loyal customers to make it work. ;)
----
Sounds like a good plan for you Ross.
-
Went to the largest bike dealer in Geelong today to by a kill switch the young bloke behind the parts counter wanted to know the bike model vin etc then tried to tell me he would have to order the whole original control peice to get that button, I then explained again nicely that all I was after was an aftermarket kill switch he went and looked through some shelf storage boxes all of which were empty then told me he would have to order it in( still dont think he new what I meant ), I left with a sort of polite thanks but no thanks had a bit more of a think then went to the local bike electrician/coil rewinders in town they had a box of 50 in the small shed they work out of so I kept the money really local in Geelong, nearly bought one on line and it would of been $10.00 more with the postage than the local one. Cant win either way try to help local dealer or get ripped online sometimes got to think out of the box to get what you want.
-
Went to the largest bike dealer in Geelong today to by a kill switch the young bloke behind the parts counter wanted to know the bike model vin etc then tried to tell me he would have to order the whole original control peice to get that button, I then explained again nicely that all I was after was an aftermarket kill switch he went and looked through some shelf storage boxes all of which were empty then told me he would have to order it in( still dont think he new what I meant ),
It’s a common theme
I think it’s all a bit catch 22.
The wholesalers make a good mark up at the expense of the retail shop.
The retail shop has to cut their margins to try to make a sale.
The only staff they can afford are simpletons.
They’re simpletons because they grew up in a culture that doesn’t work on their own bikes
The simpletons drive people away with frustration.
The wholesalers get less sales from the retailers.
The wholesalers are less inclined to cut their margins at the expense of their own lifestyle.
-
It's up to the retailers to drive the point home(with wholesalers) what retail customers are telling them. After all the Retailer is the wholesalers customer.
If it were me in retail I would be testing ways to cut out the Australian wholesaler and compete with online prices. Les Richters once said to me that he would be stupid to try and sell an item for more than what the online landed cost is. You don't have to be cheaper just competitive.A fair few retailers(Pete from Tokentools is one) who did the hard yards and even bypassed wholesalers in China.
-
The wholesaler has to forecast in
order to supply immediately
The wholesaler has a huge financial outlay
The wholesaler gets left with stock that does not sell
The wholesaler has to wear warranties
The wholesaler has to carry parts for 10 years
The retailer has the cost of making a phone call to order and spend some time with the buyer
With today's logistics and online capability, the wholesaler adds little value. These old firms with their old business models, will either adapt or perish. I buy my machine tools direct from the manufacture. The only thing between me and the manufacture is the logistics guy !
-
With today's logistics and online capability, the wholesaler adds little value. These old firms with their old business models, will either adapt or perish. I buy my machine tools direct from the manufacture. The only thing between me and the manufacture is the logistics guy !
Bingo.
I get Wasp's point, but this idea of wholesaler's making more than retail gross profit margins is old news.
-
Had a mate who went to a McLeods Distributors trade show...as it happened they had the Shoei helmut guys there from Japan....so old mate mosies on up to Mr Hiroshima and shows him an American magazine with the same new latest model helmuts for sale ...wait for it....cheaper retail than the Aussie wholesale price....but Mr Hiroshima says....argh so (there probably saying arse hole to be truthfull about it)....he pay wress ran rat....argh....now we know why not sell many helmut in Austraya.....pretty soon old mate gets chaufferred away from Mr Hiroshima.....you cant say that to him....your making us look bad....if you do go to local shops then you will notice alot of cheaper prices on goods....2 weeks ago I went and bought a new set of TCX 2.1 top of the range boots from my local dealer who I have a very good 20 year relationship with. These boots are replacing my old set of TCX's that would be approax 7 years old (they have lasted Motard racing, trail riding and approax 18 vintage meets per year so I am very happy with the brand (all the top riders in the Dakar use them....maybe one day....Dodgee are you ready). The original pair cost $600...retail was $700....this pair retailed for $600 and I got them for $410...farken bargin if you ask me....I dont know what they cost overseas but at the end of the day if you dont support local then there wont be local and then you will carry on like a 2 bob watch....like a few people have said...make yourself known too your local guy and dont be affraid to ask for a deal...if the guy serving you is a muppet then tell the boss....if he doesnt know then how can he help....it has taken me many years of dealing with people to find who will do the right thing by me but I have my little group of hommies I can ring and know I am getting great service. Most people who know me know I wont tolerate dickheads and I'm not affraid to tell them....they soon learn to run and hide or get there act together....every business out there needs to make a profit to survive....wether its a frachise or sole trader....if they stink...tell em and if the boss doesnt do something about it then he cant blame anyone....sorry for my Nathan ramblings.... ;D
-
Went to the largest bike dealer in Geelong today to by a kill switch the young bloke behind the parts counter wanted to know the bike model vin etc then tried to tell me he would have to order the whole original control peice to get that button, I then explained again nicely that all I was after was an aftermarket kill switch he went and looked through some shelf storage boxes all of which were empty then told me he would have to order it in( still dont think he new what I meant ), I left with a sort of polite thanks but no thanks had a bit more of a think then went to the local bike electrician/coil rewinders in town they had a box of 50 in the small shed they work out of so I kept the money really local in Geelong, nearly bought one on line and it would of been $10.00 more with the postage than the local one. Cant win either way try to help local dealer or get ripped online sometimes got to think out of the box to get what you want.
Similar thing often happens when I try to buy parts from Sydney City Motorcycles. I ask the young guy behind the counter for a countershaft sprocket retainer for my 82 CR he looks it up and tells me they are no longer available, I explain that the same part was fitted to about 50 Honda models but he says that the computer says its not superseded by any other P/N
I go home take the one off my XR250 and fit it to the CR? Next day I go back to the shop and ask for one for an 84 XR, he looks it up and says no problems I will order one for you.
Similarly when I went to buy a Mikuni 240 main jet for my '81 RM the guy looks it up and says that the smallest jet for that model was a 250, he said he couldnt order me a 240 because he didnt have a part number on the computer screen. Talk about frustrating !!!!
-
Ok, I started this thread and seeing it's gone way off track, here's one for you.
I went to local plumbing shop for a particular fitting. The bloke that served me came out with the item, but said I couldn't have it because it "wasn't in stock".
I tried to explain that it was in his hand, but he maintained that the computer said he didn't have one so I couldn't have it!! >:(
Luckily a more senior staff member (not Nathan ;) ) came over and saved the day.
-
Lack of knowledge from the person serving you has and always will be a problem, people don't stay in a job long enough these days and computer foibles are a constant issue, a computer is only as good as the operator.
I went into Bunnings a few years ago to get some 6mm nylon rope for an urgent job out on site, as the guy cut the rope he pulled out his ciggie lighter to melt the ends, he had this cocky look on his face then said, " I bet you haven't seen that before ", I said, no I'm amazed you even knew how to light it.
-
Davey Crocket is right most of the riding gear in the shop in town is cheaper than the net and I havent bought boots for a while but there heaps cheaper than they were and cheaper than online because of US postage costs which is good, they even had a pair of boots that was half the price of the online price even excluding the postage but I control this type of purchase as I usually know what I want and can see and touch the stuff, but at the parts desk youre at the mercy of the great unwashed work experience boy behind the desk frustrating to say the least, at the other joint the bloke who served me was older than me by some margin and new his sh$t.
-
"The only staff they can afford are simpletons."
Sadly when I door knocked Bike shops wishing to leave letters of introduction and EXPERIENCE... I was commonly dismissed as to old, too polite or too experienced and knowledgeable!!!!!.... and I was only after the most basic of simpletons wages.
-
Tim
i would have thought a switched on boss would be after all those qualities and more from spare parts/salesperson as you cant get that from a kid that has just left school.
-
Many years ago I walked into Leidreiters leather supply looking for some bits. He didn't have them and looked up his wholesale catalog and found them. "I'll order them in" he said. Don't bother I told him as I'm not local and wont be back. He replied with "I can't sell them if I haven't got them". I always remembered that and thought it was a great approach to business.
Most small items that I need now I'll pick up from a local bike shop. But the other day I needed a bunch of tyres chains ect, for a couple bikes so I ordered from O.S. and saved $270. I know it wont keep the local bloke in a job, but it helps me keep my house. These are changing times and business needs to change to keep up. How? I don't know. Most small shops have gone by the wayside and have been eaten up by the large chain stores. They have greater buying power that the independent's can't compete with. I was in retail once, I could buy an item for $10 if I bought ten it was $9, if I bought 50 it was $7, if I bought a hundred it was $5 and so on. So the chain store down the road would buy 1,000 for $2 sell them for $5 and I had to try and compete. Not an easy game for the little bloke.
The bike trade has one of the lowest markups.
-
Jebus, Davey - I was reading along, thinking "he's making a lot more sense than usual" - then I got to the last line and figured out why! :D
-
Ok, I started this thread and seeing it's gone way off track, here's one for you.
I went to local plumbing shop for a particular fitting. The bloke that served me came out with the item, but said I couldn't have it because it "wasn't in stock".
I tried to explain that it was in his hand, but he maintained that the computer said he didn't have one so I couldn't have it!! >:(
Now that is pure GOLD!!! Who can argue with logic like that... let's just hope he isn't planning on breeding!!! ;D
-
7 pages ???
Honestly this could really be a never ending topic but I think it's been done to death, I'm not singling anyone out here, especially Tony T.
-
T for trouble maker! ;)
-
The topic will be done to death when people say "Funny to think that we used to buy stuff from overseas all the time!".
-
I'd love to see your arms stockpile, and bunker, Wasp.
Honestly, I reckon if poop gets genuinely ugly, it will end in WW3, and the survivalist stuff won't really be relevant.
-
Can recommend good prices and friendly service at Dirt factory Wollongong NSW 8)
-
Well I had to buy some parts for my John Deere, so I went online thinking they would be cheaper. I would of saved $14 on the parts and still have to pay shipping. Called the local dealer they had everything in stock and couriered them to my work that morning before I got there, for less than I could get them from the U.S. So if John Deere can be price competitive what's up with everyone else.
-
I thought i'd add to this thread instead of begin my own, I really only use 2 shops when buying parts and pieces that im happy not to buy on line. I cant speak highly enough of WESTERN YAMAHA at Hoppers Crossing and HARRISON MOTORCYCLES in Melton that are now a Suzuki and Honda dealer, I drop into Harrison's regularly as its on my commute to and from a few regular destinations, i've also worked with the sales guy (Brian) there at another dealership briefly and the store manager (Chris) is an old bike nut as well and always happy to chew the fat on all things vintage, VMX and Vinduro when he's got a bit of spare time.
Chris is only too happy to look up old parts and check availability for me and anyone else, BUT, the other day i went in there after scanning Partzilla for some TM parts......I wanted to go in and give them a chance at the sale as it was gonna be around a $150 order and chances are with shipping the local guy was prob gonna be on par or near enough anyways, BUT BUT BUT their system did not show up ANYTHING for TM250!!! :-\ We checked several data bases through Suzuki and nowhere to be found was any parts lists at all, it seemed there was no way at all of looking up parts Pre75 for anything!!!
Now i know that they're not gonna be retiring early on sales of Pre75 spare parts but i found it quite odd that Chris and I ended up having a bit of a chuckle about it and both agreed id be best just to order through Partzilla!! The particular part i wanted most was the pet cock which was used on many bikes beyond 1975 and the part number (or superseded) number did not even register on their system!! For me it didn't matter as they know i'll be back regardless of what they couldn't supply me on this occasion, but i did leave thinking that Australian retailers really do have to step up to the global plate and have a way to offer any genuine part that is still available or they really are gonna be out of the race, guys like me don't care but its when the new guy in town walks in for the first time and his wishes aren't able to be met, he'll just walk out and probably never bother going back for anything else............
Cheers, Brendan
-
VMX MAGAZINE ;D
-
Jerry Harvey and the rest of them may sing,"buy Australian '.However they dont.Try to find something made in Australia in their stores.Don't be sucked in by their rhetoric.p