[GPZ1100]

You know, I hate to say this but I've been buying a lot of my gear and stuff on ebay instead of local shops. I buy small stuff at local shops but for big puchases (like jackets) I just can't make myself pay almost twice as much to buy local.
I feel guilt.
Are the local shops more expensive because it's a smaller market here than say, LA?

 

[SkydiveSonic]

That, and they have salaries, building costs etc to pay

 

[GPZ1100]

That, and they have salaries, building costs etc to pay

Well most of the ebay retailers for motorcycle stuff have shops and staff as well...

 

[Guest]

Are the local shops more expensive because it's a smaller market here than say, LA?

let's see. california has a larger population than all of canada. los angeles has a larger population than the 2 most populated provinces combined.

smaller market? couldn't be. blame import duties, taxes, shipping costs, marketing costs, distribution (the middleman) costs, wage/benefit packages, just to name a few.

but a canadian market 10% the size of the states can't possibly be to blame. don't forget, california has the 5th largest economy in the world.

 

[GPZ1100]

don't forget, california has the 5th largest economy in the world.

I know, my paychecks come indirectly from California

 

[Iceman_19]

Dont worry, I dont hate you, just buy your bikes locally, and all is well.

 

[GPZ1100]

Dont worry, I dont hate you, just buy your bikes locally, and all is well.

hehe, hmmm, got a TL kicking around there?

 

[gixxstar]

There isn't any part or accessory in a local shop that you can't find cheaper online if you look hard enough. There's always someone with a dealer account with little/no extra overhead that will just fill the orders and re-direct shipments from suppliers. Ebay or group buys on websites are all the same thing and there's always someone that's willing to run just a little bit closer to cost than the rest. I prefer to frequent just a few local shops. They get to know you and treat you well when you need something. Ebay can be good but the hassle when you get junk or have a problem makes it not worth it as well as buying stuff like gear site unseen. I'd rather be able to try stuff on and get experienced advice.

 

[GPZ1100]

There isn't any part or accessory in a local shop that you can't find cheaper online if you look hard enough.

With 604z.com (local nissan 300zx forum) we talked to different places and got a lordco account and also a discount from one of the Nissan dealerships for members of the site. Maybe we should try and organize something like that for bcsportbikes.com? Or does something like that already exist?

 

[Guest]

can't see lordco giving an account number out for bikes. absolute bare minisucle amount of business from that. and they don't really stock much in the way of general bike stuff, nevermind brand specific stuff.

not worth it to them i don't think.

 

[gixxstar]

With 604z.com (local nissan 300zx forum) we talked to different places and got a lordco account and also a discount from one of the Nissan dealerships for members of the site. Maybe we should try and organize something like that for bcsportbikes.com? Or does something like that already exist?

Some sort of discount is pretty much standard wherever you go. Many, in fact, already offer discounts for members of this website (and anyone else who asks) whether they advertise it or not. Check the advertiser forum to get an idea on that.

I have no idea how the advertiser rules for the site work with group buys and don't plan on testing them but they're also really easy to setup. I did one with Pazzo last year help motivate Markus to get going on TLR/Busa levers and it worked out pretty good. All you need is an idea and if the site's ok with it and you like headaches, anything can be done. Shops are a lot more willing to run a low margin on one easy order where everyone pre-pays and the hassles are minimal.

 

[mascu]

Well most of the ebay retailers for motorcycle stuff have shops and staff as well...

the way it works as being cheaper is that as stated by previous members, local shops have high costs, so that's why it ends up being in a high price. and you said that ebay retailers have shops themselves as well, but the thing is, the internet marketing business is an "extra" so the costs are excluded for this specific circumstance. just like our pizza stores, if you order online it's cheaper, because one trained internet specialist will take the order OR it's a automated computer system, so basically few or no staffs. we tend to think it's no reasonable as the business as a whole still has costs, but for them it's exclusive. if our local canadian motoshops have internet shops, it will be cheaper as well i believe, compared to buying them in person. of course, some customers prefer the friendly service and advices so they would pay a higher price for it to get the right stuff.

 

[SkydiveSonic]

With 604z.com (local nissan 300zx forum) we talked to different places and got a lordco account and also a discount from one of the Nissan dealerships for members of the site. Maybe we should try and organize something like that for bcsportbikes.com? Or does something like that already exist?

Last time i was in Lordco, i got a discount anyway. He checked for BCSB accounts, but found nothing, so gave me a City discount instead :rockon

 

[racerboy88]

Kevin at Bayside performance will match prices and he's local if you want convenience.

 

[g_spyder91]

I always thought that this would be a good idea, but why hasn't anyone tried to open up a Boutique type shop in a mall or something? A place that carries gear (jackets, helmets, boots, etc...), clothing and stuff like that. Just my two bits.

 

[Motorcycle Man]

Last time i was in Lordco, i got a discount anyway. He checked for BCSB accounts, but found nothing, so gave me a City discount instead :rockon

Doesn't everyone get a discount at Lordco?

The sticker prices are 50% above MSRP, then they give you a 20% discount to make you feel special.

 

[Guest]

I always thought that this would be a good idea, but why hasn't anyone tried to open up a Boutique type shop in a mall or something? A place that carries gear (jackets, helmets, boots, etc...), clothing and stuff like that. Just my two bits.

mall leasing is astronomical. it's about $1300 a WEEK for one of those kiosk/cart/booth setups.

you'd be competing against established shops that already carry all of that stuff, and can offer slightly better pricing due to having other business to offset a lower price point, ie: parts, sales, repairs.

and you'd have to get the distributors on board with your concept in order to get product to begin with.

 

[Holyrain]

Not only that, the idea of buying gear at the mall seems... off.

 

[mosquito]

Kevin at Bayside performance will match prices and he's local if you want convenience.

We will attempt to match any price. No hidden fees or funky surprises. some where local to do returns if there was a problem. We are on ebay aswell. Local pickup or delivery with no shipping charges.

This means delivered to your door after hours like when your home.as we are open till 11pm 7 days a week.

 

[5thgear]

Support online all you want but I hate it.

I have to spend huge coin to have a store front which use to be mandatory to get a parts supplier. Now lot's of parts suppliers sell to some idiot with only a computer and no overhead. But if that's the way the world is going ? Maybe in the future the online mechanic can beam your parts on for you also.

The suppliers are really screwing over the shops.