Buying Gear from OS, right thing to do?

[Jason GreenMember]

I think it depends on the type of parts you are buying and its always good to compare prices as a ebay shopper I have been happy sofar with the bits that I have purchased but I will buy some tyres from suttos I promise I will

[Scott TyszkiewiczMember]

Krusty wrote:

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I strongly believe though it is not the retailers but the wholesalers that are the problem.. I understand that the retailers MUST buy from the wholesalers (correct me if wrong Tisco) and cannot import the products themselves which would cut out the middle man and bring the prices down..

Pretty much spot on there Krusty
If we get caught getting stuff in from over seas we loss our account with the supplier and also the shop that sells to us losses it aswell,

We are the Australian importer of Rekluse clutches and when the Aussie dollar is stronger we drop our prices so people dont buy over seas.

[Mick DMember]

The perception that things on Ebay are cheap is quite often off the mark too.

On Ebay a clutch cable (after market) for a KX65 was $35.00 + delivery.

Mudntar supplied me the same article (genuine part) for $27.00

[GregMember]

Krusty wrote:

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Trailboss wrote:

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You are comparing apples and oranges there Krusty. E bay isn’t a true reflection of all the factors spoken about here mate.

TB

I disagree as Ebay is now a huge factor in deciding where people buy from…. What specific factors are you limiting this conversation to? The title says “Buying Gear from OS, right thing to do?”

Owning a bike shop as compared to an ebay shop which can and are run from someone’s house are two different things

I a bloke I know that is on our site does the e bay thing, he imports two mufflers at a time, three jerseys on another order, couple of helmets another order etc (doesn’t pay import taxes saves him a heap marked as gifts) he doesn’t pay staff, doesn’t carry warranty, and the administration costs involved with those things, he doesn’t have much stock, doesn’t have a floor plan only really services his needs (his pocket) His costs compared to a bike are nothing, he doesn’t pay his share of taxes etc so he can do a few here and there cheap. He also can’t get special stuff, doesn’t like taking stuff back and certainly cant try shit on in his virtual shop

E bay won’t be in there in Broken Hill when the rain clouds are coming and Krusty needs a pair of pants :laugh: its then back to the bike shop, the industry we take from but don’t give back to.

Have I shopped O/S yes, couple of years back, the famous polka dot jersey was in that order. Did I save money, yes some. I did it because I liked the jersey and NO ONE shop I was dealing with at the time would help me get one. I tried hard to get one, also my knee braces were in the same order and saved me 500 bucks, but I spoke my piece at Ballard’s about that, left the shit I wanted on the counter and walked out. Braces are now comparable in price, but remember the numbers I mentioned before we just aren’t a big enough population to go dollar for dollar.

I on the whole am happy enough spending local 99% of the time as I know the shops I use are doing the best for my dollar. If you arent shop O/S

TB

[Mick DMember]

Another thing too is that I am lead to believe that it will be sometime before we see a flow on effect from the strong dollar as most dealers have ordered months in advance. Negating any immediate savings of the current strong dollar.

[ChrisMember]

micknmeld wrote:

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The perception that things on Ebay are cheap is quite often off the mark too.
On Ebay a clutch cable (after market) for a KX65 was $35.00 + delivery.
Mudntar supplied me the same article (genuine part) for $27.00

Agree with Ebay perception… There are tons of items on ebay for way more than a brick and mortar shop..

[GregMember]

One final thing Krusty, after you buy O/S and maybe save some bucks here and there what happens when you bike needs a valve adjustment, its a bucket and shim you cant do yourself and you go to a bike shop. You dont have a relationship with that shop or any because you buy O/S do you expect they should look after you?

Its a two way street, sure we need to know we are getting value for OUR hard earned, but sometimes you have to invest in a future

I dont shop at two shops in particular and would miss a ride if they had what I needed but that’s my choice, this is all about choice but let’s all think about all the sides to the argument and why somethings are the way they are

TB

[Mick DMember]

This whole thread has got me thinking hard and I just realised after doing some sums,that on an average I spend at least 10% of my weekly wage in one local bike shop alone. That is to keep 3 bikes running that get ridden most weekends.

[ChrisMember]

Trailboss wrote:

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Owning a bike shop as compared to an ebay shop which can and are run from someone’s house are two different things

Yes of course.. The technological era has changes all that and Brick and Mortar must change with the times as well… Suttos is a great example of someone willing to change with the times and the Global Economic situation which is now in play.. Most bike shops have limited stock and a lot of times they have to order it in as well…

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E bay won’t be in there in Broken Hill when the rain clouds are coming and Krusty needs a pair of pants :laugh: its then back to the bike shop, the industry we take from but don’t give back to.

Of course not but then needing it NOW compared to I can wait is a different story all together… If I remember correctly if I wanted you to change my flat on the ride it would have cost me 6 Bundy Cans instead of my own labor.. 6 Cans I was willing to pay if I had to just like I was willing to pay for the pants if I had to.. Look at what Jeffro had to pay for a chain and sprockets on the road.. Needing it NOW always comes at a higher price no matter what..

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but remember the numbers I mentioned before we just aren’t a big enough population to go dollar for dollar.

I don’t fully agree with this.. Wholesalers hold the retailers to ransom.. In the last week there have a few articles touching on this subject… One quote “It is estimated that Australian consumers will spend in excess of $12 billion dollars online this year and almost half of that will be spent offshore,” 1/2? 6 Billion dollars.. Seems we are willing to spend it but not willing to be ripped of.. We are GLOBAL change with the times or get left behind…

Scare mongering about loss of jobs and businesses won’t help either because someone else will just pick up the ball and build a better mouse trap.. Always have and always will…

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/online-sales-flowing-abroad/story-e6frfh4f-1225945026354
http://www.news.com.au/business/retailers-call-for-gst-on-overseas-sales/story-e6frfm1i-1225945906001

[ChrisMember]

Trailboss wrote:

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One final thing Krusty, after you buy O/S and maybe save some bucks here and there what happens when you bike needs a valve adjustment, its a bucket and shim you cant do yourself and you go to a bike shop. You dont have a relationship with that shop or any because you buy O/S do you expect they should look after you?
TB

I would go to a bike mechanic one who repairs bikes and not sells them.. 2 or 3 in my area… I know them well and have had a few things done by them in the past…

[corey heatherMember]

This whole thread is dumb IMO, If you buy from over seas like a mate has just done and he had issues with the part then he had to frieght it back and where is the value then?

I try not to support my local kwaka shop only because he is a tool but i am more then happy to support shops like Sutto’s and tell as many people about them as they do us great deals as OBT and more then friendly service is a big thing for me.

So for me and every body else who likes to pick up cheap tyres through Sutto’s i will at least be calling them first and it would want to be a massive gap before i buy OS.

Corey8

[mikeMember]

I like to keep it local and have been to just about all the bike shops in the hunter region. If I get good service than i’ll go back if not well i tell me mates not to go there. If service is good and they know their stuff I’ll go back for sure. Have used Suttos a couple of times now and Ballards halfa dozens times as I like the catolgue and I get good service and their know their stuff and it comes straight to my door some as Suttos.

I don’t mind payin a bit more to support the local industy and i also hate surfin the net lookin for that bargain. I’d rather get it sorted so I can go riding sooner and ya can’t beat the locals for that. If ya build a relationship ya nornmally get good deals anyway.

[Nick JacksonMember]

In my experiance getting to know your local dealer leads to great service and always a discount or freebie. Grafton Motorcycles have always looked after me with price and often throw in a can of chain lube or air filter oil. Always returning faulty gear is not only possible but easy whereas overseas returns are a pain.
For the Cameron trip I halved what I was going to spend between Grafton Motorcycles and Suttos and and would have spent $700-$800 at each. I would never feel happy about sending that much money to a foreign economy.

[Mick DMember]

Corey8 wrote:

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This whole thread is dumb IMO, If you buy from over seas like a mate has just done and he had issues with the part then he had to frieght it back and where is the value then?

I try not to support my local kwaka shop only because he is a tool but i am more then happy to support shops like Sutto’s and tell as many people about them as they do us great deals as OBT and more then friendly service is a big thing for me.

So for me and every body else who likes to pick up cheap tyres through Sutto’s i will at least be calling them first and it would want to be a massive gap before i buy OS.

Corey8

I agree with everything you have said Corey except;

Corey8 wrote

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This whole thread is dumb IMO

The thread isn’t dumb IMO, it is bringing an important point up and creating discussion about something that could blow up in peoples faces in the future.

You have also hit on another important point Corey, customer Service is the MOST important thing when running a retail store of any sort. If you have snarly or disinterested point of sale people, your return customers will be very thin on the ground.

[Craig HattonMember]

Nickj wrote:

Quote:

In my experiance getting to know your local dealer leads to great service and always a discount or freebie. Grafton Motorcycles have always looked after me with price and often throw in a can of chain lube or air filter oil. Always returning faulty gear is not only possible but easy whereas overseas returns are a pain.
For the Cameron trip I halved what I was going to spend between Grafton Motorcycles and Suttos and and would have spent $700-$800 at each. I would never feel happy about sending that much money to a foreign economy.

Loyalty – you cant beat it

hatto

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