Buying Gear from OS, right thing to do?

[glennMember]

well there ya go

[Nick AgainMember]

Sorry this is real late to jump in but im somewhat busy and barely get pC time and so with that, i will now add my tiny bit to this. Since buying my bike in 07, i have used 3 x Bike shops in this local area and now refuse to go back to either( Idiots and ali babi mentality ). I have found a neat little bike mechanic shop which i use for ALL mechanical work, recently dropping near 1k for some simple things like renewing fork oil, new C/S sprocket, rear sprocket, Chain,swing arm greasing, rear susp. points serviced. I have bought from OS a set of hand guards, mirrors,bars, raisers and lenghtened clutch cable at a Pittance for what i could have by buying here( provided i could actually find here). I would dearly love to have a performance Pipe/jst kit thrown at my bike the Pipe i wish for is made in NSW. Why is it i can purchase this NSW made Pipe from the USA,delivered to my door at near $250.00 cheaper? It cant be the middle man as this pipe can be bought factory direct? how does it get to be so much cheaper after crossing the puddle twice ?

[TobyMember]

Husky610 wrote:

Quote:

Sorry this is real late to jump in but im somewhat busy and barely get pC time and so with that, i will now add my tiny bit to this. Since buying my bike in 07, i have used 3 x Bike shops in this local area and now refuse to go back to either( Idiots and ali babi mentality ). I have found a neat little bike mechanic shop which i use for ALL mechanical work, recently dropping near 1k for some simple things like renewing fork oil, new C/S sprocket, rear sprocket, Chain,swing arm greasing, rear susp. points serviced. I have bought from OS a set of hand guards, mirrors,bars, raisers and lenghtened clutch cable at a Pittance for what i could have by buying here( provided i could actually find here). I would dearly love to have a performance Pipe/jst kit thrown at my bike the Pipe i wish for is made in NSW. Why is it i can purchase this NSW made Pipe from the USA,delivered to my door at near $250.00 cheaper? It cant be the middle man as this pipe can be bought factory direct? how does it get to be so much cheaper after crossing the puddle twice ?

I assumed you were talking about a Staintune pipe and had a look but could not find it cheaper os (only looked for a couple of minutes). Very interested in this scenario please share more detail e.g. what pipe and where from???

[TobyMember]

Well I am a convert. I just bought a pair of SIDI Crossfire boots from America for $420. Local bikeshop price $699, when I asked if that was their best price they replied with ” yeh, no money in these so this is the best we can do”. Best price with an Aussie online store $585. What really shits me about local shops is that they take people as fools. I worked in the industry for nearly nine years so have a good idea on margins, I never expected them to match the price of $420 nor did I asked them to, I just wanted to find out whether they wanted to try and get my business or not. I know what sizes I need and know brand I prefer so have no hesitation in buying online. This is my second purchase with this online OS company and have found them to be nothing but professional and courteous. I have no reason to support any of the local shops if they do not seek to retain my business, I understand they will not be able to match OS prices but I would expect they try and come close and at least be willing to negotiate. For $1263.50 I will get the following delivered to my doorstep.
1 x Sidi Crossfire TA boots
1 x AXO aircage armour (adult)
2 x AXO aircage armour (youth)
1 x Fox Titan PeeWee armour
3 x Scott Voltage R youth goggles
2 x MSR VX1 Youth Boots
1 x Renthal Chain and sprockets (with DID VM x-ring chain) for CRF250X
3 x Thor Sector youth knee guard
4 x genuine honda fork seal kits (dust seal and fork seal)
1 x geniune honda clutch cable for a CRF80F
1 x One Industries Hudson- Helmet
2 x genuine honda special nuts (6mm)
Now money talks but I am probably the exception to most as I am willing to spend a little more if I am provided with good service. But with savings like above local shops have to step up to the plate otherwise the parts and accessories game will be taken over by online stores (if it hasn’t been already).

[GregMember]

There aren’t many shops really matching the US price Fossil, we are lucky here at OBT as Suttos are one of the shops that are. Suttos are matching or getting close.

I am the same as you I try to buy local (Australian) am happy to pay a few bucks more and always ask don’t just pay sometimes it’s a hard case but.

For those that are considering shopping OS ask Scott at Suttos how close they can get to the genuine OS price you have got.

TB

[simon burkeMember]

I too just bought a pair of sidi cross fire boots.
The asking price was $699 and i got an Old Bulls discount of 5% off that.
2 days later i had a problem with Heidi (BMW GS 650 Dakar) that could have bought an organised ride completly undone :ohmy:
The same guys who sold me the boots,took control of the situation and went above and beyond the call of duty and got Heidi back on the road and saved the day,they were not even BMW dealers,and it was before the shop had even opened. :cheer:
AT NO CHARGE
That to me…is where my saving is. THAT is the reason i buy off my local dealer….savings can be made by a realationship that you create.

My 2 bobs worth

Bol :woohoo:

[TobyMember]

As I said TB I was not expecting local shops to match US pricing. All I expect is that they at least show some remote sort of interest in retaining my business. I appreciate that you are trying to keep a moderate view on this as to not piss your sponsors off, but the reality is, it is just too convient and cheap to shop online. I did look at Suttos online store but to be honest the choice of products was limited and I would still have to shop elsewhere for my genuine honda parts (to get them at a reasonable cost). I absolutley sympathise with local shops and do not envy their position at all. A global market place is upon us and things will change, will be interesting to see how the local motorcycle industry shapes itself to meet customer demands.

[MichaelMember]

I agree with Bollocks

I buy my stuff from two differents shops one in Port and the other Mud and Tar a sponsor of our site.

I have a great realationship with both even went riding with the owner Rod from Mud and tar last Saturday.

I allways get my discount from both store but the big thing is when I have a problem they are allways there to give a hand or change things to get my work done.

I like the realationship and the serivce that get from local which is a bit hard to match with oversea.

Cheers

Strucky

[GregMember]

Its more than Suttos Fossil its any local shop and Bollocks example was a good one. if Bollocks didnt have that relationship his weekend was over. Shop wherever you want I only asked that people at least give our local shops a go to meet it. Sutto’s web site wouldnt be the best place to compare, thats why I said ring Scott he can work a old bull price or get it close, the web site doesnt give old bull discounts.

I know its a buyers market and I buy more than anyone here (for me and others for them or their bikes I am always chasing parts and prices and a deal for someone) Trust me there arent many shops doing the US deal thing here in Aus, doesnt matter that Sutto is sponsor or not, fact is they are doing the US thing and advertising everywhere. I also know there are shops closing weekly I watched an interesting debate on another site recently regarding it. I dont have the answer for punters or the shops I only ask we try local cause I can normally get it close when I do and use the phone or see them never hurts to ask :laugh:

TB

[TobyMember]

TB you seemed to miss the point of my orignal post. I did give our local guys (you know where I live so I will not name names) an opportunity to have my business but as they where not willing to negotiate at all I went OS. I am not trying to get into a shit slinging match I just want to point out that local shops often under estimate the knowledge a customer walks in with and when they try and bullshit you it is insulting.

[GregMember]

Sorry mate I didnt miss the point, I understand and if they arent interested so be it. Yes I know the shops in your direct area and thats their problem and they will suffer in the long run. I am trying to point out I guess there are great Aussie shops that are doing the deals. I was only trying to say dont give up on them all and how best to get a bargain.

I get your point and I know your history and you have been a supporter I know

Its all gravy Fossill :laugh:

TB

[pedroMember]

hi scott i live in perth and my local bike shop which has been going for 15yrs closed down few months ago .main reason people buying from usa.very sad 15 people out of work pedro

[DavidMember]

I have to admit i have bought parts for OS suppliers for various reasons.
Mainly to do with parts that are unavailable in Aus.

I was reading this topic yesterday before i went to Suttos to pick up some parts off Scott.
It gave me a chance to question why i drove all they way out there to pick up parts that i could have bought OS off the net.

This is what i came up with;
Suttos give me an OBT discount (and i think they actually do a little better)
I was going to buy the aftermarket brand but Scott offered me KTM parts at the same price.
When i researched on the net i could have bought cheaper but with the added freight it cost nearly the same.
When i am at Suttos i get to walk around the shop and have a look at what’s new and check out the bikes i can’t afford.
If i like something i can try it on, if its not right i can bring it back.
I am one of those people that likes to have an aimless wander around bike shops and they don’t mind.
I can have a chat with the staff and they are always pleasant and we talk bikes which is all good. (talked to Scott about OBT B,Day ride)
I can get technical advice over the counter.
I’ve discussed new bikes with Sutto and he says that when i’m ready i can ride a few (i know that you don’t buy bikes off the net but without bike shops that’s probably where you will have to order them from in a bleak future).
And there are probably more warm and fuzzy reasons why i like to buy from bike shops like Suttos.

I understand that there are a few cowboys in the bike industry and i know that there is always a bargain to be had on the net and yes in certain circumstances i will buy parts off the OS web sites.
But if we can support the good bike shops like Suttos (and there are others) we can ensure that we will always have somewhere to try things on, have a chat, look at what’s new, try and work out how to buy it, suppport local so they can support us and get parts and accessories at a reasonable price.

Just my TCW.

[TobyMember]

To clarify dealers order of middle men called distributers e.g. Cassons, McLeod, Link, Wayne Gardner Ent., Monza etc. Each of these distributers have a selection of brands they exclusively import e.g. Monza-Fox and Shift, McLeod- Dri-Rider, No Fear and Fly etc. Dealers are restricted by what discount they can give because of the wholesale price these distributers charge. So when you buy some Fox gear from your local shop it has been made in China buy a manufacturing company then sold to Fox (USA) then sold to an Australian distributor then sold to your local bike shop then sold to you. Obviously each party in each of these transactions wants to make a profit, hence the price we get at our local retailer. Now please don’t think I am insinuating that distributors are making a killing because they are buying cheap from the US, as it is in their interest to provide local dealers with the best price they can so they can sell their brands locally rather than people shopping OS. What I am saying is a global market place cannot support all these different parties making a profit on each transaction. Global suppliers that have the buying power buy direct from the manufacturer or supplier then put on their profit, and then sell to direct you, cutting out at least two transactions. A global market place is changing how we do business. The sad truth is with this change people will lose jobs as their particular sector becomes redundant. Retail is a cut throat and finicky business and has been since the dawn of time. The ones that survive will be those that have the financial and creative capacity to adapt to change. I am passionate about this topic as I have many friends that work in the retail sector and have meet a lot of great people that work for Australian distributors and I would not like to see any of them lose their jobs. There is no simple solution and only time will tell.

[TONY.Member]

Mca’s is my local bike shop which is already 20 minutes west from me
they really could do better in the customer service department
they have a bunch of tattoed 15 year olds working in there. if you want a job in there
there is a condition that you must have enough eyebrow rings that you can hang shower curtains off them. they sit there all day flicking through motorcross mags
once you finally have their attention (wave something shiny in front of them)
and ask them anything mildly technical for example: can you go find a spark plug for a wr 08 model? they will stare at you blankly for about 30 seconds then go ask someone how to work the spark plug book and unhappy they have to do something.
i go there for a tyre, tube, spark plug and other little things they obviously buy everything from overseas why shouldnt i?
esp if you can save up to 50% on somethings.
i would rather be served by trained chimps at least it would be funny.

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