Buy from USA while dollar good

[aiki]

I have had 2 great deliveries of boots, gloves, visors, rain pants etc from a very helpful and great value store in the US. Highly recommend it especially as they charge a flat US$25 freight fee.
http://www.ridersdiscount.com/
I have saved 100's of dollars using them.:yes:

[JimO]

or buy from a local dealer ensuring that they are still in business next time you need something in a hurry

[aiki]

or buy from a local dealer ensuring that they are still in business next time you need something in a hurry
It took longer to get a local dealer to get in what I wanted than to buy direct from the States.
Also I'm not going to pay $600 for boots when I can get them for $400.
It's a global market out there now and retailers need to adapt.

[Katman]

I'll stick with the New Zealand wholesalers of clothing and aftermarket parts but I have no loyalty to the manufacturers distributors inflated prices for genuine parts.

I've found these guys www.mrcycles.com great to deal with.

[98tls]

I'll stick with the New Zealand wholesalers of clothing and aftermarket parts but I have no loyalty to the manufacturers distributors inflated prices for genuine parts.

I've found these guys www.mrcycles.com great to deal with.

About sums it up for me to,may i add bike wreckers to the dont deal with list,bloody thieves.

[cromagnon]

And the gst increase isnt going to help local business either.

[Suntoucher]

http://hyosungsource.com

Jesus Christ are they cheap, genuine and legit. Have bought a tonne of parts off them and paid about 30% of what I would here. Prices are set to your location, so, unlike Richard Hyosung, the prices you see are in NZD and shopping cart has instant shipping calculations.

[Cloggy]

I have had 2 great deliveries ...... Highly recommend ........
http://www.ridersdiscount.com/


I can only second this and rave about the service I got from Riders Discount.
Bought a windscreen from them. When it arrived it had a very small corner broken off the screen. This was no problem to them, no questions asked, no hassles, no delays, they just put another screen on a courier and it arrived 4 days later in perfect condition. So now I have two screens for less money than if I had bought one here in NZ.
Guess where I will be shopping next when I need more gear?

[zeocen]

in a hurry


Ahaha, hahah, haha, ahhhh. Mm.

[98tls]

or buy from a local dealer ensuring that they are still in business next time you need something in a hurry

Mate i got a clutch from Germany in 7 days,if i bought it in Auckland it would have cost me x2 and i would still be waiting.Lets face it any bits out of the ordinary are not carried by your local dealer so they have to get them from Japan anyway,high retail price combined with there not picky when it comes to the best freight cost to you means its just quicker and cheaper to buy them online.

[AllanB]

I'll stick with the New Zealand wholesalers of clothing and aftermarket parts but I have no loyalty to the manufacturers distributors inflated prices for genuine parts.

Yep - I don't know where the price mark-ups are in NZ, Japan, importer or retailer.

After some cosmetic damage to the ride due to the Earthquake I priced the bits in NZ with the best intention of supporting my local dealer who also suffered damage. Alas over $600 quoted in NZ - ordered online from the USA including shipping for NZ$180. Most parts were 4 to 6 times dearer in NZ :shit:

I'd understand paying a bit more in NZ, maybe 50% due to a smaller market etc but good grief.

One strange thing - a brake lever - possibly one of the most ordered parts(?) was only slightly dearer in NZ and I was happy to pay for it here. So if that part is reasonably priced, why are the other bits not the same?

[willytheekid]

Try buying parts for Keihin Carbs in NZ...the Stockest is charging 4x the international price!!
I just tried to buy some parts for my 41mmm FCR's...told the NZ Distributor to go shove his prices and emailed Keihin USA to inform them of his cost's....they replyed that they are investigating :)
I ended up getting the parts from ausy, they were so cheap I could afford to get some "go fast" bits as well (Stealth racing Tech fuel screws and AP-2 Pump covers).
As an example, for 2x float valves and seats, NZ agent=$168!! (shit u NOT!)
Aussie= $78 inc shipping! for 2x float valves, seats and float bowl seals
....say's it all really

[98tls]

Try buying parts for Keihin Carbs in NZ...the Stockest is charging 4x the international price!!
I just tried to buy some parts for my 41mmm FCR's...told the NZ Distributor to go shove his prices and emailed Keihin USA to inform them of his cost's....they replyed that they are investigating :)
I ended up getting the parts from ausy, they were so cheap I could afford to get some "go fast" bits as well (Stealth racing Tech fuel screws and AP-2 Pump covers).
As an example, for 2x float valves and seats, NZ agent=$168!! (shit u NOT!)
Aussie= $78 inc shipping! for 2x float valves, seats and float bowl seals
....say's it all really

As you say "says it all".I think those of us that muck about with older stuff feel it more than most from dealers etc.Not only do you have to endure the "what the fuck are you doing spending money on that old shitter" crap theres also the vacant stare offered from some young fellas that work in bike shops when you ask for a part for a bike 10 or so years old,there thinking "wtfs he on about' whilst your thinking "why am i asking this pair of shoulders supporting a pimple for a motorcycle part":facepalm:when and if they give you an answer its a bazillons $ more than you can buy it for in any other country in the world:angry:

[willytheekid]

As you say "says it all".I think those of us that muck about with older stuff feel it more than most from dealers etc.Not only do you have to endure the "what the fuck are you doing spending money on that old shitter" crap theres also the vacant stare offered from some young fellas that work in bike shops when you ask for a part for a bike 10 or so years old,there thinking "wtfs he on about' whilst your thinking "why am i asking this pair of shoulders supporting a pimple for a motorcycle part":facepalm:when and if they give you an answer its a bazillons $ more than you can buy it for in any other country in the world:angry:

LOL, very true, but I have to say Dom and the guys at Pit Lane in CHCH are amazing!
I walked in there looking for some main needles for the FCR's...and Dom actually quoted the part number and needle code I required...from memory! I was bloody speechless!, as a result I now go see them for everything I need...I just wish every bike shop was this useful (I have tried nearly every bike shop in CHCH previous...and as you said, the responce from all-"wtfs he on about' whilst your thinking "why am i asking this pair of shoulders supporting a pimple for a motorcycle part")
I now buy parts from oversea's (or from peter @ motokiwi) and go see Dom and the boys for advice and oil etc, I would LOVE to support NZ stockest's....but for the prices they charge & the lack of service they generally offer...screw that!

[98tls]

LOL, very true, but I have to say Dom and the guys at Pit Lane in CHCH are amazing!
I walked in there looking for some main needles for the FCR's...and Dom actually quoted the part number and needle code I required...from memory! I was bloody speechless!, as a result I now go see them for everything I need...I just wish every bike shop was this useful (I have tried nearly every bike shop in CHCH previous...and as you said, the responce from all-"wtfs he on about' whilst your thinking "why am i asking this pair of shoulders supporting a pimple for a motorcycle part")
I now buy parts from oversea's (or from peter @ motokiwi) and go see Dom and the boys for advice and oil etc, I would LOVE to support NZ stockest's....but for the prices they charge & the lack of service they generally offer...screw that!

:killingme Indeed,a tad off topic but fwiw i had never ridden a Guzzi in my life until many years ago when working in a bike shop in Dunedin i had the oppertunity to ride an 1100 to Nelson which i took,i can still remember the sensation :shit:at the first set of traffic lights when leaving Dunners but once out on the road loved the thing.

[willytheekid]

:killingme Indeed,a tad off topic but fwiw i had never ridden a Guzzi in my life until many years ago when working in a bike shop in Dunedin i had the oppertunity to ride an 1100 to Nelson which i took,i can still remember the sensation :shit:at the first set of traffic lights when leaving Dunners but once out on the road loved the thing.

Love my "PhatGirl"! :love:
Try a 95 1100 sport with 41mm FCR's! (with AP-2 accelo pumps) she dosn't just "Drop the hammer" and go!...she now throws the whole anvil at ya and goOOES!
:wings:
But yeah, not good around town (over heats and then gets the guzzi clutch shimmy going lol) or "launching" at the lights for that matter, but I still use her for everyday transport and just love all her quirks.
....just the carb parts $$ issue that has me pissed (trying to stay on topic lol)

[98tls]

....just the carb parts $$ issue that has me pissed (trying to stay on topic lol)

With my old TL it was a rim issue that i found annoying so simply bought these.:msn-wink:(staying on topic).:killingme

[willytheekid]

With my old TL it was a rim issue that i found annoying so simply bought these.:msn-wink:(staying on topic).:killingme

.....drooool! :drool:.....shiny too!:2thumbsup.....they...look...gorgeous!

[98tls]

.....drooool! :drool:.....shiny too!:2thumbsup.....they...look...gorgeous!

Yea bought em a year or 2 ago from the states,really gave the old tart a face lift. (see staying on topic),not so shiny now.

[98tls]

Fwiw on the bike.Old pics from the day they turned up,was a Saturday morning and had to wait until Monday to get the rubber off the oem rims and couldnt help but have a play.

[ckai]

I have had 2 great deliveries of boots, gloves, visors, rain pants etc from a very helpful and great value store in the US. Highly recommend it especially as they charge a flat US$25 freight fee.
http://www.ridersdiscount.com/
I have saved 100's of dollars using them.:yes:

Not advocating spending your dollar overseas but if you must, you can't go wrong with TJ (@ Riders Discount). He's got a bit of a reputation for being a legend with price and service. The parts that I couldn't get in NZ, he put together a good deal but he couldn't get a few things so I went somewhere else. He can get pretty much anything now.

And half the stuff isn't even on his website. Did I mention he races a 675? ;)

Me, I like buying my clothing from NZ. Price isn't that much different, especially when you get great deals from your local and good service to boot.

[HenryDorsetCase]

And the gst increase isnt going to help local business either.

the GST increase is pretty much neutral for any business. it is a consumption tax and the buck literally stops with the consumer.

GST for a business is a pay it - claim it scenario.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yep - I don't know where the price mark-ups are in NZ, Japan, importer or retailer.

After some cosmetic damage to the ride due to the Earthquake I priced the bits in NZ with the best intention of supporting my local dealer who also suffered damage. Alas over $600 quoted in NZ - ordered online from the USA including shipping for NZ$180. Most parts were 4 to 6 times dearer in NZ :shit:

I'd understand paying a bit more in NZ, maybe 50% due to a smaller market etc but good grief.

One strange thing - a brake lever - possibly one of the most ordered parts(?) was only slightly dearer in NZ and I was happy to pay for it here. So if that part is reasonably priced, why are the other bits not the same?

Honda tax. Honda are a "premium" brand, so you pay the Honda premium. My rule of thumb is anywhere up to 40%.

By the way, remember a few years ago when Harleys were really expensive and Hondas relatively cheap (or any other brand for that matter): now completely the reverse. Bag Harley all you want but in todays market in NZ they are very well priced bits of kit, and some of them are bloody cool.

[avgas]

Oh lord, another one of 'those' threads :facepalm:

I await the NZ store owners........

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh lord, another one of 'those' threads :facepalm:

I await the NZ store owners........

I did kind of think that myself but what the hell. Its been almost a day and a half since someone brought it up.

;)

[Quasievil]

I await the NZ store owners........


I move that we close down every motorcycle related business in NZ so you can all save money off shore.............Im keen:yes:

[slofox]

One drawback when you buy offshore...as follows:

I recently bought a speedohealer ex Australia. It doesn't go. So it is getting exchanged. Which means I have to send the faulty unit back to them before they'll send a replacement to me. Which will take maybe ten working days. Or more.

When I had an issue with a doodad from Radar Direct the swap process was way quicker than that.

[HenryDorsetCase]

One drawback when you buy offshore...as follows:

I recently bought a speedohealer ex Australia. It doesn't go. So it is getting exchanged. Which means I have to send the faulty unit back to them before they'll send a replacement to me. Which will take maybe ten working days. Or more.

When I had an issue with a doodad from Radar Direct the swap process was way quicker than that.

cant you just put a sticking plaster on it?

[slofox]

cant you just put a sticking plaster on it?

Tried that - didn't work...

219662

[AllanB]

I move that we close down every motorcycle related business in NZ so you can all save money off shore.............Im keen:yes:

Nah - we still loves ya Quasi.

And just think - all those hundreds saved by buying off-shore on genuine factory parts can be spend back in NZ on spanky new leather gear from QM. :innocent:

My expectation on Factory parts is: the consumables and basics (levers etc) stocked in NZ, the balance are ordered ex Japan and you wait. I expect to pay a premium over the USA prices due to location, small market etc - maybe 50% more, even twice the price would be acceptable in many cases - but not 6 times the price.

[Subike]

I will buy service parts here, maybe a few, very few other parts if availabile from wreakers. All other parts off shore why?
you decide.
Complete performance exhaust :
New Zeland reputable manufacturer, $1800 + gst, then 1 mth min delivery.
USA reputable manufacturer, NZ $485 Including freight, 7 days air freight.
OME STD Clutch pack,
NZ from dealer $85nz per plate+ $16 per spring+ gst. 3mths delivery on back order from Japan.
Competition New Clitch pack inclusive of HD springs inc freight from US $ 68 delivery 7 days.
there is no choice

[CHR1S]

Crap I thought I was being clever getting EBC Brake Pads landed at about 40% of the price I was quoted here!

I'll always buy local for gear and day to day stuff. I don't mind paying more if it's stocked by the shop. (unfortunately most of the time it isn't) I'll even pay more for oil etc when you know it's cheaper next door at any autopart store, just to have a nosy around the shop.

But some of the margins are ridiculous, I've even hinted to salespeople that "I saw such and such on ebay but I'd rather buy from you" to entice the pencil sharpener out of the draw but it usually just gets their back up.

Can't recall the last time my income has been subsidised by such enthusiasm so I guess it's back to Google.

[arty]

I have had 2 great deliveries of boots, gloves, visors, rain pants etc from a very helpful and great value store in the US. Highly recommend it especially as they charge a flat US$25 freight fee.
http://www.ridersdiscount.com/
I have saved 100's of dollars using them.:yes:

Bought a pair of Held Phantom gloves from www.sportbiketrackgear.com - arrived in 10 days and cost less than a pair of A* GP equivalents here. Also has the coolness factor of having stingray skin on them....

[boarder]

It is not just bike stuff that has ridiculous markups. Noticed the same thing for scuba gear, tools, building supplies, etc. If I can privately import it cheaper at retail with GST and shipping than so can a big importer.

You always hear "oh, it's such a small market". I don't buy that for a second anymore. Somebody along the supply chain is laughing all the way to the bank. As others have said, it's a global economy and retailers either adapt or perish.

Interestingly enough, I have bought New Zealand cheese, wine, lamb, kiwi fruits cheaper in other parts of the world than in New Zealand :-)

[avgas]

I move that we close down every motorcycle related business in NZ so you can all save money off shore.............Im keen:yes:
Then you would get rid of that Teknic jacket and import yourself a Qmoto one :innocent:

[Quasievil]

It is not just bike stuff that has ridiculous markups.

So what pays your wages ?

[rastuscat]

I lost a plastic cover from my Nolan N102 helmet. Phone calls made me feel wanted, as a shop in Auckland promised me the parts in a week.

So, 5 weeks later I called them, and heard that there was a problem with the importer.

I hung in there, believing in supporting local business, despite having found the part for 30% of the price in the internet-thingy.

Two more weeks, and the parts arrived. So seven weeks, and paying far too much.

I'm feeling used. I could have bought it cheaper and way faster from the USA.

Tell me again why I should support the plonker who I bought it from.

[rastuscat]

P.S. I rode Lewis Pass today in heavy snow. If anyone knows of a supplier who can sell me window wipers for a Nolan N102, let me know.

One hand on the throttle and one constantly wiping snow from the visor, wow, never had to do that before.:shit:

[jasonzc]

I lost a plastic cover from my Nolan N102 helmet. Phone calls made me feel wanted, as a shop in Auckland promised me the parts in a week.

So, 5 weeks later I called them, and heard that there was a problem with the importer.

I hung in there, believing in supporting local business, despite having found the part for 30% of the price in the internet-thingy.

Two more weeks, and the parts arrived. So seven weeks, and paying far too much.

I'm feeling used. I could have bought it cheaper and way faster from the USA.

Tell me again why I should support the plonker who I bought it from.

mm yea.. i recon heaps of the mark up is a result of those bloody distributors... not really the shops fault..

just my opinion.. not fact.

[pritch]

Some years ago I noticed when comparing the American or Australian prices of some sports equipment to the NZ prices that the the local price was waaaay higher than it should be.

Fishing gear, bicycle parts, and some motorcycle accessories came under this category. Other items such as shooting gear generally did not, the currency conversion calculation was close to the NZ price.

My inquiries indicated that some NZ importers can not order sufficient quantities from the manufacturer for the latter to consider them worth the bother. These importers buy their stock from the Australian importer, or even a US retailer, and import them for sale to NZ retailers. This puts an extra middleman in the system with an extra markup inflating the price.

I believe in supporting local businesses but if I suspect that the above-noted scenario applies I'll import my own thanks.

[k1w160]

I needed a new helmet due to a rider parts from bike episode at Pukekohe, and only one brand of helmet fits my noggin - Arai.

Local price $1000 plus, went to aussie in Sept and bought the same helmet for AU$649.99, less 10% GST which was refunded at Sydney Airport so $584.10, converted into NZ$ = $736.66 at todays exchange rate, and I'm dam sure they would courier one to you if you know what size you take.

I'm all for supporting NZ business, and will continue to do so with everyday items, but not at the excessive prices for premium accessory brands.

Oh yeah, about the bike wreckers, I have had excellent dealings with them over the years (even this week) so I guess some may be pissing them off a bit and getting charged more because of it...