I wanted a dark visor for my Shark helmet

[Damantis]

$119 for a peice of tinted plastic via northern distributors ( or more accurately, one of their dealers. ) :no:

Now, I realise that it's a technologically advanced, eye protection accessory meeting an approved standard of manufacture and material composition. And I realise that paying what the bike shop pays before marking it up is a big ask in such a consumer market. And I realise that we should all buy locally so our GST can go towards free contraception for the stupid and such things, not to mention keeping New Zealanders employed ( for less and less wages etc )... But I got one on Amazon for $43 NZD.

The fucking SHIPPING is another $50!!! Even so, saved over $20 so am happy enough. Just gotta wait for the postal service? to lose / deliver it yet. :woohoo:

The real issue is, why is something less than half the price there, than it is here? Maybe those who would sell it to us for twice the price think we are stupid? I may have only made a small saving, but it's the principle of getting something for what it's worth in what is essentially a global market instead of what I'm expected to believe it is worth in a bike shop here.

[FJRider]

As long as you're always home by dark ... you'll be fine ...

[2Seat_Terror]

Just been through and did exactly the same thing. Arrived no problem.

Doubly frustrating when I got the helmet itself, with clear visor, for $200 (on sale, admittedly).

One must accept that this is the way it is. If you're willing to be patient and wait a week or three for delivery, there are savings to be made.

[nzmikey]

Use the Search function ======> that way we have covered this alot .... sadly

:corn:

[Mom]

The real issue is, why is something less than half the price there, than it is here? Maybe those who would sell it to us for twice the price think we are stupid? I may have only made a small saving, but it's the principle of getting something for what it's worth in what is essentially a global market instead of what I'm expected to believe it is worth in a bike shop here.

You use the term global market, and it is one that we hear more and more. You need to stop thinking $$$ as a complete bottom line in making decisions to purchase gear/parts/blah/blah. For those that dont know what blah/blah is, I will affix my account details to this message, for a one time payment of $20,219.36 i will happily explain the first blah, the rest by negotiation.

Yes, you can make savings by purchasing online via an overseas internet store. Yes, I have done so and saved. Mind, I did that after buying something on TM and getting told porkies, resulting in a $15 waste of my money, but something my son thought was a bit of alright, so I did not complain too loudly. Please, please remember that our local stores are also trying to compete in a global market. Thay are also governed by how much they pay, and are allowed and expected to make a reasonable margin for their trouble.

Surely you dont begrudge a bloke a living just because he owns a motorcycle shop? Shop around by all means, be vocal in telling your local shop why you did not buy from them, but dont think you have won anything by saving $20 on a purchase. Hit up the distributors for a better deal, support your local shop.

Yes global market, but also yes to local small/med/large bike shops staying in business.

[RideLife]

I have some Shark replacement VZ30 visors available still. (if anyone needs one in a hurry)
Clear or Dark. $90 including freight.
Quality English made 'Bob Heath' visors.

Racey.

[Damantis]

Just been through and did exactly the same thing. Arrived no problem.

Doubly frustrating when I got the helmet itself, with clear visor, for $200 (on sale, admittedly).

One must accept that this is the way it is. If you're willing to be patient and wait a week or three for delivery, there are savings to be made.

Got my S650 on special from Cycletreads for $199 but couldn't stomach another 119 for an extra visor at the time as I had abudget of $300 for a helmet and was determined to stick to it. A dark visor is so much better on bright days, esp in winter when the sun can sit pretty low in the sky. Will always take the clear one out with me if I expect to be out till after sunset though!

[Damantis]

You use the term global market, and it is one that we hear more and more. You need to stop thinking $$$ as a complete bottom line in making decisions to purchase gear/parts/blah/blah. For those that dont know what blah/blah is, I will affix my account details to this message, for a one time payment of $20,219.36 i will happily explain the first blah, the rest by negotiation.

Yes, you can make savings by purchasing online via an overseas internet store. Yes, I have done so and saved. Mind, I did that after buying something on TM and getting told porkies, resulting in a $15 waste of my money, but something my son thought was a bit of alright, so I did not complain too loudly. Please, please remember that our local stores are also trying to compete in a global market. Thay are also governed by how much they pay, and are allowed and expected to make a reasonable margin for their trouble.

Surely you dont begrudge a bloke a living just because he owns a motorcycle shop? Shop around by all means, be vocal in telling your local shop why you did not buy from them, but dont think you have won anything by saving $20 on a purchase. Hit up the distributors for a better deal, support your local shop.

Yes global market, but also yes to local small/med/large bike shops staying in business.

I've tried asking distributors for a better deal on things before. Unless you are very matey with someone in the warehouse, they don't wanna know you. If they wanted to run a factory shop, they'd have an outlet at Dress-Mart. lol.
The motorcycle shops will always get my business for things like servicing, tyres and stuff I can't do myself ( most mechanical things, in fact ) I actually saved $76 on this visor and was happy to pay another $50 for freight to still come out ahead. It's the huge difference in cost of the item that pissed me off enough to go to the extra trouble to save $20. Dunno if that makes any sense or not, but it's probably more of a pride thing?

[Katman]

Do you complain to your local pub for putting a mark-up on the piss you buy?

[Damantis]

Do you complain to your local pub for putting a mark-up on the piss you buy?

Alcohol is for people who aren't funny without it.

[nzspokes]

The fucking SHIPPING is another $50!!!

:facepalm: How do you think the distributer gets it to nz?

[Katman]

Alcohol is for people who aren't funny without it.

What about your local dairy?

[Katman]

What about your local fish and chip shop?

[Katman]

What about your local chemist?

[jellywrestler]

I've tried asking distributors for a better deal on things before. Unless you are very matey with someone in the warehouse, they don't wanna know you. If they wanted to run a factory shop, they'd have an outlet at Dress-Mart. lol.
The motorcycle shops will always get my business for things like servicing, tyres and stuff I can't do myself ( most mechanical things, in fact ) I actually saved $76 on this visor and was happy to pay another $50 for freight to still come out ahead. It's the huge difference in cost of the item that pissed me off enough to go to the extra trouble to save $20. Dunno if that makes any sense or not, but it's probably more of a pride thing? yep and you'll be the first to whine when you urgently need one for a weekend ride and they don't have any in the country cause nobody buys them here.

also hope you've get the right one cause if you have to send it back and get another there's going to be a wee freight bill and then i can't wait to see your thread.

[Madness]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jwDq32MtOQU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
__________________

[Harry the Barstard]

Dammit!!!

If I had of known I would have got one too and gone halves in shipping with ya. I'm after a clear one as its getting near the time that I retire my tinted one. My clear one is old and a bit scuffed.

I'm sure if the local dealer brought multiple units the freight cost would be significantly less thus being able to provide a sharper price. I'm all for buying local and supporting local business..... but i'm not all for getting shafted. Ill shop around if people want $119 for a bent piece of polycarbonate that is tinted black

[The Pastor]

$119 for a peice of tinted plastic via northern distributors ( or more accurately, one of their dealers. ) :no:

Now, I realise that it's a technologically advanced, eye protection accessory meeting an approved standard of manufacture and material composition. And I realise that paying what the bike shop pays before marking it up is a big ask in such a consumer market. And I realise that we should all buy locally so our GST can go towards free contraception for the stupid and such things, not to mention keeping New Zealanders employed ( for less and less wages etc )... But I got one on Amazon for $43 NZD.

The fucking SHIPPING is another $50!!! Even so, saved over $20 so am happy enough. Just gotta wait for the postal service? to lose / deliver it yet. :woohoo:

The real issue is, why is something less than half the price there, than it is here? Maybe those who would sell it to us for twice the price think we are stupid? I may have only made a small saving, but it's the principle of getting something for what it's worth in what is essentially a global market instead of what I'm expected to believe it is worth in a bike shop here.


MAYBE, JUST MAYBE THE SHOP ALSO HAS TO PAY FOR SHIPPING, AND THE EXTRA 20$ GOES TO RENT/WAGES/COSTS/PROFIT.

muppet.

[Tigadee]

:scratch: Aren't sunglasses cheaper? Look just as cool too - just ask the lycra brigade...

[5150]

$119 for a peice of tinted plastic via northern distributors ( or more accurately, one of their dealers. ) :no:

Now, I realise that it's a technologically advanced, eye protection accessory meeting an approved standard of manufacture and material composition. And I realise that paying what the bike shop pays before marking it up is a big ask in such a consumer market. And I realise that we should all buy locally so our GST can go towards free contraception for the stupid and such things, not to mention keeping New Zealanders employed ( for less and less wages etc )... But I got one on Amazon for $43 NZD.

The fucking SHIPPING is another $50!!! Even so, saved over $20 so am happy enough. Just gotta wait for the postal service? to lose / deliver it yet. :woohoo:

The real issue is, why is something less than half the price there, than it is here? Maybe those who would sell it to us for twice the price think we are stupid? I may have only made a small saving, but it's the principle of getting something for what it's worth in what is essentially a global market instead of what I'm expected to believe it is worth in a bike shop here.

FYI, you might not be comparing apples with apples here. And it is something I just got stung recently with purchasing a tinted Shark visor for my RSX Shark.

Cycletreads wanted $159 for genuine Shark RSX tinted visor. I thought, yeah right and ordered one off Ebay for $49 plus freight. In total it worked out to be around $105NZ landed. Problem started when I got the package and it turned out it was a cheap plastic visor made in China. It didn't even come with silver mounting rings which I had to order separately for extra $20. Worse part was that the holes did not line up perfectly and the visor didn't close properly and didn't seal. The absolute bottom pits was when after 4 weeks of riding the visor started to turn milky fogy colour. It turned out thet the material was not UV resistant and the sun was pretty much eating away at the visor.

In the end I bit the bullet and bought another genuine Shark visor locally. What a difference, is all I can say. It has also been anti fog coated and fits and performs faultlesly. So my point is that buying something cheaper overseas does not always works out in your favour. And worse of all, you have no comeback if it turns tits up

[nodrog]

No fuckin way?!!! things are cheaper on the internet? WTF?! ZOMG! ROFFLE! FMITEWASOC!

[PrincessBandit]

So my point is that buying something cheaper overseas does not always works out in your favour. And worse of all, you have no comeback if it turns tits up

Yep, it can be difficult enough to get good service on stuff acquired in NZ (just look at the popularity of Fair Go), but I don't think many would consider it worth their while to initiate complaints stemming from overseas ordering/purchases. It can end up being a bit "trial and error" in terms of how good the bargain or service is from offshore - or whether you end up with and expensive "oh well, won't do that again" experience.
To get round the tinted visor issue I went with the Shark Evoline and couldn't be happier. Sure it's noisier than my RSR2, but in the summer it's so much easier to just wear ear plugs than changing visors. (I got caught out one evening with my tinted visor on my other Shark by the sun setting much quicker than I'd anticipated, and did not enjoy the ensuing ride home in the dusk and rain...)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Do you complain to your local pub for putting a mark-up on the piss you buy?

most of what you pay is tax. and at least even the swill is made in NZ

[caspernz]

Can understand the desire to save a buck, I am Dutch after all. In the end I buy the vast majority of my stuff from my local bike shops. The reason? Well, I want there to be a local bike shop when I need their support, so I'm quite happy to support them. Bugger it, I'd rather pay an extra few bucks to have the real thing, than have an el cheapo aftermarket imitation item :laugh::laugh:

Visors and any other plastic such as lenses on headlights and indicators, use a fine car polish on them to buff out small scratches and they'll last much longer. I ride almost daily and get at least two or three years out of my visors, by polishing the scratches out every now and then.

[Tigadee]

Bugger it, I'd rather pay an extra few bucks to have the real thing, than have an el cheapo aftermarket imitation item.

But in general, the discussion is still about apples vs apples. If you had two genuine identical tinted visors, one 30% cheaper via ebay or an offshore shop in Aus or wherever than the other, which would you buy?

Maybe we should just wear...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9WTlP08LEg

[pritch]

The OP should consider the Shark visor a bargain. That's just a bit over half what the Arai visor I have on back order will cost.

[Damantis]

MAYBE, JUST MAYBE THE SHOP ALSO HAS TO PAY FOR SHIPPING, AND THE EXTRA 20$ GOES TO RENT/WAGES/COSTS/PROFIT.

muppet.

It's coming from a shop in Texas. I'm sure they have rent / wages /costs and profits to think about before they sell the item for less than half the price here.

I suspect retail profit margins are high here for for lots of reasons, but sugesting greed isn't one of those reasons is more than a little naieve.

[Katman]

is more than a little naive.

The irony is strong in this one.

(And I'll do you a favour and give you a spelling lesson).

[slofox]

It's coming from a shop in Texas. I'm sure they have rent / wages /costs and profits to think about before they sell the item for less than half the price here.

I suspect retail profit margins are high here for for lots of reasons, but sugesting greed isn't one of those reasons is more than a little naieve.

Erm...you might mean N A I V E

[caspernz]

But in general, the discussion is still about apples vs apples. If you had two genuine identical tinted visors, one 30% cheaper via ebay or an offshore shop in Aus or wherever than the other, which would you buy?

Well, it may surprise you, but I'd still buy it from the local shop. Firstly, I can see what I'm buying before handing over the dosh. Secondly, I kinda like having a local bike shop...buying all and sundry from Ebay is counter to that. Yep, my choice and not everyone will think the same way.

[Tigadee]

I'm all for local bike shops and them getting business, but in view of what's available out there, they really should try to be a bit more competitive. I'm happy to pay a few more dollars, but when it's 40% or more and it's something I know I want and from somewhere reliable offshore, where do you think I'd give my business to? Is it that hard to maintain competitive prices and get by on slimmer margins and possibly higher volumes in return as a result?

If I could print out the ebay price of a helmet and then went to the local bike shop and they had the same helmet in stock, I'd give them my business if they adjusted their price to match or something reasonable like 10-20% above the ebay price, because of the time saved for waiting for the helmet to arrive, avoiding shipping delays/damage, potential disputes, etc.

Now I've seen situations in some markets where the distributor or supplier is the one fixing prices and telling retailers that they cannot have price wars, but if that's the case, then the suppliers are just being ignorant in the face of parallel importing.

[Kickaha]

I suspect retail profit margins are high here for for lots of reasons, but sugesting greed isn't one of those reasons is more than a little naieve.

Maybe you could go into business for yourself undercutting all those greedy shops with their high retail profit margins then :facepalm:

[Woodman]

I suspect retail profit margins are high here for for lots of reasons, but sugesting greed isn't one of those reasons is more than a little naieve.

Profit margins are high are they? or do you mean markups are high? never mind.

The place in Texas where this part came from is probarbly a warehouse with no retail shop in a low rent industrial area that leverages off bulk purchases and most of their staff are probarbly only pickers and packers.

keep it up an soon you will be buying bikes online too.

[Fast Eddie]

Maybe you could go into business for yourself undercutting all those greedy shops with their high retail profit margins then :facepalm:

lol I recon eh, I bet the shops make fuck all even at their prices. They have a lot to pay for, shop rent, running costs, business expenses staff and all that jazz..

Mr.Ebay doesnt have to pay for anything at all, free listing and advertisement online, buyer pays for shipping of the product etc.

[Fast Eddie]

keep it up an soon you will be buying bikes online too.

I have bought everyone of my bikes online..

get with the times

[Woodman]

I have bought everyone of my bikes online..

get with the times

Yea sorta really kinda didn't think that through very well aye, but I meant from overseas.

This subject has been done to death.

[Damantis]

lol I recon eh, I bet the shops make fuck all even at their prices. They have a lot to pay for, shop rent, running costs, business expenses staff and all that jazz..

Mr.Ebay doesnt have to pay for anything at all, free listing and advertisement online, buyer pays for shipping of the product etc.

Maybe the business model of a bike shop that sells all these accesories, with a shop floor and staff and rent etc is actually becoming a bit outmoded? From a profitability standpoint, surely it makes more sense to have a workshop in a low rent, industrial area with a small watrehouse attached that operates mainly as an online business. Sure, it's nice to walk into a big shop and physically walk around, browsing through 200 lines of items that most of which, you'll never purchase, before matbe buying something ( more on conveinience than price), but you are actually paying for that experience, sometimes through the nose. I sometimes wonder who subsidises who. The parts and accessories department or the bike sales department or the workshop? If they were all separated, at least we'd know what we are paying for. The bottom line of bike shops is a combination of those three departments but I wonder if separating them would make them any cheaper or make the price any more transparent?

[Ronin]

It's coming from a shop in Texas. I'm sure they have rent / wages /costs and profits to think about before they sell the item for less than half the price here.

I suspect retail profit margins are high here for for lots of reasons, but sugesting greed isn't one of those reasons is more than a little naieve.

Do you own/run a business?

[Damantis]

Do you own/run a business?

:Offtopic:

:weird: Anything to contribute?

[Ronin]

:Offtopic:

:weird: Anything to contribute?

Then when you do perhaps you are qualified to pass judgement on those who do. Because I guarantee, they are not making excessive profits.

[Damantis]

Then when you do perhaps you are qualified to pass judgement on those who do. Because I guarantee, they are not making excessive profits.

An observation. Not a judgement. The gist of what I'm saying is perhaps the business model is outdated in the face of those elsewhere who can provide goods for less. Maybe less free trade and more protectionist policy is the answer?

Do feel free to attack or discredit / invalidate / correct / provide an alternative perpective to my observations and opinions rather than assuming that because I don't own or run a business, that is what would give them any credibility. Can I not make valid comments about crime unless I'm a policeman? Can I not make political commentary unless I'm a politician? Can I not talk abouy religion unless I'm religious?

Attack the argument, not the person.

[KX500]

Just buy overseas online - why don't most NZ bike shop owners show some honesty and wear balaclava's to serve you ?

[R-Soul]

:facepalm: How do you think the distributer gets it to nz?

In buk, so that teh shipping is actually only $30...

[R-Soul]

FYI, you might not be comparing apples with apples here. And it is something I just got stung recently with purchasing a tinted Shark visor for my RSX Shark.

Cycletreads wanted $159 for genuine Shark RSX tinted visor. I thought, yeah right and ordered one off Ebay for $49 plus freight. In total it worked out to be around $105NZ landed. Problem started when I got the package and it turned out it was a cheap plastic visor made in China. It didn't even come with silver mounting rings which I had to order separately for extra $20. Worse part was that the holes did not line up perfectly and the visor didn't close properly and didn't seal. The absolute bottom pits was when after 4 weeks of riding the visor started to turn milky fogy colour. It turned out thet the material was not UV resistant and the sun was pretty much eating away at the visor.

In the end I bit the bullet and bought another genuine Shark visor locally. What a difference, is all I can say. It has also been anti fog coated and fits and performs faultlesly. So my point is that buying something cheaper overseas does not always works out in your favour. And worse of all, you have no comeback if it turns tits up

Sure that makes sense, but when you can order the exact same thing - A real branded Sharks product- from the US distributor for a third of the price (already including taxes, shipping and a swodge of cash for the distributer...) then something stinks...

[scott411]

Just buy overseas online - why don't most NZ bike shop owners show some honesty and wear balaclava's to serve you ?

what do you do for a job, and does someone do it cheaper overseas, does that make you a criminal?

[Damantis]

Genuine Shark branded product in the right packaging.
Now, if the weather just stays sweet for the weekend . . .

[KX500]

what do you do for a job, and does someone do it cheaper overseas, does that make you a criminal?

Self employed and give my customers I have had for decades good deals !

[Katman]

Self employed and give my customers I have had for decades good deals !

Are you in the motorcycle business?

[KX500]

Are you in the motorcycle business?

Nope - but does not make any difference with folk liking
a good deal over being ripped off.

Supercheap who even say in there name they are cheap
said they could order me in a filter for $24
Got 3 flown out from Arizona off ebay for NZ$21

Cause NZ retailers do not have the buying power etc etc
Twice the price some could live with but 3 x plus ridiculous !

To the individual who gave me a negative rep with the comment
"You do not have a clue"
I suspect you are in retail and it is you that do not have a clue,
along with most NZ retailers that do not realise the glory years
of ripping kiwis off have ended cause of the alternative of being
able to buy overseas cheaper.

[Swoop]

Supercheap who even say in there name they are cheap
said they could order me in a filter for $24
Got 3 flown out from Arizona off ebay for NZ$21

Cause NZ retailers do not have the buying power etc etc
Twice the price some could live with but 3 x plus ridiculous !

To the individual who gave me a negative rep with the comment
"You do not have a clue"
I suspect you are in retail and it is you that do not have a clue,
along with most NZ retailers that do not realise the glory years
of ripping kiwis off have ended cause of the alternative of being
able to buy overseas cheaper.
I'm laying good money on your red rep coming from the taupo retailer "katman".
He likes the red button as much as spouting his opinion/s.

[Katman]

Nope - but does not make any difference with folk liking
a good deal over being ripped off.


Are you in any sort of retail business?

[bogan]

Self employed and give my customers I have had for decades good deals !

Holy epic delayed question reply, batman!

Did you have to wait to get a job before responding or something? :shifty:

[Tazz]

Nope - but does not make any difference with folk liking
a good deal over being ripped off.

Supercheap who even say in there name they are cheap
said they could order me in a filter for $24
Got 3 flown out from Arizona off ebay for NZ$21

Cause NZ retailers do not have the buying power etc etc
Twice the price some could live with but 3 x plus ridiculous !

To the individual who gave me a negative rep with the comment
"You do not have a clue"
I suspect you are in retail and it is you that do not have a clue,
along with most NZ retailers that do not realise the glory years
of ripping kiwis off have ended cause of the alternative of being
able to buy overseas cheaper.

All this and I bet you still pay $5 for a cup of coffee :laugh:

[AllanB]

I am finding interesting stuff with my new Ducati - the few 'extras I have ordered or inquired about are cheaper or pretty much the same cost in NZ after doing the conversion as buying off the web. A good example of global pricing maybe?

I found with my Honda I could source genuine Honda bits significantly cheaper offshore.