I really don't get NZ pricing.

[onearmedbandit]

Ok I understand getting stuff in NZ can be justifiably slightly more costly than overseas due to our location. I also understand economies of scale, we are a small market and we don't have the buying power. However it is now a global market, and major manufacturers have an obligation to supply parts in that market.

So I wanted to purchase an OEM part for my bike. Checked online as you do to see what they are selling for and found brand new examples from retail shops (physical brick and mortar businesses) for around NZ$150-$200. Add in GST and shipping and I could have one here in 5-10 days for around $300. However I believe in trying to buy local when I can so I inquired with my local dealership and was told $829+GST ex Japan. I told them to recheck and gave them the part number but the prices was still the same. I explained the situation to my friend who works there, expressing that I want to buy from them but I can't justify that price. They gave me an option to go seafreight. 3mth wait and $550+GST.

First up. This part doesn't cost more to make depending on which market it goes to. Their pricing structure may mean they attribute a higher cost to it due to the small size of our market but that doesn't change the costing of manufacture. If I can buy this part for $175 on average overseas then we can safely assume the cost to manufacture is well under this. Secondly why the $280 cost difference between airfreight and seafreight? This item is smaller than a pack of cards and would weigh little more. I can get 5 day delivery from the states for $50.

I want to buy locally, I like to get things when I pay for them. I like to chat to the sales team. I like to go into a shop and look around and get good service. But I'm not paying 3 times the amount to do that. And the knock on effect of that is my money goes overseas. Businesses here lose out on that and the more that happens the more likely it is that they will go out of business. As I type this out it occurs to me that the manufacturers just don't give a fuck about a small market like ours, to the point that if it disappeared it would hardly raise a discussion in a board meeting. And that's not good for us.

[Scubbo]

its shit eh! I still just import because can't stand dealing with bluewing honda or the fucktard south african at botany honda.


whats more most power OEM part suppliers already have linked into auto-pay GST from their site so there is no delay at customs--- partzilla still works out faster and much cheaper than local for parts ex-japan if not instock in the US

[scott411]

Ok I understand getting stuff in NZ can be justifiably slightly more costly than overseas due to our location. I also understand economies of scale, we are a small market and we don't have the buying power. However it is now a global market, and major manufacturers have an obligation to supply parts in that market.

So I wanted to purchase an OEM part for my bike. Checked online as you do to see what they are selling for and found brand new examples from retail shops (physical brick and mortar businesses) for around NZ$150-$200. Add in GST and shipping and I could have one here in 5-10 days for around $300. However I believe in trying to buy local when I can so I inquired with my local dealership and was told $829+GST ex Japan. I told them to recheck and gave them the part number but the prices was still the same. I explained the situation to my friend who works there, expressing that I want to buy from them but I can't justify that price. They gave me an option to go seafreight. 3mth wait and $550+GST.

First up. This part doesn't cost more to make depending on which market it goes to. Their pricing structure may mean they attribute a higher cost to it due to the small size of our market but that doesn't change the costing of manufacture. If I can buy this part for $175 on average overseas then we can safely assume the cost to manufacture is well under this. Secondly why the $280 cost difference between airfreight and seafreight? This item is smaller than a pack of cards and would weigh little more. I can get 5 day delivery from the states for $50.

I want to buy locally, I like to get things when I pay for them. I like to chat to the sales team. I like to go into a shop and look around and get good service. But I'm not paying 3 times the amount to do that. And the knock on effect of that is my money goes overseas. Businesses here lose out on that and the more that happens the more likely it is that they will go out of business. As I type this out it occurs to me that the manufacturers just don't give a fuck about a small market like ours, to the point that if it disappeared it would hardly raise a discussion in a board meeting. And that's not good for us.

presume its a suzuki part, had this argument with them back in 2009 with airfreight parts that i could buy from US dealers cheaper than i could from the distributor here, (i was a dealer at the time) not much has changed, i can understand your frustration,
i

[rastuscat]

Ok I understand getting stuff in NZ can be justifiably slightly more costly than overseas due to our location. I also understand economies of scale, we are a small market and we don't have the buying power. However it is now a global market, and major manufacturers have an obligation to supply parts in that market.

So I wanted to purchase an OEM part for my bike. Checked online as you do to see what they are selling for and found brand new examples from retail shops (physical brick and mortar businesses) for around NZ$150-$200. Add in GST and shipping and I could have one here in 5-10 days for around $300. However I believe in trying to buy local when I can so I inquired with my local dealership and was told $829+GST ex Japan. I told them to recheck and gave them the part number but the prices was still the same. I explained the situation to my friend who works there, expressing that I want to buy from them but I can't justify that price. They gave me an option to go seafreight. 3mth wait and $550+GST.

First up. This part doesn't cost more to make depending on which market it goes to. Their pricing structure may mean they attribute a higher cost to it due to the small size of our market but that doesn't change the costing of manufacture. If I can buy this part for $175 on average overseas then we can safely assume the cost to manufacture is well under this. Secondly why the $280 cost difference between airfreight and seafreight? This item is smaller than a pack of cards and would weigh little more. I can get 5 day delivery from the states for $50.

I want to buy locally, I like to get things when I pay for them. I like to chat to the sales team. I like to go into a shop and look around and get good service. But I'm not paying 3 times the amount to do that. And the knock on effect of that is my money goes overseas. Businesses here lose out on that and the more that happens the more likely it is that they will go out of business. As I type this out it occurs to me that the manufacturers just don't give a fuck about a small market like ours, to the point that if it disappeared it would hardly raise a discussion in a board meeting. And that's not good for us.

I just bought one OEM bar end from a local supplier. I could have got them cheaper overseas, or bought after market.

But I wanted OEM. So I went local, paid too much, and got poor service.

It's not hard to guess what I'll be doing next time.

[TheDemonLord]

I think I know the cause of the strange discrepancies in Pricing....

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/joke-battles/images/b/b6/Fc%2C800x800%2Cnavy.u1.jpg

[pzkpfw]

(I've also seen the issue where - even if the dealers' parts person helped order the part - it's "tough luck" if it turns out to be wrong.

Another reason why buying locally can be no advantage.)

[pritch]

Way back you had to have a government issued import licence to import anything, they were hard to get, impossible for you or me, and consequently having one was a licence to print money. NZ middle men don't seem to have ever got the message that those days are gone.

Some things cost a similar price to overseas, others are much more expensive, and I used to wonder about that. Back when I last checked, fishing gear for instance, was hugely expensive here in comparison to other markets. It turned out that the reason for that was that the manufacturers had big minimum order quantities. No NZ importer could stock those quantities, so they bought their stock from the Australian importer, thus inserting an extra middle man into the deal between the factory and the customer, a shit load extra money on the price, but no extra value. It would be cheaper to buy from an Australian retailer (or on 'special' from a huge US retailer) and miss out the Kiwi middle man.

Another similar example, the importer of a popular motorcycle related product couldn't deal with the order requirements of the manufacturer, so he bought from a US retailer then he too added an extra mark up into the price before he unsold to NZ retailers who bunged their markup on. You could potentially buy from the same US retailer he did and save hundreds.

A comment about Blue Wing specifically. They are not owned by Honda as most other national Honda importers are now apparently. As a consequence they may miss special deals and other advantages through being outside the 'family'. That's before their own strange decision making enters the equation. I get the strong impression they just want to sell farm bikes. Road bikes are just a bloody nuisance.

I'm in favour of supporting local businesses but...

[onearmedbandit]

Well I was kind of expecting reasons why I should pay that much etc but it seems as though I’m not alone in my thoughts. I’ll keep trying local when I buy parts but I can see that’s more than likely not to be a successful endeavour.

[pritch]

Well I was kind of expecting reasons why I should pay that much etc but it seems as though I’m not alone in my thoughts. I’ll keep trying local when I buy parts but I can see that’s more than likely not to be a successful endeavour.

If there is special expertise or back-up involved, as sometimes happens, then paying the extra becomes more attractive.

[onearmedbandit]

If there is special expertise or back-up involved, as sometimes happens, then paying the extra becomes more attractive.

Agreed. I had both ends of my bikes suspension updated and set up for me by New Zealand suppliers (although one told me to get the components myself from overseas rather than through him as I would save money) for this very reason.

[Bonez]

I generally go to an OEM for initial pricing and if the item is in stock then see if overseas prices are cheaper including shipping. It can go either way and has. And customs still do random checks which can double the price of an item.

[onearmedbandit]

I generally go to an OEM for initial pricing and if the item is in stock then see if overseas pices are cheaper including shipping. It can go either way and has. And customs still do random checks which can double the price of an item.

Took my local dealer 3 days to get back to me with that price. Also if your goods are under $1000 now there's no duty charges.

https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator/

[Temporary-Kiwi]

I've used megazip for oem Suzuki parts, they are pretty cheap , but do take awhile to send them, I believe they do all jap m/c parts, I got a full set of rings delivered for $300nz, Suzuki wanted $750

[jasonu]

Took my local dealer 3 days to get back to me with that price. ]

That is either piss poor service or a shitty system.

[onearmedbandit]

That is either piss poor service or a shitty system.

I rang three times but each time it went through to a message system. On the last call I left a message, that was Friday. Tuesday morning (today) I got a reply. I think it's a combination of both.

[Bonez]

They might reply quicker to an email. I've had outstanding service from AFC motorcycles here in Palmy. The local Suzuki agent has't been too bad either.

[onearmedbandit]

They might reply quicker to an email. I've had outstanding service from AFC motorcycles here in Palmy. The local Suzuki agent has't been too bad either.

The time it took for them to get back to me is of no real concern, had it been urgent I would’ve ridden over to them. The price however...

[OddDuck]

Yep to all the above.

I think there's a bit of "you've walked in through the door so now we've got you" going on too. They know that a lot of their walk ins will grumble about the price and the wait but will go for it anyway because as a customer here in this tiny country what are your options? Do the run around all week, probably ending up exactly where you started anyway, or just suck it up here and now? Small economy, very limited number of suppliers for anything specialist... so why would the shops try harder. As Pritch pointed out, the internet, global shipping and a credit card now mean that anyone can go international and completely skip all this bullshit... but the shops don't see that.

The brighter side is that finally - finally - some kiwi businesses are starting to run properly in terms of semi-local orders via internet and email. They're finally getting decent online shops set up. It's possible to place orders after hours. Yes please, and keep it coming.

[HenryDorsetCase]

its shit eh! I still just import because can't stand dealing with bluewing honda or the fucktard south african at botany honda.


whats more most power OEM part suppliers already have linked into auto-pay GST from their site so there is no delay at customs--- partzilla still works out faster and much cheaper than local for parts ex-japan if not instock in the US

Yes. Its great.

[onearmedbandit]

whats more most power OEM part suppliers already have linked into auto-pay GST from their site so there is no delay at customs--- partzilla still works out faster and much cheaper than local for parts ex-japan if not instock in the US


Yes. Its great.

I agree, it's fuss free and you know exactly what you are paying.


presume its a suzuki part, had this argument with them back in 2009 with airfreight parts that i could buy from US dealers cheaper than i could from the distributor here, (i was a dealer at the time) not much has changed, i can understand your frustration,
i

Yes Suzuki. Not surprsied nothing has changed.


I just bought one OEM bar end from a local supplier. I could have got them cheaper overseas, or bought after market.

But I wanted OEM. So I went local, paid too much, and got poor service.

It's not hard to guess what I'll be doing next time.

That's not reassuring but I totally understand. Last time I visited a bike dealer I spent around 20mins in the shop and didn't speak to anyone. Now everyone did look busy but no one even waved or raised their eyebrows in acknowledgement. I just took it as they were busy but still...


I think I know the cause of the strange discrepancies in Pricing....



Praise the random number generator lord for although he works in mysterious ways he is the one and we shall not question his authourity.

[HenryDorsetCase]

That's not reassuring but I totally understand. Last time I visited a bike dealer I spent around 20mins in the shop and didn't speak to anyone. Now everyone did look busy but no one even waved or raised their eyebrows in acknowledgement. I just took it as they were busy but still...



That always amuses me. They're in retail for fucks sake. They're allegedly working in a business that needs customers. What I want is a "Gidday, how you doing, looking for anything specific today I can help you with?" The interaction is usually followed by "Nah mate, just having a browse". "No worries sing out if you have any questions". Less than thirty seconds. Sets a friendly tone. Leaves the door open for more interaction. Lets me know they're interested in my business. Really, it isnt difficult.

Having said that, its not confined to motorbike dealers. I was looking for a new car a few years back. Middle aged white dude, wearing a suit. Drove up and parked my then 7 year old car outside the dealership and proceeded to wander about aimlessly because I was genuinely interested in another car (at the time a Ford Focus RS - dont judge). I walked past three sales drones and not ONE of them looked up or asked if they could have helped me or did anything to express any interest in actually selling me something. So I went and bought another Subaru. Fuckwits. Not only that, I tell the story to everyone, and I will never, ever buy a Ford motorcar because they can lick the sweat from my wrinkled scrotum. I even emailed the business owner - got an apology but as he said "its probably too late now". You think?

[Murray]

Last time I visited a bike dealer I spent around 20mins in the shop and didn't speak to anyone.

Sounds like the bank I went to last week to get a change order - pre ordered and everything. Over 1/2 an hour to get served cause the 2 tellers had a queue of 6 and some more complicated stuff. Still the banks are not happy as their profits are down for the year from $5.77 billion to only $5.71 billion. Looking at reducing costs! The arseholes of the world

[rastuscat]

Just to put some context around the bar end fiasco.

One fell off the AN125 my wife uses. Fell off. Gone.

I asked for another one, thinking it would include the bolt,spacer, rubber expander and nut. Oddly, they fell off when the bar end fell off.

But no. The OEM bar end arrived after 2 weeks. Without any means to fit it to the bike.

2 more weeks to get the bolt, spacer, etc.

I kind of feel that I should have ordered a while kit,but isn't that what parts guys are for? To undo the assumptions that mere mortals make? I assumed the bar end would come with all the fittings.

Especially given that it cost $62. And then I had to pay an additional $17 for the fittings.

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask

[FJRider]

I want to buy locally, I like to get things when I pay for them. I like to chat to the sales team. I like to go into a shop and look around and get good service. But I'm not paying 3 times the amount to do that. And the knock on effect of that is my money goes overseas. Businesses here lose out on that and the more that happens the more likely it is that they will go out of business. As I type this out it occurs to me that the manufacturers just don't give a fuck about a small market like ours, to the point that if it disappeared it would hardly raise a discussion in a board meeting. And that's not good for us.

The option most of us want to take buying the motorcycle parts we want ... is the quickest option. Until we find the item is not in stock (and the price that they'll charge when it does arrive). Suddenly the delivery time doesn't matter. Cost often overrides delivery time as a purchase factor. The more that choose online purchases ... the less businesses will be able to stay in business. Import (used) motorcycles changed the game. Most Motorcycle shops wont stock parts for models that weren't imported new here. And the pricey bits that seldom get asked for ... are unlikely to be kept in stock .. for a "just in case" sale.

A dammed if you do ... and dammed if you don't ... for the shops parts department.

It is not just Motorcycle parts department's affected ... ALL vehicle parts departments are having the same issue.

Is it likely to get better anytime soon ... ?? Probably not.

It is up to the individual person wanting to buy a part for anything ... to choose THEIR best option.

The choice is speed or cost. The final cost is often not seen ... Somebody will lose if the cost is the deciding factor.

[rastuscat]

The option most of us want to take buying the motorcycle parts we want ... is the quickest option. Until we find the item is not in stock (and the price that they'll charge when it does arrive). Suddenly the delivery time doesn't matter. Cost often overrides delivery time as a purchase factor. The more that choose online purchases ... the less businesses will be able to stay in business. Import (used) motorcycles changed the game. Most Motorcycle shops wont stock parts for models that weren't imported new here. And the pricey bits that seldom get asked for ... are unlikely to be kept in stock .. for a "just in case" sale.

A dammed if you do ... and dammed if you don't ... for the shops parts department.

It is not just Motorcycle parts department's affected ... ALL vehicle parts departments are having the same issue.

Is it likely to get better anytime soon ... ?? Probably not.

It is up to the individual person wanting to buy a part for anything ... to choose THEIR best option.

The choice is speed or cost. The final cost is often not seen ... Somebody will lose if the cost is the deciding factor.

It seems I.missed the memo about speed or cost.

Buying locally took ages and cost lots.

[onearmedbandit]

The option most of us want to take buying the motorcycle parts we want ... is the quickest option. Until we find the item is not in stock (and the price that they'll charge when it does arrive). Suddenly the delivery time doesn't matter. Cost often overrides delivery time as a purchase factor. The more that choose online purchases ... the less businesses will be able to stay in business. Import (used) motorcycles changed the game. Most Motorcycle shops wont stock parts for models that weren't imported new here. And the pricey bits that seldom get asked for ... are unlikely to be kept in stock .. for a "just in case" sale.

Even if it was in stock and I could see it sitting there I wouldn't pay 3 times the amount for it. I expected this part for my 2002 GSXR to not be in stock and to have to wait for it to come from Japan. But not at 3 times the amount.




The choice is speed or cost. The final cost is often not seen ... Somebody will lose if the cost is the deciding factor.

Or speed and cost as in my example. I can guarantee I'd have it here quicker from America than they would from Japan (and I understand why from working at a Honda M/C dealership).

I've bought from bike shops before and paid a little more than I would've from overseas but speed played a big factor in justifying the $250-$300 extra on a $1600 helmet as an example. But 3 times the price? Nope. If it was a critical part I still wouldn't pay that. It simply isn't justifiable.

[Gremlin]

I think BMW parts were the item that really changed the game for me. No wreckers in NZ really have BMW bits, asking BMW NZ has a mandatory step of asking the bank for another mortgage first. Ebay and UK companies, awesome.

The circlip holding the starter button in broke a year or two ago. Didn't know until the button was gone... can't start the damn bike. How much for a new button and circlip? Can't buy that from BMW, you need the whole combination switch block at the cost of hundreds of dollars. UK company was 10 pounds per button and circlip, I ordered two to make the postage look better. ;)

I landed a lightly used final drive and drive shaft for less than a third of the price of BMW NZ new (the drive shaft had 2900km on it). Yeup, no 2 year warranty, but I could also eat more than baked beans...

[rastuscat]

I think BMW parts were the item that really changed the game for me. No wreckers in NZ really have BMW bits, asking BMW NZ has a mandatory step of asking the bank for another mortgage first. Ebay and UK companies, awesome.

The circlip holding the starter button in broke a year or two ago. Didn't know until the button was gone... can't start the damn bike. How much for a new button and circlip? Can't buy that from BMW, you need the whole combination switch block at the cost of hundreds of dollars. UK company was 10 pounds per button and circlip, I ordered two to make the postage look better. ;)

I landed a lightly used final drive and drive shaft for less than a third of the price of BMW NZ new (the drive shaft had 2900km on it). Yeup, no 2 year warranty, but I could also eat more than baked beans...

Wunderlich, Motoworks, lots of companies have stepped up in response to the BMW parts racket.

We like OEM, but it's possible to do it without enriching the BMW gentry further.

[Swoop]

Not bike parts, but...

Looking for a replacement cellphone case(old one tattered). Nothing available in NZ retail stores for an older model phone, so took to that Big River website, where there was the exact item I currently have that works well. Price was US$8-.
"I'll have that" so went to purchase.
Price + US$40- (shipping). Then PLUS NZ$9- tax!

W...T...F...!!??
Seriously?

The Amazon tax that this government introduced, has not helped NZ retailers since they refuse to stock product here, so we now get doubly screwed.

Order was cancelled.
Gaffer tape applied to cellphone case instead.

[Gremlin]

The Amazon tax that this government introduced, has not helped NZ retailers since they refuse to stock product here, so we now get doubly screwed.
There are probably a lot of people that bring stuff in that is available here, but for me, very little of what I bring in could be purchased here - at all. The stuff that can be purchased is several times more expensive, so even with tax, it's still cheaper by a margin that makes it worth it.

A while back I tried getting the Nolan N104 in yellow fluro. Importer advised they had to buy 6 of each, that is, 6 M, 6 L etc. They didn't see the market for it... so yep, bought from overseas.

[jasonu]

I rang three times but each time it went through to a message system. On the last call I left a message, that was Friday. Tuesday morning (today) I got a reply. I think it's a combination of both.

Apparently they don't want your business so don't give it to them.

[jasonu]

The option most of us want to take buying the motorcycle parts we want ... is the quickest option. Until we find the item is not in stock (and the price that they'll charge when it does arrive). Suddenly the delivery time doesn't matter. Cost often overrides delivery time as a purchase factor. The more that choose online purchases ... the less businesses will be able to stay in business. Import (used) motorcycles changed the game. Most Motorcycle shops wont stock parts for models that weren't imported new here. And the pricey bits that seldom get asked for ... are unlikely to be kept in stock .. for a "just in case" sale.

A dammed if you do ... and dammed if you don't ... for the shops parts department.

It is not just Motorcycle parts department's affected ... ALL vehicle parts departments are having the same issue.

Is it likely to get better anytime soon ... ?? Probably not.

It is up to the individual person wanting to buy a part for anything ... to choose THEIR best option.

The choice is speed or cost. The final cost is often not seen ... Somebody will lose if the cost is the deciding factor.

None of that gives the shops any excuse for shitty service or being totally ignored by parts counter and sales people.
If anything the shops should be actively upping their level of service to encourage customers to spend more and wait longer for their items.

[FJRider]

None of that gives the shops any excuse for shitty service or being totally ignored by parts counter and sales people.
If anything the shops should be actively upping their level of service to encourage customers to spend more and wait longer for their items.

No ... it doesn't. But it wont stop them believing the average biker wanting bit's for their pride and joy ... are deliberately shafting THEM by buying online.

It is my belief ... the actual meaning of the word "Service" was lost in translation many years ago. Don't count on it's return to popular use anytime soon. In fact ... if you find/have a place that DOES give good service ... post about it in these forums. A thread of it's own maybe ...

[FJRider]

Even if it was in stock and I could see it sitting there I wouldn't pay 3 times the amount for it. I expected this part for my 2002 GSXR to not be in stock and to have to wait for it to come from Japan. But not at 3 times the amount.

Neither would I. A few years ago when personal computers were not commonplace ... we had no choice. They are now and there is a choice.

Will this force parts departments to become a thing of the past soon ???


Or speed and cost as in my example. I can guarantee I'd have it here quicker from America than they would from Japan (and I understand why from working at a Honda M/C dealership).

Exactly. Another reason Parts departments will be a thing of the past. Neither the business OR the punter will be able to afford to keep or use it.


I've bought from bike shops before and paid a little more than I would've from overseas but speed played a big factor in justifying the $250-$300 extra on a $1600 helmet as an example. But 3 times the price? Nope. If it was a critical part I still wouldn't pay that. It simply isn't justifiable.

Most prefer to try a helmet on BEFORE buying it. I have seen posts on here about buying one online and it not fitted properly. The same issue can be found with some clothing too. Those that choose this method of purchase ... be it on their own head.

[FJRider]

It seems I.missed the memo about speed or cost.

Buying locally took ages and cost lots.

There is only speed if it's in stock.

It seams a reality now .... if you intend to do an engine rebuild ... or replace major parts on a vehicle ... you buy the parts online before you start. It's often refered to as good planning.

In essence ... we are the cause of the systems demise and issues. Buy local or it will cost more ... take longer ... and/or we lose it entirely.

Be it on our own heads ...

[onearmedbandit]

Most prefer to try a helmet on BEFORE buying it. I have seen posts on here about buying one online and it not fitted properly. The same issue can be found with some clothing too. Those that choose this method of purchase ... be it on their own head.

Agreed. However I've mostly worn the same brand of helmet (Arai) for the past 20yrs so know my sizing well.

[Katman]

I heard straight from the mouth of someone who used to be part of the family owned Suzuki NZ (before it was acquired by Suzuki Japan), that on some of the higher ticket price parts, Suzuki put up to 300% mark-up on them.

I try to support the NZ motorcycle industry as much as I can too (it makes sense for me to do so) but even I have bought items from overseas that would have been considerably dearer if purchased here.

[pritch]

Just to share a little light in a darkish thread.

After my Ducati was knocked over in the carpark at work a few years ago I was keen to get it back on the road. The last holdup was a replacement handlebar. There would be a delay for the Ducati part. I asked the shop to order the appropriate Renthal bar. I was in the shop after work so it was closing time but they put a call through to the agent. The woman there explained that they were closing but she would stay behind and get one packed so it would go on the courier that night.

I was grateful because that meant the following day I got my bike back. Service 'above and beyond' is unusual but it does exist.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Globally, Arai helmets are a big player. They sponsor racers, and they make good kit. I have one (which I ended up buying from Straya because you guessed it you cant get the full range here). Literally no one stocks any Arai helmets here (Chch). I have seen them on the shelf at Motomail I think but that is the only place that has them.

One place said "tell me what you want and I can try and order it for you" "try". Hell with that.

[onearmedbandit]

In essence ... we are the cause of the systems demise and issues. Buy local or it will cost more ... take longer ... and/or we lose it entirely.

Be it on our own heads ...

Huh? We're the cause of an importer charging excessive amounts for airfreight? The cause of dealers charging 3 times the price of a product? If I'm missing something please shed some light.


No ... it doesn't. But it wont stop them believing the average biker wanting bit's for their pride and joy ... are deliberately shafting THEM by buying online.




I worked at a Honda dealer years ago, people that walked in off the street we didn't know who wanted bearings got sold the Honda stock. People the other staff knew got the bearing number and sent down to SKC (I think it was) to buy the exact same bearing for 1/3 the price. This was in 1996/7.

My contact at the dealership for this particular part I'm after fully understood I'm not trying to 'shaft them' by buying online. He said for $600 less it made no sense for me to buy it from them even though I want to support them. His words.

[onearmedbandit]

Apparently they don't want your business so don't give it to them.

Which sucks, because I like dealing with them.


None of that gives the shops any excuse for shitty service or being totally ignored by parts counter and sales people.
If anything the shops should be actively upping their level of service to encourage customers to spend more and wait longer for their items.

Very true. I've worked in car sales for years and every client that walked onto my yard gets acknowledged within 3-4mins. Even if I was on a phone call or dealing with another client eye contact was made along a simple sign of acknowledgement.

[pritch]

Globally, Arai helmets are a big player. They sponsor racers, and they make good kit. I have one (which I ended up buying from Straya because you guessed it you cant get the full range here). Literally no one stocks any Arai helmets here (Chch). I have seen them on the shelf at Motomail I think but that is the only place that has them.


I bought my first Arai from Hamilton Motorcycle Centre, they are not currently advertising Arai. One of the shops in New Plymouth did stock them but these days they are big on HJC. The other one I have was on 'sale' in the USA, @ about half NZ price.

The New Plymouth shop that had them sold one to Sensei, a former KBer. One of the side pods broke, he took it back and was told there was no warranty. He phoned the importer and IIRC the part arrived promptly, and free of charge.

[neels]

I was pleasantly surprised buying parts when I had my yamaha(s), it was near enough the same price to buy through the local dealer ex aussie in a couple of days as it was to buy from overseas, hence they continued to get my business.

Parts for my euro cars all come from overseas, as in general the local OEM parts people are thieving bastards, then again so are Toyota and Honda dealers.

I tried to get a spare key for my merc while I was in the US as they cost US$150 there, as opposed to $800 from the chch dealer, but they aren't allowed to code keys for cars outside their country presumably to prevent people doing exactly what I was trying to do and sidestep the local dealer.

We have had the same situation at work buying gear, where we can't buy direct and have to go through the local agent, who in turn buys from someone else, who buys from someone else, who buys from someone else....so something that would cost you $200 direct from the manufacturer ends up costing $1000+ by the time it turns up at the office. We also now have a couple of 'agents' overseas who are quite happy to take delivery of things purchased directly, and then send them on to NZ.

[onearmedbandit]

The New Plymouth shop that had them sold one to Sensei, a former KBer. One of the side pods broke, he took it back and was told there was no warranty. He phoned the importer and IIRC the part arrived promptly, and free of charge.

That's crazy. I've bought a couple Arai helmets in Japan on trips there and once at my local Arai agent in ChCh they noticed a broken pod. I said I knew of it but as I had bought it overseas I'd pay for it myself. Nope, was told it was part of being an Arai agent, it didn't matter where you bought it from they'd sort it.

....maybe that's why less businesses are carrying Arai now....?

[FJRider]

Huh? We're the cause of an importer charging excessive amounts for airfreight? The cause of dealers charging 3 times the price of a product? If I'm missing something please shed some light.

If everybody had to buy vehicle parts from a licensed dealer ... I'm pretty sure the prices would come down at most dealerships. Those that didn't would charge more to pay their (other) bills. If the need for an import license was required again ... the prices may not be as they used to be ... but there would be more dealerships about. Competition does wonders for the average punter in regards to prices charged. At present it's a "Take it or leave it" ... BUT ... You STILL have that option. Support the firms that support you. Make NO apology about it ... if that wont/can't happen either.


I worked at a Honda dealer years ago, people that walked in off the street we didn't know who wanted bearings got sold the Honda stock. People the other staff knew got the bearing number and sent down to SKC (I think it was) to buy the exact same bearing for 1/3 the price. This was in 1996/7.

A business that supported those that supported them. As it should/could be.


My contact at the dealership for this particular part I'm after fully understood I'm not trying to 'shaft them' by buying online. He said for $600 less it made no sense for me to buy it from them even though I want to support them. His words.

Of course they understand ... they cannot say otherwise. They have bills to pay too. But ... If THEY buy their parts from the SAME outfit's that sell cheaper ... would THEY sell them cheaper than current high prices ... or do they (are they) buying cheap and selling at the inflated prices ???

Are the dealers locked into buying ex Japan ... ???

[pritch]

That's crazy. I've bought a couple Arai helmets in Japan on trips there and once at my local Arai agent in ChCh they noticed a broken pod. I said I knew of it but as I had bought it overseas I'd pay for it myself. Nope, was told it was part of being an Arai agent, it didn't matter where you bought it from they'd sort it.

....maybe that's why less businesses are carrying Arai now....?

I believe Sensei's problem was caused by the shop staff member (possibly an owner of the business?) lacking product knowledge. The Arai importer resolved the situation immediately once advised .

The Hamilton Motorcycle Centre not advertising Arai was more surprising to me, because when I bought mine there were certificates on the wall confirming that the staff had received Arai training.

[98tls]

Rubber and oil is about the only things ive purchased locally for two wheels for years and then some,all for "support local" blah blah but not at ridiculous prices,never once had a problem buying os combine the price and delivery time see no reason to buy locally imho.Years back thought i would give an NZ wrecker a go when i had a need for a TLR clutch basket etc but once again to greedy so got one from Belgium for less than 1/2 incl of post.:facepalm:

[FJRider]

Rubber and oil is about the only things ive purchased locally for two wheels for years and then some,all for "support local" blah blah but not at ridiculous prices,never once had a problem buying os combine the price and delivery time see no reason to buy locally imho.Years back thought i would give an NZ wrecker a go when i had a need for a TLR clutch basket etc but once again to greedy so got one from Belgium for less than 1/2 incl of post.:facepalm:

Those that want to "Support Local" are free to do so. Those wanting to do so ... and don't (due to the cost) are possibly just realistic. There are plenty of things I'd like to do (regarding whom I would like to support with my purchases)... but I can't afford to ... so I don't. And I offer no apology that I can't afford it. (Even if I could ... I may not either :devil2:)

I DO however support those that support ME ... in whatever respect they can. Sometimes to my cost.