Bike parts/accessories/apparel and ebay

[manwithav8]

Who here buys their bits and bobs from ebay?

I have been searching for a good set of bar end mirrors for the monster but nothing here in NZ has made me smile. I thought buying out of the USA would be mega pricey but actually turns out really cheap.

$130 NZD and they will be on my doorstep within 5 working days. Very impressed. Used paypal to pay and it is so instant and easy to use.

So anyway, this had me thinking, maybe I should look around ebay a little more and found some really good gear for VERY good prices. IE Shift M1 Leather Jacket for $149 USD. After shipping costs I think I could have one at my door for no more than $350.

Why did I not check out ebay sooner.

So who here shops internationally for their goodies as opposed to very pricey locally?

Also, trying to find parts for the Ducati on trademe is a was of time. Ebay has it all...

[Katman]

Hell yeah, why not send your dollars overseas. What possible use could any of us here have for them?:msn-wink:

[Katman]

BTW, locally sourced products don't need to be pricey.

[manwithav8]

but with price hikes over here, why should I pay an arm and a leg for stuff..

Take milk for example, it is now $4 somethign for 2 litres, due to export markets. I'm not going to be ripped off by my own country...

[Cajun]

We have brought multi items off ebay

Wife (motogirl) total kitted her self out with new gear from the states, ahd below half the cost of same gear here, eg, AlphineStar Two piece leather race suit Landed NZ$1000, locally $1800.

We also just the last week landed a Full Yoshi Carbon TRS system for a zx14, along with a pc3, for about NZ$1600 landed.

We only realy use ebay for stuff now days

[James Deuce]

The Milk analogy doesn't work at all, and I've NEVER paid retail for bike gear or accessories. Try striking up a relationship with people at a shop instead of wandering in and going "Gimme" and then getting annoyed when you get a frosty response.

It is a very rare day when a local shop or distributor can't make it not worth the hassle of buying from overseas, and the only payment required is politeness.

One of the big issues I've struck of late is the huge bank fees overseas banks charge for bank to bank internet based funds transfer. I hate using credit cards so that tends to limit payment options.

[Katman]

Wholesalers are constantly offering certain products to their distributers at special prices. Too many shops just see this as an opportunity to increase their profit margin instead of passing that saving on to the consumer. You just need to know who to deal with.:msn-wink:

[manwithav8]

never thought to look outside NZ but was told by a mate to check it out.. I am really suprised...

Comes down to the retailer buying, pays for shipping, puts their mark up on the items and the consumer pays over inflated prices.

I tried on the shift Jacket in the shop today, very comfy, fits like a dream and fels as safe as safe could feel. But at the price they go for here I wouldn't have even botherd making the trip down the to take it off the rack.

[klyong82]

So who here shops internationally for their goodies as opposed to very pricey locally?

Also, trying to find parts for the Ducati on trademe is a was of time. Ebay has it all...

I buy my CBR parts from ebay because it is difficult to source them locally. Usually 1/2 the price from US or UK after postage. Bought exhaust, rotors, rectifiers and many other parts.

No problems so far. Make sure to ask postage before bidding.

[Hitcher]

BTW, locally sourced products don't need to be pricey.

There have been some strong comments made in a counterfactual manner on other threads about the "evils" of parallel importing.

[Katman]

Sorry, I'm struggling to see where "parallel importing" has anything to do with what I'm talking about.

[Hitcher]

Take milk for example, it is now $4 somethign for 2 litres, due to export markets. I'm not going to be ripped off by my own country...

Plan A: Of course you're always able to buy and milk your own cow. Subject to local authority permissions and food safety regulations, if you plan to sell any dairy products. $1,000 for the cow, $60 a week to feed and water it, $2 a week for veterinary services, $10 a week for effluent disposal...

Plan B: You could always shoot yourself full of oestrogen and express yourself in your own special way. Maybe $2 a litre wouldn't be so expensive afterall...

[Hitcher]

Sorry, I'm struggling to see where "parallel importing" has anything to do with what I'm talking about.

You are importing goods directly from an overseas supplier, rather than through a registered New Zealand agent. That is parallel importing. Struggle away.

[Katman]

I source ALL my goods through the registered NZ agents. What the fuck are you talking about?

[Hitcher]

I source ALL my goods through the registered NZ agents. What the fuck are you talking about?

The thread's about buying/importing stuff from overseas. What the fuck are you talking about?

[manwithav8]

this would strike up such interest so quick....

Ok I am newish to the bike scene so striking up a relationship with local shops isn't as easy as the snap of a finger...

After spending $800 for two jackets and two pairs of gloves when we could have paid half the price for the same items off ebay then of course one will seriously look at buying elsewhere.

While the shop doesn't owe us any favours and can't always give a good deal then so be it, I will find my own deal...If they can't knock a little off the price to even try and keep my custom, why should I shop there?

[Katman]

The thread's about buying/importing stuff from overseas. What the fuck are you talking about?

I'm talking about certain products that are available to NZ outlets (from the NZ registered agent) at a greatly reduced rate (on special) that can either be sold at the normal RRP or at a reduced price based on the cost price. I'll ask again - WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT!

[manwithav8]

it's all good and well you talking of these registered agents and special prices because you obviously know people in the loop that can help you out...
But when your like me that as just started getting your gear and rather new to the scene, then what you know and what you can get cheap does not work for me..

[yod]

i bought 2 helmets off ebay for nz$600 - over here they would have been $1000 - cant argue with that....

[Hitcher]

I'm talking about certain products that are available to NZ outlets (from the NZ registered agent) at a greatly reduced rate (on special) that can either be sold at the normal RRP or at a reduced price based on the cost price. I'll ask again - WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT!

I'm still missing the relevance of what you're trying to say in the context of this thread. And you win. Your expletive is bigger than mine.

[manwithav8]

just read a thread about a biker down and KATMAN is in there shooting off his mouth how it means nothing to him...
He obviously has a bee in his bonnet and likes to be a first class prick.....

[Katman]

Fuck, why do I bother!

[Katman]

Go fuck yourself v8power.:msn-wink:

[manwithav8]

and the wolf is exposed.....

You sure are grumpy tonight mate. I don't like to read about biker down etc either because it just puts the willies up me in the fact it could be about me one day....

As for the shopping outside of NZ, dude if you can get your deals thats cool, I can't at this point and time due to not knowing anyone in the circle...

[Katman]

Has a clue for you v8. I get products at good prices - AND PASS THEM ONTO MY CUSTOMERS AT GOOD PRICES. Fuck me, some people need it spelt out.

[manwithav8]

would have been easier for you to PM me right from the start with your position and what you can do.

[Ocean1]

I'm not up with the play on what constitutes a non-parallel-importing (tangential?) distributor / retailer. With whom are these local suppliers registered? How does this protect their trade? I'd have thought it near impossible to regulate the commercial aspects of such an arrangement. More to the point, if a distance-to-market of roughly half the circumference of the planet isn't protection enough surely that indicates a retailer so protected is seriously in need of competition.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I've bought crash bungs (2nd hand ex U.S.), a tool kit (2nd hand ex UK) and various OEM fairing parts/bolts/washers etc via Ebay.
Paypal seems to work very well, and there aren't the huge bank charges referred to by Jim2.
But as always, Caveat Emptor - there is always a risk that you'll get shafted...

[sefer]

The Milk analogy doesn't work at all, and I've NEVER paid retail for bike gear or accessories. Try striking up a relationship with people at a shop instead of wandering in and going "Gimme" and then getting annoyed when you get a frosty response.


But really why should you have to be part of some little 'club' (people known to the owner/salesperson) to get a good price on something? You can really look at that as anyone not in this little club is actually getting over charged couldn't you?

However, really the only reason I'm posting is to mention I was in the states a few months back and discovered (much to my annoyment) that there is no longer a surface mail option, the cheapest postage option is airmail, which builds in cost pretty quickly, so those bigger items are probably no longer an option.

[ynot slow]

As Jim2 says,if you need gear or parts ask thee dealer,I went and got my gear from dealer and once all items were ready to purchase was told normally xxx,cash price is xxx,shit I was on holiday at the time.

And I agree go into local shop and ask them first,if you're not satisfied with their prices ask if they can do better,if they can't then check overseas,also not everyone has a credit card for offshore trading.

My case was for set of tyres,checked out variety around Taranaki and NZ,even cycletreds, and my local dealer was still the cheapest fitted.Cycletreds were about the same price but without freight or fitting.

[Tank]

I appreciate that some retailers pass on the savings - however a lot dont (and thats OK too - its their business).

What annoys me is that buying from a retailer in the US and shipping it 1/2 way around the world IS generally cheaper. The buy "NZ" bit dosnt really apply because the only part of the chain is the NZ retailer - and he is the one with the huge margins.

A lot more retailers in NZ need to know that they are compeating with stores on ebay / trademe etc and need to change their model and become more competitive.

(no offence to retailers on here that ARE competitive)

[98tls]

Best thing i ever did was become a member on a world-wide website primarily devoted to the same bike that i ride,guys who live all over the world with contacts all over the world,i have bought so much stuff through that site..much of it second hand but in great nick.You also get alot of one-off stuff made by clever buggers that you just cant buy here,as for ebay i think its awsome and have never had a problem with being ripped off.I used to try and support kiwi businesses but just gave it away.I once rang a NZ bike wrecker regarding a TLR clutch to put in my S..$400 he wanted,i offered him less but he was adamant i wouldnt get it any cheaper..i ended up getting one from Germany for $150 to my door.

[imdying]

Try striking up a relationship with people at a shop instead of wandering in and going "Gimme" and then getting annoyed when you get a frosty response.WTF? That's how you get a 'special' price, not how you should have to operate just to get a 'reasonable' price.