Ducati NZ overpriced?

[R6_kid]

Was just reading an article from a US Motorcycle magazine and they have the Ducati 848 listed at $12,995... now with the current exchanger rate that puts it at about $17,000 NZD.

The cheapest I can find in New Zealand is $26,000. Even with GST added on the US price only comes to $19,000. Where is the other $7k going?

[nallac]

it'll be the usual story,supply vs demand,
how many Duc's do they import here vs the states
and most likely higher mark ups here due to lower volumes sold

[NighthawkNZ]

Was just reading an article from a US Motorcycle magazine and they have the Ducati 848 listed at $12,995... now with the current exchanger rate that puts it at about $17,000 NZD.

The cheapest I can find in New Zealand is $26,000. Even with GST added on the US price only comes to $19,000. Where is the other $7k going?

shipping, storage, rates, paying the sales rep, guarantee, power, import costs, converting the headlight, registration...

I know someone that imported his own bike and had to pay all this extra money for various stuff... and something was wrong with something (I can't remember what) and had to pay to get that fixed no guarantee and it ended up costing him more than through a dealer... but he got a cheap bike :pinch:

and what nallac said

[limbimtimwim]

$7000 of snob value.

Cheap at twice the price!

[justsomeguy]

Porsche's are half price too, for those who care....

[Marknz]

yea, i wrote a letter to the importers in Australia about this back in '03 when I knew I was coming back to NZ. I couldn't believe the difference in prices between brand new in NZ and brand new in AU. I asked for a break out of the extra costs involved in getting the bikes to Unzud so I could see where the justification was for the huge mark-up...

I'm still waiting for a reply.

This is not a hit on Motomart and the like... I think they probably charge what they can to get by. I believe it'll be the Aussies that dictate the costs.

[NighthawkNZ]

Porsche's are half price too, for those who care....

Whats this Porsche you speak of :scratch:

[limbimtimwim]

shipping, storage, rates, paying the sales rep, guarantee, power, import costs, converting the headlight, registration...And they don't to do pay for the same stuff in the states?

I think his complaint was that for a new one, the price difference seemed a little excessive. I don't think he was suggesting "Why don't I import my own?"

Economy of scale can't really account for $7000 can it? And NZ Ducati == Australia Ducati. So in NZ I would think we would get a reasonable economy of scale in regards to the costs of getting a Ducati here.

I maintain that snob value is what keeps the price high here in NZ. "Look at me! I spent heaps on my bike neener neener neener!! I'm fucking rich and better than you!!". In the US, all the bikes are cheap when compared to how much you are earning so the prices are less relevant. In suspect in the US Ducati would have struggled until recently because the 749 and 999 were so much slower on paper than the jappa 600s and 1000s.

This is the inverse of Suzuki NZ's policy. Which is "Hey yeah, we just move the prices down in big jumps all the time to annoy those trying to sell their Suzuki. You knew it would happen, so don't get too upset". Which of course anyone who has purchased a new Suzuki and then thought about selling it will know.

And before someone says "Oh secretly you want one you snivelling little poop!" . It's no secret, I do want one. Fantastic bikes, excellent to ride. Big goofy grin inducing.

[Sollyboy]

Porsche's are half price too, for those who care....

are latte's half price as well?

[cs363]

it'll be the usual story,supply vs demand,
how many Duc's do they import here vs the states
and most likely higher mark ups here due to lower volumes sold

Right on the money. This applies to almost everything not just motorcycles and gear, the fact remains we are a small isolated country - things will always be relatively dearer here for a host of reasons including manufacturer/distributor/retailer margins, freight costs, compliance costs etc.
It's also aggravated by the weakness of the US dollar at present.

Plus I believe the Ducati's we get here are sourced from Australia now, so there are most likely additional costs involved in shipping them trans-Tasman.

Don't forget if you import a bike it's not just the sticker price, there's crating costs (the metal and cardboard affairs that most bikes come in won't stand up to individual shipping, so a wooden crate is advisable), documentation fees, shipping cost, customs entry fees, MAF inspection etc etc then there's often compliance costs here as well if the bike comes from another market with different rules.

Not to mention that you'll probably not get any good deals from your local dealer who has missed out on a sale.
All in all, unless its something really unique that you can't find here and just have to have I doubt very much if the total saving long term is worth it.

[flame]

Its all bikes, not just the Duc's. Brand new gixxer1000 k8 for US$10,400......I guess we just live in a far away place where if ya want it, ya gotta pay for it.

Wouldnt want to live anywhere else though.

and i DO know where there's a brand spanky 848 for under $25k:bleh:

[Kornholio]

Even with GST added on the US price only comes to $19,000. Where is the other $7k going?

DMNTD's pocket :p

[Coyote]

Someone's making money...

[cs363]

Someone's making money...

Yup....its called business... :)

[justsomeguy]

yea, i wrote a letter to the importers in Australia about this back in '03 when I knew I was coming back to NZ. I couldn't believe the difference in prices between brand new in NZ and brand new in AU. I asked for a break out of the extra costs involved in getting the bikes to Unzud so I could see where the justification was for the huge mark-up...

I'm still waiting for a reply.

This is not a hit on Motomart and the like... I think they probably charge what they can to get by. I believe it'll be the Aussies that dictate the costs.

Hmm.. Bikes in Oz cost pretty much the same as that back in NZ?

[Marknz]

Hmm.. Bikes in Oz cost pretty much the same as that back in NZ?

I've not compared them lately, but back then there was a good 4-5K difference even after allowing for the exchange rate.

[Little Miss Trouble]

I've not compared them lately, but back then there was a good 4-5K difference even after allowing for the exchange rate.

I've noticed this lately too. The list prices for the Yamaha FZ1 has a gap of nearly 6k... can't tell me we're that different to Aussie, even allowing for taxes etc thats a big gap to account for.

[cs363]

Interesting after a quick squiz on the WWW

1098 pricing

US $14995 = NZ$19850
UK GBP11500 = NZ$30000
AU $25995 = NZ$32960
NZ $32000

So pricing seems pretty standard throughout the world excluding the USA. However, the US prices unlike everywhere else do not include sales tax which varies from around 8% up to maybe double that. They also have other hidden costs like assembly charges, documentation fees etc.
Just from looking at some of the Ducati forums it appears the US price is subsidised at present due to the crap exchange rate with Euro which explains the bif difference.

[johan]

A Ducati 848 is about 14000 Euros in Germany
14 000 Euros = 29 069 New Zealand dollars

In Sweden, it's about 140.000 kronor, which is also about $30.000 NZD.

So it's all consistent, except for USA.

So it seems, Ducati chooses to lower the price on the American market, for whatever reason. I read on other forums, Americans were moaning about higher import prices for their toys now when then USD is low. They still get their Ducatis cheap.

[Coyote]

Yup....its called business... :)
I knew someone would take that comment literally rather than cynically :p

[DMNTD]

DMNTD's pocket :p
I can 100% assure you that that is the truth! :yes:
How else do ya think I got mine? :shifty:



Interesting after a quick squiz on the WWW

1098 pricing

US $14995 = NZ$19850
UK GBP11500 = NZ$30000
AU $25995 = NZ$32960
NZ $32000


God I love staff discounts!

[cs363]

I knew someone would take that comment literally rather than cynically :p

WHAT!? Are you suggesting I'm not cynical???!! :gob:

[Mr Merde]

Was just reading an article from a US Motorcycle magazine and they have the Ducati 848 listed at $12,995... now with the current exchanger rate that puts it at about $17,000 NZD.

The cheapest I can find in New Zealand is $26,000. Even with GST added on the US price only comes to $19,000. Where is the other $7k going?

When Triumph made their manufacturing comeback in the 90's and I was living in the UK I remember a similar complaint.

Triumphs were selling for something like 10,000 UKP's in the UK and people were screaming out about it as all true Brit riders wanted to ride British.

They were outraged that the same bike was being sold in the US for approx 7,000 UKP

Nothing came of the outrage.

The more things change the more they stay the same

[wharfy]

are latte's half price as well?

Dunno, but Starbuck's is shit at any price

[vifferman]

Plus I believe the Ducati's we get here are sourced from Australia now, so there are most likely additional costs involved in shipping them trans-Tasman.
One of which is transfer pricing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_pricing) - they have to add a bit on when shipping it through the country so they don't get hit with import duty or other taxes as it goes through.
Some companies (such as Canon NZ) can't import directly from the manufacturer (presumably because our market's too small), so have to go via Australia, who whack on their bit. That's why you can buy Canon stuff cheaper overseas than here.

Anyway, in Mrka bike dealers will often sell bikes at less than the RRP price, as the importers / head office pay them an agreed sum regardless. So if they have new old stock on hand, they can sell it at a discount and still make the same margin. Competition and marketing are such that the buyer has real bargaining power, unlike us.

[Coyote]

WHAT!? Are you suggesting I'm not cynical???!! :gob:Sorry, didn't mean too. I'm not usually so cruel

[alanzs]

So it seems, Ducati chooses to lower the price on the American market, for whatever reason. I read on other forums, Americans were moaning about higher import prices for their toys now when then USD is low. They still get their Ducatis cheap.

As stated earlier, economies of scale are huge in the US. Ducati undoubtedly sell MANY, many more bikes there than here.
We live in a little slice of paradise, and for the, we get to pay more for high priced, Italian machines.

All that said though, you can definitely buy a bike for cheap in the US and ship it here, pay all the fee's etc., and still have a bargain.

Recently, a bike dealer here in Auckland told me they would give me about $200 less on a trade in for my Bandit than what I paid for it 9 years ago in the US. But, being as how I want/need to buy another bike, there really is no winning, unless I want to import another bike...

Off to LA in a few hours, will see what strikes my fancy.... :Pokey:

[jrandom]

All that said though, you can definitely buy a bike for cheap in the US and ship it here, pay all the fee's etc., and still have a bargain.

Yup.

Finn just did that with his new Night Rod. Saved a fair bit over what AMPS would have charged him for one, I believe, not to mention getting hold of it several weeks quicker.

Of course, when you do that, you're giving up any expectation of getting any kind of warranty service. Still, even with that taken into account, you'll probably be quite a long way in the black.

Money talks, and if a local importer isn't adding sufficient value to a product in return for their margin, I see no reason to pay it.

[DMNTD]

...Of course, when you do that, you're giving up any expectation of getting any kind of warranty service. Still, even with that taken into account, you'll probably be quite a long way in the black.
One can purchase a warranty very easily from several different companies.
Also bare in mind that the U.S market Duc's are slightly different but easy enough to sort that out with more money being thrown

[raftn]

As a point of interst, my mate has a 1098, he wanted to put some termis on it, THe dealer quoted him four thousand, he ended up importing some form usa for $1800, and the dealer was happy to put them for him at the first service with minimal charge. The dealers are dictated to by Australia and it even annoys them. The internet has made things cheaper fro us all, and with a little common knowledge and taking some time you can get some very good stuff for you bike etc, with out going through the dealers.

[johan]

Yup.

[snip]

Money talks, and if a local importer isn't adding sufficient value to a product in return for their margin, I see no reason to pay it.

Does anyone know what the margin is for the dealer when selling a new 848/1098? I have no clue but I bet it's not many cents.

[avgas]

Overpriced Ducati???? .....Nooooooooooooooo?




dumbass

[DMNTD]

As a point of interst, my mate has a 1098, he wanted to put some termis on it, THe dealer quoted him four thousand, he ended up importing some form usa for $1800, and the dealer was happy to put them for him at the first service with minimal charge. The dealers are dictated to by Australia and it even annoys them. The internet has made things cheaper fro us all, and with a little common knowledge and taking some time you can get some very good stuff for you bike etc, with out going through the dealers.

The Termi's are different out of the U.S...better to get the Euro ones

[Sollyboy]

we get ripped of for everthing in NZ apple i phone price release today was bullshit $199 in usa they said $800 today for phone only in nz,youd think at least milk and cheese would be cheap here but we pay more for NZ dairy products in nz than the yanks and brits pay

[AllanB]

Bikes in Canada are really expensive!

Cruisers in USA are fairly similar priced to NZ allowing for volume and freight.

NZ is also very big on the sport market - our premium bikes so to speak - so the importers probably price accordingly.

I read somewhere that in the USA the top sport bikes are subsidized by the makers - don't know if it is true but under $11K for a state-of-the-art sporty is bloody cheap.

At least Harleys and BMW's are expensive world wide. :crybaby:

[AllanB]

we get ripped of for everthing in NZ apple i phone price release today was bullshit $199 in usa they said $800 today for phone only in nz,youd think at least milk and cheese would be cheap here but we pay more for NZ dairy products in nz than the yanks and brits pay

Check Vodafones website - you can get a $199 i-phone in NZ - you just need to sign up to a 24 month plan at $250 per month.

in the USA they only operate with one provider as well.

[Sparky Bills]

Margin on Ducati?? Whats that!?
It has cost us money to sell a Desmo...
We have had to send a mechanic to Oz for factory training, buy close to 10k worth of factory tools (compulsory). So there you have it.

We were talking to a chap in some way away country the other day looking at buying a Duc from NZ cause a new 999 would cost him close to 90k if he bought it from his own country! True story. Just cant remember the country he was from...

Most people are happy to pay a little extra for a Ducati. And ONLY a real Ducati enthusiest would understand.

[Sparky Bills]

As a point of interst, my mate has a 1098, he wanted to put some termis on it, THe dealer quoted him four thousand, he ended up importing some form usa for $1800, and the dealer was happy to put them for him at the first service with minimal charge. The dealers are dictated to by Australia and it even annoys them. The internet has made things cheaper fro us all, and with a little common knowledge and taking some time you can get some very good stuff for you bike etc, with out going through the dealers.


Yank mufflers are different to Euro spech ones.

[999RDale]

A point to remember is that the advertised price on those US machines is not what it would actually cost to ride one out the door.They have a lot of add ons: delivery,prep,local and state taxes etc etc...that can add thousands to those prices.

[Zoolander]

Most people are happy to pay a little extra for a Ducati. And ONLY a real Ducati enthusiest would understand.

Amen brother!!

[piston broke]

is it possble to put another engine into my bike,
pref 900+ ?
like my bike but it's a bit under powered for my likeing