Ractech and a rotting stench

[Dutchee]

On the basis of this thread, we should all be growing/making our own food, power, water, compost and whatever else. We should not be paying rates, insurance etc, because they are all thieves who want to rip us off.

Make our own bricks, grow our own trees so that we've got timber for the houses (or mud huts, whatever tickles your fancy and depending on how long you can waitt for the trees to grow).

Clothes will be made from wool from our sheep/goats or cows that we've slaughtered, because they're all out to get money out of us.

Basically, we need to be self-sufficent.

Oh, no more tv or computers, phones etc. But it doesn't matter, we don't work anyways, as the capitalists are out to get us.

No more motorcycles anyway, as them arabs are ripping us off with their charges for oil (yeah, I know).

As to the original argument if anyone has bothered to read this blather so far, yes, CKT have their mark-up. They have their overheads to pay for (staff, warehouse, power, computers etc etc etc). They also have to pay for each shipment they order. Those shipments are not pre-ordered by consumers. They have to sit in the warehouse until someone wants something out of it. They pay GST on every shipment. They can't afford to import one spring at a time, it's not feasible. They need to consolidate to order, hence the delay if it's not on the shelf. I am not affiliated with them or any other company.

I do agree on service. I'm pretty harsh when dealing with suppliers of products I want. If they give good service, I'll probably go with them, even if I can get a better deal somewhere else. I've been impressed with 3 companies recently. Having an alarm installed at home, had a quote within a few hours of my initial phone call. I did call one other company, but had made up my mind already that I was going with the first guy. A Suzuki shop (Colemans) got back to me within 10 minutes of me enquiring about pricing for parts for my husband's bike. I contacted someone we had dealt with back in 2007 about an invoice for those goods. I had a reply within half an hour, advising me where to find it on the net (I had found it after my initial email, but didn't have time to let them know).

I have also contacted a supplier down the line somewhere about some kitchen products I want. After a week or maybe two, I've heard nothing. I don't want their product now anyway (out of curiosity, anyone seen click-clack boxes for sale in Auckland? I haven't).

Actually, I've been impressed with a number of NZ companies lately, and figured out I'm the worst kind of consumer, as I want answers within a reasonable timeframe. I'm not working at the moment, but what time I have got is valuable to me (even if it's when I want to relax with a book, it's my time). Oh, I am prepared to wait for product most times though, so long as the service is there to begin with.

Anyway, if anyone's selling anything with no profit, can you let me know. I'd like to be able to buy your stock when you go out of business. If you're offering a service with no profit, same deal - surely you've got a van or something I can buy off you.

[Headbanger]

why dont you start a business importing motorcycle accessory parts? You clearly have all the answers and will be able to put all those dirty filthy thieving capitalists out of business and be able to pay top rates for motivated and highly informed staff........

Lol, No need to be snarky or silly, I've been involved in a company or two, still involved in one or two, and have my eye on a venture or three, You simply can't write off everyone who doesn't share your views as an emotive imbecile.

That is all.

I don't doubt for a second that your an upstanding businessman working in a tough field, and that your far better at it then I would be.

[ukusa]

Isn't it hard for NZ resellers to compete with overseas markets due to duty, GST, other taxes, overheads etc? Plus how many people have been shit out of luck trying to return things to the states plus getting stung for the postage again and again?

get a good dealer & it's not a problem. Recently bought footpegs from Triumph dealer in the States, US$89.99 (NZ price $299.99!). They sent the wrong ones because their website had the wrong description, so I contacted, they said send back & we will reimburse postage & give me 10% of my next order for the inconvenience. So I added some more parts into the order & 10 days later I had all my new bits & pieces at a little over half local cost (including freight).

[Howie]

The perpetrator of this thread says he is not going to get into a slanging match and then launches into a toxic diatraibe of slanging.
Lets hear it from this person what he does for a living, what his position is and scutinise closely the industry he is in? Maybe hed also like to man up and divulge his name and address, if he has the courage to snipe away then he also has the courage to do that.

What relevance at all does what someone does for a living have to a thread about pricing of imported goods into New Zealand

I do not drink latte and I do not kick around anywhere in the world with people dressed in Gucci. My lifestyle is not lavish by any means and I work at least 70 hours every week, often more during the race season..

As do a lot of people who want to get ahead in NZ. Your point by stating this is?

We are ALL hypocrites. No need to elaborate for those that can think rationally and logically.
Yes, granted indeed there are pricing issues with many imported goods, many of them very extreme, unexplianable and unjustifiable.
Theres most likely a correlation between those who grizzle the most and those who least understand business and the minefield that is distribution in a small vulnerable country.

Maybe that’s why they are wise enough not to be involved in the Distribution Business in NZ, and choose to work in a different industry, Just so you know my only involvement with the Distribution Business is providing service to it.

That very small displaced economies are most affected by the open market is a given. Most businesses in NZ are very small and cannot do numbers. Business people have spouses and dependents as do their employess. Is it lost or conveniently ignored by those that grizzle loudest and longest that this is where these people earn a living so they can have three meals a day and a roof over their heads?

Your point from this being? Don't also your Customers, and potential Customers Have to earn a living, Provide for there family, and put a roof over there heads?

The more that is purchased overseas on the open market the weaker day by day that small NZ business becomes. Where do these people go? We cannot all live off the Government, who derive most of their tax base from ( you guessed it ) small business.

Is that your perception of where the majority of the Governments tax comes from, or have you done your homework and have the facts to back this statement up?

The long term prosperity of this country depends on the viability of small business and their ability to employ and pay decent wages for a decent days work. Heaven knows we should be more and more geared to export on the back of an exchange rate that is closer to about 55 cents US. We should also be according clearance charges and gst on literally everything that arrives into the country so that on that basis alone it helps to level the playing field a little.....and the Governments tax take would be increased enormously so that we can at least start to recover some ground after 9 wasted years of a diabolical Government..

I agree that the long term prosperity of this country depends on being able to increase the Average level of remuneration paid in this country, and getting it back to a competitive level with overseas countries. How to achieve that we would probably disagree on.

interestingly enough if I privately import goods over a certain value , I would receive a GST bill, which as a private import I can't pass on to any customer, so what is your point here.
Interesting statement about the exchange rate coming from someone who imports goods for a living, what would such a decrease in our exchange rate do the cost of your products?

Our products are very technical and we spend a lot of time dialing them to our specific road conditions that have a very high percentage of bumps etc. That is added value and I make no aplogy to being committed to offer such service.. And as someone else correctly intimated an overseas based ''spring rate calculator'' doesnt automatically make you a suspension technician. Point of fact many of these calcs are overly aggressive for our conditions. Everyting that is on the internet is ''correct''....yeah right. The faceless parasites that sell this stuff have no idea of our conditions, nor do they care.
If you end up with a spring sold to you by one of these companies and the selected rate is too soft or too firm its going to be a costly exercise to return it, more often than not. If you buy locally and the selected rate turns out to be not quite right( even after several weeks use to determine ) we exchange at no further cost excepting local freight recoveries. Similarly with internal shock valving as Pritch very kindly pointed out. In his case we in the first instance didnt want to second guess the standard valving spec, but when it proved to be a little harsh for our roads we were more than happy to put our hand up and optimise it for him at no extra cost. Pritch vwas a gentleman to deal with, we pre haggled a bit on price prior to building the shock and came to an agreement . There are more than a few people around who could learn a thing or two about old world manners.....
The reality is if you deal with me directly and afford common courtesy and decency I am happy to be flexible on price within sensible boundaries. But Im not going to go bust for anyone either. Seen that happen often.

It is good that you give the back up that you do, and am happy to hear it. That is the value added bit that can be good to have if you want and need it.
Some people however don’t want or need that back up. They may want a more competitive price with less back up, as maybe they don't have the extra to pay for backup that they may not need.
If you are providing a service to the top riders in the country both Racing, and Leisure then you have a very narrow market base. Unless I come into great quantities of Money I do not need the most expensive/Best quality? Suspension for the level of riding I do at the moment., it is on the would be nice to have list as I believe I can spend my budget on other products/ services for more return on the pleasure of my riding, or maybe even on riding, which is after all why I own a bike.

Now I must away, Im looking out at the panoramic seascape of activity from my waterfront mansion. The new leather armchairs are really comfy and I especially like the new solid oak sidetables that have just been delivered, they are the right height so that I dont have to strain unduly to reach my cocktails. I will be bored with this soon though and retire to the southerly end of the house that overlooks the 1000 acres of plains where I can witness herds of vildebeests majestically sweeping across the horizon. It also troubles me which vehicle Im going to drive to the bordello tonight, the Ferrari or the new Aston. I think Ill also phone ahead and get the girls to dress in full Nazi regalia, about 5 of them should do the trick.
The politics of envy is still very much alive, as is simplistic ignorance

I take this part as sarcasm, but what your lifestyle is or isn't, is of no interest to me as a potential customer, Just as what my lifestyle is should be of no interest to you as a supplier of goods/ service to me other than what I want to use your product for. What is of interest to me is the price, versus perceived quality/ service of the product you sell, and if I consider it value for money for what I want to achieve.

[Howie]

And then I forgot to mention another hot potato that reflects on business overheads and therefore balance sheets, ACC. Arguably employers for many years have borne a considerable amount of the burden of ACC and in fact have possibly got more reason to grizzle than motorcyclists.....?
When I was an employee back in 85 I had a big motorcycle accident at high speed that but for the grace of my protestant god I survived, coming out miraculously with only a broken wrist. Maybe as you say I am in a bubble.....I was paid at I think 80% of my then salary but in fact I was embarrassed that I was burdening the Government ( ie taxpayer ) I was not so incapacitated that I couldnt be useful so for the time that I was in plaster etc I went regularly to work to do what I could.
There has to be a balance and right now small business in NZ is suffering from not only the prevailing market forces but also a playing field that is anything but level. I have detailed those reasons in many
threads previously. I would rather see full employment here than everyone saving a few dollars by buying overseas.

ACC is a hot potato in a lot of ways, however Most Business's should probably be paying more in ACC levy’s than they currently are.

Would you prefer to spend time in court defending charges rightly or wrongly that your product was what caused the crash that caused a person to no longer be able to work. Because believe me if it goes to private insurance the insurance companies well be looking for ways to get money out of the perceived party at fault.

Unfortunately due to the NZ economy being a low wage one it means that those living on Average income's have to make some of their financial choices based on price.

Im in a similar situation to CKT in that everything I sell is imported from overseas.
Reality is anybody could do what I do and save themselves not just $100 but more likely $1000-$2000
And some people do just that.
But the question I ask is a line from an old clint eastwood movie--"Dya feel lucky punk? well dooya?"
Theres a bit more risk involved in buying/iomporting a car than a spring for sure.
But if the spring gets lost in transit. If its the wrong weight. if the exchange rate takes a dive youll end up outa pocket either a bit or a lot.
So I guess its a question of deciding the risk level you are comfortable with.

As much as VM suggests that it isn't the case there is value to having a "man on the ground" Again what value you place on that ability to make a phone call for advice is up to you.

That’s what being in a free market is all about isn't it freedom of choice. Insurance is available to be purchased for any goods being sent/ brought from overseas, again at a price so it's up to the person if they want it or not.

jesus guys think about it.It costs real dollars to run a retail business...real big dollars.The price a shop sells something for has to cover the runnings costs of said business.Fact of life.Its not rocket science.If you thinks its so easy open a shop yourself and sell your parts to be competitive withthe mail order warehouses.How will you pay your staff,rent.telephone and power?Its costs thousands every month before you even stock the shelves and open the doors .

I don't disagree with what your saying, however it takes real money to set up any Business, how to do so, and remain competive is part of the challenge of being in business, like it or not the internet has opened up door's to allow private individual's to investigate other choice's of sourcing goods cheaply and efficently. How Retail, and wholesale Businesses in New Zealand deal with that well see some survive and thrive, and others fail, but then isn't that what being in Business is all about.

As to exclusive Distribution rights for a country, that is between the agents for a country and a manufacture to negotiate. There are ways around it though.
1. Use a local person in the country of origin that you trust.
2. Find a wholesaler/ Internet supply company that deals in the product at a competitive price that well sell to you. I have priced a new part for one of my bikes on the net, and could get it cheaper through a Internet wholesaler, than I can from the manufacturer. ( as far as I can tell there is no importer of the product in NZ, or any local alternative.
3. Look for an alternative product, that you think well provide the quality/ service you want at a price you can accept.

[Viscount Montgomery]

Taylor, you're just far too big for your boots mister. $299 for a spring, stuff that, I'm gonna sneak down to the local rat infested car-wreckers, throw the dobermans a couple of sea slugs and find an old car spring. Won't have to worry about rider sag anymore. Don't want any dorky lectures about it either.

[Shaun]

I am never buying anything ever again from any one any where. You are all making to much money

[Viscount Montgomery]

Well, in about 9 months time, during the last weeks of desperate, frantic closing-down fire sales, just before the liquidators come stomping through with their sledgehammers, for lease signs and removal vans, I'll be around to score the proper spring for a realistic price.

Looking forward to the day. Hoping you fellas will have one of your famous lattes, piping hot, waiting for me.

Good luck in your new endeavors. Taylor would be best suited to putting his efforts into running for parliament, he'll fit in well there

[SS90]

It seems this subject come up time and time again, what's the mark up on Beer, Coffee etc, bloody massive.

yea sure $299 for a spring is some good money, but as has been pointed out time and time again, you are paying for the service AND the product, buy from the net, and you only pay for the product.

What is so hard to understand?

It is presumptious of me to say this, but I am pretty confident that road based motorcycle stuff is not the biggest portion of CKT's bottom line, at a guess it would be off road stuff (I may be commenting outside my pay grade here), and just like the tiddly little margins a bike shop has in tyres, we can just be thankful they do it!

[Big Dave]

If you read Montgomery like Rick from 'The Young Ones' it's very good.

[Robert Taylor]

Taylor, you're just far too big for your boots mister. $299 for a spring, stuff that, I'm gonna sneak down to the local rat infested car-wreckers, throw the dobermans a couple of sea slugs and find an old car spring. Won't have to worry about rider sag anymore. Don't want any dorky lectures about it either.

Maybe, but at least everyone knows who I am and that Im prepared to stand up and be counted.

[Kickaha]

Maybe, but at least everyone knows who I am and that Im prepared to stand up and be counted.

Rather than do that I thought you'd be sitting down counting all your cash

[Robert Taylor]

I am never buying anything ever again from any one any where. You are all making to much money

Thats correct Shaun, any profit is evil. And anyone that sticks their head above the parapet deserves to have it shot off, theres no place for it!
Thanks for the support from those who understand what a minefield it is being in distribution and service.

[Robert Taylor]

Rather than do that I thought you'd be sitting down counting all your cash

Ive got a spare swimming pool for it and it has a diving board. Thats sarcasm and its funny.

[Kickaha]

Taylor would be best suited to putting his efforts into running for parliament, he'll fit in well there

Robert for Prime Minister