Can anyone tell me why bike shops only open for half a day on Sunday?

[Crasherfromwayback]

This must be such a blow to your ego.

The fact that someone in the industry obviously made off with your girlfriend/boyfriend is of no concern to my ego shit dipper.

[Robert Taylor]

This is a worldwide problem in general, as we develop our "global" economy, and the internet freely gives out "expert" titles to anyone with a keyboard and an internet connection, we have a steady supply of customers who all know better than experienced staff at a bike shop, and there is no convincing them otherwise.

The customer sees prices on the net for the same product that is, by in larger more expensive in New Zealand, and immediately jump to the conclusion that their local dealer is "stealing from them"

So, you now have a market that the customer ALWAYS know more that you, they think you are stealing from them, and you aren't open when they want you to be.

How the hell do you retain staff in this industry?

Job satisfaction? In the NZ motorcycle industry this concept is few and far between.

Kiwi's are well known penny pinchers, and so few are actually willing to spend the real costs involved in servicing their bike, and, so opt to do it themselves.

You only have to read some of the ridiculous threads on this site to see what I mean, OK perhaps, the ones that ask questions, no matter how silly, are actually doing the right thing by asking, and it is arrogant of me to make light if someone asking a question, but, man, some of the answers...... Bwahahahahah!

Threads like "so and so bike shop charged too much for my service", blah blah bike shop left a greasy finger print inside my rear mudguard" god!

It seems that the NZ motorcycling public expect a more professional service from the industry.

OK, then we must pay the workers in this industry better.

Not only to secure good new workers, but also to RETAIN the experienced ones that we have now!

So, all accesories go up 30%, labour in the workshop 40%,and bikes 20%

Happy now?

That has got to be one of the most perceptive posts I have read, well done!

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

I wouldn't just guage the whole industry because a few jockeys have closed down, like any other industry people come and go it may or maynot be an indicator of how the industry is doing regardless of either that or what KBer's suggest. Just on that note there are more bikers now on the road than ever before...

ROI is all good and Red Barons books are open for you to view, you'll see they have been making loss for the past 5 years. Atleast 3 of the 5 anyway.

No I don't hate the DSE example, but for someone who is in PM and Change Management role I'd expect a little better comparison. What industry is it by the way? IT?

Maybe you're right about the last "0oh bugger it if no-one..." comment. Even if that is the case goes to show they can co-exist in harmony without getting too greedy and spoiling the industry standards/practice.

Live and let live I suppose, they all know they are in the same boat.

You are being a bit nit picky here and slightly getting off subject.

Your post contradicts itself, "I wouldn't just guage the whole industry because a few jockeys have closed down" and "you'll see they have been making loss for the past 5 years. Atleast 3 of the 5 anyway.".

If a large player in the industry has been making a loss 3 out of 5 years (only two years have been a recession so at least one year was in the boom times) then it must be the best indicator that all is not good in the industry.

This assumption I apply to the whole industry is based upon all bike shops applying roughly the same operating model, main differentiators between shops would probably be location, brand loyalty and reputation. The original question of this thread is around why are antiquated opening hours used in modern times. I still think the question is relevant and is based upon the view of the consumer not the supplier.

So you didn't like the Dick Smith example. It is called a straw man which is put up to get others thinking. You seemed to have become fixated upon the straw man solution instead of constructively using the straw man as a starting point - which is what it is intended for.

I think I've annoyed you somehow but stop being "a critic without a better plan" - not constructive.

Cheerio!

[hmmmnz]

well, ill spout up, ive tired most bike shops in wellington to get gear in for me,
i don't have new bikes or even bikes that were considered popular at any stage,
but when a bike shop can't get the right brake pads, fork seals, exhaust gaskets, oil filters the first time, then im not going back,
i was willing to pay over double the price for brake pads, i even gave them the part numbers, and they proceded to have me wait over a week and got the wrong ones in, i ordered out of oz, and they were at my door in 3 days
its far easier for me to do the research myself and order it from overseas, atleast i know im going to get what i pay for, and i get better service from a computer.
fuck the spare parts industry, as far as im concerned, useless bunch of tits

[Ixion]

This is a worldwide problem in general, as we develop our "global" economy, and the internet freely gives out "expert" titles to anyone with a keyboard and an internet connection, we have a steady supply of customers who all know better than experienced staff at a bike shop, and there is no convincing them otherwise.

I can only speak on my own experience, but often the experience and knowledge of shop staff is not impressive. I call it the ZXR250 phenomonen - the lad in the shop owns a ZXR250, and firmly believes that is the only way that a motorcycle can be designed. That said, if one can get hold of an older assistant, they can be very knowledgable. It varies, widely. I would certainly expect that in some cases at least , the customer , who after all only needs to be well informed about his own model of machine, will know more about that machine than the assistant, whose knowledge must encompass the entirety of the motorcycle world.

But the comment perhaps gives an interesting insight into the underlying attitudes of motorcycle traders towards their customers.

The customer sees prices on the net for the same product that is, by in larger more expensive in New Zealand, and immediately jump to the conclusion that their local dealer is "stealing from them"

Again, based on my experience, this is not so for japanese OEM parts. In general, once freight and exchange rate/ credit card commission (often overlooked, that last one) are taken into account, the difference between importing from the States or UK, and buying locally, is small. Sometimes the NZ price is cheaper. What DOES differ is the time and convenience. In some cases, several weeks or more from the local agent versus a few days direct import. And convenience.

BMW are a bit different, there is usually about a 20 - 30% saving buying from the UK. Though since the NZ BMW agents keep good stock, the convenience factor goes the other way. So unless the item is a very expensive one, the saving is probably not worth the trouble.

[mynameis]

You are being a bit nit picky here and slightly getting off subject.

Your post contradicts itself, "I wouldn't just guage the whole industry because a few jockeys have closed down" and "you'll see they have been making loss for the past 5 years. Atleast 3 of the 5 anyway.".

If a large player in the industry has been making a loss 3 out of 5 years (only two years have been a recession so at least one year was in the boom times) then it must be the best indicator that all is not good in the industry.

This assumption I apply to the whole industry is based upon all bike shops applying roughly the same operating model, main differentiators between shops would probably be location, brand loyalty and reputation. The original question of this thread is around why are antiquated opening hours used in modern times. I still think the question is relevant and is based upon the view of the consumer not the supplier.

So you didn't like the Dick Smith example. It is called a straw man which is put up to get others thinking. You seemed to have become fixated upon the straw man solution instead of constructively using the straw man as a starting point - which is what it is intended for.

I think I've annoyed you somehow but stop being "a critic without a better plan" - not constructive.

Cheerio!

All hail selective reading picking just parts of a post and than saying its contradicting just makes your posts/points weaker.

A large player in the industry? Where did you get that from? Big brand name, large show room, lots of lazy staff? Or do you have any figures on hand? What about all the other dealers around the country who make up part of the industry and their performance?

Fact is if read over your posts, you've predetermined all your conclusions and use meaningless examples and explanation to back your claims. It's you who has been fixated on your answers and I've tried to get you to think outside the box without any results. You are trying to come up with a "better plan" - supposedly.

I on the other hand think the opening hours are just perfect so to get you thinking outside the box I break down your explanations (which have a lot of flaws) which you claim to be "not constructive". Come on for someone in PM space you could surely do better. Especially Change Management - where you definitely need to think outside the square.

Seriously nice try though

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

All hail selective reading picking just parts of a post and than saying its contradicting just makes your posts/points weaker.

A large player in the industry? Where did you get that from? Big brand name, large show room, lots of lazy staff? Or do you have any figures on hand? What about all the other dealers around the country who make up part of the industry and their performance?

Fact is if read over your posts, you've predetermined all your conclusions and use meaningless examples and explanation to back your claims. It's you who has been fixated on your answers and I've tried to get you to think outside the box without any results. You are trying to come up with a "better plan" - supposedly.

I on the other hand think the opening hours are just perfect so to get you thinking outside the box I break down your explanations (which have a lot of flaws) which you claim to be "not constructive". Come on for someone in PM space you could surely do better. Especially Change Management - where you definitely need to think outside the square.

Seriously nice try though

Yup, no point in going round in circles any more - I make statement - you challenge - I outline assumptions as requested - you challenge - I point out contradiction in challenge - you challenge - I can't be arsed to reply to your challenges any further because I'm just guessing you'll challenge them again.

[Brian d marge]

Blasted battery went flat on laptop!
So tapping this out on iPhone
Well I ran this thread past a few friends and they wet themselves laughing

They were astounded that a service industry closed period ! ( ok we have the numbers over here but...)
But after reading through the thread some good points came through

Though I still say go out and get the customers
Shops don't have to be open fully it can be a scaled back service

What is wrong with hiring a retired person ? The limited experience I had in NZ, it did seem to be an us and them sort of deal.... bugger working hard cos the boss is a #%^^**^%and the money is. Crap
Well there's more to a relationship than money , respect , food. Or just simple acknowledgement
I'd bust a gut for someone I respected and treated me right

So on my travels in NZ
One bike shop I went into had a young lad with his feet up on the counter doing jack

How about cleaning the outside if the shop ( I do it every day and it's unpaid Just one of those things you do
Turn up 20 before you start , clean the place get it ready for opening and go etc )

Dpst may be right most of the bigger places I went to were truly horrible, a holier than thou attitude and not one had an interest in selling or giving the time of day
We need spotty nosed kids to buy the a100 out the back they are the future of the industry ( after a good kick up the arse)

Though on saying that some of the smaller one were great , A Suzuki shop in Napier for on and One who advertises on KB

Well it's been a few years now but I was offered the job as manager at red baron head office but was eventually turned don due to my poor Japanese ( the interviewer tried really hard to sway his boss but big boss decision was final )
Don't know about he NZ tie-up but I thought all red barons were franchised ( I can ask me mate he would know )

Finally would I be right in guessing there are two types of market in NZ
The entry ( low priced ) and the Luxury ( over 40 kids gone and a good job , bike as a leisure item

I dont know but i am supporting that wee shop in Napier!

Stephen

[sefer]

Ive been in working in the bike trade in Britain and in Japan and always have opened on Saturdays and Sundays

Most bike shops in Japan are closed on other day a week though. Wednesday in my area of Tokyo.... Of course those same shops are also usually open till 8 or so every night (usually run by one person at all times)

[Big Dave]

>>Well I ran this thread past a few friends and they wet themselves laughing<<

Man, the Japs must have some good drugs now.

[Robert Taylor]

well, ill spout up, ive tired most bike shops in wellington to get gear in for me,
i don't have new bikes or even bikes that were considered popular at any stage,
but when a bike shop can't get the right brake pads, fork seals, exhaust gaskets, oil filters the first time, then im not going back,
i was willing to pay over double the price for brake pads, i even gave them the part numbers, and they proceded to have me wait over a week and got the wrong ones in, i ordered out of oz, and they were at my door in 3 days
its far easier for me to do the research myself and order it from overseas, atleast i know im going to get what i pay for, and i get better service from a computer.
fuck the spare parts industry, as far as im concerned, useless bunch of tits

You are tarring everyone with the same brush, which is manifestly unfair. What in heavens name possessed you to own an XZ400??!!!!

[Squiggles]

Ask motorbyklist on this site about my service !!!

Its fooken awesome.

[mynameis]

Yup, no point in going round in circles any more - I make statement - you challenge - I outline assumptions as requested - you challenge - I point out contradiction in challenge - you challenge - I can't be arsed to reply to your challenges any further because I'm just guessing you'll challenge them again.

Yeap, Welcome to Kiwibiker, I forgot to bling you next time mate.

[mynameis]

BD what's with >><< that shit

That's like a n0o0b who doesn't know how to use KB

[Big Dave]

>>BD what's with >><< that shit <<

Commensurate effort. :-)

Or effort commensurate with the value of the post.

I've just about finished editing a heap of video - (not biking unfortunately) which is handy because the threads I've been in while it's been crunching have started going around in circles.