The chance of a lifetime: You are asked to start a bike shop. How should it be done?

[Virago]

The recurring theme in this thread is that some people who don't work in the motorcycle industry, see themselves as intellectual messiahs, able to revolutionise the industry with their "new" ideas. Are you really so ignorant to actually think that there are no valid reasons why your ideas won't work?

If your simplistic concepts were indeed able to save or improve the trade, you can rest assured that they would already be in practice. In the meantime, at least have the humility to listen to those who have been there, and know the full picture.

If you can't do that, then put your money where your mouth is - show us all how it is done.

[bogan]

So, in other words, your research is complete shit?

not at all, it proves that buying more items decreases the total cost of said parts. Or do you want me to do the same with two different items?

[bogan]

The recurring theme in this thread is that some people who don't work in the motorcycle industry, see themselves as intellectual messiahs, able to revolutionise the industry with their "new" ideas. Are you really so ignorant to actually think that there are no valid reasons why your ideas won't work?

Not at all, but the valid reasons have been absent so far

[Katman]

not at all, it proves that buying more items decreases the total cost of said parts. Or do you want me to do the same with two different items?

The reality is that to carry, in stock, everything that the customer might possibly desire would spell the death of most motocycle businesses.

The best you can do is provide the best selection that you (as a motorcycle business) can afford and offer the customer the fact that if the item isn't there in stock, it can be there the next day (dependant on the availibility from the wholesaler).

[BMWST?]

So don't you think bike shops should offer more competitive pricing? I'm still very curious as to how much the parts sales subsidize the rest of the shop, as it seems like a bad idea to have any subsidization at all.

The bike shop has to sell its goods and services at a price that covers the costs of the business.So the parts have to (at least) cover the cost of stocking those parts,paying the parts peoples,and the proportion of floor area,electricity ,phone devoted to parts,not just the cost of the part.

[bogan]

I really couldn't give a fuck how motivated you are to prove your point.

The reality is that to carry, in stock, everything that the customer might possibly desire would spell the death of most motocycle businesses.

Who said everything (or anything at all) would be carried in stock?

The point I'm making is taking into account furthur postage and GST we can get parts into NZ for similar prices to buying from UK to NZ. If this is possible using pricing available to the general public, what could be done with more buying power and going direct to the source?

[Conquiztador]

The only thing 'fluffy' here is the shit that floats in your brain.

Serously, you do bore me. Now when Robert has finally left this thread (and to his credit he never attacked anyone), you have somehow seen it as your calling to tell everyone why the way it is can not, and should not, be changed. Also you have not got it: This thread was about what the customers wanted, not why fossiles like you don't want to change. Leave, be gone wamosh.

The recurring theme in this thread is that some people who don't work in the motorcycle industry, see themselves as intellectual messiahs, able to revolutionise the industry with their "new" ideas. Are you really so ignorant to actually think that there are no valid reasons why your ideas won't work?

If your simplistic concepts were indeed able to save or improve the trade, you can rest assured that they would already be in practice. In the meantime, at least have the humility to listen to those who have been there, and know the full picture.

If you can't do that, then put your money where your mouth is - show us all how it is done.

This thread was about what customers wanted, what you would do if you had the opportunity to start a shop. nothing more, nothing less. Reality, facts or doomsay does not come in to this. Brainstorming it is called.

Please trade, just read and it is OK if you disagree. In situations where people Brainstorm normally only one or two ideas from hundred are even worth investigating. Please trade ppl, don't be so negative. Nobody here is saying that you are not doing as good as you can. But we also know that times are changing and you are all feeling the pinch. If this thread gives you only one thing that you think "Hmmm...I might look in to that" then it was all worth it. For the last time: I am not criticizing you, I am trying to, help you stay alive.

But if you want to blame me for the Tsunami, smallpox, rabies and melting of the poles, then be my guest,

[Virago]

...This thread was about what customers wanted, what you would do if you had the opportunity to start a shop. nothing more, nothing less. Reality, facts or doomsay does not come in to this. Brainstorming it is called.

Please trade, just read and it is OK if you disagree. In situations where people Brainstorm normally only one or two ideas from hundred are even worth investigating. Please trade ppl, don't be so negative. Nobody here is saying that you are not doing as good as you can. But we also know that times are changing and you are all feeling the pinch. If this thread gives you only one thing that you think "Hmmm...I might look in to that" then it was all worth it. For the last time: I am not criticizing you, I am trying to, help you stay alive.

But if you want to blame me for the Tsunami, smallpox, rabies and melting of the poles, then be my guest,

I certainly understand the concept of brainstorming. This is Kiwi Biker though, not a staffroom, and illogical suggestions were always going to get jumped on.

For clarity, I don't work in the motorcycle industry. I do though own a service business, and understand the concept of employing tradesmen, setting charge-out rates, juggling margins, stock management, technological advancement, etc, etc, etc. I know enough to understand at least some of the complexities of the bike trade, and to know that there are no easy fixes to perceived customer service and pricing issues. I know enough to know that I wouldn't want to own a motorcycle business.

[98tls]

Indeed it is Kiwibiker,must say its refreshing to see a thread related to motorcycles to be honest instead of the usual Myspace (or whatever its called) type crap thats all to frequent on a supposedly motorcycle based forum.Its the Interweb ffs theres really no need to jump on so called illogical posts,as its the interweb i would hazard a guess that many doing the jumping know sweet fuck all about what there jumping on anyway much like the bikes they purchased.

[bogan]

The bike shop has to sell its goods and services at a price that covers the costs of the business.So the parts have to (at least) cover the cost of stocking those parts,paying the parts peoples,and the proportion of floor area,electricity ,phone devoted to parts,not just the cost of the part.

fair enuf too, like how the electronics stores today arent offering as cheap as the internet store, though the difference doesnt seem to be a much as it is for bike parts.

Knock your socks off.

Nah, being an engineer is much more fun than an internet company operator, but it is an idea i would like to see someone else take up, and definitely one I would support.

*trying this again, the last one went to PD

[Conquiztador]

PD yes... Right, we are back on track.

What I do find entriguing here is that the trade is telling the customers that they have no idea. That they should pay high prises to the NZ shops for often below average service as that is the way it is and will stay. No wonder the customers are up in arms! And then when there are ideas (good or bad) they are shot down ASAP using years of trade experience and known barriers. Makes me wonder if a couple of guys from some other industry that is already used to the global market cold do it differently?

[bogan]

PD yes... Right, we are back on track.

What I do find entriguing here is that the trade is telling the customers that they have no idea. That they should pay high prises to the NZ shops for often below average service as that is the way it is and will stay. No wonder the customers are up in arms! And then when there are ideas (good or bad) they are shot down ASAP using years of trade experience and known barriers. Makes me wonder if a couple of guys from some other industry that is already used to the global market cold do it differently?

Well with the attitudes displayed in this (and other) threads I wouldn't be too surprised, and it'll be interesting to see what does happen. But I think by now all the ideas in this thread have been discussed enough, so now all we can do is wait; or if you have the opportunity, do something about it.

[Swoop]

What makes a good... no, a PERFECT shop?

Two things:
Honesty,
Communication.

The first should speak for itself. If a shop cannot comprehend that then they should not be in business.

Communication. A major issue for some shops.

Motomail and Cycletreads appear to have realised this.

[98tls]

PD yes... Right, we are back on track.

What I do find entriguing here is that the trade is telling the customers that they have no idea. That they should pay high prises to the NZ shops for often below average service as that is the way it is and will stay. No wonder the customers are up in arms! And then when there are ideas (good or bad) they are shot down ASAP using years of trade experience and known barriers. Makes me wonder if a couple of guys from some other industry that is already used to the global market cold do it differently?

Fwiw awhile back a bloke in Stralia that works/own whatever a Warehouse type bike related outfit posted up on here,fuck me the replies were similar to those i would expect to someone asking to shag your mrs,made a point of asking some of the Stralians on the TL site if they had dealt with them and what did they think,all came back with very positive comments regarding what they could buy/the price/delivery times and if there interweb service was better than what they got down at the local franchise.Not to mention they didnt have to deal with someone wearing more pimples on there face than hairs on there sack.

[R-Soul]

This was done to death in teh other thread and ll my ideas are on there, so I wont repeat them.