Buy from USA while dollar good

[Subike]

I will buy service parts here, maybe a few, very few other parts if availabile from wreakers. All other parts off shore why?
you decide.
Complete performance exhaust :
New Zeland reputable manufacturer, $1800 + gst, then 1 mth min delivery.
USA reputable manufacturer, NZ $485 Including freight, 7 days air freight.
OME STD Clutch pack,
NZ from dealer $85nz per plate+ $16 per spring+ gst. 3mths delivery on back order from Japan.
Competition New Clitch pack inclusive of HD springs inc freight from US $ 68 delivery 7 days.
there is no choice

[CHR1S]

Crap I thought I was being clever getting EBC Brake Pads landed at about 40% of the price I was quoted here!

I'll always buy local for gear and day to day stuff. I don't mind paying more if it's stocked by the shop. (unfortunately most of the time it isn't) I'll even pay more for oil etc when you know it's cheaper next door at any autopart store, just to have a nosy around the shop.

But some of the margins are ridiculous, I've even hinted to salespeople that "I saw such and such on ebay but I'd rather buy from you" to entice the pencil sharpener out of the draw but it usually just gets their back up.

Can't recall the last time my income has been subsidised by such enthusiasm so I guess it's back to Google.

[arty]

I have had 2 great deliveries of boots, gloves, visors, rain pants etc from a very helpful and great value store in the US. Highly recommend it especially as they charge a flat US$25 freight fee.
http://www.ridersdiscount.com/
I have saved 100's of dollars using them.

Bought a pair of Held Phantom gloves from www.sportbiketrackgear.com - arrived in 10 days and cost less than a pair of A* GP equivalents here. Also has the coolness factor of having stingray skin on them....

[boarder]

It is not just bike stuff that has ridiculous markups. Noticed the same thing for scuba gear, tools, building supplies, etc. If I can privately import it cheaper at retail with GST and shipping than so can a big importer.

You always hear "oh, it's such a small market". I don't buy that for a second anymore. Somebody along the supply chain is laughing all the way to the bank. As others have said, it's a global economy and retailers either adapt or perish.

Interestingly enough, I have bought New Zealand cheese, wine, lamb, kiwi fruits cheaper in other parts of the world than in New Zealand :-)

[avgas]

I move that we close down every motorcycle related business in NZ so you can all save money off shore.............Im keen

Then you would get rid of that Teknic jacket and import yourself a Qmoto one

[Quasievil]

It is not just bike stuff that has ridiculous markups.

So what pays your wages ?

[rastuscat]

I lost a plastic cover from my Nolan N102 helmet. Phone calls made me feel wanted, as a shop in Auckland promised me the parts in a week.

So, 5 weeks later I called them, and heard that there was a problem with the importer.

I hung in there, believing in supporting local business, despite having found the part for 30% of the price in the internet-thingy.

Two more weeks, and the parts arrived. So seven weeks, and paying far too much.

I'm feeling used. I could have bought it cheaper and way faster from the USA.

Tell me again why I should support the plonker who I bought it from.

[rastuscat]

P.S. I rode Lewis Pass today in heavy snow. If anyone knows of a supplier who can sell me window wipers for a Nolan N102, let me know.

One hand on the throttle and one constantly wiping snow from the visor, wow, never had to do that before.

[jasonzc]

I lost a plastic cover from my Nolan N102 helmet. Phone calls made me feel wanted, as a shop in Auckland promised me the parts in a week.

So, 5 weeks later I called them, and heard that there was a problem with the importer.

I hung in there, believing in supporting local business, despite having found the part for 30% of the price in the internet-thingy.

Two more weeks, and the parts arrived. So seven weeks, and paying far too much.

I'm feeling used. I could have bought it cheaper and way faster from the USA.

Tell me again why I should support the plonker who I bought it from.

mm yea.. i recon heaps of the mark up is a result of those bloody distributors... not really the shops fault..

just my opinion.. not fact.

[pritch]

Some years ago I noticed when comparing the American or Australian prices of some sports equipment to the NZ prices that the the local price was waaaay higher than it should be.

Fishing gear, bicycle parts, and some motorcycle accessories came under this category. Other items such as shooting gear generally did not, the currency conversion calculation was close to the NZ price.

My inquiries indicated that some NZ importers can not order sufficient quantities from the manufacturer for the latter to consider them worth the bother. These importers buy their stock from the Australian importer, or even a US retailer, and import them for sale to NZ retailers. This puts an extra middleman in the system with an extra markup inflating the price.

I believe in supporting local businesses but if I suspect that the above-noted scenario applies I'll import my own thanks.

[k1w160]

I needed a new helmet due to a rider parts from bike episode at Pukekohe, and only one brand of helmet fits my noggin - Arai.

Local price $1000 plus, went to aussie in Sept and bought the same helmet for AU$649.99, less 10% GST which was refunded at Sydney Airport so $584.10, converted into NZ$ = $736.66 at todays exchange rate, and I'm dam sure they would courier one to you if you know what size you take.

I'm all for supporting NZ business, and will continue to do so with everyday items, but not at the excessive prices for premium accessory brands.

Oh yeah, about the bike wreckers, I have had excellent dealings with them over the years (even this week) so I guess some may be pissing them off a bit and getting charged more because of it...