Why buy via your local distributor?

[Eddieb]

RANT

I've had a few things on my shopping list recently.

I was after a Uni Prefilter for the 950 a month or so back. Went into my local dealer and they got onto the NZ distributor to find out a price and availability for me. 2 weeks later and numerous followups by my dealer and they still can't get a response from the distributor.
So I went direct and purchased the filter from UNI in Australia online. $50 and 4 days later I have my filter.

I now want to get some crashbars for the 950 and the SW Motech ones seem popular overseas, there's a NZ distributor and the price fits into my budget. So it's off to my local dealer again who contacts the distributor. After 3 weeks I finally get a reply on availability and they can't/won't supply until January at the earliest, so if I went ahead with that it's a 4 month lead time from enquiry to supply, 1/3 of a year!

So today I'm getting onto the internet again and I'm going to send my hard earned cash overseas cause NZ distributors obviously don't want it and so far definately don't deserve it.

/RANT

[p.dath]

So today I'm getting onto the internet again and I'm going to send my hard earned cash overseas cause NZ distributors obviously don't want it and so far definately don't deserve it.

Think of it like this. Either way your hard earned cash is going overseas.

With the NZ distributor a cut stays in NZ, and you'd hope that cut enables them to carry stock, respond to enquiries in a timely manner, and be knowledgeable in their product.
Alas, sometimes that cut does not enable this.

[Woodman]

I think the problem is that they know that they you can get this stuff online at a similar price to what they can supply it to you, and its just not worth the effort for the small margin (if any) they will make on the purchase. They need to be more up front and tell you what the cost is and the options for freighting and let you make up your mind, and then follow through.

They also need to box a bit cleverer and bypass some of the local distributors to reduce the channels. The problem is that any supplier overseas will want a commitment of how much they are willing to spend which will determine their discount status, and just one shop in NZ is not going to spend enough unless they have big bollocks or a lot of spare cash.

Its tough out there

[buggsubique]

disintermediation is the term I believe... supply chain issue leading to more competitive market place....which I guess presumably at some point someone will lose in the competition.

[dino3310]

small country blah blah blah.
theres the odd shop around that will sort things quick smart and the ones i use arent franchised or marquees (plug... http://www.motoxparts.co.nz/index.php - http://www.demitry.co.nz/motoxstuff/) normally the little fellas will do there utmost to find and sort stuff for you, but a lot of the time its easier and cheaper to do it your self online. Dont worry fellas when i win lotto i'l have the mother of ADV shops

[JATZ]

At least you gave the local guys a chance to take your money, lots would just get online and buy the stuff.
Here's a question...... At what point would you draw the line ?
If you can get goods from overseas why can't your retailer do the same thing and perhaps charge an extra $20-$30 ?
Would you support your local retailer or do it yourself and save a couple of $$ ?

[dino3310]

@jatz

yep i would cause that extra 20-30 would go a long way in my household

[tri boy]

NZ retailers have to walk a fine line with their suppliers, (wholesalers likes Nationwide, Whites etc).
Yes, they could sidestep the wholesalers, (that generally have a supply agreement with companies like motionpro and the like), but if they direct import to save the public some $$, then the bussiness/supply system with the wholesalers turns sour quickly, (I have witnessed this at one shop I worked at).

Most retailers wouldn't begrudge joe public shopping for parts etcfrom overseas if the savings are huge, or the local importers don't carry the parts themselves.

I think all they want is the public to support them when they can, so their doors stay open, keep locals in a job, and after sales service, (warranties etc) are supported.

Local bike shops are like your aging knees.
You'll miss them terribly when they are gone. MHO

[Box'a'bits]

As a further example of where it worthwhile using a local lad - I needed a speedo for the GS build. Trailtech USA was hoping to charge me as much in freight as the actual speedo & dash unit. I purchased via Xtreme Wholesale (off Trade Me).

Sometimes the price comes down because the NZ distributor 1. gets better terms by buying more; 2. gets better terms because of less perceived risk to the supplier; 3. gets lower shipping rates because of bulk. Then they can make a margin within that without 'killing the golden goose'. Bulky items (often) can be better purchased by dealing through NZ suppliers (freight again). But it's only likely to be good stocking high churn items. And if the items goes through too many middlemen, then they'll all take a margin....

Finally, I've noticed that there are also suppliers (especially in the States) that just don't want to deal with private importers.

That said, good to have overseas options, to take advantage of differing exchange rates & trading conditions. The tank I bought for the GS varied NZD $1000 between three offshore suppliers. Worst was in Aussie....

The internet means you can shop worldwide. And auction sites like Trade Me, Ebay etc make that even easier. And help the little guy establish a competing business meet unfulfilled supply demands.

I have to say that I still support my local dealer when financially viable. I just go into the txtn with some pricing expectation (ie I know how much this should cost me), & I'm upfront about this. I'm happy for them to make some margin for convenience. The Barkbusters I've just purchased are a good example of this.

[That looks like fun]

Support local OK so I have done that now will local support me? Its a bit of a lottery, I have saved upward of 50% by purchasing overseas. On a $450 item thats worth pursuing.
For too long retailers have sat safely in their monopoly's and given us what they want at the margins they want. look what happened when import cars arrived Some say it wrecked the NZ car industry. Or you can say people brought them because they got a better deal than the NZ industry had given them with vehicles made by the same manufacturer. Ahh the good old days when air-con, power steering and electric windows were luxury items and you could sell a new car 5 years later for the same price you brought it
Retailers need to adapt to the new regime if they want to survive, rather than demand I support them. I read much good about a certain shop in a certain town, my guess is they have found that high turnover by better service and lower margins leads to an identical profit margin at the end of each month. The bonus for them is they now have a greater customer base leading to greater security for them
The Internet is not going away so the global market is getting more accessible. The Government will no doubt come under pressure to fiddle with taxes etc to incentives buyers to support local. However lets see them introduce a tax that will improve the service Yeah right.
Perhaps what retailers should put into there thought patterns when making their marketing plans is this simple thought "I don't go to work so that a NZ retailer can have an excellent lifestyle"
My thoughts

[onearmedbandit]

I remember before the internet, we just put up with this as NZ is a small market at the end of a long supply chain. It wasn't the retailers fault. Now we have the 'net, and all the international markets that come with it, I feel for the NZ retailers who are against that. It's still not their fault, we are still a small market at the end of a long chain.

[BMWST?]

Must be bloody tough being a retailer on high street.Massive overheads before you even open the doors.
I always get my small stuff through a shop but once stuff gets above 300-400 i will try motobins etc.I always get riding gear from a shop.
I want/need my shop to be there

[Eddieb]

Agree with pretty much all the sentiments here, I'm trying to support local but the locals aren't making it easy.

In respect to the crashbars I was willing to wait a month for the distributor to bring them in as I didn't expect them to be held in stock in New Zealand, but 3 months lead time for delivery is just taking the piss. Price hadn't even come into the discussion.

[cs363]

I remember before the internet, we just put up with this as NZ is a small market at the end of a long supply chain. It wasn't the retailers fault. Now we have the 'net, and all the international markets that come with it, I feel for the NZ retailers who are against that. It's still not their fault, we are still a small market at the end of a long chain.

Agreed, the so-called free market (which seems to be largely one way, open slather here but still hard for our exporters in certain markets) has a lot to answer for. Though that said, like any industry some retailers and distributors don't do themselves any favours.

Agree with pretty much all the sentiments here, I'm trying to support local but the locals aren't making it easy.

In respect to the crashbars I was willing to wait a month for the distributor to bring them in as I didn't expect them to be held in stock in New Zealand, but 3 months lead time for delivery is just taking the piss. Price hadn't even come into the discussion.

3 months lead time does seem exceptionally long, I wonder if it had anything to do with production schedules and the like? For instance NZ distributor has no stock, places enquiry with manufacturer who tells them that they aren't making a run of those for another 2 months (plus best part of a month to ship stock order to NZ). Meantime you find overseas retailer who has item in stock...
There is often more than meets the eye in these sort of situations, and often the retailer may not give you the full picture (either through ignorance - distributor did not make it clear to them, or laziness - retailer just tells you it'll be 3 months with no explanation)
Not making excuses as I know what it's like, when you have the money burning a hole in your pocket and the desire for something in your heart.....

[Kickaha]

For too long retailers have sat safely in their monopoly's and given us what they want at the margins they want.

At the margins they want? fuck you're a funny man