Buy from NZ? I tried but come on...

[onearmedbandit]

Agree, however, is there evidence that wholesalers supplying NZ retailers are minting it?

Probably not, but someone somewhere is saying, 'ah fuck it, NZ ain't getting that price, no siree.'

[steve_t]

Probably not, but someone somewhere is saying, 'ah fuck it, NZ ain't getting that price, no siree.'

How do our bike gear and parts compare to Australian prices?

[rwh]

Probably not, but someone somewhere is saying, 'ah fuck it, NZ ain't getting that price, no siree.'

It's always possible that the wholesalers are simply so badly mismanaged that they have to slap on a huge margin to make a barely adequate profit ...

Richard

[MarkH]

But who is bringing them into the country and do they have a monopoly?

Ahhh, someone understands what is going on here!

When a company has the monopoly on OEM parts they can charge what they like and screw over the consumer.

I bought an exhaust gasket for US$12 instead of NZ$40 so that I would have that part for less than half the money. I agree with the concept of supporting the local businesses, but I don't have the spare money to waste on paying >twice as much for the same item. I wish I could afford to be more generous to the local bike shops and other charities - but I just can't. I know it isn't their fault, I am sure that they are getting charged more from their suppliers than I am paying to get the part from overseas. I don't blame the bike shops, but I still can't afford to throw my money away supporting them.

I've bought motorcycle accessories & parts, camping equipment, leather preservative, books, DVDs, electronics, rechargeable batteries, clothing, and many more things from overseas. Sometimes it is cheaper, sometimes I just can't get the same item here in NZ.

I have even joined up with www.shipito.com to get an address in the US of A to have goods sent to from companies that don't sell overseas and also to save a shitload on shipping. They can combine multiple packages into one and send it, I've already saved hundreds in shipping so far.

[onearmedbandit]

How many Sony importers do you think there are in NZ? Or Samsung? Pioneer? Panasonic? All these importers have a monopoly.

[Smifffy]

How many Sony importers do you think there are in NZ? Or Samsung? Pioneer? Panasonic? All these importers have a monopoly.

Most of those manufacturers will also have global pricing, because they know that somewhere if someone is able to cotton on to parallel importing they will do it, and the manufacturers brand will end up suffering in the long term.

[onearmedbandit]

Most of those manufacturers will also have global pricing, because they know that somewhere if someone is able to cotton on to parallel importing they will do it, and the manufacturers brand will end up suffering in the long term.

Which is what is happening already to our motorcycle market.

Despite where it is happening, I think we all can agree that it is happening, that for some reason we are getting shafted.

[rwh]

How many Sony importers do you think there are in NZ? Or Samsung? Pioneer? Panasonic? All these importers have a monopoly.

I suspect many more tvs are sold than bike parts.

Richard

[onearmedbandit]

I suspect many more tvs are sold than bike parts.

Richard

And I suspect the same is for the American market too...

[Gremlin]

Remember that in some goods, it isn't the brand themselves handling the supply chain logistics.

Some bike shops do buy from overseas for their customers, but generally keep it quiet or don't directly go against the importers, otherwise they couldn't buy from them.

[rwh]

And I suspect the same is for the American market too...

Sure, but the total numbers are much bigger.

Richard

[onearmedbandit]

Sure, but the total numbers are much bigger.

Richard

That was established a few pages back. Regardless of why, NZ retailers are getting fucked over by new competition, and they either need to respond or die. The products all come from the same place.

[White trash]

The spelling
The grammar.
Are you pissed?

Constantly. In fact, today is the first day since Christmas Day that I've been sober. Damn you work.......

[ducatilover]

Constantly. In fact, today is the first day since Christmas Day that I've been sober. Damn you work.......

That's the way!

[onearmedbandit]

So basically after all this nothing has been explained as to why we pay such exorbitant prices. Other than the old 'smaller market' argument, which in today's global marketplace doesn't hold water. One of two things needs to happen to encourage more spending locally, either the ability to import goods that are sold in NZ needs to be heavily restricted (not going to happen in this day and age) or the importers/etc need to address the discrepancy and balance things up.

Or they could just keep their heads in the sand, continue to shaft those that don't have the desire to look further afield (don't tell me that they are being loyal to NZ retailers, because at 3x the price there is no loyalty incentive from the retailers) and let those that are motivated enough send their orders overseas.

I'll state it again, I know it's not the retailers fault. But it is their responsibility. It's their responsibility to ensure their customer can get a fair deal, it's their responsibility to ensure more people spend with them, it's their responsibility to ensure their doors stay open. It's the way it is. It's not the customers responsibility.

Until such time though, more and more people are looking off shore to make their purchases and saving over 50% on buying locally. Either things change through pro-active means, or they change because their hand was forced...