Haldanes is closed

[Howie]

It's not the internet, it's how we're using it. I've seen posts on here of people buying shit online only to find on recieving it that the exact item was available locally for the same price.

Again, it's not just bike shops but that just once again highlights the inability of some people to see the bigger picture.

The big picture is what most people see. Just like a Business most people have a fixed budget, and want to get the best return from that. You get price variations both on the internet, and between shops.

And you don't think that could be a sign of reduced cashflow, the beginning of the end. It won't just be the end for the bike shop but also an end to having choices and active competition in the marketplace.

Retail needs to adjust, and realise that internet buying is now part of the competition in the market place. Just as other industries have had to adjust to market changes

The only thing that's simple here is people like you & your narrow-minded "all about me" mentality. There will always be demand, but will there won't always be retailers in this country offering us the convenience & choice we're all accustomed to. Do you think the bigger markets like the U.S are facing these same issues? I think not.

Time to stop denying it just so you feel better about having saved $100 on a pair of thermal underwear or summat at the expense of a New Zealanders job.

So what would you recommend? A return to subsidised industries? and tariff's etc?

Oamaru the carpet factory has just gone tits up

quote from the mayor" people are buying the cheaper nylon carpets, which are cheaper and shoddier , Thats why the company was running at a loss)

right there is your answers

Stephen

Nope the real answer lies in answering the question of why are consumers buying the cheaper product.

My opinion is that the Low Wage economy that NZ has is a real problem in a country a small population base. It force's the average person to make choices based on price vs quality, and unfortunately more often than not price wins.

[breakaway]

With the advent of new technology, things change. Business models and people who refuse to are left behind, and are left clawing at straws reminiscing of a bygone era when the grass was greener.

Just like how people bitched when they had been working on an assembly line in a factory doing some menial task when they were replaced by a robotic arm.

If you can't adapt, you're fucked. No amount of excuses is going to save you.

[Brian d marge]

Nope the real answer lies in answering the question of why are consumers buying the cheaper product.

My opinion is that the Low Wage economy that NZ has is a real problem in a country a small population base. It force's the average person to make choices based on price vs quality, and unfortunately more often than not price wins.

you got it , the question is why are people buying cheaper carpets

hahahhaaa

oh thats right , its the free market

Stephen

[Madness]

The big picture is what most people see. Just like a Business most people have a fixed budget, and want to get the best return from that. You get price variations both on the internet, and between shops.

There's a lot of people on here who can't see past their own nose. Isn't it great that there's price variation between shops? That's called fair competition, usually played out on a level playing field. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Retail needs to adjust, and realise that internet buying is now part of the competition in the market place. Just as other industries have had to adjust to market changes

Haldanes adjusted today & the carpet mill in Oamaru earlier in the week. The thing is you can't adjust & survive when the playing field is cocked to the power of 700.

So what would you recommend? A return to subsidised industries? and tariff's etc?

We can't really do that now, can we? There's that thing called the WTO and all the trade agreements & treaties we've signed to over the years as we've "adjusted to the changing global economy". No, I'm suggesting that we could all just at least consider the impact to our fellow Kiwi of sending our discretionary income overseas, particularly when we might not have even given him a chance or flipped him off for the price of a cheezeburger.

My opinion is that the Low Wage economy that NZ has is a real problem in a country a small population base. It force's the average person to make choices based on price vs quality, and unfortunately more often than not price wins.

You're right. And slowly but surely we're collectively selling our arses off overseas, fork spring by fork spring. It's a cycle, a vortex and I reckon we're going to regret it.

[Madness]

With the advent of new technology, things change. Business models and small countries in the South Pacific will be left behind. We'll all soon be reminiscing of a bygone era when the grass was greener and think; "I wish I wasn't such a self-centred twat".

Where are all the people who had been working on an assembly line in a factory doing some menial task when they were replaced by a robotic arm? In a slum somewhere, addicted to crack cocaine & sucking cock every day to pay for it.

If we don't wake the fuck up, we're fucked. No amount of excuses is going to save this country.

Well said that man.

[tnarg]

It won't be long till the only bike you will be able to buy in Auckland will be Harley's and scooters.

[breakaway]

Well said that man.

More whinging huh?

[Madness]

More whinging huh?

Well that was a well thought out, intelligent response. Thanks for your input Cock.

Here, have a book.

[Old Steve]

New bike prices here are also outrageous

No, can't agree with that. "Outrageous" is the prices of bikes here in Australia. New prices are more in $A than the NZ price is in $NZ, and the Aussie dollar buys $NZ1.25 and there is only 10% GST here in Oz.

My 2010 Suzuki Boulevard M50 has just sold for $8500 in NZ, yet there are the same year same model bikes listed on the interweb for greater than $A9000 here in OZ.

Enjoy your Kiwi prices.

[Madness]

Lets not forget the cost of registration and insurance for bikes could be also playing a part in the demise of bike shops

Certainly, I had my bike on hold for the first time ever last winter because I couldn't afford the rego.

We as consumers don't have the ability to influence that though, do we? (perhaps not through a lack of trying). We do when it comes to buying parts, accessories & gear in terms of where our hard-earned dollars go.

[george formby]

I had my bike on hold for the first time ever last winter because I couldn't afford the rego.

.

That sums it up.
Admittedly I live in a low population part of the country but the vast majority of the people I know are getting poorer. Employers or employees. Haldanes demise is sadly typical of the situation small to medium sized NZ business's are facing. People are on the bones of their arse so the cheapest option is the typical option. Whether it be at the mall rather than the high street shops or the internet rather than the local supplier, everything is budget. You can pay a few $$'s through paypal & have your own on line mechanic sort your problems out if you want to.
You can't hunt them down & kill them if they fuck up, though.
It's shite, even with the best intentions it's hard to support local business sometimes.
I dunno, slowly but surely we are becoming corporate cattle. Having to budget so much lessens our freedom of choice, quality & service.

[GrayWolf]

With the advent of new technology, things change. Business models and people who refuse to are left behind, and are left clawing at straws reminiscing of a bygone era when the grass was greener.

Just like how people bitched when they had been working on an assembly line in a factory doing some menial task when they were replaced by a robotic arm.

If you can't adapt, you're fucked. No amount of excuses is going to save you.

You're right, the market did and has adapted to the demand.... over the last 100 years, motorcycles have gone from a 'novelty', The days of the brough superior, indian, and many small 'boutique' manufacturers. Two world wars where the motorcycle was a message runner machine. So there were large numbers of ex Govt machines available in an economy where people earned low wages compared to the purchase price of a 'horseless carriage'. The motorcycle became a serious cheap form of transport often with a Watsonian attached.
By the 1960's the rockers signified a change in attitude to bikes.. the cafe' racer.
In just a short period of time, probably around 10 years; the UJM style of bike was replaced by the early sprot bikes... We the customer, have instigated the demise of our own supply market. Motorcycles are a 'leisure' toy now. They spend the week in the garage for summer weekend 'jaunts', and hibernate out of summer weather.
The gear we now buy is for leisure use in the main, a bike which does heaven forbid, more than 5-6,000 km's a year is considered 'high usage'. The high reliability and often, longevity, of the modern engine has probably taken huge chunks from the spares/repairs market.
We're returning to almost the beginning again... boutique style manufacturers, and limited supply of the product.

[Brian d marge]

You're right, the market did and has adapted to the demand.... over the last 100 years, motorcycles have gone from a 'novelty', The days of the brough superior, indian, and many small 'boutique' manufacturers. Two world wars where the motorcycle was a message runner machine. So there were large numbers of ex Govt machines available in an economy where people earned low wages compared to the purchase price of a 'horseless carriage'. The motorcycle became a serious cheap form of transport often with a Watsonian attached.
By the 1960's the rockers signified a change in attitude to bikes.. the cafe' racer.
In just a short period of time, probably around 10 years; the UJM style of bike was replaced by the early sprot bikes... We the customer, have instigated the demise of our own supply market. Motorcycles are a 'leisure' toy now. They spend the week in the garage for summer weekend 'jaunts', and hibernate out of summer weather.
The gear we now buy is for leisure use in the main, a bike which does heaven forbid, more than 5-6,000 km's a year is considered 'high usage'. The high reliability and often, longevity, of the modern engine has probably taken huge chunks from the spares/repairs market.
We're returning to almost the beginning again... boutique style manufacturers, and limited supply of the product.

and to add to that ( as Ive been saying all along ) , if the business model doesnt change you go belly up .
If I ran a bike shop, in NZ , I would be organising weekend "events " a few week night events and " oh btw " we aso sell and service bikes" ( paired down to the minimum ) ie make the money on the events and try to breakeven on the bikes

Also, how easy is it to buy a bike , I seem to remember in Aus ,you could almost walk in and walk out with a new bike, withthe repayments being very low ( that was a few years ago !!)

Stephen

[gammaguy]

It's not going to get any better when twats keep buying stuff on the net from overseas for small personal financial gains.

Good one

Let's ignore the fact that motorcycles are more expensive than cars,the importers and some dealers are a lot less than proactive in some cases,and the accountants will tell you there are a million better investments than running a bike shop.

Fact is,the times are changing,and nz in real terms is poorer than it used to be

Luxury items like motorcycles will always be the first to suffer

[skippa1]

Certainly, I had my bike on hold for the first time ever last winter because I couldn't afford the rego.

We as consumers don't have the ability to influence that though, do we? (perhaps not through a lack of trying). We do when it comes to buying parts, accessories & gear in terms of where our hard-earned dollars go.

I really agree with what you are saying, but where is the threshold of reasonableness? I went to Haldanes for a set of fly bars for my bike, they were $675 NZD. The same bars on line from a Victory dealer in the States were $150USD delivered to my door.
I discussed this with the parts guy and he agreed, Victory has been spoken to and they wont supply Haldanes with parts that are at competitive prices so that people would go to the dealer......as a dealer they have to suck it up. As a consumer, if I could get the same bars from Haldanes for 10-15% more than the Ebay price, I would do it.....but there is a line I draw whereby I am not going to devalue my own $ and work efforts by spending that HUGE difference solely to keep the dealer in business, or I will be out of the business of supporting myself.

I dont know what the answer is, I just know it isnt simple.