They might reply quicker to an email. I've had outstanding service from AFC motorcycles here in Palmy. The local Suzuki agent has't been too bad either.
They might reply quicker to an email. I've had outstanding service from AFC motorcycles here in Palmy. The local Suzuki agent has't been too bad either.
Yep to all the above.
I think there's a bit of "you've walked in through the door so now we've got you" going on too. They know that a lot of their walk ins will grumble about the price and the wait but will go for it anyway because as a customer here in this tiny country what are your options? Do the run around all week, probably ending up exactly where you started anyway, or just suck it up here and now? Small economy, very limited number of suppliers for anything specialist... so why would the shops try harder. As Pritch pointed out, the internet, global shipping and a credit card now mean that anyone can go international and completely skip all this bullshit... but the shops don't see that.
The brighter side is that finally - finally - some kiwi businesses are starting to run properly in terms of semi-local orders via internet and email. They're finally getting decent online shops set up. It's possible to place orders after hours. Yes please, and keep it coming.
I agree, it's fuss free and you know exactly what you are paying.
Yes Suzuki. Not surprsied nothing has changed.
That's not reassuring but I totally understand. Last time I visited a bike dealer I spent around 20mins in the shop and didn't speak to anyone. Now everyone did look busy but no one even waved or raised their eyebrows in acknowledgement. I just took it as they were busy but still...
Praise the random number generator lord for although he works in mysterious ways he is the one and we shall not question his authourity.
That always amuses me. They're in retail for fucks sake. They're allegedly working in a business that needs customers. What I want is a "Gidday, how you doing, looking for anything specific today I can help you with?" The interaction is usually followed by "Nah mate, just having a browse". "No worries sing out if you have any questions". Less than thirty seconds. Sets a friendly tone. Leaves the door open for more interaction. Lets me know they're interested in my business. Really, it isnt difficult.
Having said that, its not confined to motorbike dealers. I was looking for a new car a few years back. Middle aged white dude, wearing a suit. Drove up and parked my then 7 year old car outside the dealership and proceeded to wander about aimlessly because I was genuinely interested in another car (at the time a Ford Focus RS - dont judge). I walked past three sales drones and not ONE of them looked up or asked if they could have helped me or did anything to express any interest in actually selling me something. So I went and bought another Subaru. Fuckwits. Not only that, I tell the story to everyone, and I will never, ever buy a Ford motorcar because they can lick the sweat from my wrinkled scrotum. I even emailed the business owner - got an apology but as he said "its probably too late now". You think?
I thought elections were decided by angry posts on social media. - F5 Dave
Sounds like the bank I went to last week to get a change order - pre ordered and everything. Over 1/2 an hour to get served cause the 2 tellers had a queue of 6 and some more complicated stuff. Still the banks are not happy as their profits are down for the year from $5.77 billion to only $5.71 billion. Looking at reducing costs! The arseholes of the world
Quote Jan 2020 Posted by Katman
Life would be so much easier if you addressed questions with a simple answer.
Just to put some context around the bar end fiasco.
One fell off the AN125 my wife uses. Fell off. Gone.
I asked for another one, thinking it would include the bolt,spacer, rubber expander and nut. Oddly, they fell off when the bar end fell off.
But no. The OEM bar end arrived after 2 weeks. Without any means to fit it to the bike.
2 more weeks to get the bolt, spacer, etc.
I kind of feel that I should have ordered a while kit,but isn't that what parts guys are for? To undo the assumptions that mere mortals make? I assumed the bar end would come with all the fittings.
Especially given that it cost $62. And then I had to pay an additional $17 for the fittings.
At least Dick Turpin wore a mask
The option most of us want to take buying the motorcycle parts we want ... is the quickest option. Until we find the item is not in stock (and the price that they'll charge when it does arrive). Suddenly the delivery time doesn't matter. Cost often overrides delivery time as a purchase factor. The more that choose online purchases ... the less businesses will be able to stay in business. Import (used) motorcycles changed the game. Most Motorcycle shops wont stock parts for models that weren't imported new here. And the pricey bits that seldom get asked for ... are unlikely to be kept in stock .. for a "just in case" sale.
A dammed if you do ... and dammed if you don't ... for the shops parts department.
It is not just Motorcycle parts department's affected ... ALL vehicle parts departments are having the same issue.
Is it likely to get better anytime soon ... ?? Probably not.
It is up to the individual person wanting to buy a part for anything ... to choose THEIR best option.
The choice is speed or cost. The final cost is often not seen ... Somebody will lose if the cost is the deciding factor.
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
Even if it was in stock and I could see it sitting there I wouldn't pay 3 times the amount for it. I expected this part for my 2002 GSXR to not be in stock and to have to wait for it to come from Japan. But not at 3 times the amount.
Or speed and cost as in my example. I can guarantee I'd have it here quicker from America than they would from Japan (and I understand why from working at a Honda M/C dealership).
I've bought from bike shops before and paid a little more than I would've from overseas but speed played a big factor in justifying the $250-$300 extra on a $1600 helmet as an example. But 3 times the price? Nope. If it was a critical part I still wouldn't pay that. It simply isn't justifiable.
Last edited by onearmedbandit; 25th February 2020 at 20:46.
I think BMW parts were the item that really changed the game for me. No wreckers in NZ really have BMW bits, asking BMW NZ has a mandatory step of asking the bank for another mortgage first. Ebay and UK companies, awesome.
The circlip holding the starter button in broke a year or two ago. Didn't know until the button was gone... can't start the damn bike. How much for a new button and circlip? Can't buy that from BMW, you need the whole combination switch block at the cost of hundreds of dollars. UK company was 10 pounds per button and circlip, I ordered two to make the postage look better.
I landed a lightly used final drive and drive shaft for less than a third of the price of BMW NZ new (the drive shaft had 2900km on it). Yeup, no 2 year warranty, but I could also eat more than baked beans...
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
Not bike parts, but...
Looking for a replacement cellphone case(old one tattered). Nothing available in NZ retail stores for an older model phone, so took to that Big River website, where there was the exact item I currently have that works well. Price was US$8-.
"I'll have that" so went to purchase.
Price + US$40- (shipping). Then PLUS NZ$9- tax!
W...T...F...!!??
Seriously?
The Amazon tax that this government introduced, has not helped NZ retailers since they refuse to stock product here, so we now get doubly screwed.
Order was cancelled.
Gaffer tape applied to cellphone case instead.
TOP QUOTE: “The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people’s money.”
There are probably a lot of people that bring stuff in that is available here, but for me, very little of what I bring in could be purchased here - at all. The stuff that can be purchased is several times more expensive, so even with tax, it's still cheaper by a margin that makes it worth it.
A while back I tried getting the Nolan N104 in yellow fluro. Importer advised they had to buy 6 of each, that is, 6 M, 6 L etc. They didn't see the market for it... so yep, bought from overseas.
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
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