Bike shop

[Exotix]

What do you find lacking? If you dont mind me asking.

service first of all. if i want to buy a bike on Sunday, i want an open bike shop to do so.

[plop]

Open weekends would be great, with a kick ass workshop

Service...many times i have been in a shop and all the information i would get is can i help..yeah its a good bike would travel well for what you want etc....

I might not ask the right questions but its up to them to be passionate about bikes and put the hard yards in to get the information and suggestions on what you need.

I went to a shop and was wanting to that day buy a new Honda CB, I said do you have any and he said no we are not a Honda dealer and left it at that now i dont know the ins and outs of that but should he not have said
"we are not Honda Dealer but if you want to buy one from here i will get you one"
Extra mile great service

I know i would love to sell bikes so if you need someone let me know

Plop

[WildBoarMouse]

Okay, just a list of stuff that may be doubled up from above...
- Good online product viewing!
- Keep the "average joe" feel about the place as well so that us plebs feel at home
- Good online product viewing!!
- The cafe thing might not be a bad idea, maybe have a weekly/fortnightly ride starting from this venue?
- Good online product viewing!!! (you don't have to sell stuff online, but show me - in some detail - what you have - prices too)
- AMPs and the new Motomail store in Auckland have a pretty good feel about them. I like the lounge look at AMPs but it's kind of hidden away and I don't feel like I could plomp my ass down for 10 minutes to watch the videos
- Buxom serving girls - who know stuff about bikes - okay, that could be hard to manage. Not many of them around.
- Price matching of some sort? If people have the loyalty they'd prefer to come to you to buy stuff so long as you can match it (or come pretty damn close)
- Advertising!!!!!! I don't think I've ever seen a bike shop advertised in the auckland region!
- Radio promos... maybe start up a small business on the side - partnership, whatever - that runs the license courses, basic handling skills test etc. People go back to somewhere they feel comfortable with. Catch them early in the game.
- Personalised mailers! Maybe something like the farmers card-holder night? Something to give those loyal shoppers a few days notice of the specials.
- Fund raisers for charity! The bikeshop might not have to put in much, but most riders would probably make a $2-5 donation every month or few. Hook it up with a charity group that would provide the advertising. Maybe not practical.
- Sourcing of parts for jappa bikes! Make it easy. maybe make this online? I don't think anyone else does this in NZ???

Just some other stuff... A lot of people do a vast amount of online price comparisons, and that number is only going to increase. I hate having to ride around 3-5 places to have a look at stuff only to find that only 2 of them have the product I'm looking for in the first place.

Okay, I'm out of ideas at the moment. Most of the above is probably crap. Just a random purge of ideas.

Good luck!!!

[Karma]

a range of chick accessories.. Its bloody hard to come across chick leathers and chick corduras...

coffee maker, and i think the being able to get your bike in asap for a service.

Yep... chick stuff is good.

And could have cameras in the changing rooms displaying on a huge widescreen TV in the main shop area.

That'd get my business...

[Kendog]

a range of chick accessories.. Its bloody hard to come across chick leathers and chick corduras...

God YES!!!!!!!

[Exotix]

Why go for the exclusivity thing? How many on here actually ride those brands?

Most people just want the same thing, good prices, top customer service, choice.

.

thats why Lamborgini and Ferrari are bankrupt right? because no-one can afford them? has nothing to ddo with affordability in my mind. bikes are a lifestyle choice, not a must-have like a car. as i said, i would not be adverse to having a Jap cornerstone like Kawasaki or Suzuki.

[Marmoot]

1. Helpful service and trustable mechanics. If I go for a service and I go out with a worn (unchecked) rear brake pads then it is not a good mechanic service.
2. open on weekends.
3. open until 7pm would be a great boon too.
4. but overtly high price would not be a good start either.

That's my input. Up to you to balance it.

[dawnrazor]

consistent service, its no good having a top notch sales guy only to have the engineers be rude bastards.

Also options, instead of two brands of gloves how about ten to choose from. etc. There doesn't seem to be a good quality clothing brand here that won't brake the bank, like "FRANK THOMAS" or HEIN GEIKEN". Tecknic just doesn't come up to par.

As far as bikes go, anything goes. nothing wrong with jappas, particularly now that quality parts seem to be be fitted to more and more models instead of just the litre superbikes.

[SARGE]

a licensed cafe...

[The_Dover]

You asked mate.

How many dealers in NZ sell the more exclusive european brands? How many do they sell each year? Have you done the market research to see if there is room for another dealer shipping them, bearing in mind that Motomail sell MV as well?

You'd do better to run the core business on shit that you can shift in decent volumes.

Ferrari would be fucked if they weren't propped up by Fiat and Lamborghini's core business is tractors. Bit like Ducati I guess.

[WRT]

Make it a friendly and welcoming place to visit. Make sure that the staff keep this in mind at all times too. Too many places (not just bike shops, but shops in general, and an "Exotix" shop could have this problem more than most) come across as "holier than thou" and nothing will get me to turn around and walk out of a shop faster. I like my exotix, but I also like to deal with "real" people, not a know it all wanker, and I'll take my money elsewhere if I dont get a good feel from a store.

[LaggCity]

Be able to get work done on the bikes on the weekend

[SARGE]

You asked mate.

How many dealers in NZ sell the more exclusive european brands? How many do they sell each year? Have you done the market research to see if there is room for another dealer shipping them, bearing in mind that Motomail sell MV as well?

You'd do better to run the core business on shit that you can shift in decent volumes.

Ferrari would be fucked if they weren't propped up by Fiat and Lamborghini's core business is tractors. Bit like Ducati I guess.

hey Coleman's sells MV.. Motomail has them.. just dont sell them...

[Freakshow]

I would want a shop that is there to help the customer, For example there is a small shop and the guy tells me straight and is helpful. Recently his advice has been great regarding my broken fork, however same problem in town and all i have heard is accusations on how I have done ... wrong, making judgements without questions or understanding. Further more they have not offered any suggestions on how to fix the problem. That kind of atitude makes me take my money elsewhere. The staff make the difference, they are what makes you come back for repairs and accesories or look elsewhere.

Good Luck

[Exotix]

You asked mate.

How many dealers in NZ sell the more exclusive european brands? How many do they sell each year? Have you done the market research to see if there is room for another dealer shipping them, bearing in mind that Motomail sell MV as well?

You'd do better to run the core business on shit that you can shift in decent volumes.

Ferrari would be fucked if they weren't propped up by Fiat and Lamborghini's core business is tractors. Bit like Ducati I guess.

this is all still in the very early stages .