Poetic justice

[merv]

Hey but at least Sanitarium is bringing back Aussie peanut butter to put alongside the Chinese stuff and with a bit more squealing who knows, they might one day make it in NZ again.

[Kickaha]

but we offer the complete package in being fully conversant with and having the equipment to service and modify the internals of shocks ( those that can be modified, not including the Burgman shocks ) and scratch build as neccessary.

Does that mean you rebuild and modify "other brands" if they are rebuildable?

[Edbear]

Hey but at least Sanitarium is bringing back Aussie peanut butter to put alongside the Chinese stuff and with a bit more squealing who knows, they might one day make it in NZ again.

But the price "will be a little higher for the Australian made product"...

But then I'm a cheapskate and bought Pam's Peanit Butter

[Edbear]

Oops! I meant Peanut Butter, I don't think it has nits in it...

[Robert Taylor]

Does that mean you rebuild and modify "other brands" if they are rebuildable?

Many are and many arent, I can make reccommendations of who can do so to a high standard. I dont have the capacity at present due to a 3 month backlog with my primary product

[bimotabob]

Hi,

I would have loved to see their faces when your service agent told them the cost to sort out their "problem" - priceless
This is one of those times when it's ok to laugh at anothers expense.
The corner cutting kiwi know how attitude is not at all appealing or glamorous when viewed in this format.

I'm guilty.
I ordered a CD workshop manual to save cash on ebay and the company sent 2 out to me and both got lost - I got a refund as they were genuine luckily but the risks are there even on a $10 item.

Hearing people talk about how good parallel importing is - the subject reminds me off listening to people try to justify copyright piracy to me:
It's all fun + games , you shouldn't have to pay that much blah blah.

Regards

[Jantar]

Recently I am one of those guilty of importing parts and gear direct from USA. Usually I am prepared to pay a premium to support the local guys, but a couple of recent experiences has forced me to import directly.

As an example, I wanted to change the final gearing on my DL1000 from 17/41 to 16/43. When I tried to order the sprockets from my local dealer I was told that the standard gearing was 17/42, and that 43T sprockets were not made. Even when I showed the parts guy that the bike had a 41T sprocket from new, and the Suzuki specs showed that 17/41 was standard, he still insisted that the only rear sprockets he could get were either a 42T or a 45T. I imported both the 16T front and 43T rear direct from USA at a cheaper price than the local dealer could supply a single sprocket.

The same dealer told me that there was no such item as a speedo healer. I bought one from Colemans, and even though that isn't strictly importing, it isn't supporting the local dealer either.

Latest overseas purchase has been a Nolan N102 helmet. At $170 cheaper than available locally it is a no brainer. I will still purchase visors and accessories locally where possible.

For items that require setting up and/or tuning for local conditions I will support the nearest speciallist.

[xwhatsit]

In essence, Robert, I'd say the reason somebody would buy from you is for the service. You're paying for the services of a motorcycle suspension wizard, to tune and properly set up the bike. The fact that you also sell the shocks you tune is not that important -- think of it as a package deal. By buying both tuning and parts from you, one saves a bit of money. One could do it as your friend has, buy the shocks separately and then have you tune them, but as this fellow found out it's not going to save you any money.

For something where I don't require service, I'm more than happy to cut out the middle-man. Why would I want to pay the overheads associated with hiring staff, stocking, renting a physical space etc, when I know what I want -- 33mm chromed clip-ons. I think we're seeing a bit of a change in the way things are working; with the internet and advanced shipping systems we don't need the middle-man to import and stock things for us, when we can buy much more directly. Bike shops etc. need to reposition themselves as service providers, providing workshop services, fitments, making sure you buy the right fit of helmet and so on.

It's not just happening in the motorcycle world, I've seen it happen with computer shops and the like too.

It's time to adjust to change -- you've done that very successfully Robert, by becoming a service provider, not just a re-seller. I think other shops need to move with the times as well.

The cat is out of the bag, so to speak.

[Robert Taylor]

Hey but at least Sanitarium is bringing back Aussie peanut butter to put alongside the Chinese stuff and with a bit more squealing who knows, they might one day make it in NZ again.

Within 20 - 30 years our souls will TOTALLY belong to China. As we will be deemed racialliy inferior they will ''cull us out'' by brutal conditions in slave labour camps. And the only allowable bed-time reading will be ''The life and times of Chairman Mao''

[jonbuoy]

Its the way of the world now, I had to import 90% of my stuff as it wasn't available here. I did think about buying three of everything and doubling the price and sticking it on trade me but its not worth the hassle. I'd be better off putting in a few hours overtime at work instead.

We get the same at work - people can buy off US/Asia dealers through websites at the same price or less in some cases than we can. When it breaks/doesn't work they bring it into us we are obligated to help them. No sense in getting bitter and twisted if it was my money I'd do the same as them.

[Robert Taylor]

Its the way of the world now, I had to import 90% of my stuff as it wasn't available here. I did think about buying three of everything and doubling the price and sticking it on trade me but its not worth the hassle. I'd be better off putting in a few hours overtime at work instead.

We get the same at work - people can buy off US/Asia dealers through websites at the same price or less in some cases than we can. When it breaks/doesn't work they bring it into us we are obligated to help them. No sense in getting bitter and twisted if it was my money I'd do the same as them.

Yes I accept that, but do you not think it is inequitable that many one off casual imports incur no clearance fees and tax, whereas a registered importer has to?

[TDC]

Oops! I meant Peanut Butter, I don't think it has nits in it...

Probably no nits but very very likely its got weevils.....

[jonbuoy]

Yes I accept that, but do you not think it is inequitable that many one off casual imports incur no clearance fees and tax, whereas a registered importer has to?

Kind of - but then with the freight and risk that you might get hammered for duty or things get lost/warranty issues its 6 and two threes as to it being worth doing in the first place. Its a bit of a risk, I thought it was worth it - would have only taken one box to go missing for it to have bitten me on the arse.