Cheep Shoei and Arai sales on trade me

**alanzs** · 23rd May 2008, 15:59

I have to try on a helmet before I buy it. It's not like a pair of socks... YMHO.

**brendonjw** · 23rd May 2008, 16:26

Having a look through his auctions, interesting that he lets you pick up jackets and clothing but NOT helmets

**jim.cox** · 23rd May 2008, 16:28

This arai training video on correct fit may be of interest /PT

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/...ing_video.html

**Marmoot** · 23rd May 2008, 16:30

Originally Posted by rc_36_rider

no warrenty for faulty items, no returns, no stock... I need that part in a hurry but I have to wait for it to sail out of jap land now I cant ride my bike... I'm brocken down on the side of the road but the shop that used to come pick me up is closed.... all they want to do is take your money make a quick buck and run.

Congratulations, you just described the situation commonly encountered on some of the current local shops.

**Owl** · 23rd May 2008, 16:33

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Here's what he said in response to one of his negative feedbacks;

What do we think about that? Model shapes, not market shapes. Arai offer a different selection of models in other markets -- but if you buy the same model on offer here, you get the same shape?

He's, er, not the best when it comes to public relations. But if at the end of the day all he's doing is selling helmets which are a slightly different fit for swollen Kiwi lumps, it's not entirely deserving of the amount of vitriol he's copping. Hell, if he's selling to the Auckland university bikers at least, for half the buyers it'll be a better fit than what they get from a shop

I notice the Chinese bikers I know don't run around complaining they can't find a good-fitting helmet here in the NZ market

Like I said, I've bought one off naionaio and another locally. They are an identical fit and it's only the pinlock visor and manual that vary. Just comes down to whether the lack of after sales service is worth the $300 saving.

**rc_36_rider** · 23rd May 2008, 16:42

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Congratulations, you just described the situation commonly encountered on some of the current local shops.

Yeah like you say, SOME of the local shops. At least with them you have a leg to stand on and they actully have a premises, they can't run and hide, they can't just stop replying to e-mails and weather they like it or not they must offer a warrenty of some degree and they actully will get you parts if you ask and they will let you try before you buy.

**PrincessBandit** · 23rd May 2008, 16:44

I would have thought trying one on before buying would be standard procedure. But then in my field of work identical model instruments aren't actually "identical" when it comes to the feel of playing them and maybe I'm just projecting that onto another area it doesn't apply to. I'd have just thought though that with something as critical as a helmet, where comfort is an important factor as well as safety, try on before buy would go without saying just in case.

**Owl** · 23rd May 2008, 16:45

Originally Posted by Hitcher

It's interesting that people get so obsessive about Arai when they only manufacture a limited range of helmets. I will never wear one.

Mmmmm, with 6+ full face road helmets available for motorcycles, how many do they need?

**rc_36_rider** · 23rd May 2008, 16:47

Originally Posted by Ferris

Like I said, I've bought one off naionaio and another locally. They are an identical fit and it's only the pinlock visor and manual that vary. Just comes down to whether the lack of after sales service is worth the $300 saving.

Like they say, if you deal with the lowest bidder it pays to have some $$ spare to cover the risk you run and if you do that you would have had enough to get the other anyway.

I bet your opnion would differ if you got a freight damaged helmet and the supplier said something like "it was fine when it left here'' then what do you do? buy another?

**Klown73** · 23rd May 2008, 16:48

Originally Posted by Ferris

Just comes down to whether the lack of after sales service is worth the $300 saving.

That may be the case, I'm not up to play on Arai retail pricing. His Shoei offerings are a bit different:

Niaoniao's X11s are on at $899, X-Spirit RECOMMENDED retail price is $999.
Niaoniao's Hornets are on at $699, NZ RECOMMENDED retail price is $699.
Niaoniao's Multitecs are on at $680, NZ price is $699.

NZ helmets have 5 year warranty.

Is the difference in price really worth it???

**Owl** · 23rd May 2008, 16:49

Originally Posted by brendonjw

Having a look through his auctions, interesting that he lets you pick up jackets and clothing but NOT helmets

Not really interesting as they are drop shipped directly from Hong Kong. He doesn't see them let alone stock them.

**Owl** · 23rd May 2008, 16:52

Originally Posted by Klown73

That may be the case, I'm not up to play on Arai retail pricing. His Shoei offerings are a bit different:

Niaoniao's X11s are on at $899, X-Spirit RECOMMENDED retail price is $999.
Niaoniao's Hornets are on at $699, NZ RECOMMENDED retail price is $699.
Niaoniao's Multitecs are on at $680, NZ price is $699.

NZ helmets have 5 year warranty.

Is the difference in price really worth it???

You're right and I wouldn't do it again. For the record, I paid $750 for mine and they're $1099 locally. Naio's have gone up since then!

**Klown73** · 23rd May 2008, 16:53

anjum (95 ) 14 Dec 2007 niaoniao was the seller
(#128038350)
Yep, damaged parts.....here's how Niaoniao handles this scenario:

TradeMe Feedback:
He is refusing to take responsibility for badly packaged and therefore damaged visor.
trader responded: 14 Dec 2007
Hope this customer read the terms and conditions, if you do not agree do not buy it. We 100% guarantee our products are 100% intact before handing over to courier company, we are NOT resposible for any incident happened during the shipping including late delivery, parcel missing and damged parts. Customer need to contact NZ EMS Courier (EMS track and trace number is located on the parcel packaging).

Interesting, EMS is an international-only mail service, the guy didn't even send it himself!