Honda Otago to close

[Hailwood]

The exchange rate against greenbacks has recently taken care of that problem, if it remains at around 50 to 55 cents US its better for NZ as it helps our export industry. Also bear in mind that big US companies recieve much greater bulk purchase discounts, and because they have a wider / much larger market they run on very small margins / high turnover. And when the exchange rate was in the mid to high 70s that distorted their advantage somewhat. Add to that many private imports do not attract customs clearance fees, gst on those fees and gst on the written value, often fraudulently underwritten by request.
Unfortunately given all of those factors NZ dealers are not competing on a level playing field and get tainted as rip off merchants by those who are not interested / dont understand why such disparity occurs. There is a strong case to advocate the re-introduction of import licensing so that it protects NZ business and all those they employ. Or at minimum private imports should attract the same clearance / port fees etc and gst as per normal business.

I dont disagree with you at all on this regarding the lack of level playing field and the relative size of our market, nevertheless it must be eating into dealers' bottom lines. I just got delivered the air filter I mentioned from USA, not only for $$$ less but also quicker than the dealer time quoted from the distributor. It is the right part because I checked the number before ordering..

With only so many dollars to spend, it seems as if more and more people are looking for best bang for buck and if you can research it and get factory parts etc for way less then I know where most people will go...sad but true

[Forest]

The statement I was retorting to...was the almost impossable to get farmer to pay...and that would be more the exception than the rule....and workshop work is the bread and butter of many rural service motorcycle shops...and most do get the bike shops to service the machines.

It isn't a question of credit worthiness. Farmers are more reliable in that regard than many others.

My point was that farmers strongly dislike commissioning an outside agent to handle the service work on their farm bikes and quads. They either:

1. Do the maintenance work themselves (in the best traditions of kiwi DIY)

2. Skimp on the maintenance until the bike or quad falls apart.

If you don't believe me, then go out and talk to rural service agents. Most of them will tell you the same.

[Robert Taylor]

It isn't a question of credit worthiness. Farmers are more reliable in that regard than many others.

My point was that farmers strongly dislike commissioning an outside agent to handle the service work on their farm bikes and quads. They either:

1. Do the maintenance work themselves (in the best traditions of kiwi DIY)

2. Skimp on the maintenance until the bike or quad falls apart.

If you don't believe me, then go out and talk to rural service agents. Most of them will tell you the same.

And then want max dollars at trade in time...................

[98tls]

They certainly don't survive off the servicing!

Getting an NZ farmer to pay for servicing a farm bike is almost impossible. They either do it themselves, or don't do it at all.

Have to disagree there mate,back in the day when selling bikes at Uptown in Dunedin spent many days picking up 4 wheelers for servicing,doesnt seem much has changed as the local Su=uki dealer here is always out n about picking them up and the workshops full of them every time i go in there,someone posted up about David Shand (shandy) one of the best,when working at Uptown he was working out back and there wasnt to much he didnt know when it came to farm bikes,bumped into him a few years back at the rally in Alex.

[MDR2]

Liquidation sale on tomorrow.

Bikes for sale at reduced price. Don't know what stock will be up for grabs

bike gear upto 50% off

advert is in the otago daily times.

[HRT]

Went in last week and the bikes were discounted a couple of grand off a fair few. Gear, tyres, oils etc were all 30% off and busy as. Maybe they have some boots left that will fit this time Got a jacket last week

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Got some gloves and boots last weekend on there sale... but might have to go and have a quick look tomorrow