Ractech and a rotting stench

[Pixie]

Now I must away, Im looking out at the panoramic seascape of activity from my waterfront mansion. The new leather armchairs are really comfy and I especially like the new solid oak sidetables that have just been delivered, they are the right height so that I dont have to strain unduly to reach my cocktails. I will be bored with this soon though and retire to the southerly end of the house that overlooks the 1000 acres of plains where I can witness herds of vildebeests majestically sweeping across the horizon. It also troubles me which vehicle Im going to drive to the bordello tonight, the Ferrari or the new Aston. I think Ill also phone ahead and get the girls to dress in full Nazi regalia, about 5 of them should do the trick.
The politics of envy is still very much alive, as is simplistic ignorance

Surely if you are going to get the girls to dress like that,then the correct car to arrive in would be the SSK.

But,to play Devil's advocate,some of the arguments could be seen as Socialist/Muldoonist protectionism,the average purchaser pays a premium for those few that may require after sales service.Not exactly user pays but I guess that's life.

[Robert Taylor]

I believe it show's how in touch he is with the motorcycle scene away from the race track, and a small percentage of road/ trail riders. Why should those who ride on the road, and want quality products pay a premiumin by the way of extra markup to subsidise the suport of a minority of people? Hence the need to look elsewhere to source the product.


No problem at all with that.



So you got good quality adivice that solved an issue for you, that is what value added service is about.




Maybe that is a Business model for the future, if the increased markup on his products to cover his support of the sporting end of the market is putting off to many potenial purchases from dealing with his business!

Tell me do other Businesses offer service's such as tyre fitting for a fee at race meetings?? Do riders complain about that?

NONE, REPEAT NONE of our road racing and other sporting activity is subsidised by our regular sales. We have contracts in place with the distributor riders ( Bugden, Stroud, Smith, Shirriffs etc ) who all get first call because we are paid to be there! Then we have second tier contracts with riders like Easton, Frost etc.
Asuumption is a dangerous game.

[CRF119]

If every body stopped buying products from overseas it would make life easier on our distributors, they would beable to order more of the same product and get them in at a better price. How ever most people these days like to sit on there butt and order online normaly from overseas. This dosent help NZs problem with lack of jobs and it just means distributors get sick of stocking a product when most get it direct.


I say good on Race Tec.

How ever Crown Kiwi do seem a bit dear for a lot of there products.

I use RG3 NZ for all my suspension needs

[The Pastor]

so if your prices are more because you have the knowlede and service, is this then free?

[Stampy]

I had my Speedtriple Forks done by Robert and Shaun, Night and day difference. Money well spent, wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I bought another bike, as people have already said It's not only the springs and valve kit your paying for, it's the vast anount of knowledge that goes with it!!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

The scenario is Mr Headbanger is going out and needs a little bit of methamphetamine to help him along for the night. A Guy on the street corner has it for $400 a gram but you can go into a chemist in Bangkok and buy what you need to make this stuff for the equivalent of a couple of NZ dollars, work at it a bit and get it to Mr Headbangers place for much less than the $400.

Idiot.

Might I suggest you re-take Econ 101? The constraints in the respective markets due to to one product being lawful and one unlawful render your comparison meaningless. Not to mention pointless, and offensive. Mr Headbanger has every right to be rather ticked off at your inference that he is a user of a Class A prohibited substance, you dick.

[imdying]

Errrr.. I think you need to find another suspension guy.. They are actually very easy to work on if you're happy with me doing half a job and being based on an upmarket unit once the issues are sorted out great shocks !

Added the missing bit. Sure, I can paint your car for $300, but don't open the bonnet of doors, those bits are hard to get to so I didn't do them

[ukusa]

If every body stopped buying products from overseas it would make life easier on our distributors, they would beable to order more of the same product and get them in at a better price. How ever most people these days like to sit on there butt and order online normaly from overseas. This dosent help NZs problem with lack of jobs and it just means distributors get sick of stocking a product when most get it direct.

But it's the distributor who needs to make the first move, otherwise it's a catch 22, chicken or the egg stuff.
I know the size of NZ will never make things cheaper than the States, but If the distributor took a risk & bought a few more of a product in in order to lower the price a bit for consumers, then maybe people will start buying here first, but they need to make the first move.
For technical and/or mechanical stuff I can see where the expertise of the local supplier might be needed, but prices for the majority of other accessories (seats, fairings, racks, bars, chrome bits etc etc) all stuff that the average Joe Bloggs can fit themselves without any technical knowledge whatsoever needs to shift down to encourage the local buyers.
I've recently spent around NZ$700 on bits & pieces out of the States & that includes shipping, exchange rate and GST. That same lot would have cost me a around $1200 locally. If the prices were only a few dollars more here I would have bought here, no question. but as it stands, there's no comparison.
Do the distributors even know how much cheaper ex-overseas is, or do they work on the theory that only 50% of people order overseas, so they still make enough money of the person paying top dollar?
IMO you're better off selling 100 items at $100 each than only 50 items at $200 each.

[Howie]

Have you considered that the sporting end of the market (be it road or off road) is the driver for the suspension improvements that flow on through other segments? The other segments aren't so much subsidising the sporting guys as riding on their coat tails, sucking up all their R and D for next to nothing. Where do you think those "quality products" (and businesses) you talk about are developed? How do you think they got the reputation for being "quality products" (and businesses)? Ohlins, Penske,WP, CKT, Dukic, Ray Clee, Moto Dynamix etc have knowledge and reputations that have been hard won on the track and now you want to say "Sorry, I don't need that."? Best you get along to The Warehouse motorcycle department and have a chat to one of their 16 year old experts.

Yep I have considered that, and that is built into the manufacture's price of the product ex factory!! not on the market put on by a wholesaler or distributor.
If I need the technical advice for something I'll gladly pay for it, as and when required

i think you are missing the point somewhat Paul.Robert is trying to run a business and his product is no doubt at the top end of the market.However people import the same product at a price cheaper than he may because there is inconsistent application of "duty" etc for personal importers.That aint right.If you bring in a shock that cost you 1200 US then you should pay whats due..All this arguing about getting stuff cheaper overseas can be bought to a logical extreme.Half of us would be out of work because nearly everything can be sourced cheaper out of NZ.The rest of us would very quickly follow.I beleive this is what RT refers to when he says support the local.

only some of the price discrepancy can be put down to import duties/GST not being paid by single private imports, and should also be offset by economies of scale with shipping costs etc.
The main reason for the government to not purse GST on all private importing is probably that the cost of enforcement would out weigh the money earned.
The argument of half of us would be out of work doesn't stand up Paul, as nearly the same amount of money is ending up offshore, it is just the middle man missing out.
I don't mind paying for value added, which in the case of Robert is sure to be there by the sounds of it, howeverI prefer to see that I am paying for the service and not the product then I know what I am purchasing.

NONE, REPEAT NONE of our road racing and other sporting activity is subsidised by our regular sales. We have contracts in place with the distributor riders ( Bugden, Stroud, Smith, Shirriffs etc ) who all get first call because we are paid to be there! Then we have second tier contracts with riders like Easton, Frost etc.
Asuumption is a dangerous game.

Fair coment Robert, I apoligise for the way that came across.

I am probably looking for realistic reasons for the price discrepancies between purchasing in NZ vs Buying through the internet. Not just in suspension products, or even motorcycle products for that matter.

[HenryDorsetCase]

But it's the distributor who needs to make the first move, otherwise it's a catch 22, chicken or the egg stuff.
I know the size of NZ will never make things cheaper than the States, but If the distributor took a risk & bought a few more of a product in in order to lower the price a bit for consumers, then maybe people will start buying here first, but they need to make the first move.
For technical and/or mechanical stuff I can see where the expertise of the local supplier might be needed, but prices for the majority of other accessories (seats, fairings, racks, bars, chrome bits etc etc) all stuff that the average Joe Bloggs can fit themselves without any technical knowledge whatsoever needs to shift down to encourage the local buyers.
I've recently spent around NZ$700 on bits & pieces out of the States & that includes shipping, exchange rate and GST. That same lot would have cost me a around $1200 locally. If the prices were only a few dollars more here I would have bought here, no question. but as it stands, there's no comparison.
Do the distributors even know how much cheaper ex-overseas is, or do they work on the theory that only 50% of people order overseas, so they still make enough money of the person paying top dollar?
IMO you're better off selling 100 items at $100 each than only 50 items at $200 each.

Triumph accessory prices here are a joke.

in your last example, havent you made $10000 each time, but in your $100 x 100 example havent you had twice the hassle?

the issue is if the price is $100, you might sell 400, if the price is $200, you might sell 100 items: I think I remember pyramid shaped diagrams waaaaay in the dim reaches of my memory apparently illustrating supply and demand or marginal something or other. Buggered if I remember now but I am sure it was riveting.

[Ivan]

well how about you stop your fucking crying on the inter web thingy and buy some shit from overseas and save you self $20 and why your at it start up your own company and import all your own gear and supply all the other whingers and see how easy it is to make a living out of it

I was thinking the same thing this guy is a Robert Basher I have read his name bashing Roberts work in threads,

I think he should just admit he is making pointless small digs trying to make Robert look like a criminal when in fact said person is making himself look like a cry baby

[SixPackBack]

I was thinking the same thing this guy is a Robert Basher I have read his name bashing Roberts work in threads,

I think he should just admit he is making pointless small digs trying to make Robert look like a criminal when in fact said person is making himself look like a cry baby

Hard to argue with that Ivan.

I have a new found respect for Robert after this thread. It is now obvious that CKT is as much a victim of circumstance, and the disparity in NZ vs USA pricing comes largely from a combination of import duty, stock level, and bulk discounting that heavily favours the USA.

[Ivan]

The thing is I could get my Ohlins etc from overseas cheap as chips, But I dont know if it is fucked or not? seals could be gone etc at least paying through Robert you know it comes good and he helps you when you need his help.

I have brought anything suspension through CKT and will not go any were else

[Pussy]

With the support and back-up that CKT offer, it's a no-brainer to me that I will continue my dealings with them.
I have been very fortunate over the years to get to trial new stuff and different settings etc for Robert too.
CKT have a passion for their field.

[ukusa]

Triumph accessory prices here are a joke.



in your last example, havent you made $10000 each time, but in your $100 x 100 example havent you had twice the hassle?


the issue is if the price is $100, you might sell 400, if the price is $200, you might sell 100 items: I think I remember pyramid shaped diagrams waaaaay in the dim reaches of my memory apparently illustrating supply and demand or marginal something or other. Buggered if I remember now but I am sure it was riveting.

In my experience most other brands are also bloody expensive.

I see it as a bit like those who set prices for events like rugby. They charge too much, then complain after low turnout that no one is supporting the local team. Better to have 30000 supporters at $10 each than 2000 supporters at $50 each. I know selling motorcycle parts is completely different, but kiwis are well known for seeking a bargain, why do you think pak n save 5 kms away is always full, but the local 4 square isn't.