The chance of a lifetime: You are asked to start a bike shop. How should it be done?

[bogan]

Just a point here.

Who honestly believes that a MacDonalds hamburger is not a "highly specialised product"? If you do then you are fooling yourself.

Mass produced every day in 100+ countries around the world to the same exact standard. I would probably say that it is one of the most techincally refined items ever created by humankind. If you don't beleive me then just try making one yourself from scratch, then make another 10 million and see how they turn out - all in one day.

Seems wierd I know but I would honestly say that the common big mac (for example) has gone through more design iterations and anlysis than an ohlins shock.

I'm not posting this to annoy Robert Taylor just highlighting the fact that:
MacDonalds created their market out of a standardised product which was able to be delivered by a simplified & standardised process (their kitchen design was their real market winner for those who read up on this stuff).

This is how MacDonalds dominated their industry. I thought this thread was about how, theoretically, a bike shop could dominate their local market - in the opinion of the customer?

I think I misread the title of the thread though, it should read "Who knows the most about business models and wants to prove it?"

yeh, anyon with that much market share knows thier shit about buisness. I don't like thier food, cept maybe for some drunken om nom noms.... but the fat kids seem to be loving it.

Well for the first 10 pages it was what customers want, then the next 10 it was you customers don't know shit, then the next 10 it was something about business models.

[Robert Taylor]

yeh, anyon with that much market share knows thier shit about buisness. I don't like thier food, cept maybe for some drunken om nom noms.... but the fat kids seem to be loving it.

Well for the first 10 pages it was what customers want, then the next 10 it was you customers don't know shit, then the next 10 it was something about business models.

More like a game of splitting hairs, you said this I said that and stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

[bogan]

More like a game of splitting hairs, you said this I said that and stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

but I don't smoke I also came up with the solution to any unfair price margins put on by the NZ wholesellers, free markets FTW! Would you like me to fix your PR issues as well?

[Robert Taylor]

but I don't smoke I also came up with the solution to any unfair price margins put on by the NZ wholesellers, free markets FTW! Would you like me to fix your PR issues as well?

I dont smoke either and if you think you came up with a solution TRY IT!!

Unfair price margins??? Not that tired old statement again, borne of assumption and short on truth.


PR, the only PR issues I have is wasting my time justifying ''tricky isues'' to those who think they have all the answers. In reality you will note that I have through many threads acknowledged good ideas. And been just as condemning of ones that are very risky on the basis of having less industry knowledge than those putting it forward thought they had.

[bogan]

I dont smoke either and if you think you came up with a solution TRY IT!!

already am, buy from overseas if cheaper

Unfair price margins??? Not that tired old statement again, borne of assumption and short on truth.

read the any in my post, the only assumption is you assuming that I'm saying there are unfair margins.

PR, the only PR issues I have is wasting my time justifying ''tricky isues'' to those who think they have all the answers. In reality you will note that I have through many threads acknowledged good ideas. And been just as condemning of ones that are very risky on the basis of having less industry knowledge than those putting it forward thought they had.

I would consider people feeling they are getting a crap deal locally so buying internationally a PR issue. Of course that business principal may not apply to your industry either...

[Brian d marge]

Mdcds
I actually have an interest in this company , its what right and whats wrong with The United states ( of NZ) The base product , is refined and specialized but is flexible enough for the customer ,( here the biggest complaint was the waiting time as the non thinking tried to order ) within a short time the menu was streamlined , now as has been pointed out in these hard times a lot of base product has been reduced in price to one coin ( 100 yen , u cant but a bottle of coke for that )
The kitchen was streamlined
BUT the company as a whole makes its profits from another completely different revenue stream ( property I believe)

On the reverse of all that , Its not healthy for you and the company makes no apologies for that ( some token gestures such as weight watchers etc and of course that super-size me movie )

but as a company ,,,,,,,

As I said before if I could find that crossover product , service ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Stephen

[FROSTY:Me]

BACK TO THE ORIGONAL QUESTION. If I was by chance setting up a dealership what would I do ? To start with I'd look around the country possibly even the world and see what formula seems to be the most sucessfull. I'd then see if that model could be applied to the area I'm thinking of opening up shop in.
I'd also be lookin very hard at how much money the company would need to make on a quarterly basis in order to survive-taking into account ALL operating expenses and see if that is a reasonable expectation.

[Brian d marge]

Ya cant go back to the original question ,,,thats not how things are done , you must go completely off topic then start a new thread One must follow procedure !

But if applying such a model isnt that what a robust business plan is for ?

Stephen

[T.W.R]

Please quote where I said to throw Ohlins parts at a TT250 set of forks?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! Its real bright to misquote

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129688216

Linear wound springs is one of Ohlins treats and Rach Tech emulators is another of your's.

and "bring it into the modern world"..... that could be percieved a number of ways

[Robert Taylor]

Don't be such a narrow minded bigot
business operating principles apply to any form of BUSINESS

Just think your beloved Ohlins wouldn't be where it is now if Yamaha hadn't brought into the company
you've just got a chip on your shoulder with me from what I said you not long after you arrived here on KB, and it still rings true........the almighty push for your franchise despite what a poster really wants to know.....a few weeks ago the guy with the TT250 yamaha wanting fork oil capacities for the bike and you charged in saying to throw ohlins parts at it :slap: the bike in the states where the poster was from would be worth nics...... real bright to throw ohlins at it sure the forks would be better but it'd show up all the deficiencies of a nigh on 30yr old trail bike....you don't care as long as you push your product

The reality is I bear no malice whatsoever with you. I cannot be bothered dredging through to find out who said what but whatever it was Ive lost no sleep. I dont recall meeting you personally ( not that I have the foggiest idea who you are and also place myself at a disadvantage in that respect )

I just happen to disagree with a few things that you have said and have challenged that, in fact there are a few things that you have said that I also agree with. But I certainly dont have a pin cushion modelled on you!!!

Linear fork springs and emulators are made by Race Tech and my beloved viking mates make nothing for that bike. Yes indeed most people would choose to limit their expenditure on a 30 year old trailbike, no argument with that mindset. But its also fair to point out that not all of us subscribe ( for example only! ) to a 1970s mentality of ''preload the springs with a few coins or washers and throw heavy oil in it'' You would actually be surprised at the number of people that actually are prepared to upspec the suspension ( or whatever ) on their seemingly worthless old bikes.
Just as one example I currently have a 75 RM250 in my workshop that Im about to custom build a set of Ohlins twin shocks for at a little over 2k, front fork internals upgrade at maybe a little under or a little over 1k. And also a 82 Maico that the guy initially took the cheap option with and installed a shock made in Thailand. The guy who sold it to him was ''pushing the product'' but it failed to deliver!!!!! It nearly killed him so hes now doing it properly and at both ends. So he probably thinks it wasnt too bright listening in the first place to the guy pushing the dodgy Thai made shocks.
These bikes have got value to the customers, so each to their own.
There does seem to be a bit of ''sport'' going on in this forum of condemning people who are prepared to spend the time and money to do things properly. Each to their own.

[Robert Taylor]

already am, buy from overseas if cheaper

read the any in my post, the only assumption is you assuming that I'm saying there are unfair margins.

I would consider people feeling they are getting a crap deal locally so buying internationally a PR issue. Of course that business principal may not apply to your industry either...

How about some common sense?

Basic business principles apply to any business ( who said otherwise or misinterpreted to pick an argument? ) But each and every business has its own peculiarities that you adapt to.

I happen to purchase McDonalds every now and then, usually only for convenience and lack of time while in transit or suchlike. I know what Im expecting, how cheap it is and that its not going to be a culinary delight. They have their place and I never said otherwise to anyone.

And Ive said it before, not every bike shop is going to give you a crap deal.

As for my own specialised industry yes there are price pressures from overseas but we largely meet that and also provide something the overseas internet resellers cannot, local service, backup and knowledge of our roading and track conditions. From that I believe we largely derive good PR that I personally am proud of.

Ive challenged many things you have said simply because like a few others on here I have been in the trade a very long time and know what the issues are, abundantly. If I personally had blinkers on I wouldnt have adapted as I have and continue to do so. In 30 years that i have been in the trade there has been one big constant, CONSTANT CHANGE. I also happen to agree with a number of your grizzles as they are justified, and why wouldnt I?

[bogan]

And Ive said it before, not every bike shop is going to give you a crap deal.

but if people think you are going to, thats a PR issue init?

As for my own specialised industry yes there are price pressures from overseas but we largely meet that and also provide something the overseas internet resellers cannot, local service, backup and knowledge of our roading and track conditions. From that I believe we largely derive good PR that I personally am proud of.

yes in your specialised suspension industry, which I don't think I've refered to once. For parts I don't care about any of that stuff.

Ive challenged many things you have said simply because like a few others on here I have been in the trade a very long time and know what the issues are, abundantly. If I personally had blinkers on I wouldnt have adapted as I have and continue to do so. In 30 years that i have been in the trade there has been one big constant, CONSTANT CHANGE. I also happen to agree with a number of your grizzles as they are justified, and why wouldnt I?

And thats what got on my nerves, you were asked to keep your opinions to yourself so there could be a brainstorming session, and when you couldn't manage that, you only gave vague reasons to support your negativity.

[Robert Taylor]

but if people think you are going to, thats a PR issue init?

yes in your specialised suspension industry, which I don't think I've refered to once. For parts I don't care about any of that stuff.

And thats what got on my nerves, you were asked to keep your opinions to yourself so there could be a brainstorming session, and when you couldn't manage that, you only gave vague reasons to support your negativity.

No, your perception of negativity, a reaction to stating some home truths and realities. Its entirely possible and indeed very desirable to have a positive outlook but it also rather helps to have both feet on the ground.
Its a crime to disagree????

[bogan]

No, your perception of negativity, a reaction to stating some home truths and realities. Its entirely possible and indeed very desirable to have a positive outlook but it also rather helps to have both feet on the ground.
Its a crime to disagree????

of course its my perception, whos else would it be.

course its not a crime to disagree, but if you repeatedly do so without significant supporting arguments in a place you have been asked to leave, you look like a bit of a douche. That also is my perception.

[Robert Taylor]

of course its my perception, whos else would it be.

course its not a crime to disagree, but if you repeatedly do so without significant supporting arguments in a place you have been asked to leave, you look like a bit of a douche. That also is my perception.

And I thought I had an argumentative disposition....................................... .....I think you should put up by starting a venture like you have outlined and just prove how wrong we who have been in the industry a long time really are. Preferably do it with your own money though.