Buy from NZ? I tried but come on...

[Coldrider]

NZers are losing their jobs through more effective uses of IT, not just www purchases.
If there is no money in a particular sector of trade and commerce, that industry needs to be exited and skills transferred to a more profitable activity.

[MarkH]

I think its honourable that you are not mindlessly bagging all retailers lumped in together.

That is because I like my favourite retailers and prefer to spend my money with them when I can. When they can't get what I want from their suppliers or when they can't get what I want for a reasonable price then I have to look elsewhere, I regret those situations because I want to support my local retailers so they will stay in business for a long time to come. I just wont give away a heap of my money just to buy locally - the price locally needs to be within reason compared to what I could pay importing from overseas.

[jaffamont]

I think theres a danger of too many assuming that everything revolves around $US. For example we purchase our beloved Ohlins product in Swedish krona because the factory is in Sweden and that is their currency. They opted not to go with Euro and that is probably a good thing as they will not be helping to prop up failing economic basket cases like Greece. If the exchange rate against Swedish krona remains stable but at the same time the $US strengthens markedly ( meaning more $NZ are required to purchase $US ) then you will see that the buy price against the Swedish currency remains the same but then increases markedly if you purchase in $US.

Speaking for ourselves we have lowered our prices as overall our kiwi dollar has strenthened against Swedish crowns. We have also cut our margins to very tight levels to compete with the unlevel playing fields out there ( internet sales ) But you have to be careful about deriding dealers and distributors for generally ''failing'' to lower prices due to numerous other factors that have offset that. The cost of operating businesses has increased markedly over the last few years due to many factors including such things as the introduction of 4 weeks paid leave.

Respect to you for adapting your business model to meet the needs of and compete in the modern marketplace. However as I read it you have to take great care when setting your prices so as not to step on the toes of businesses that are unable to operate as efficeintly as you? Not sure why you bother? Darwinism will ensure that you will not be needing to supply them for too much longer.

The way I see it, if you need service then get the items from a local shop (if you use that shop to size up an internet purchase, you really are taking the piss). If you know exactly what you want and you need no further advice then go ahead and get the best possible price.

[short-circuit]

The reality is amongst all the whys and wherefores , justifications and non justifications the situation that prevails is threatening the livelihoods and job security of many of our countrymen, and this extends well beyond the motorcycle industry.
That is a bigger and more pressing issue than everyone saving a few dollars. Ok many people may not give toss if it contributes to putting people from our own country out of work, but just how many people can live off the Government? We are already paying for the ''false prosperity'' economy we had for almost a decade on the back of property value specualtion and banks that were out of control.
This is a generalised statement not intended to incite a riot! Im just stating some of the very real negative by products ahnd unfortunately there is no easy solution and of course this reality is here to stay.

I love the irony when self proclaimed right w(h)ingers [read: free marketeers/anti-regulation proponents/social and economic darwinists] start nashing their teeth when it works against them and crying for government regulation/protection. Even more ironic that these same economic realist types start harping on about morality and "putting your countrymen first".

Here's something I purchased online especially for you Robert:

[Quasievil]

I love the irony when self proclaimed right w(h)ingers [read: free marketeers/anti-regulation proponents/social and economic darwinists] start nashing their teeth when it works against them and crying for government regulation/protection. Even more ironic that these same economic realist types start harping on about morality and "putting your countrymen first".

Here's something I purchased online especially for you Robert:

mmmm Someone has to pay the wage bill in NZ, so when it doesnt work well for those people dont you think they should bitch moan from the hilltops?
or should we all just forget it import everything and go on the dole ?
Lets regulate to kill enterprise and Business completely in NZ.

[Max Preload]

I understand what is said about the size of the NZ market and it's buying power in comparison to larger markets, but what about this example.

Samsung 5 Series 40" LED LCD TV

Harvey Norman advertised price - $1698
Target America - $1563

And Magness Benrow for $1666. Surely they don't have any considerable economy of scale.

I suspect many more tvs are sold than bike parts.

But that's probably the same case in the US. But their bike parts are so cheap...

Harvey Norman is a trans tasman company so they have huge buying power when you combine ozzie and new Zealand.

Yet the prices at the smaller guys here are so similar... (of course, we all know where the buying power goes... into so-called 'interest-free deferred payment deals')

[short-circuit]

Lets regulate to kill enterprise and Business completely in NZ.

I'm all for tariffs and protections - always have been. I just have to laugh when right wingers start crying out for selective protections and market regulations when they are directly impacted by "Free Market" realities. I feel an online splurge coming on....

[Voltaire]

I love the irony when self proclaimed right w(h)ingers [read: free marketeers/anti-regulation proponents/social and economic darwinists] start nashing their teeth when it works against them and crying for government regulation/protection. Even more ironic that these same economic realist types start harping on about morality and "putting your countrymen first".

Here's something I purchased online especially for you Robert:

I love the irony of bikers who think on one hand its fine to spend your money oveseas to avoid margins/markups and tax... but on the other expect the Govt and taxpayers of NZ to pay for better roads and ACC.
Less money spent here= less businesses= less jobs= less Govt tax intake= less Govt spending
Correct me if I'm seeing that wrong....

[short-circuit]

I love the irony of bikers who think on one hand its fine to spend your money oveseas to avoid margins/markups and tax... but on the other expect the Govt and taxpayers of NZ to pay for better roads and ACC.
Less money spent here= less businesses= less jobs= less Govt tax intake= less Govt spending
Correct me if I'm seeing that wrong....

Like I said before ALL FOR TAX AND TARIFFS but I aint selective about it like RT et al. I never voted for tax cuts last election. Do you honestly you think paying GST type taxes is doing your bit?

My point is simple - these same people who have trumpetted on and on for laissez faire policy are now crying like bitches for regulation. Fuck em.

[Voltaire]

Like I said before ALL FOR TAX AND TARIFFS but I aint selective about it like RT et al. I never voted for tax cuts last election. Do you honestly you think paying GST type taxes is doing your bit?

My point is simple - these same people who have trumpetted on and on for laissez faire policy are now crying for regulation. Fuck em.

I had an electical business, mainly installing heatpumps, so have a fair idea on how a business works, once the recession kicked in discretionary spending was reduced. I got out of that as no one wants to pay for a quality job, just a cheap one. I could not compete with cowboys so I flagged it.
Anyone who sets up and runs a business, good on them.

Actually I'm not that unhappy about paying what I do in tax, I am amazed how this place even runs on a tax base of 3 millionish.
All the whingers on this site should go and see the rest of the world if they think they have it bad here.

I buy stuff from overseas a bit as I run 30 year old bikes and there is no local support.
I even buy my Ducati parts off Haldanes

Interesting that people are buying more and more on line from overseas....and the Govt is thinking of outsourcing ACC to overseas companies.....sign of the times?

[onearmedbandit]

I love the irony of bikers who think on one hand its fine to spend your money oveseas to avoid margins/markups and tax... but on the other expect the Govt and taxpayers of NZ to pay for better roads and ACC.
Less money spent here= less businesses= less jobs= less Govt tax intake= less Govt spending
Correct me if I'm seeing that wrong....

The seat cowl from Honda cost $620. From America it cost NZ$210. So imdying sent $210 off-shore. Had he bought it from Honda I'd wager more than $210 would have gone off shore. So in effect, imdying (and I) kept more money in NZ then had he bought it in NZ.

[short-circuit]

I had an electical business, mainly installing heatpumps, so have a fair idea on how a business works, once the recession kicked in discretionary spending was reduced. I got out of that as no one wants to pay for a quality job, just a cheap one. I could not compete with cowboys so I flagged it.
Anyone who sets up and runs a business, good on them.

Actually I'm not that unhappy about paying what I do in tax, I am amazed how this place even runs on a tax base of 3 millionish.
All the whingers on this site should go and see the rest of the world if they think they have it bad here.

I buy stuff from overseas a bit as I run 30 year old bikes and there is no local support.
I even buy my Ducati parts off Haldanes

Interesting that people are buying more and more on line from overseas....and the Govt is thinking of outsourcing ACC to overseas companies.....sign of the times?

Good post. It's sheer lunacy (driven by greed) to have decreased our tax base the way we have. I agree also with your point that we are extreme in comparison to the rest of the world in terms of how little tax we pay.

Back on topic, buying bike bits locally (and paying 3 times the price for the privilege) might make some people feel good - to me it seems a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face. I have no sympathy for the arsehole retailers on KB whinging about this situation however. Their plight is a result of their own politics

[yungatart]

The cost of any article is in the distribution chain.

A pen is manufactured for 10 cents...it goes through several (in some cases, many) points, each one putting their costs on top, before it is available for you, the customer, to purchase at a cost of $2.00.

The manufacturer and the retailer put on their profit margin but most of that extra $1.90 cents is put on by the distributers/warehousers/freight companies, not the manufacturer or the retailer, which is why you can buy cheaper overseas...it passes through less hands.

[Bassmatt]

mmmm Someone has to pay the wage bill in NZ, so when it doesnt work well for those people dont you think they should bitch moan from the hilltops?
or should we all just forget it import everything and go on the dole ?
Lets regulate to kill enterprise and Business completely in NZ.

Is your gear made locally. Are you supporting the local leather and clothing manufacturers? Why should it be any different for the end user?

[MSTRS:Me]

The seat cowl from Honda cost $620. From America it cost NZ$210. So imdying sent $210 off-shore. Had he bought it from Honda I'd wager more than $210 would have gone off shore. So in effect, imdying (and I) kept more money in NZ then had he bought it in NZ.

So the $410 that was kept in NZ went into the local money-go-round? Or imdying left it in the bank, or didn't have it in the first place?
Unless imdying spent it, the local economy did not benefit.