Haldanes is closed

**Katman** · 3rd February 2013, 18:44

Originally Posted by Zedder

I'm asking because it's obviously tough out there which makes it very important to have an insight into the minds of customers and what they want but also (and this really hurt) Katman red repped me and reckons I know nothing about the situation so this may help me.

It gratifies me that I made you cry.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 3rd February 2013, 18:44

Originally Posted by Ocean1

And will the yoof of today accept such massive sacrifices for the greater good?

Nah. They'd rather wank on about how it's impossible to get ahead here in NZ. Wonder if they've checked out the price of real estate in Sydney...Melborne or London of late?

**Ocean1** · 3rd February 2013, 18:47

Originally Posted by SPman

Yep, some are making a profit, banks etc are making record profits - just like the US and UK - doesn't mean a lot down where it hurts, though. Depends what you are involved with. Here in WA, the mining boom is distorting the figures rather a lot - those involved in the mining sector are doing very nicely, a lot of others aren't.

Yes, I know WA is doing very well, and Queensland a little less so, but what some here don't get is that every other state is in recession ,(as in an ongoing contracting economy). If Au wasn't a republic Tasmania would be a basket case, and the rest not far behind.

Originally Posted by SPman

I see the richest 100 people in NZ have increased their wealth by 28% last year....yeah - times are tough for them and their hangers on - and that's who the finance reports are aimed at

Where, exactly did you see that?

**Shortie** · 3rd February 2013, 18:49

Most business's in Nz are going through some sort of evolution, customers are changing their methods, most are doing research online first before coming into the store - not necessarily expecting a better deal though.

One of our local motorbike shops has closed down just recently and I am left with a shop mainly setup for dirt bike riders, so the only way I can sit on a new road bike is to go to a bigger town.

I think his prices are a bit high for consumables compared to the Internet but you have support and experience there, you can't get that on the Internet.

All in all these shops will survive with competition all around them because their customers are loyal, and they adapt quickly.

**Robert Taylor** · 3rd February 2013, 18:50

Originally Posted by boman

Ok, here is a question for all of you, in KB land.

I am after a Akrapovic exhaust system for my 675. Where in this country, is there someone interested enough to help me, can I purchase said exhaust. Full system, from Headers to Muffler. I asked 3 dealers to supply a price. As I was shopping on a Saturday.

After 1 month of waiting with still no answer, from either dealer. I asked a guy in America. Within an hour I had a price. On a weekend there. Saturday to be exact.

Now I still havn't purchased said exhaust. So if you supply me, with a New zealand agent. I will consider buying in New Zealand.
I want to purchase here.

But to put things into perspective. $3000.00NZ dollars for an Arrows System, off Amps. Or $1900.00 NZ overseas. Shipped.

I will not divulge how much The Akrapovic is. I am interested in what happens.

I think the answer is simple in this case, everyman and his dog is making and selling pipes around the world. Its oversubscribed and always a dutch auction. Pipes are something that I would never entertain importing to resell, no margin worth getting out of bed for. There isnt really an Akrapovic distributor in NZ, just one that piggybacks onto the Aussie distributor, hence more cost. Look at Leo Vince, it came and went here, its a headache. Production schedules are decided months in advance and the more you buy the better the price. Relatively speaking there are no people in NZ! OH, AND YOU ALWAYS END UP WITH STOCK AND PARTS THAT YOU WILL DIE WITH, THAT DOESNT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE

**Robert Taylor** · 3rd February 2013, 18:52

Originally Posted by scumdog

My pet hate #12.

Something I would never do.

But plenty of people have no reticence in doing so, and no conscience

**Madness** · 3rd February 2013, 18:54

Originally Posted by Digitdion

Forgive me if I am mistaken.

Don't sweat the small stuff, Princess. This is the interwebs after all.

Originally Posted by Digitdion

But that's what I thought a niche was. Doing something that others are not. Being unique!

McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Carl's Jr. Are eny of them unique? No, they're not, they all offer a similar product at a similar price point. Maccas was here first and the others have since come to do what was already being done by the competition. The taste and quality of the food varies but that's about refining your offering to suit the market. If they wanted to be truly unique and cater to a niche, they'd be offering something along the lines of halal-vegan-virginal lesbian-GE free-burgers.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 3rd February 2013, 18:55

Originally Posted by SPman

Oh dear, the exasperated retort of someone who knows they are wrong, but is pissed off about it so shoots the messenger - a common enough reaction.
.

Why am I wrong? I love living here. I earn enough (but fuck all by some peoples standards) to live a comfortable fun life. I have some nice motorcycles and live in a nice apartment. I can buy beautiful fresh food of an incredible quality by walking 200m. Yes I pay $2.00 a litre for fuel to feed my thirsty/noisy V8 ute (that other countries wouldn't allow you to own/run), but I've seen it way dearer in Europe.

I can ride my (two stroke) dirtbikes on public beaches if I keep away from the crowds. I can walk the streets at any time of the day or night in total safety.

What's not to like? And I'll repeat what I said before...anyone that finds living here hard should simply fuck off. Saying that hardly makes my opinions wrong despite you thinking so.

**Bikemad** · 3rd February 2013, 19:03

why is it we,as the greatest Dairy Nation on the planet as i am led to believe..............pay more for a litre of fucking milk,grown and processed here so to speak,than we do for a litre of gas,dug up ,refined then sent to our shores??????............somewhere in there is the answer why bike shops are going to be a thing of the past in my opinion

**Digitdion** · 3rd February 2013, 19:03

Originally Posted by Madness

Don't sweat the small stuff, Princess. This is the interwebs after all.

That's coming from someone who labeled everyone Twats who brought bike stuff off the Internet.
And also you still never answered the question I asked you many pages ago in this thread. Do you do any of your own maintenance on your motorbike? Because you are so passionate about supporting the industry!

**Zedder** · 3rd February 2013, 19:07

Originally Posted by Katman

It gratifies me that I made you cry.

Cry? Yes, I was crying with laughter Katman. Perhaps a class in sarcasm 101 might help you understand things most people take for granted.

**Madness** · 3rd February 2013, 19:07

Originally Posted by Digitdion

That's coming from someone who labeled everyone Twats who brought bike stuff off the Internet.
And also you still never answered the question I asked you many pages ago in this thread. Do you do any of your own maintenance on your motorbike? Because you are so passionate about supporting the industry!

Actually, I labelled people Twats for buying stuff over the internet for small personal financial gain. This last bit is important as it suggests that my stance is towards those who privately import product which is available locally all for just a small price difference in their favour, partly due to the avoidance of tax, and that reason alone.

No I don't, I hardly even wash the thing. My bike is for riding.

Twat.