Coleman Suzuki - Rip off of the month

[Elise]

I get pissed off with colemans. there is something about them that makes me go elsewhere, and its not just the price.

Agreed
I bought a GN from them a couple of years ago, it had a fucked carburettor, and “idled” around 4000rpm, made it a bitch to ride as id be at the lights and when they turned green, I’d release the clutch and almost throw myself into the car in front of me. For a beginner rider this was quite scarry.

Took it back 3 times to colemens to fix, and every time the bike came back with the same problem...

[Sanx]

THE IMPORTERS ARE THE REAL ROBBIN BASTARDS!


PS.. you'll like this Steve... Whats the difference between batman and a scouser...??
Batman can go out with robbin...

...without Robin. Sheesh.

[Swoop]

Like a modern computer, a modern motorcycle will become a commodity item. If it breaks, throw it away and get a new one.

So true when discussing suzukis...

[EJK]

Anymore rip offs we should care about??

[Conquiztador]

Wanted NV400 head gaskets. Local shop quoted $99/gasket, was told had to come in from Japan. Bought from a chap that is also on here (Honda shop) for half price and had them inside 3 days...

[boomer]

Sheesh.

kebab?!



.....

[limbimtimwim]

Don't buy spark plugs for your Honda RVF400 (NC35) in New Zealand. Get them from somewhere else.

[Edbear]

The fine line between profit, and profiteering. A business has to be making around 30% margin to grow.
If for arguments sake, the bulb is $12.00 from the importer, then it should retail for around 17-20 in a store that wants to be both competitive, but not undermine its margin. $50.00 for a bulb, and an aftermarket one at that, is excessive.

I see this constantly in my industry, our main competitor will quote a price to a customer, who then comes and tries us instead, and we are heaps cheaper on our bog standard book rate, which we can sharpen up again, and our competition lose a sale, and often a regular customer.

When I was running my own business back in the '90's my accountant told me I had to make 33% GP or I wasn't viable. In five years I increased turnover four-fold and my GP from 26% to 43%. Even at 43% GP average, which on my biggest seller meant a 110% markup, I was still considerably cheaper than my competition! For example, a torch I sold for $65.00, was $84.00 from my competition, yet I made as much or more per item due to me being the importer's largest reseller giving me better buy rates. The funny thing is, my cometition was, (is), a national chain. However the Energizer batteries I only made 5-10% on and often sold them at cost. My second biggest selling item was the same price as the supermarkets yet I still had a 30% GP on that. But I sold it in bulk and bought by the tonne ex-factory.

Many of the items I sold as a one-man show were cheaper than the big stores and my business was growing faster than I could capitalise. I was about a month away from doubling turnover on the bulk stuff when I got sick.

Lesson? Don't work yourself into the ground, listen to your accountant and take it in stages, take care of your health and you'll survive to be competition to the bigger shops who can take the knocks and still be around. There's a reason why Coleman's are still in business despite being typical of the seemingly rip-off margins on some items.

The car/bike parts industry is always about these stories. I ordered my VA lowers direct from the manufacturer in the States as Suzuki NZ didn't have anything for my bike and they arrived in four days at a very reasonable $195NZ at my door including shipping insurance! In 6 months, Bikesport Helensville was unable to get the leather tank protector from Suzuki NZ despite it being a listed accessory and despite repeated assurances it would be "in next week". Mathew gave up and cancelled the order and suggested I get it myself from the States direct.

[Robert Taylor]

I'm not a person who normally gets irate, whats the point, life is too short and who needs to be bitter and twisted. This incident however did make my blood boil.
My low beam headlight bulb on the gixxer had blown so I went onto the Colemans website to enquire what the price was. I entered all the details into their enquiry screen and waited a couple of days for a response.As usual there wasn't one, infact I don't know why I bothered because I have never, ever recieved a response to any of the enquiries sent via that site.
A day later I rang up and enquired on the price. The guy on the phone said "if you want a genuine one that'll be $150", shocked by this I said 'how much?" to which he replied 'we have accessory ones from Narva for $55." Surely no one in their right mind would be happy to pay either price.
I rang Narva and they sell the same unit for $16 retail. Now I know you have to make a margin on these things but this can be classified as a blatant rip off. How many other items are they ripping the bag on?. Like me have you been or potentially been a victim of their merciless greed and their total dissrespect for their clientele?

If a rip off is a rip off then fair enough. But the danger with internet forums is that the other party may not get a fair hearing and there does seem to be a kangaroo court reaction. With respect to indicators the aftermarket accessory ones are predominantly made of tissue paper comapred to oem. Cheap comes at a price, normally dissappointment not too far down the road.

[Max Preload]

Remember if you do that, there will be no backup from any shops for you.

And just how would that be any fucking different?

[P38]

I get a big enough discount from my crack, err, motorcycle dealer to make shopping overseas not worthwhile. A crack dealer, err, motorcycle dealer relationship goes two ways, if you want to put the effort in.

Yeah well if there was $50 or so in it I probally wouldn't bother.

As for relationships I just wanna buy stuff at a reasonable price, not marry the theiving bastards.

And I've found there's more reward in puttin effort into sniffin out the bargins.

Sometimes thats the local guy, Sometimes Not.

[P38]

And you wonder why the prices are high?
Remember if you do that, there will be no backup from any shops for you.
Its people like you who are ruining this industry.
I garrantee, you will be the first to complain when shops stop bringing curtain items in.
Why buy a car in NZ? They are soo much cheaper in Japan!

What do you mean "Its people like you who are ruining this industry".

By this Do you mean people like me who refuse to get ripped off?

Do you like getting ripped off?

Would you not buy a similar item if you found it elsewhere at a better price?

Be honest with yourself now.

I buy stuff from overseas on a semi regular basis, and your right sometimes you do need back up.

One electrical item I bought recently from a Chicago company failed. I emailed them, they replied overnight and I sent the item back. 10 days later the goods were returned all fixed. Thats probally better service than what I'd get from down the road.

Your also right when you say "Why buy a car in NZ? They are soo much cheaper in Japan"
I expect thats why theres thousands of Jap import Cars on our roads.
I would even go so far as to say You probally own one.

Maybe we should ask "Why buy a bike here"? They too are much cheaper elsewhere.

Maybe we dont need Stealerships, Maybe they will dissappear, Maybe no will care

As long as the goods people want are still avalible to them through some other means maybe no one will miss them either.

[Conquiztador]

Not long now before all NZ service is done from Philippines.

"Ooo golli gosh, you need servise sir"

[boomer]

Yeah well if there was $50 or so in it I probally wouldn't bother.

As for relationships I just wanna buy stuff at a reasonable price, not marry the theiving bastards.

And I've found there's more reward in puttin effort into sniffin out the bargins.

Sometimes thats the local guy, Sometimes Not.

i prefer sniffin glue, however there's little reward in it.


ps.. i'm an import; Brought in at a huge cost. i don't believe i'm wafer thin. or am i an export.. i always get confused

[Max Preload]

Not long now before all NZ service is done from Philippines.

"Ooo golli gosh, you need servise sir"

Firstly, your impression is more stereotypically Indian than Filipino.

Secondly, most Filipinos I've met speak (and no doubt write) better English than NZ'ers. I'm sitting next to a Filipino at work these days, and his English is just fine and his manner is couteous and helpful. He's been here 6 months. On my other side is an Indian, only 1 year the country, and he's the same.

So I say, the sooner the better! Who the fuck would want to speak to Lynn of Tawa?