To import bike gear or not?

[Swoop]

...your term ''stealerships''...

Was referring to the large outlets that attempt to do "everything" (sales/service/aftermarket parts/etc). You are concentrating your business on one specific area, and is (hopefully) doing well in that area!

distributors pay GST on shipments cause they import bulk whereas a single buyer can import one below the gst rate.

however, single buyers get retail price, where as distributors should get distributor price (duh), therefore leaving me asking
if a shoei helmet (raid II) costs 375$ usd at almost any American shop, add shipping to that ($50) and you basically get 560nzd landed.
how come shops here are charging $650?
considering distributor price should be lower than 375$ usd... and if shipping from importer in bulk it should be cheaper as well.

stuff like that really boggles my mind, if you can explain that would be awesome.

also note that shoei has a buy a helmet get an extra visor free program which everyone forgets to mention, they use it as a sales pitch though :S totally bs in my opinion

Very well put. I wish my first post had said it this well!

Must say that I have NEVER been offered a look at a catalogue in store or offered any other alternatives. The standard response is thats all we have so 'take or leave it'. Therefore I can see why people head to the internet for gear.

An interesting comment. I have been into several "dealerships" (large ones!) and they fired up the internet and went sourcing...
Why go to the dealership if they are going to source the item you want and then put their markup on top of that?
A recent experience where the dealership ordered aftermarket parts for me. After four months - nothing! They re-ordered (saying they were "just checking up on the order") and a month later the parts arrived.
It is the service and attitude of the "dealerships" that has put me off using them unless absolutely necessary.
IF it is an item that has to fit my body, I support the local outlets and will spend my roubles with them.

[Quasievil]

so the only difference is there is a kiwi middleman?

Make your point dude.

if you hadnt noticed not much is made in New Zealand, most of us by items made offshore but that money is spent in our economy providing economic bennifits to this country, if you buy the same product off shore where is the economic bennifit for NZ ?

[Robert Taylor]

distributors pay GST on shipments cause they import bulk whereas a single buyer can import one below the gst rate.

however, single buyers get retail price, where as distributors should get distributor price (duh), therefore leaving me asking
if a shoei helmet (raid II) costs 375$ usd at almost any American shop, add shipping to that ($50) and you basically get 560nzd landed.
how come shops here are charging $650?
considering distributor price should be lower than 375$ usd... and if shipping from importer in bulk it should be cheaper as well.

stuff like that really boggles my mind, if you can explain that would be awesome.

also note that shoei has a buy a helmet get an extra visor free program which everyone forgets to mention, they use it as a sales pitch though :S totally bs in my opinion

1) Shipping costs to this far flung banana republic

2) Port fees, MAF, EDR /Customs agent clearing fees. Not applied to one off private purchasers, that discriminatory.

3) GST on all of the charges as above, gst on the landed value of the goods. Note that the goods will be written up and declared at their true value, not a colluded scam that many one off purchasers are into. GST is recoverable but there are administration costs in recovering that very ''money go round''

4) Because many of the big Yank parasite internet trading companies have a HUGE pool of customers even for just their domestic market they get bulk buying that even distributors here cannot get.

5) Related to point 4 above these same companies can operate on very slim margins because their customer base is so huge that they get the volume of business. In NZ you dont get the floor traffic and it is a cold hard reality that the stock turn is miniscule and has to have a higher margin. Related to that the ratio of operating costs to return is a lot poorer than these big companies. Extra mindless taxes and levies over the last 9 years have elevated business operating costs enormously, FACT.

6) A playing field that is not level, if you are a business you have a target on your back for central government levies and taxes. How many have wondered aloud ( for example ) that substanial ACC levies to businesses help to significantly subsidise one of the biggest components of ACC payouts....sporting injuries. The US companies will be paying no such levies, you play sport, you take the risks, you have your own insurance. Self accountability.

7) Etc

It is a simplistic belief that motorcycle dealers make huge profits, that belief is frankly a load of bollocks.

If the current level of overseas internet purchases continues apace there will doubtless be business and employment casualties. Personally, in that light I have no blood on my hands.

Sure a lot of dealers need a damn good shake up, but other advice that has been offered is very relevant, support those that actually know what they are doing and give excellent service. That is far better than sending money offshore to parasites that contribute nothing to our economy.

And if thec palying field was actually level there would be no incentive to purchase offshore.

[Robert Taylor]

National strongly supports the move to a global economy, globalisation, free trade, bugger the local businesses. Labour also supports free trade. So who will you be voting for? The Greens, NZ First, or the Maori Party.

There is the conundrum

NZ First, a vehicle for Winstons ego, only Ron Mark deserves to survive

Greens, Sue Bradford and a drug culture, say no more. So busy trying to save the planet but they are rarely on it.

The Maori Party, some sharp minds there and Tariana Turia actually has some decorum but in the end event they are still a seperatist, divisive entity.

Labour, the most corrupt Government in our history and in reality totally out of touch with the average WORKING Kiwi. Smoke and mirrors.

I would personally rather walk on broken glass barefoot than ever vote for those parties.

Of all the fringe elements only Ron Mark, the Act party and Gordon Copeland deserve to survive. I am not a practicing Christian but at least Gordon Copeland has the courage of his convictions

National, much better equipped ( as a term of relativity ) to run the country as they have a much higher percentage of practical people who have been in the real world.

Granted, they embrace the free market and the free market is biting us bigtime. It is a tragedy that more small businessmen dont enter politics, practical people who believe in self accountability, discipline, hard work and are patriots to their country. Maybe in the future the wheel will turn and it might take a major conflict to do so, as long as the West wins. ( No apologies for saying that )
If we could have the calibre of politicians and leaders such as David Camerons English Conservative party or perhaps a Michael Heseltine we would be all the better for it.

[Semantics]

u gave a good response - but basically you are saying

usa have more customers therefore they can afford to have it on a near to nothing profit margin, therefore admitting - in our situation for example that the extra 90nzd is profit margin.

$40 (not to mention $90) on a helmet is more than enough as a margin, and please dont tell me that you get less than 40$ nzd profit on a single shoei helmet at 650$ nzd sale price.
BULLOCKS!!!!!!

the fact is - NZ dealers sometimes step overboard... should it be ok for them to advertise at $649 .. sure .. but should they be able to offer a 10% discount as a bargaining tool - sure...

anyways in the end of the day, why should i spend 80$nzd more on a helmet if i can get it from overseas?
as a student 80$nzd is a weeks shopping

and not only that - i get a free visor - without having to beg for it!!! or act like the store is doing me a favor.

i dont think you are bringing in mega bucks or anything, i just want to be shown the figures as to why item x is worth $90nzd less overseas than here - oh and when i say $90nzd i already included shipping yes?

so a raid II helmet + shipping + free visor = $425usd - roughly $560 nzd
retail price at most stores (ive seen atleast) in nz = $649

Delivery is probably cheaper for a dealer due to bulk ordering.
so you are saying tax, but then again you can claim for a tax refund at the end of the year - ok maybe not ALL of it.
administration fees is it? 90 freaking bucks?

[Robert Taylor]

u gave a good response - but basically you are saying

usa have more customers therefore they can afford to have it on a near to nothing profit margin, therefore admitting - in our situation for example that the extra 90nzd is profit margin.

$40 (not to mention $90) on a helmet is more than enough as a margin, and please dont tell me that you get less than 40$ nzd profit on a single shoei helmet at 650$ nzd sale price.
BULLOCKS!!!!!!

the fact is - NZ dealers sometimes step overboard... should it be ok for them to advertise at $649 .. sure .. but should they be able to offer a 10% discount as a bargaining tool - sure...

anyways in the end of the day, why should i spend 80$nzd more on a helmet if i can get it from overseas?
as a student 80$nzd is a weeks shopping

and not only that - i get a free visor - without having to beg for it!!! or act like the store is doing me a favor.

i dont think you are bringing in mega bucks or anything, i just want to be shown the figures as to why item x is worth $90nzd less overseas than here - oh and when i say $90nzd i already included shipping yes?

so a raid II helmet + shipping + free visor = $425usd - roughly $560 nzd
retail price at most stores (ive seen atleast) in nz = $649

Delivery is probably cheaper for a dealer due to bulk ordering.
so you are saying tax, but then again you can claim for a tax refund at the end of the year - ok maybe not ALL of it.
administration fees is it? 90 freaking bucks?

Well, as you say you are a student. Continue being studious as you clearly have a lot to learn about the realities of keeping a business afloat in NZ. I only hope for your sake that if you choose to live and work in this country that a reasonable standard of living will still be available.
I for one care for the wellbeing and viability of business in this country.

[Semantics]

rather than giving me an answer you are just walking away,

i understand the idea of supporting my country and my dealers but not if my dealer is ripping me off cause he is abit too greedy.
i am yet to recieve a proper explanation on pricings to explain why the difference of $100 +/- is there.

not to talk about over price alpinestars gear being sold in nz, compared to overseas imports - which you can get alpinestars for atleast a good 300-400$ less :P

how much % profit are they trying to make off us?

let me guess - as much as they can, because hey thats the way the world is.
and since thats the way it is.

what you are missing here is, if a dealership offered a shoei raid II helm (sorry im always using this as an example but it is one of my best) for 580-590$ nzd + visor - i wouldnt think twice to support my dealer and order from him
but close to $100 bloody bucks man, wtf!

[Robert Taylor]

rather than giving me an answer you are just walking away,

i understand the idea of supporting my country and my dealers but not if my dealer is ripping me off cause he is abit too greedy.
i am yet to recieve a proper explanation on pricings to explain why the difference of $100 +/- is there.

not to talk about over price alpinestars gear being sold in nz, compared to overseas imports - which you can get alpinestars for atleast a good 300-400$ less :P

how much % profit are they trying to make off us?

let me guess - as much as they can, because hey thats the way the world is.
and since thats the way it is.

what you are missing here is, if a dealership offered a shoei raid II helm (sorry im always using this as an example but it is one of my best) for 580-590$ nzd + visor - i wouldnt think twice to support my dealer and order from him
but close to $100 bloody bucks man, wtf!

The reality is that after taking into account stock turn, business overheads etc the real profit is not stunning at all.
I am not missing anything at all or evading anything, the reality is that I have been in all sectors of the industry both here and in the UK. In that time I have seen a lot of motorcycle businesses go to the wall because their margins were too slim, FACT. If you are not prepared to understand simple accountancy and how costs baloon and that it is very much not a level playing field, well that is up to you.
But alas I am too old and tempered to know everything.

[Robert Taylor]

The reality is that after taking into account stock turn, business overheads etc the real profit is not stunning at all.
I am not missing anything at all or evading anything, the reality is that I have been in all sectors of the industry both here and in the UK. In that time I have seen a lot of motorcycle businesses go to the wall because their margins were too slim, FACT. If you are not prepared to understand simple accountancy and how costs baloon and that it is very much not a level playing field, well that is up to you.
But alas I am too old and tempered to know everything.

And btw, another liquidator walked in yesterday on a major franchised dealer in Auckland. Internet puchases will in no small way be contributing to such.

[Semantics]

anyways point being, if you feel like you have the extra $$ to purchase from your local dealer then obviously go for it - also works well if you have a good relationship with your dealer.
but if you are poor as heck and want to fend for yourself then order from overseas.

[vifferman]

I've never really considered buying a helmet, gloves, jacket, trousers etc. from overseas, as it's totally important to me that they fit OK and that I can go back to the dealer if there are any issues with waterproofing or QC. However, when I asked about replacement parts for my Shoei, there were none in stock, and they didn't even seem to consider getting them.

As for bikes themselves, I'll shop around and buy where I get the best deal and service. It's a buyer's market. I do feel bad if I test-ride bikes at a shop and then buy elesewhere, but on the other hand, there have been times when I've been offered a test-ride and bought something, when I wasn't even considering it when I walked in.

For bike parts, I get things like oil, chains, brakepads, batteries, etc locally, but don't even bother any more with going to the dealer for genuine Honda parts, as they almost invariably don't have them in stock, due to BlueWing Honda doing such a crap job. It's not so much the price (although I can save up to 75% by buying over the Interdweeb) - it's availability. Here's some examples: APE manual CCTs: the sole importer wanted me to pay more than twice the price he could buy them for, just so he could order them instead of me doing it and bypassing him.
Thottle Position Sensor: couldn't get one, and the cheapest local one was buying a pair of secondhand carbs for a VTR with one attached.
I bought both the CCTs and the TPS from a guy in the UK for less than the retail price of the CCTs here.
Cush rubbers: I ordered these on indent, and after 6 months, I gave up and got my deposit back. I was quoted $85+, and bought them from the US (where they were ex-stock) for ~$20.

Almost every time I've asked for almost any common Honda parts (like brake caliper seals, instrument bulbs, gaskets, nuts'n'bolts), they've said, "Uh... sorry - they're not in stock. They'll be 3 weeks, ex-Japan." I can get them in less than a week, ex-USA, for much less. I'm not going to support a crap outfit like BlueWing who aren't giving me much parts backup support.

Yes, there's a risk buying things overseas. In hindsight, it was probably not wise sourcing my suspension bits from Mrka, but it did save me around $400, which will probably be eaten up by servicing costs here. Some stuff is just too expensive to buy here: I couldn't afford a Power Commander, and couldn't source a secondhand one here, but got one from eBay for US$100. A mate got one brand new over the internet, at a "close-out sale", for less than $100, landed.

[Mully]

what you are missing here is, if a dealership offered a shoei raid II helm (sorry im always using this as an example but it is one of my best) for 580-590$ nzd + visor - i wouldnt think twice to support my dealer and order from him
but close to $100 bloody bucks man, wtf!

Well, at NZ$560, there is $70 worth of GST on that for a start. Buying export from the States should mean you are exempt of their sales tax.

Also, it's $100 at today's exchange rate. If the Kiwi Peso were to drop to US$0.40 again, it would be cheaper to buy locally.

Bear in mind that most local distibutors purchase in USD when they buy from factories.

[scott411]

the internet has made some stuff easier to get, but is also costing NZ in overall sales,

most things are cheaper in the States (look at Iphones, playstation games or anything electronic) it is just size of market, and the fact that the big players over there have the buying power to get prices from teh suppliers lower, and work on lower margins,

you can get Shoeis fro under RRP is you shop around,

and if your helmet gets grabbed by customs, its over $400 so you will be charge 12.5% gst, plus a processing fee, your $90 dearer will be grabbed up pretty quick,

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I think Robert and Quasi raise some very valid points in favour of buying locally, certainly when it comes to clothing and safety gear there is no other option. But, I replaced some fairing parts a while ago (Kwaka ZX10R), the local price was well over a grand - I imported the same bits from the US for under $500 (landed price).
It's pure economics here; Only an idiot (or a rich idealist) would contemplate spending twice the amount of money for the same product, and anyone with any business nouse would surely agree.
It is a global market nowadays, so in order to survive there must be a point of difference. Robert has undeniable knowledge and valuable advice with Ohlins suspension, while what I've heard and seen of Quasi is that he'll bend over backwards to accommodate different budgets and give his advice freely.
Customer service is the key point of difference, and these two deliver in spades.
I'm not prepared however to spend twice the amount of money (from my Helen-ravaged paypacket) for 'genuine' Kawasaki parts that I can source ex overseas.
Suspension and safety gear? That's another matter entirely.

[Unit:Me]

Interesting thread. We purchase through a variety of sources for a variety of items. Of course we are always after the best financial deal, but sometimes we spend a little extra locally. For example, I have just purchased a new set of Quasi leathers (thanks Brett and Paula, awesome). I wanted to make sure the fit was exactly right, and the price was excellent in my view for a great product, with excellent service, before and after sale, and I know it fits. I also know if anything goes wrong I will be well looked after. AND I know of people who have binned 3,4,5 times and still in the same Quasi leathers.
A friend tried on a helmet locally, and purchased overseas saving a lot, the purchase worked out fine.
We have purchased bike parts overseas, and there is certainly ability for the local retailers to be smarter about how they source their after market parts. When I had my Aprillia RSVR Factory, I was quoted $700 odd for a rear seat I didnt have, yet managed to import the exact same seat, along with carbon labia, carbon side covers front fearing, and a hugger for under $700 for the lot, Im not made of money so why wouldnt I. We support the shops as much as possible, but we also shop smart and on line shopping globally is here to stay, like it or not. That means the retailers have to move with the times and demand better buy ins from their suppliers.