Honda Otago to close

**Headbanger** · 28th March 2009, 19:27

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Of course there are likely myriad reasons for their failure but the fact is there are so many industry ''idiots'' to compete against it creates a rod for the backs of those trying to do it truly proffessionally.

Fair enough, And your point about the amount of franchises is quite a good one, Seems Harley sell enough bikes to rank quite highly yet manage to do it with a small handful of dealers, In comparison nearly every 2 hick town has a couple of Jap bike dealerships......Granted they survive off farm bike/quad sales.

**Forest** · 28th March 2009, 20:01

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Fair enough, And your point about the amount of franchises is quite a good one, Seems Harley sell enough bikes to rank quite highly yet manage to do it with a small handful of dealers, In comparison nearly every 2 hick town has a couple of Jap bike dealerships......Granted they survive off farm bike/quad sales.

They certainly don't survive off the servicing!

Getting an NZ farmer to pay for servicing a farm bike is almost impossible. They either do it themselves, or don't do it at all.

**brads** · 28th March 2009, 20:57

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Not that anyone with any information has so far commented on the Otago Honda sitiuation.

More than likely because its none of our business,As far as im concerned the only people that should and do have an idea are the companys that will have lost stock that was on the floor.
Also,you people on hear that are hoping that you may get a bargin on some cheap gear now that they have shut.....

,Why didnt you support them when they could have done with your help??

**brads** · 28th March 2009, 20:59

Originally Posted by Forest

They certainly don't survive off the servicing!

Getting an NZ farmer to pay for servicing a farm bike is almost impossible. They either do it themselves, or don't do it at all.

Thank christ all these farmers dont live around oamas then

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 28th March 2009, 21:30

Originally Posted by brads

More than likely because its none of our business,As far as im concerned the only people that should and do have an idea are the companys that will have lost stock that was on the floor.
Also,you people on hear that are hoping that you may get a bargin on some cheap gear now that they have shut.....

,Why didnt you support them when they could have done with your help??

Was in there on Friday... a lot of stock is being returned to the stockist so they can redistribute it all... I also asked if they are going to have any closing down sales and they said most likely...

Both me and Xaria bought our bikes, gear and supported them we didn't go anywhere else for parts, services, WOFs etc, spent a bit of money with them over the years. They were always friendly and knew there stuff. Not only that they were just down the road from our flat... sigh was dangerous at times

Suppose I will have to look at another shop...

**inorganic** · 28th March 2009, 21:51

Overpriced product in far flung underpopulated corner of the world.And the economics dont work? Gee whiz..............

**scumdog** · 29th March 2009, 03:38

Originally Posted by inorganic

Overpriced product in far flung underpopulated corner of the world.And the economics dont work? Gee whiz..............

And yet BMWs are sold here - I thought those Tuetonic types were more fiscally aware than to risk selling in circumstances such as you described...

**Robert Taylor** · 29th March 2009, 09:40

Originally Posted by inorganic

Overpriced product in far flung underpopulated corner of the world.And the economics dont work? Gee whiz..............

Sounds like you better open a bike shop then? Lets just say it might be a levelling experience.

**Dragon** · 29th March 2009, 10:29

Originally Posted by jimjim

there isnt many options, MCR, Veiches or SPV

I didn't like spv at all and infact they still have my deposit from when I was looking at getting a ninja.

**Winston001** · 29th March 2009, 20:27

Originally Posted by Forest

They certainly don't survive off the servicing!

Getting an NZ farmer to pay for servicing a farm bike is almost impossible. They either do it themselves, or don't do it at all.

Interesting. I thought bike shops made most of their business from ATV farm bikes plus trail bikes. Road bikes are the glamorous sideline.

I have a client who started out 15 years ago in a small rural town just doing repairs. Today in the same town he has a Suzuki dealership and plenty of work. He has plenty of road bikes in but the main work is farm bikes. If he didn't get paid he wouldn't have a business.

**trainingwheels** · 6th April 2009, 14:41

I heard that Otago honda liquidated last friday??... whats happening to the bikes?? auctioned or what?..... the staff get a good payout??... anyone?..

**Maha** · 6th April 2009, 14:44

.....Dont know
.....I would imagine
.....Would not think so.

**tigertim20** · 6th April 2009, 15:29

go past and have a nosey!!

**Robert Taylor** · 6th April 2009, 17:51

Suffice to say businesses go into liquidation because they are not sustainable, returns are not high enough relative to overheads.
I find it a distasteful quirk of human nature that there are always those looking for bargains on the back of someone elses misery.