Honda Otago to close

[MDR2]

Iwent in there a few weeks ago just windwo shopping and I had the manager no less showing me around and offering me some loan gear to go for a test ride.

I thought to myself, I never get this kind of treatment at McIvor! And i was planning on going back soon to take one or two bikes out to get a feel for them... then I heard about the receivership I walked past today for a nosey but the place is all shut up and a notice has been hung on the door stating who's taking care of the liquidation and a contact number.

[Ms Piggy]

Iwent in there a few weeks ago just windwo shopping and I had the manager no less showing me around and offering me some loan gear to go for a test ride.

I thought to myself, I never get this kind of treatment at McIvor! And i was planning on going back soon to take one or two bikes out to get a feel for them... then I heard about the receivership I walked past today for a nosey but the place is all shut up and a notice has been hung on the door stating who's taking care of the liquidation and a contact number.

Yep have to agree with ya. It's sad news to hear they've gone under. A really friendly bunch of guys! I went there twice on my last trip South and both times was treated to awesome customer service.

As for that stuck up lot at McIver and Veitch, pfffft I'll never give them any of my hard earned $$.

[cowpoos]

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.

What a load of shit...infact...you just made that up didn't you???


Cock

[Solly]

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.

Way of the world Robbo boy....way of the world.

Sad, i know.....but true

[Hailwood]

My 2c worth..I also think that the internet is having a big impact on bike shops especially with parts...The price difference between getting a part via fleabay and from your local dealer can be anything from 10 to 50% and you ususally get it quicker from fleabay.....I have been guilty of doing this when I had the HD...set of detachable saddlebags from my dealer $2200...same item from USA $1200 delivered to my door..thats almost 45% saving.....airfilter from dealer $160..same item fleabay $122..25% saving.....I know that dealers have margins etc and costs to cover and I am sure that most of us want to continue to support our local dealers (The service and backup at my dealership is fantastic) but....................maybe just maybe this is becoming a bigger issue for the industry????? Just my observation anyway

[tigertim20]

True, but if someone on ebay can supply you parts fast, I cant see why a dealer cant do it just as quick, and if they set up an online service for most of the parts they do, theyd cut some of the overheads, and be able to reduce their prices a little to remain competitive, without dropping much of their profit margin.

[Squiggles]

True, but if someone on ebay can supply you parts fast, I cant see why a dealer cant do it just as quick, and if they set up an online service for most of the parts they do, theyd cut some of the overheads, and be able to reduce their prices a little to remain competitive, without dropping much of their profit margin.

Alternatively, you buy via the dealer and the wrong part arrives, so you ride back down to the shop and have them fetch the right part. You buy online and the wrong part comes, quite often you're up shit creek or it costs ya double for the shipping.
Given how many parts there are out there, and how many revisions are made, it'll cost more than its worth to do OEM bits. Some aftermarket pieces sure, but ya cant stock everything.

[Headbanger]

Either way its a case of adapt or die.

All business models have an end point as customers change the way they do business, The companies who want their money have to be able to change with them or go broke.

Such is life.

[Robert Taylor]

My 2c worth..I also think that the internet is having a big impact on bike shops especially with parts...The price difference between getting a part via fleabay and from your local dealer can be anything from 10 to 50% and you ususally get it quicker from fleabay.....I have been guilty of doing this when I had the HD...set of detachable saddlebags from my dealer $2200...same item from USA $1200 delivered to my door..thats almost 45% saving.....airfilter from dealer $160..same item fleabay $122..25% saving.....I know that dealers have margins etc and costs to cover and I am sure that most of us want to continue to support our local dealers (The service and backup at my dealership is fantastic) but....................maybe just maybe this is becoming a bigger issue for the industry????? Just my observation anyway

The exchange rate against greenbacks has recently taken care of that problem, if it remains at around 50 to 55 cents US its better for NZ as it helps our export industry. Also bear in mind that big US companies recieve much greater bulk purchase discounts, and because they have a wider / much larger market they run on very small margins / high turnover. And when the exchange rate was in the mid to high 70s that distorted their advantage somewhat. Add to that many private imports do not attract customs clearance fees, gst on those fees and gst on the written value, often fraudulently underwritten by request.
Unfortunately given all of those factors NZ dealers are not competing on a level playing field and get tainted as rip off merchants by those who are not interested / dont understand why such disparity occurs. There is a strong case to advocate the re-introduction of import licensing so that it protects NZ business and all those they employ. Or at minimum private imports should attract the same clearance / port fees etc and gst as per normal business.

[Robert Taylor]

What a load of shit...infact...you just made that up didn't you???


Cock

Actually Poos the statement has a ring of truth. There are many good farmers who dont skimp on servicing but there is also a very high proportion that only get their bikes repaired when they break down. The bill will be invariably huge because of neglect and it will be whinged about. And quite a few dont understand what is fair wear and tear and what is legitimate warranty.
I had 30 years in that industry and I can well understand where that statement is coming from. The situation is getting worse because all ATVs are now made lighter to satisfy a US law that dictates they must not exceed a maximum weight. This in an attempt to reduce rollover injuries / deaths and reultant litigation in that market. 15 years ago we thought these machines were very marginal for the over-use they are put to on our farms, now they are a whole load lighter and less rugged.

[Robert Taylor]

Thats very politically correct statement Robert!!

Ok, politically incorrect with the same meaning would include ''the vultures are circling''

[Robert Taylor]

True, but if someone on ebay can supply you parts fast, I cant see why a dealer cant do it just as quick, and if they set up an online service for most of the parts they do, theyd cut some of the overheads, and be able to reduce their prices a little to remain competitive, without dropping much of their profit margin.

Because the retail and wholesale setup is for a percentage of a population that is barely over 4 million, not hundreds of millions. And in a sealocked country thousands of miles from the producers and supply chains. Do the maths and read my other post.

[cowpoos]

Actually Poos the statement has a ring of truth. There are many good farmers who dont skimp on servicing but there is also a very high proportion that only get their bikes repaired when they break down. The bill will be invariably huge because of neglect and it will be whinged about. And quite a few dont understand what is fair wear and tear and what is legitimate warranty.
I had 30 years in that industry and I can well understand where that statement is coming from. The situation is getting worse because all ATVs are now made lighter to satisfy a US law that dictates they must not exceed a maximum weight. This in an attempt to reduce rollover injuries / deaths and reultant litigation in that market. 15 years ago we thought these machines were very marginal for the over-use they are put to on our farms, now they are a whole load lighter and less rugged.

The statement I was retorting to...was the almost impossable to get farmer to pay...and that would be more the exception than the rule....and workshop work is the bread and butter of many rural service motorcycle shops...and most do get the bike shops to service the machines.

In regard to your other comments re: how rugged the machines are...my personal experience is your correct...except...the engines and gearboxs of the modern quads are by far and away stronger,more powerful and capable of what is asked of them. and I have to note..if you look at the spec's on older quads...have a weee nosey at the weights back then!?!

[cowpoos]

The statement I was retorting to...was the almost impossable to get farmer to pay...and that would be more the exception than the rule....and workshop work is the bread and butter of many rural service motorcycle shops...and most do get the bike shops to service the machines.

In regard to your other comments re: how rugged the machines are...my personal experience is your correct...except...the engines and gearboxs of the modern quads are by far and away stronger,more powerful and capable of what is asked of them. and I have to note..if you look at the spec's on older quads...have a weee nosey at the weights back then!?!

and dispite this....I still think forest is a cock!

[Robert Taylor]

The statement I was retorting to...was the almost impossable to get farmer to pay...and that would be more the exception than the rule....and workshop work is the bread and butter of many rural service motorcycle shops...and most do get the bike shops to service the machines.

In regard to your other comments re: how rugged the machines are...my personal experience is your correct...except...the engines and gearboxs of the modern quads are by far and away stronger,more powerful and capable of what is asked of them. and I have to note..if you look at the spec's on older quads...have a weee nosey at the weights back then!?!

Have to agree to disagree on that. In 30 years and seeing the development of quads I also closely witnessed the after effects at successive visits to the PCD departments with successive model years. More and more reliance on manufacture of subcontracted parts to mainland Asia is also having a detrimental effect. I also am answering this from having been at one time the National Technical Manager for one of the big three and having travelled to the respective factory in Japan. Also dealing with measure reports on a daily basis. And that particular brand is arguably the most rugged brand. There, already said too much.