Re: [ST] And Dealers wonder why they are losing business to mail order?

[Tom Emberson <ate_st@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 2 Nov 2001, Scott wrote:

> Howdy,
> 
> <rant>
> 	In need of a new rear tire, I called my nearest dealership. For
> a rear D205 on the VFR they quoted me a hefty price of $185!! That did
> not even include mounting. After calming down from my laughing fit I
> explained to him that the same tire can be had for something in the
> area of $100 online or by mail order. He had no comment. Good grief, I
> just saw a fellow VFR lister post that Chapparral sold him a set for
> just about $200. And the dealers complain that everyone's business is
> moving away from them, no wonder!?
> </rant>

Kinda makes you wonder eh? Had a simular thread on the zx list about a
year or so ago. For some reason dealers see bikers as sheeple, that have
lots of money to put into our hobby. Even if I had the money to put
$350+ into a set of tires for the bike, I would hardly want to do it 2
to 3 times a season.  Maybe people who go through a set of tires ever 3
years can justify that price.

Saving $100-150 a set of tires is serious coin. Hey, thats an extra pair
of gloves, 1/4 of a decent full perf leather jacket, 1/2 a pair of
leather pants, set of heated grips, etc.

If there is that much of a discount for buying tires in bulk, why don't
the dealerships get together to form a cooperative??

If a shop could give me decent prices on everything I purcahse for the
bike, I would go no further. But when you get quoted MSRP (in some cases
more than) every time you turn around, but the mail order can do
MSRP-30% (or better) it is telling me that margins are pretty damn
decent.

Reminds me about when I negotiating the purchase of my 6. The dealership
owner was crying overhead .... But when I showed up 8 am for my first
 service I noticed the owner showing up in a 740iL, the wife in a brand
new GTI Vr6, and the owners son just finished writting of his second
sport bike for the season, hmmm, sounds like a lot of over head to me.

I know that there are some dealerships that a living month to month, but
I think it is pretty well proven, if you give great service, reasonable
prices, and generally give a shit about people bikes you should get the
business.

I don't know if it is just modern day 'I am not responsible' feeling I
get, but it seems that people don't seem to give a damn about other
people property.

Sorry for the sub-rant,

Tom


/*************************************************************
 Thomas Emberson
 '01 BRG Sprint ST (last count 7 months old, 13,700 miles)
 sold: '98 ZX6e, '99 ZX9r, '95 EX500
*************************************************************/


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