Dealers.

[CanberraR3]

Do we need them? Or more to the point, do you want a dealer nearby or not? If you don't care if you have a dealer nearby then don't give them any business. Simple really; you can save a few bucks and they'll shut down. Unfortunately, a dollar saved today could cost dearly down the track. Not saying we shouldn't do stuff ourselves or look around for cheaper alternatives; just saying there are consequences.

Same with buying tyres cheap online. Sooner or later the people we need to fit them will be out of business because no one buys tyres from them any more. When that happens the cost of fitting could well offset any savings and then some.

Food for thought. Just sayin'.

 

[peter k]

Richard you are right ,but some times the mark up seems a little excessive for example a tyre on line is less than half the price you can buy from the dealer . I realize they have over heads, does the difference really have to be that high or are they just profiteering. What's afair thing ? I checked around several different dealers for the excedra max ,they varied between$315 and$410 which dealer was pricing fair and which dealer wasn't .
Just saying

 

[CanberraR3]

It sure is a conundrum.

I know that if Joe's sold tyres at cost they'd still be more expensive than you guys got in your bulk buy. Not by much but they simply can't compete - at the moment. The risk lies down the track. The Government will start taxing internet purchases, so the saving will soon be a lot less. By that time, local distributors will have had volumes cut so much they'll start charging more and more to fit tyres they didn't sell. Joe's fits tyres you buy from him for free at the moment, including balancing, and he does it while you wait, ride in, ride out in 30 mins. Bring one in and he charges $30-$50. That can only increase over time. Soon enough your cheap o/s tyres will have tax added and a big fitting fee, you'll need to book in and maybe even leave the bike for the day. Is that what we really want? Just sayin.

As for dealers, aren't they a necessary evil? Whenever one closes a lot of guys are unhappy. Instead of traveling 10 minutes to an overcharging prick down the road, they have to travel for hours to some other overcharging prick.

In the end we get what we ask for I guess.

 

[bruce aussie]

A mate who owns a motorcycle shop who was on the ride with us on the weekend was talking to us about this very thing last night. He has had the bussiness for 7 or 8 years and in the last 6 months has had to get a second job driving at night. He's doing 18 hour days and still doing no good. He said if someone comes in with their own tyre wanting to get it fitted he tells them to go away. If I had to guess I'd say the doors will be closing soon and that will be one less shop to compete. Soon there will be no one but the big dealers and we can all guess what will happen to prices then. Beleive me these small shops are struggling thats one of the reasons I didn't get involved in the tyre buy. Nothing against the blokes that did you gotta save were you can but try to support the little guy if he is good to you.

 

[HansO]

I buy my tyres locally but am selective of who I buy from, I do most of my own maintinance because I know I can do it better but any jobs I don't have the tools for (there aren't many) I go to my dealer at Nowra who I know I can trust (I still check it out) but I would send anyone to your local triumph stealer Richard unless you are telling me you want be ripped again you have seen the evidence your self!
As you said just saying, and I my opinion some dealers we would be better of with out, Good service doesn't Stop with the Sale

 

[CanberraR3]

I was trying to generalise. It is a fact that I don't trust him at all now, but I've always felt I was better off having a dealer nearby than not. Maybe you're right; maybe it's not so essential. If I completely turn my back on him and he goes under, am I really better off? It's a tough one and I don't know the answer.

 

[Huntin Dawg]

For the small shop, I think it's more than just internet sales. They are going to have to partner with the internet or fade away. I just checked Motorcycle Superstore and they have a Preferred Installer network that they ship your order to directly. I put in my zip code and instantly had 10 installers within 33 miles that will do tires, Power Commanders, and pipes. That's a lot of shops to chose from in semi-rural Ohio. It also lists their tire mounting prices, hourly shop rate, additional services and most importantly Customer Reviews!

I have two Triumph dealers I can use. The closest one, in Canton where I bought the bike, and one in Akron. I'll be checking the reviews before my first service. Since ALL of my brothers ride Harleys I don't have anyone to ask
I'd like to get feedback on service from any NE Ohio R3Owners.

 

[mexican]

T he mark up in some cases is ridiculous, i was commenting on another thread about mobil 1 oil, the difference from the dealer to the autoparts was $7,00 a quart!! yhat is too big of a difference.
I understand athe whole overhead thing but come on!
If the mark up was $3,00 i would still let them do my oil changes but raping us legally is not fair

 

[TOMCAT]

I've always purchased bike tyres from Tyres4Bikes , my local small shop. I've done so for 20+ years .. and will continue to do so. The debate about dealers and profit margins isn't helped when it's common knowledge they mark-up 200% .. just think if you're going to f#ckin rob people try and be a little discreet about it. No doubt we will all pay down the track buying all sorts of items cheaper from the net .... then again i refuse to be ushered through the serve-yourself setup at the supermarket. Being a checkout chick has been the first job for generations of girls .... f#cked if i'll be a part of destroying employment opportunities for other Australians.

 

[peter k]

I've always purchased bike tyres from Tyres4Bikes , my local small shop. I've done so for 20+ years .. and will continue to do so. The debate about dealers and profit margins isn't helped when it's common knowledge they mark-up 200% .. just think if you're going to f#ckin rob people try and be a little discreet about it. No doubt we will all pay down the track buying all sorts of items cheaper from the net .... then again i refuse to be ushered through the serve-yourself setup at the supermarket. Being a checkout chick has been the first job for generations of girls .... f#cked if i'll be a part of destroying employment opportunities for other Australians.

Another example the starter motor for the r3 $80 or so on line ,triumph didnt even have to design it from what i read as it originally came from the Toyota celiac 1990 to 1995 model and the dealer ships wants over $700 .no wonder people get pissed off .i believe this imformation is correct. I'm sure you'll let me know if I'm wrong.