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F_skinner
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 06:10 pm: | 
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Pammy, you have great input. I have never been in sales so it is very interesting to see how the other side thinks which is very similar to what I think. Treat people with respect and demand the same from them no matter what side of the counter or computer you are on.
I have though a lot about this but I know how I am. I have never ordered gear on-line. I am the kind of person that likes to try things on first. If I were to get the same helmet and already know the size and my local shop (I do not have one in my town but I count local as three towns North in Colorado Springs) has it for 100 dollars more but I have had good dealings with them in the past I would buy from them. If I did not get the service I wanted I would buy on-line. However, for some people they never get the service they want.
I do not like self checkout at Lowes or the Grocery store, I feel if I am checking myself out I should get an employee discount. I hate when I have to wait for fast food but if the person is new on the job I am not bothered as much. I hate when I take the time to go to a shop and the person helping me answers the phone to help someone that has not entered the store, as if I will not leave.
As far as bikes I only deal with a couple of places and they are 110 and 125 miles from me. I do not mind, they are great people are interested in helping me and in one case they could have sold me something but told me it would probably not work for my intended purpose. I like that.
No matter, I like having a shop were I can go and touch helmets and other gear. I would hate to be in a position that I HAD to order on-line. I remember trying to get parts when I lived in Guam and did not have the Internet... Sucked. |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 06:41 pm: |
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Good to hear you're thriving, Pammy. When I stated "small shops" I wasn't referring to just the motorcycle biz, but biz in general.
I've owned three small retail businesses. Even in the best of times it's difficult to make it. And these ain't the best of times. Again, good to hear you guys are doing OK |
Guell
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 06:44 pm: |
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I was helemt shopping, looking at shark helmets. I think the guy knew i was just fitting, cause he dropped the price down to what i could get it for on the internet if i bought it that day. Worked great for me, no shippng, good price and i left with a helmet.
Id much rather buy something in a store like a helmet, or have the store order it for me. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 08:26 pm: |
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unfortunately i'm an impulse buyer and when it comes to clothes/helmets i don't buy that much off the internet. i like to try the stuff on to see how it fits. although a local metric carries scorpions they didn't have one for the wife the day after thanksgiving but would order what she wanted and gave us a 20% discount on a backordered red 900. unfortunately it won't come until march. |
Iman501
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 09:10 pm: |
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i went to local shops, and tried helmets on there, and picked out which one i liked best, then came home and just got on amazon, and found a pretty good deal! |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 12:13 am: |
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I'm with Reg and Pammy on this one--if you don't support local shops, they won't make it.
rt |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 01:21 am: |
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quote:i went to local shops, and tried helmets on there, and picked out which one i liked best, then came home and just got on amazon, and found a pretty good deal!
You don't see anything wrong with that? That store spent a ton of money to keep the lights on and maintain a good selection and you take advantage of their services and then spend your money elsewhere. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 02:38 am: |
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I like "Cycle Gear" stores because they always have many models and designs of Shoei and
Arai helmets on the shelf to test with. Not to mention KBC, HJC, etc.
Their prices are decent and I am willing to pay a little more to keep a good shop local.
It's hard enough to make it in business today without other vendors using your showroom to
sell their products and avoiding the overhead cost of employing sales people, a storefront, etc.
These online retailers can undercut your local store for exactly this reason. It only makes it
less likely you will be able to buy anything locally when you really need it when you urinate on
the floor of your local shop by coming in later on wearing the helmet you tried on there but bought online. |
Pammy
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 11:24 am: |
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Reg, I totally agree with you on that post. I should have added if you get into this biz soley for the bucks, you are in for a mighty rude awakening.
I appreciate that you (that posted) aren't offended when I present this side of things.
As far as I am concerned, this is a wonderful world I live in. There are those moments though. Moments, indeed. |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 11:30 am: |
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I've always been in favor of developing a...uh, relationship with a motorcycle shop/dealer. I have found that when I'm loyal to them the benefits that appear far outweigh the few bucks I might save on the web. I learn the names of the staff, and make sure they know mine. I also make it known that they're "my shop," i.e., I'll do biz with them as long as they're fair. This also comes with a responsibility on my part; I don't throw web prices in their face, no spurious warranty claims, and I treat them with the respect that I ask for.
I too like Cycle Gear. There's not one within 30 miles of me, but I've shopped several of their stores throughout the U.S.
The chain is owned by Dave Bertram, a superb rider with an ISDT background. He's a good guy, and understands us.
The good shops understand this, and work at it. It's really a mutually beneficial scenario.
I find the somewhat widespread practice of using shops as a fitting room, and then buying off the web, as something less than ethical |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 12:28 pm: |
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I'll put in a shameless plug once again for one of our fine sponsors and say that not only is CycleRama one hell of a great shop, but also add that Pammy and Wes and crew are some fine people...you just can't go wrong dealing with them.
My 2 cents. |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 12:34 pm: |
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and I treat them with the respect that I ask for.
And THAT is a concept that is, unfortunately, lost on society at large these days. |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 12:59 pm: |
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Yeah, Rat. I'm very big on the customer service thing. If a company does not return the respect, their management/owners hear about it. During this period of economic readjustment... recession... the customer is king. There are any number of businesses that shouldn't exist because of the way they run things. If I can be of any help to make sure they close their doors... I'll do it. There are many deserving good stores that have earned my business and support. |
Pammy
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 01:39 pm: |
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Thanks Steve. We do try hard. There are folks out there that don't like Wes for whatever reason and probably a bit more than that don't appreciate my keen sense of wit and sarcasm.
I have been in shops that have treated me in the supreme manner that I deserve and I have been treated like crap in other(rare) shops. I avoid the bad shop. I don't endorse it at all. Won't recommend it for any reason and those who know me, even slightly, know I bitch about those who may tick me off... I am speaking of no one in particular. Though, being a estrogen bearing mammal, you KNOW that I remember every detail. Ha Ha |
Rwven
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 01:51 pm: |
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I buy my HJC's from New Enough. They also stock Arai, Icon, Joe Rocket, Scorpion and Shoei helmets. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 03:59 pm: |
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New enough has a great return policy if you get the wrong size. I LOVE them too.
I got my firstgear 2 pc. vented suit from them. Zero hassles.
I'm right there with you Reg, too many people don't respect the effort and investment
that the local shops foot the bill for, then again respect for other people and their
property in general seems to be on a down-turn throughout society |
Gotlime
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 09:51 am: |
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I'd love to shop locally for bike gear. I cannot. Shops that I have been to in NC have limited selection. They've offered to order what I wanted but why pay a higher price, sales tax, wait for the item, then have to drive back there to get it?
I do not go to shops and try on gera and order online though. I'll use motorcycle shows for that. 
Bottom line for me is my local shops have a limited selection of overpriced gear and they're not very friendly or helpful. |
Gotlime
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 09:52 am: |
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PS I ordered my helmet form competition accessories. They have a great return policy and the lowest price I could find anywhere on my Arai Vector. |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 09:59 am: |
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"I'm with Reg and Pammy on this one--if you don't support local shops, they won't make it."
Little difficult when the local shops are selling helmets for 100-200.00 more than on-line shops.
I'm all for helping out my local shop, and I have a good friend that owns one in Waukesha, but I'm not going to pay that much more, just because. |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 10:33 am: |
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So *ask* them if they can come close(r) to the online price.
Don't DEMAND it, or get huffy with them...just politely state (and have a printout handy or the website on a smartphone so you can pull it up if possible) that you have found it on siteX for soandso dollars - can they do anything similar for you if you buy it right now? Mention that you like the product and you appreciate that you've been able to try it on, and you appreciate the help you've received while there today, etc. etc.
Never hurts to see what happens.... |
Grianp
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 12:34 pm: |
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I totally agree with you Joe. All prices are negotiable to a certain extent. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 12:37 pm: |
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if you don't ask you don't know. |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 01:51 pm: |
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Problem is, the .com companies buy a lot more than small shops. They get price breaks for larger quantities ordered. You guys are right though, it can't hurt to ask. I got a smoke shield for my Bell Star from my buddy, he was asking 40.00, the web had it for 25.00, I split the difference with him. |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 02:32 pm: |
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The B&M places also have a responsibility to streamline their operations. Particularly as re inventory control. Additionally, they need to emphasize what they do best; customer service.
There are a lot of good web sources for motorcycle products... and a lot of bad ones. One of the issues that I've come across regarding helmets is their "age." This is a subject of no little controversy, but it is generally accepted that after two years a helmet does not provide the same degree of controlled crush as does a new one. There are sites that purchase large quantities of product for pennies on the dollar. If the product in question is one that has a sensitivity to age; find out when it was made. |
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