"Don't have it, but I can order it..."

[Monkey Butt]

I guess I'm lucky. The one KTM dealer that I have bought two bikes from gives me a 10% discount on everything and usually has whatever I want in stock or gets it very quickly. I called one time needing a part (I can't remember what it was) and he offered to take it off of a new bike on his show room floor so that I could get it right away. I wasn't in that big of a hurry so I told him to just order the part. The other local KTM shop gives me 15 - 20% off of everything and doesn't stock as many parts as the first dealer, but can usually get the part in a reasonable time frame. I try to support both dealers, but occassionally I'll find a deal on the internet that I just can't pass up, usually on ebay.

Neal

 

[JWW]

Originally posted by skipro3
avoid paying taxes in this state until there is someone in office who will quit spending my tax dollars on illegal immigrants medical and education costs.

Why education costs?

I guess its fair that my wife and I should pay put of our pocket for supplies so she check teach other peoples children. Immigrants or not they still need an education.

 

[IrishEKU]

Well I see two camps out there, online ordering and supporting your local shops. Personally I am more comfortable with being able to go in and get my hands on the Parts Unlimited or RK catalog. That way if my order gets screwed up for engine or various other things that can go wrong or break it's no bodies fault but my own. I also use online ordering too, but it is limited to clothing, accesories etc. Basicly the things where the screw up factor is nil. I love the shop I used to work for, my rod kit came in 2 days after I ordered it, no charge for shipping and I get just about everything at cost. My old boss just shrugs it off stating that I have given him plenty of business to more than cover the nickles and dimes he loses over my 6-8 orders a year. LMAO, one of these days I'll ask him if I've got enough commission added up to warrent a left over '03. ;)

 

[Lew]

Originally posted by Solid State
friendly, knowledgeable employees.

unheard of in my town.

 

[AJ Waggoner]

Very very interested thread,
and good comments on both sides of the issue.
i can tell you it is basically like walking a fine line for a dealer.

I'll give you my two cents,, dangerous as that is ,,
but first off will say that i dont think there is right or wrong,, its a bit more complex than that.

cdoering - hit pretty close to home.

we CAN stock everything.. (and remember all the models and all the changes in them each year almost - so stocking simple things like rings gets far more complicated and expensive than you possibly imagine)

I want to stock more.. but then prices would reflect that.
you have to have somewhere to put them and someone to put them there.
it really is that simple.

Also completely agree tha many of the basics should certainly be in stock and at fair prices..

In our case we are trying to provide both..but it is a very very fine line to try and stay competitive with an internet wholesaler yet remain a local shop that stocks a truely full inventory.

not whining or complainging at aLL ,
and threads like these help all dealers if they are paying attention to revise thier business formats the best they can.


I do want to bring up a small poiint, that doesnt effect us directly, but i see it as not a great trend in general, not partticularly the motorcycle business.

The reference to Walmart is a good analogy.

When Walmarts come into a med. to small town.
They basically whipe out the mom and pop retailers in the older downtown districts.they cant compete or "stock" to a huge conglmorates level.
You often lose the small clothing ,dept, and hardware stores.

In fact if Wally world builds beside a Kmart ..they will lower thier prices to a loss for many many months to run the target or kmart out of business or any strong local mom and pop place.
they can affored to do this.
as the loss is overshadowed by a national structure.

They then raise thier pricers back to thier national store structure pricing.

this is America and free enterprise.
i have no problems with that.

However they tend to market and carry brands or certain trademarks.
You get good pricing but lose
options or selection.
it bums me out.
and i miss the personality of Norman Rockwell Lil Americana.


I also would say many people who feel very STRONGLY on this issue need to realize as a dealer we see many types of customers.


For every guy that wants me to stock 5 different kinds of helmets in every color and willing to buy it that day for our regular price,
there is another who will come in , try it on so he can order it from the net for $10 less after shippng.

also the MAJORITY want a $75 helmet
and are not picky about color or brand.
while others are pissed you dont have 20 top end aria 's on the shelf.
and that it wil take you two days to get it.

I understand each ones situation.
I cant blame either in each and every case.
ive nbeen in thses same situations myself at different times, as i ewantyed different things at different times in my life.

The customer is always right, I truely belive that.

but you have to realize that each customers situation is unique and individual,
and it may even change in a month.
There is no way to please everyone. you just do business the best you can .


BTW- :) we do get our fair share of just unreasonable customers as well.
I recently had a guy wanting a new tire put on .He had bought the tire elsewhere. (no problem)
Keep in mind he is bringing the whole bike in and its in his truck.
He wants it done in an hour or two ,or while he waits.
(again normally no problem)
and sure, everyone wants this right? after all its just a tire.
Now - also you must realize that it is the VERY first nice day of the year.. and there are 40 other customers that watched the weather forcast and brought thier bikes in yesterday to pick up today for new tires ;)
and so i explain that and tell him its tuesday your bike will be ready thursday.
I am then the worlds biggest &^%$o ::shrugs:: and he will never come to our shop again- its just a tire how long can it take?

I wes dieng to tell him "poor planning on your part doesnt not constitute an emergency on my part"
but the customer is alwats right ,, right? ;)

anyway we see this every day.
its just part of the retail world..
but as cdoering alluded too..
i dont see it NEARLY as often in the walmart scenerio..
Im also still waiting to hear a guy at walmart say with conviction ..
where is my 30% discount on this circlip ?
i buy stuff here all the time!

:)

enough rambkling.. but maybe it gave you guys some more ammo to help you local dealer meet the "majority " of his customers needs.

 

[jsned]

I had a very big list of parts to be bought, no rush, I got a quote from one of those factory warehouses listed in the back of Dirtbike mag. supposedly all OEM parts, $$450, called my local dealer same list $690. I really wanted to give my local guy the business but no way was I going to pay that difference. I was really hesitant at first but I thought why not give him a chance. I called him back and told him what price I got from that place and gave him the phone number so he could verify it. He kind of got mad and at first I felt bad but then I said to him hey, you can either try to come close or I will go elsewhere, and why should I feel bad. He said he would see what he could do and he got to within $50 which I had decided was close enough to go with him. Then after I told him to go ahead and order it he says " but dont expect this ever again, I dont owe you anything" so I told him to forget it. I think there is a difference with a motorcycle shop and Walmart. Walmart is almost always cheaper shops are almost always higher. I think if it wasnt for internet (or what ever new form of retail comes along) it would be a bad thing for all of us.

When I make a big purchase (video camera, TV,) I dont just go to Walmart and buy it, I have started comparing on the internet first. Everyday things it is a matter of conveinence as much as price IMO. :thumb:

That incident was 4 years ago, I recently had the same scenerio except this time I went in face to face. Same shop same guy (owner of it) this time he didnt even hesitate. He even matched the price. While in the shop I bought a shirt for my daughter and a set of tie downs that I know I could have got cheaper but I was happy with the visit so I bought them.

Two weeks later I bought a XR70 from him. :thumb:

 

[skipro3]

To RMjeff: I don't mind paying for education, but I do mind that illegal persons in this state are the focus of this administration when California is more than just bankrupt. California now hands out driver's licenses to illegal immigrants as well as provide them a full education and medical services. In fact, the state's college system offers illegals resident rates on tuition but out of state people from, say Nevada or Arizona pay the full out-of-state rates. In the mean time, there are currently massive layoffs of state teachers and law enforcement. People who pay taxes in this state are starting to vote with thier feet. Everyone I know of who has retired in the last 6 months has moved out of state. Soon, the business will move to those bordering states and take their jobs and tax base with them.
To Lew: Mountian Moto is as good a parts shop I've ever seen but I agree with you on Mike's Cycle. That place is so bad that I will NEVER set foot in there again. Also, Racer's Pit Stop has ruined parts of mine I dropped off for repairs and still charged me their labor when they handed me back my damaged pieces.

 

[IrishEKU]

Originally posted by skipro3
To RMjeff: I don't mind paying for education, but I do mind that illegal persons in this state are the focus of this administration when California is more than just bankrupt. California now hands out driver's licenses to illegal immigrants as well as provide them a full education and medical services. In fact, the state's college system offers illegals resident rates on tuition but out of state people from, say Nevada or Arizona pay the full out-of-state rates. In the mean time, there are currently massive layoffs of state teachers and law enforcement. People who pay taxes in this state are starting to vote with thier feet. Everyone I know of who has retired in the last 6 months has moved out of state. Soon, the business will move to those bordering states and take their jobs and tax base with them.

"Cough!...Cough!" Dirt Bike Related PLEASE! ;)

Otherwise your disagrement over the TAX system will be locked or the thread will be split, either to the compleatly off topic forum or closed to political BS.

I feel for your problems, but there ain't one thing about your post that has to do with a dirt sled. Keep it on topic big guy. ;)

Last time I checked we were talkin' parts and availability not the state of the Left Coast. Sorry for the reality cheak but political leanings get a thread closed quicker than a quad trying to find a place here on DRN.

Simply, there is no place for them.

 

[skipro3]

Not one thing you say IrishEKU???
" To Lew: Mountian Moto is as good a parts shop I've ever seen but I agree with you on Mike's Cycle. That place is so bad that I will NEVER set foot in there again. Also, Racer's Pit Stop has ruined parts of mine I dropped off for repairs and still charged me their labor when they handed me back my damaged pieces."

Sounds like sled related to me. Besides we were discussing why we buy on-line. And this is the flame board with the following warning from the main forum page:"Bad experience with something? Feel like you've been wronged? Speak your mind here. Enter at your own risk, it's hot in here."
Not one word that it had to specificly be about a motorcycle. I buy on-line not only because shops won't carry inventory but for taxes as well. This is a hot topic for us all when the government finally catches up to us and starts an internet tax.
How about it board monitors, am I off base here and not allowed to list my view in the flame board or what? I will hold off on futher posts on topic until I hear back.
Thanks for the feedback Irish and I hope I haven't teed you off or anything.




------------------------------------------------»
1999 KDX220R

 

[AJ Waggoner]

I think there is a difference with a motorcycle shop and Walmart.

I do too, its apples and oranges.

but you "could" buy it cheaper from Walmarts distributer? so why not ask him to take off that 20%? after all he certainly has it marked up more than that. ;)
heck they run %70 off sales right? occassionally :)

Remember most guys ( not nessarily you so dont take it personally)
want that XR70 at invoice. because after all he bought his CR250 off you last year and paid you about $100 or $200 over invoice.

dealers make money on selling parts..not bikes.

If everyone wants to buy wholesale parts and wholesale bikes..
::::shrugs:::::
thats ok.
but dont expect your dealer to stock parts or bikes
for long.
Wholesale prices means cutting overhead and becoming a wholesaller;)
you will have oppurtunity to order them.
He will just become a resource like the net to order from the parent
manufactuer.

Like your walmart suggestion of buying many times because it is
simply convenient,
if a customer wants this possibilty , to walk in locally and buy
you have to pay for the building and local workers in a small shop, if he stocks he has large overhead.

this situation is basic economics.
and no amount of wanting things availble at your convienince and disposal at wholesale prices will make it happen.
it doesnt happen at walmsart either.

The wholeseller has the ability to sell cheaper but you cant walk in.

Thats what started this thread.

but having your cake and eating it to.. almost always has some repercussions.

Again i want to say Im not whining/complsaining or saying anyones opinion is right or wrong ..

I agree with Bill H above that of you do a good job of customer service ,it will be appreciated and you will be successful

There are some basic economics involved though that i find amusing that many customers in this business do not see.
yet they accept it as completely normal in every single other aspect of thier lives and purchases.

Grocery Stores, harware stores clothing stores buy at whoelsale from a manufactuer or distributer, they sell at what? retail.
Why ?
because they offer you the added convenience of not having to drive to the farm to buy those eggs and milk.
and if you dont want to do that you pay.
if your willing too, thats ok too.

Think about something...
What do we as a nation "barter " on? houses cars motorcycles RVs 'boats..
that about covers it?
.
nothing else ever,.

why?

I think if you dig deep enough it will answer the question posed in this thread.


Ok ive probably gotten into enough trouble here for one weekend ;)

and our goal is to offer good product at a good value,with great customerservice.
sometimes we get it wrong, sometimes we get it right..
feed back out here on the web certainly helps refine it.

 

[JWW]

Sorry for straying

Its good to hear comments from a actual supplier. For most of my items I have become a hometown shopper. Internet prices are nice but with shipping and lead times its just not worth the hassle. Its also nice to go in and actually have a conversation instead of entering my credit card number on a website.

Since I have worked retail I will not go into a store and try their product then order somewhere else. It irritates the heck out of me when I see people pick up a product here and set it down over there.

 

[JuliusPleaser]

Originally posted by IrishEKU
"Cough!...Cough!" Dirt Bike Related PLEASE! ;)

Otherwise your disagrement over the TAX system will be locked or the thread will be split, either to the compleatly off topic forum or closed to political BS.

I feel for your problems, but there ain't one thing about your post that has to do with a dirt sled. Keep it on topic big guy. ;)

Last time I checked we were talkin' parts and availability not the state of the Left Coast. Sorry for the reality cheak but political leanings get a thread closed quicker than a quad trying to find a place here on DRN.

Simply, there is no place for them.

Welcome back, sherriff! You might want to flash your moderator badge the next time you administer an ASCII ass-whipping.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Irish - Put a CORK in it. :silly:

 

[skipro3]

Hi AJ,
Not sure I caught all of your intention with the thoughts you posted, but I and I think most of us wouldn't mind paying retail for something that we can pickup that day. What happens though, is that we pay retail and wait longer than if we ordered it on-line. When it arrives it's wrong and we are charged the restocking fee. As far as talking to someone in person, well, I guess I'm too old 'cause I just can't understand some of these kids with blue hair and a tongue pierced new slang. I ask questions and they just agree with me without answering. "Sure thing, old dude" If I hear that one more time, even if it is just in their mannerisums and additude....Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Chili]

Well listening to most of these stories I've realized I've been spoiled by a great dealer for the last two seasons. They usually had pretty much anything I was looking for in stock last year, this year I noticed things needed to be ordered with more frequency so I asked if they had reduced stock levels? Considering Troy's bike is a 99 the answer I got made alot of sense. This dealer carries pretty much any part you can think of for their current line up and as time passes on sales are tracked, any part not sold within a 2 year span is dropped from the current inventory and becomes an order only item. Seems like a solid plan to me as I don't think the dealer can be expected to stock every part for every machine they have sold for the last 10 years.

 

[skipro3]

I think a shop would carry the staples such as cables, jets, gaskets, wheel bearings and the like for the brands and models they sell. Also, these items don't break right away, usually get a couple years out of them. Shops should order these parts to have on hand for the years when they would start to fail. If I had an '03 that was breaking the parts I mentioned, I would be more upset than if I had the same model but a couple years older. Why stock parts for model years no one will need for two years, then drop it from inventory right when it's life expectancy comes up?

 

[AJ Waggoner]

skipro-

I did meander a bit in my thought process. ;)
as is normal for me.:)

i guess my main point is :

You are one of the type of customers willing to pay retail to a retail store.
a retail store stocks the items you need.
You want all the parts available,and willing to pay for that convienence.

this is understandble.

There are a lot of other types of customers though.
and most want to pay at or near wholesale but want the conveinebce of a retail store.
the retail markup is what allows retail stores to exist ( in any field not just motorcycles)
Economics 101

Now these customers wants are also nderstandable, but impracticle for a business..
so many places walk a fine line between both ,
tryng to stock the high turn items and order the less turned items.

as example :less turned items might include wheel bearings for a 99 rm or rmx. because honestly if you havnt gone crazy with the pressure washer pointed at the axle seals,
and also have done routine maintence they shouldnt go out yet. :)

Im teasing you,,- but my main point was there are a lot of different customer expectations.

and in the motorcycle industry those expectations do seem to be a bit different than in other retail situation.

The end result is the balancing act.
and I think there are some real good dealers out there at it.

I also know there are some that dont even try.

::::shrugs:::

 

[truespode]

Originally posted by skipro3
I just can't understand some of these kids with blue hair and a tongue pierced new slang.

I swear a lot of you are going to the wrong shops :)

When I first got back into riding I had trouble finding good local dealers. Part of the reason was I felt stupid asking stupid questions. It was much easier ordering online and not having to show my face when I ask something ignorant. I believe that is why I ordered online for so long. That is what got me into the online thing to begin with... the anonymity of it all allowed me to be stupid to people who don't know me.

My how things have changed since I've had the opportunity to meet literally hundreds of great enthusiasts!

Anyway, before I continue I want to say that I'm not saying you guys don't have bad dealers... just relaying my experience and my appreciation for my dealers.

Now when I need something I have a plethora of dealers to choose from. Some online, some out of state and some locally. There are so many to choose from that I wish I was a millionaire just so I can order parts from each of them.

The local shop I do business with the most is Upstate Cycle in Greenville. They are a Husky dealer but they can get me almost anything I want (except Fox). I have ordered OEM parts from them for my Honda as well as other stuff. When I had a 2-stroke I asked them to carry Y2R and they had it on the shelf the next week. Same with No-Toil. It was a small supply just b/c they knew they had at least one buyer. Now they have more b/c more people have been wanting it. The point is they went out of their way to carry something I asked for.

No blue haired kid either. The parts guy knows my voice now when I call and goes out of his way to help with anything and if he can't do it he tells me so but offers me alternatives.

The other dealers are Neeley's Racing and Foothills motorsports. Foothills is one of the mall type dealers but they have treated me pretty well.

I also deal with Piedmont Honda in NC (I trust their parts manager completely - one hell of a guy and a DRN member :) ) and Alcoa Yamaha in NC (which is over 3 hours from my house). Mail order I usually go with Service Honda or Smackover Motorsports but have used MX South, Dennis Kirk and Bob's with success.

Also, I have found 2 other shops locally who seem to be great. Blazer MX in Greenville and Motolinx both go to the JMX series I run and help riders out (as well as sell parts of course at the track). The Motolinx owner races with us in the +30c/d and is a really good guy.

I guess the point is that despite my ignorance and bad thoughts of local dealers at one time I have found that there are a lot of good guys out there. I am very fortunate to have the guys I do to deal with. I wish I had the money to order from each of them all the time. However, I can only order so much and just appreciate those I do deal with for providing good customer service, great advice and competitive prices.

Now if I could get my CR450F to be as reliable as my YZ250F was I'd have the perfect life ;)

Ivan

 

[Patman]

I'll venture that within the last year I have bought more parts than anybody short of a shop or race team for a bike I am building. It was pretty well used but for some reason the engine was maintained to a very high level and the rest of the bike let go. That being the case I've had to buy all kinds of little this and that pieces as well as the larger items and have experienced a wide range of helpfulness and availability. As I mentioned before I have two large Honda shops within an hour of me. One is a long time established shop and the other is pretty new. If you want ANY bike and I mean ANY bike that is currently on Honda's production list they have it and typically in any optional color. Both shops offer out club members a 10% discount on parts/accessories/service. One shop has a HUGE inventory of any piece of clothing you could imagine for both street and dirt as well as watercraft. The other has a pretty typical selection as I've seen in many shops. Neither one of these shops had anything except brake pads when I called, not even freaking metric bolts! I totally expected swingarm bearings and seals or top shock bearings to be an order item, no problem. The availability date was never better than 1 week and typically was closer to 2 weeks. Heck at one of the shops I even stood behind the counter and pointed to the two pieces I needed (a bolt and clip nut) when my order came in 2 weeks later I drove and hour to pick up the clips but no bolts. I then was directed to the service department to get the bolts. There I was greated by the wicked witch of the desk and was informed she had no 6x15 or 6x20 bolts today. Thanks! :silly:

Now we go to another local shop. They are small but they have a great reputation for customer service. I know the owner and his son is a friend of mine. They gave me a great deal on my KTM when I bought it and got my son the first Comp SX50 Jr. west of the Mississippi when I went looking for the MSRP while others were asking +$100. I really felt bad about not buying a new bike from them when I wanted a different ride but, I had pretty much made up my mind I was going to build exactly what I wanted. They totally understood and have been very helpful and even excited to see how it comes out. Everything I have ordered from them was in when they said and it was right. Yesterday I needed some bolts, they pulled KTM part bolts to match what I needed, gave me a cold drink and had me register for a $100 gift bag raffle they were doing and an new KTM raffle that KTM is doing. They asked how the bike was going and about my family.

Now a mixed bag. We have another shop that is pretty much just used bikes and serivce. They previously had a pretty bad rap which was totally earned by them. I had heard things were different so I checked them out when I needed a new rear rim and tires and tubes put on. They treated me pretty fair on the rim and lacing and tire tube mounting since I didn't buy them there (I wanted Pirellis). I was happy so when I got tired of chasing the flat rear on my son's XR80 I took it there (keep in mind I took the wheel off and dropped it off for them). They told me $5-$6 for a tube an a few bucks to install and remount. My bill came to $25 :eek: !! I asked what happened to "A few bucks" and they said that was their typical charge. I paid and said "We'll it looks like things are back to normal, BYE!"

Another high point in my adventure has been MX South. I've ordered from them in the past and it's always been a good experience. They call to check if they have a question after taking your order! I don't play the "But Joe Fly By Night has this same thing for $2 less." game. Their prices are very good and the service is excellent so I don't mind paying what they advertise.

Thunder Alley. These folks do what they say when they say for the price they quote on a quality product. What more could you ask.

The highest point of my Patman's Monster Garage journey has been Service Honda. First off the answer is YES, AJ is a friend but I don't ask for special deals and he doesn't pull pieces from floor bikes to make my order. There were several times I was unable to get in touch with AJ because he was on a James Bond vacation yet I still got the top notch service I was use to. Even when they had switched over software and were teaching new people I got great service and prompt parts delivery. 99% of the OEM pieces I ordered and there were a lot of them I got within 1 week delivered to my house (when they could find it) or my office. I never questioned the prices because Service Honda had the best customer service of any Honda dealer I ever experienced (to be honest I would have paid what my local dealer wants for the same piece just because I knew it was going to be right and on time). To make this even more interesting several people in our club have also used Service Honda over any of the local shops for the customer service and pricing they offer, I found this out only after I was well in to my project.

So if you have a good dealer support them because they really are few and far between in some parts of the country. If you have a good experience with an on line vendor use them and tell them you appriciate their quality of service. I've told AJ the times I didn't deal with him directly the people I did work with were top notch and usually went above the call, these places do appriciate the kind words as well as your business. If you have a poor dealer or comapny you do business with tell them as well. Chances are it may not change how they operate but ya' never know. If you insist on playing games on pricing structures then expect to pay the price in service or quality. Sometimes you get lucky and find great service, quality, and pricing, these are the places you need to stick with.

 

[skipro3]

I'm living in a small town that doesn't have but 1 dealer (Kawasaki) and 2 parts shops. and only one of the parts shops does repairs. So I have had to resort to other means to get things done or drive an hour or more to a Sacramento shop. Lately, I have been getting some things from locals but not the traditional bike shop. For example, I had some triple clamp / stem work done by a machine shop that specializes in building race engines for Indy cars. They can talk to me and understand what I want. I know they have the skills to do the job right. They charged me $25 because they charge in 15 minute encrements and the work took less than that. I think they were so taken aback when I came in seeking such a small job from such a large non-retail, business that they didn't know what to do, so they handled me like all their big customers. Everyone else wanted over $200. The Kawasaki shop didn't want to even discuss my project because of liability but I think it is because he wasn't a good enough mechanic / machinest to to the job. I have bought rear wheel bearings from the local hardware store (oldest one west of the mississippi according to a PBS special) at 1/3 the cost the dealer wanted and they were in stock. (How did you know I had a pressure washer?) I sure wish there was a shop around like I remember when I was a kid, had stools at the counter, willing to talk bikes even if you didn't have any money to buy anything and willing to help you fix what is broke instead of just replacing things. Heck, I remember making my own clutch, brake and thottle cables from bulk parts sold back then. Sacramento has a motorcycle recycling yard and when I've gone there in the past, they would let you in the yard with your tools and pull what you want, charging pennies on the dollar for good used parts. Now 30 years later, they have a showroom and you would never know that somewhere back there is a boneyard full of things that could be made to work on a bike needing fixing. Their prices are exacly 50% of dealer retail for new. I've offered lower and let them know what I could get the part on eBay for, but they would rather let that odd, obscure part rot in the weather than discount even a token amount. I think the problem may be in that California and Californians are alot about bottom line and ignore everything else.

 

[jmics19067]

Its wierd that in some states <new jersey comes to mind> that places that stock inventory have to pay taxes on what the inventory is worth.
I worked for a trucking outfit that kept spare parts right on hand since most of their equipment is standardized. I am astonished that <in this case> if the cost of inventory exceeds a certain percentage of the I guess the company's worth it is taxed.

 

[cdoering]

I do see everyones point of view here. I have a 'trick' if you will that I would like to share. Let's say you are considering the purchase of a new dirt bike.
You have four 'shops' in your area. Each shop carrys a different brand of dirt bike. Pretty much any new dirt bike would be cool to own. Which one to choose? I say try this, go into each shop and ask the parts guy/gal for a clutch cable for a 2003 model. Certainly a basic part. Hey? If that shop doesn't carry that basic part for a current year dirt bike what would make you think that shop would/will have what you need when you need parts? Also check out their personal. Can they talk intelligently about your next bike?
Do they meet and greet you ? If this/these shops can't supply bacis parts and they can't hire people who can take care of your needs THEN WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING IN THAT SHOP !!!!???? There are hundreds of GREAT dealerships out there that will stock the basic parts to keep you riding and racing. Keep looking until you find one. Consider this if a retailer takes the money he earns and places that money into parts to sit on his part shelves in the hopes that someone will come in to buy them and this same dealer has every part you need in stock for you to take home that very day , no waiting here it is , your order filled 100% .Why would you shop around ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME, for a lessor price? If I can have what I want today I have zero need to go anywhere else, period. I have no problem with this retailer making money. When my son has to race Saturday and I have worked every hour of the week with barely enough time to get ready for his race I need a Dealer who has the part and I will pay for that part. Price is not everything.
Having it in my hands the very day I need it is EVERYTHING.

 

[skipro3]

I agree cdoering but here's the thing: 2003 cables don't usually break. A 2 or 3 year old cable will though and that is what should be stocked. What ever happened to those emergency cable repair kits that let you screw down a knob onto the end of a cable that the ball pulled off of? Also, is there any reason why cables and other "consumables" have to change from year to year?!? I bet my Hodaka dirt squirt I had in the early 70's and a 2003 Any model bike has the same basic cable with only a slight difference in length.

 

[Patman]

The "trick" also doesn't work very well if the dealers are multibrand shops. As both the ones in my area are, they pretty much got ya' coming and going if you ride a Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha or Harley. Funny how the best service I got locally was from the one brand KTM shop. :)

 

[2stroke]

Jeez. What I meant about Walmart is not that its the same as the dealers....what I meant was the pure purchasing power that Walmart has enables it to deal so chealpy. In the same way, the lack of overhead that the Internet provides, as well as the ability to do business across the world instantly has given the consumer that type of "wal mart esque " power.

Also, I understand the difficulty in stocking a variety of parts. BUt beyond that fact, Im sure that If I can get the cable for $11.99, then Cycle World can get it at least that cheap. $37.50 is a BIG markup! I used to work retail part time some years ago, and generally the mark up ran 15 to 20 percent. THe sale prices would put them very close to our cost on items.

Its a weird world now, but I admit, maybe the high prices are a sign of a booming industry, and I am happy at least for that. Prices are that high at the dealers because they can be. That means there is a large demand feeding it.
that or they make so much selling a $30,000 "big dog" chopper that they dont care to sell many parts heh heh.
I have always been such a cheap SOB anyway. Id be casting my own parts if I had the room and equipment lol. It pains me to pay anyone to do anyhting to my stuff.

Like tires. I read in another post about getting a tire changed at a shop. Come on guys remember that line from On any Sunday? "If you cant change a tire in about 4 minutes theres no way you will be competitive" heh heh, well it tales me more like 20 minutes but I do it. And with homemade irons no less.
Im not really cheap in that sense, just broke. There is a difference. If I hit the lottery, Ill buy a new bike and pay someone to work on it I promise.