An Idea

[Guidocatrx7]

So, a buddy of mine and I have formed an idea...

To make a long story short, we have come into a commercial building, which is the hardest part of becoming a business here in the state of Florida. We're turning said building into the ultimate playground/shop with lifts and the biggest collection of specialty automotive and motorcycle tools this side of... whatever river finishes that thought with an impressive gasp from my collective audience.

So, back to our thought. We're sick to death of dealing with the local skullduggery at the local motorcycle shops and think, perhaps there is another way. We could become dealers for some of our favorite products, and sell them at delightfully low prices to our friends on our local forums. I'm considering becoming a dealer for GIVI and perhaps Staintune. Others would follow if this turns out to be a success.

So my question to you is, would you be willing to give a fellow troopytroop the chance to be your GIVI dealer of choice? And, what other products might you be looking for a better distributor than the one you have now?

[KRS]

MOST factories set the prices so dealers can't undercut each other.

KRS

[TS1000]

MOST factories set the prices so dealers can't undercut each other.

KRS

I spoke with a Givi rep at the Chicago motorcycle show a week and a half ago about pricing. He confirmed what KRS said. Givi authorizes the prices and the distributors regulate each other. That’s why all of the online distributors basically sell Givi merchandise for the same prices.

[SNTVSTROM]

Prices don't make a dealer successful...customer service does.

[KRS]

Prices don't make a dealer successful...customer service does.

They both do; an adequate gross margin is essential to success. You can be the nicest guy in the world but if you aren't making any money.... you won't be in business next month.

KRS

[Guidocatrx7]

They both do; an adequate gross margin is essential to success. You can be the nicest guy in the world but if you aren't making any money.... you won't be in business next month.

KRS

That's the beauty of what I may be able to do here. I'm not going to have any real costs to run this business. Frankly, I'm sick of getting items in opened boxes, and I've heard a few stories about people getting the wrong item and other such shenanigans.

With very little overhead, I would be able to offer personal attention to each customer and the lowest possible price. Meaning, lowest allowed price and free shipping, and all the other business that allows lower prices.

If by customer service, you mean techincal support on the phone all day, then that I wouldn't be able to provide. What with the full time job and all.

But this is what I'm trying to decide, would people respond to this or am I wasting my time. So I appreciate the feedback.

Ron

[causseur]

There was a thread here a few days back about creating DIY workshops. Where the business provides space, tools including hydralic jacks etc. and people rent the space to work on their bikes/cars/atv etc.

If you have space enough for this, this could be in addition to your dealer business. More often than not, its getting people into the store (especially in this economy) thats more difficult than selling something to them.

Good luck on ur new venture.

[Guidocatrx7]

There was a thread here a few days back about creating DIY workshops. Where the business provides space, tools including hydralic jacks etc. and people rent the space to work on their bikes/cars/atv etc.

If you have space enough for this, this could be in addition to your dealer business. More often than not, its getting people into the store (especially in this economy) thats more difficult than selling something to them.

Good luck on ur new venture.

Yeah, the big problem with that is it's next to impossible to get insurance for those kinds of activities. The only place I've seen that done successfully was on a military base.

[Compared To What?]

Just opened here in San Diego . . . (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=35556)

[Guidocatrx7]

That's pretty cool. I hope that catches on.

Still, not an option for me. I'm not going to quit my job to do this.

I'd pay for it though.

[Stromin'Nroman]

Just opened here in San Diego . . . (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=35556)

"Equipped with a tire changer, lifts, individual stalls with stands, factory maintenance manuals and a full selection of parts and equipment, motorcycle owners can use this garage space for as little as $25 per hour."

I'm kinda slow and methodical, at these rates I can take up to 2.3 times as long as my local shop before I start paying more to work on my own bike.

[randyo]

"Equipped with a tire changer, lifts, individual stalls with stands, factory maintenance manuals and a full selection of parts and equipment, motorcycle owners can use this garage space for as little as $25 per hour."

I'm kinda slow and methodical, at these rates I can take up to 2.3 times as long as my local shop before I start paying more to work on my own bike.

many years ago, when I was still living in Vermont, there was a place called the "AutoFix" where your could use their building to work on your vehicle, for the $2.50/hr ( this was back in late 60's/early 70's) you got an area of about 15' x 30' to work in, use of a floor jack and jack stands and use of hand tools if you didn't have your own, everything you did use had to be signed out and you were held responsible for replacement cost if not returned, power/air/specialty tools were available for additional rental cost, tire changing was available, as well as some common tuneup & replacement parts, NAPA delivery was a phone call away and there was usually a professional mechainic handy for a negotiated fee

[tmcgee]

many years ago, when I was still living in Vermont, there was a place called the "AutoFix" where your could use their building to work on your vehicle, for the $2.50/hr ( this was back in late 60's/early 70's)

There was a place or two like that in Cambridge, MA around then too -- maybe still.

[BluffTrooper]

There is a dealership here that is horrible. I won't even go to them to buy oil. The place is still in business but it is for sale. If anyone wants a cycle dealership, they have Kawa, Polaris, Stihl, Suzuki, and I think something else.

On the other hand I was driving to Dexter MO to a dealership called Bootheel Buggies (where I bought my Strom). They were really awesome, they used to send me cards on my birthday, and letters asking how the service was and if I needed anything I could call the owner himself, but they went out of business a few months back, damned recession.

Anyway my point was that service means a great deal to me. IMO

[Jimding]

It seems fashionable to criticize dealers. But inventory is expensive, requiring either fast turnover, credit (harder to get these days) or deep pockets. The insurance issue can be troublesome. The problem of returns (sometimes of damaged goods) must be handled. Even the range of popular accessories for a single model range (VEE and Wee) is extensive and varied (which windshield/brackets do you stock?) so you either guess right or do a proxy mail order business ( "We can have that for you in a couple of days"). And you need really good people skills (unlike me)to make a go of it. Personally, the first time some yo-yo stopped in to check out my merchandise, then went home and undercut my price $5 mail-ordering it, I'd blow a gasket. On the other hand, if I could afford to own such a place, I'd make it more of a club, and hope to sell enough stuff to make just enough profit so the IRS accepted it as a business, allowing me to write off all the gadgets I'd like to have access to. And I'd reserve the right to ban anybody that turned out to be too much trouble.