Wow, Seems like all the Bike and Accessory Shops Are Dropping like flies? The ones still open, you can't even buy a tire, spark plug or etc.... without having to order?
Yes it is a shame, in this crappy economy the first things people stop spending money on is their toys. But for us who still play, and still have jobs and are concerned about our dealers, we need to stop ordering of the internet from across the country from big box companies that don't care about you and won't stay late to fix your bike because you have a race on sunday and SUPPORT the local dealer. Every one needs a good knowleagable dealer network, but if they can't make sales or generate a profit what's the sense? The more we support our dealers the more product they'll carry, the more knowledge they'll have for their products, the more support they'll give back to us the riding community (ie..sponsorships, local riding area support etc). This isn't going to solve all thier problems but it would be a start.
In the last two years, more than 100 dealers and accessory shops have gone out of business here in Southern California between Los Angeles and the southern border. And I often do order on-line because the prices are good, there is often free shipping and I don't have to waste gasoline and wear and tear on vehicle and time running back and forth to a shop. I'd love to have a local shop that stocks what I want in the size and model etc that I need, but most shops don't and are staffed with not the most helpful salespeople in the world. I often find that it is easier, quicker, cheaper and even more informative to buy off the internet. That's just the way it goes.
I always try to order through my local dealer (BillF) even if I know it will be a few bucks more. If he went out of business it would be a real shame. The only pieces I order online are Kawi oem parts and helmets.
As Dirtdame stated, on-line ordering is just to convenient these days. Economics 101. Finding a local dealer or accessory shop with qualified people and having the parts in stock is the exception and not the rule. Face it - with the internet and pricing that can't be touched locally, the old way of doing business is losing the market share of sales.
good shops like Bills / Taskys will survive doing service and selling parts. If you know your stuff loyal customers will keep supporting you. I have bought many bikes from Bills and Taskys and always will. Now the key is getting BMW to be supportive of the dealers instead of killing them with plans that bleed them dry.
I try to support my local shop whenever I can.. somtimes it's win -win they order from Motosportz for me... rad guards etc....
I always find irony in threads discussing the demise of dealers and/or parts shops. It is because of forums like CH and the internet that most dealers/shops are closing their doors. I am not saying a forum is a bad thing but rather they are so great for information that most dealers/shops lose their competitive advantage of acquired knowledge. People can now get it for free from online communities. Plus you can pretty much get any part shipped to your door for the same or less cost than from your local shop. That is the way it goes....the world is always changing, keep up or get left behind. Sad but true.
I remember fondly back in the early to mid 70s, when I would go into a local shop and shoot the breeze with the parts guy or the owner. In those days, they knew where to get everything and I didn't. I might get information by word of mouth at the races or out of a magazine ad or article. There was mail order back then, but it wasn't so convenient or very customer service oriented, so it was always my best bet to head for the accessory shop or the local bike dealer. Remember dealerships in those days? Most were a single brand dealership in a small building, maybe a row of bikes down each side of the center aisle...you would walk the gauntlet of closely cluttered new models to get to the parts counter...at the back of the store there were a couple of gondolas of products, a clothing rack or two of jerseys and leathers, a stack of boots and a shelf with a dozen helmets...
it's even more convenient for me to go to my local dude and order stuff at below-internet prices, then pick it up later that afternoon if it's in stock at the distributor. But I am lucky to have a great shop that supports our club right on my way home from work. I don't have alot of patience for dealers that don't stock basic replacement parts like sprockets and brake pads, esp since the local accessory shop (moto-one in boise and meridian) seems to keep that stuff in stock for ALL popular brands. I've just walked in off the street and bought plastic for ktm, chain guide for kx250, oil filter for dr650, wheel bearing kits for ktm, brake pads for kx and ktm, etc.. etc...
Are you thinking of Bill's old shop? You described it to a "t". His new shop has that but to a lesser extent - I still can't go in without taking the long way around to the parts counter.... I'll still order from a dealer when possible - it is much easier to return a part that doesn't fit even if I pay a bit more for the service. Our local Kawi dealer didn't support 2t bikes at all so the internet was the only option. I hated getting accessories of the internet for my KX250 and then going through the hassles of returning them because they didn't fit correctly. So many times a listed product would have the "F" left off of KX250F so when you order a KX250 part it wouldn't fit. I'm grateful to have a local Husky dealer that really supports his customers.
That's a good point. And you're right that things change, keep up or be left behind. I think the wise dealers are doing the trickier work such as suspension jobs and using these forums to promote their services. Which I'm all for. Around here the smarter dealers are offering prices close to what you can get online and then they'll blow out stuff below internet prices once it's out of date. Those dealers are gaining marketshare while dealers that insist on msrp are falling by the wayside.
This is why Bill is my dealer ... especially his old shop fits that description. I was one of those parts guys back in the 70s and I know what you mean. Bill's still works that way; I am a Husky rider for the first time in my life because I found a dealer (albeit 60 miles away) that fits what I want out of a shop. This not to say that I dont ever buy from online stores, but I always give Bills first crack at it.
Bill got me further into huskys when I met him after a local off road race and bought a 99 WR250 from him shortly after. He convinced me there would be no parts issues and proudly stated he would rip parts off his bike to keep mine going. Good enough for me!!!
Last year my local Honda dealer closed. Then this summer my local BMW dealer closed and a month later my local Harley-Davidson dealer closed. My Husky dealer - MotoXotica - is still open, but it's an hour away. I bought my motorcycles and all my parts from the dealers to help them stay in business, but now I have to order parts online. It sucks to go an hour away for service.
My dealers about 3 hours away, but I know when I get there I'll be treated right & fair, & any questions get answered right away. Can't ask for better. Well maybe if he moved his shop about 2 hours 55 minutes closer to me Until then I just order over the phone & ScottyR has it to my door fairly quickly The few specialty shops I've used have been just as quick & able to answer any questions. Once you a find a business that takes care of it's customers, ya stick with them.
Give your Husky dealer a chance. There's a good possibiltiy that he can order it for you, give you a reasonable discount so it is close to internet price, and have it shipped directly to your home address. My Husky dealer is MotoXotica as well, an hour away, I appreciate Dan's service and support. I have closer dealers here in Sacramento, but they sell other bikes and don't provide the same level of service or knowledge.
I like the dealership where I bought my TE. The guys are nice to me there, especially Chris the parts guy. I like to buy parts from them, but other than OEM parts, they don't have anything in the way of dirt aftermarket or clothing and accessories. Otherwise, I'd probably drop in and buy more from them.
I live out in the boonies. My local dealer is 1300mi away and as much as I'd like to support them they really don't do a lot of Husky. It is simple with other dealers for parts - I don't really care where although I will give the local guy a shot first - local = in the same country. If they do not have an online catalogue and ordering system they barely get a look. Often it is MSRP if I call or email so why bother. Put the prices up and let them stand to the scrutiny. Vendor support in forums is great, but one or two vendors here could improve their sites in this regard. One vendor here has lost a sale to me because I cannot be bothered with the to and fro across a dozen time zones. Move with the times or die.
