I understand this and I fight this all the time with firearm sales. I have folks that will save $20 on price, 8.25% sales tax and have a gun shipped to me for a transfer and then pay me $25 for the transfer and still be well ahead. I keep some inventory but I cannot compete with the online and auction sites because they are making a percent or two off the sales. I do have customers that support me because I am a small guy and am local. We have had had the issue where a guy buys a gun, shipped to me and something is wrong with it. It becomes a real PITA for the customer.


Exactly. I was going to order my tires through my HD but they wanted about $100 more including tax than I can get online. I know there are indy's that will be cheaper but when I have to go to their shop, wait around for 30 minutes while he finishes changing the oil on a bike and then has to order the part, charges me more, charges me shipping and tax, I'm going online. I don't mind spending a little extra to support locally but if I have to order it anyways, I'm going to do it from the comfort of my home and save a few bucks.

They both are the same way. I have bought several bikes from Bedford and they do a good job. I am not ******* on them for turning me a way and I was surprised that they said yes to begin with. I just find it funny that they pick and chose what they will install that was purchased elsewhere. I was there yesterday picking up my Bel Ray primary and transmission oil. Talking to the desk guy, he said that most parts bought elsewhere, they do not install but some items, they will. I just needed to ask the service department.

 

Bedford is where I just bought the Limited Low last month. Since Garry passed away late last year, the new service writers seem afraid of their shadow.

 

I can see both sides but I've got to throw in with the shops on this one.

You really can't trust customers to realize that if they buy their own, all warranty, support, etc. is on them.

If you want better luck perhaps start the conversation with addressing that you absolve them of any come-back responsibilities and if there's some issue where the tire needs to come back off you're not going to come in looking for free labor.

The other option is to get the equipment to mount tires yourself. It's really not that difficult and you've done most of the work involved once the wheel is off anyway.

 

In Phoenix there is a HD dealer that does free installs of tires you buy from them. It's Arrowhead HD west side of Phoenix. Last few times I have been in I see the banner stating this offer, or when I call in they state that they are the home of the free tire install as they answer

 

I try to look at things from both sides......
If i work to make cash to support my family I'm going to take the business that brings me the most profit. If a guy walks in with his own tire he's going to have to pay me more for labor to change it than a guy that buys the tire from me because I make some off the tire sale. After all my time is my money.
If I'm the guy trying to save some money I might buy it on line. I just make sure I know how to install it because I know that most dealers/Indies arent going to let me get them on the cheap.

 

Option 43:

Live in a construction area, and have the T&WW.

 

You really can't trust customers to realize that if they buy their own, all warranty, support, etc. is on them.

As I stated earlier ... the common misconception is that "Well, you installed it and it was a defective part so you should replace it" ... Been there, done that ... lived it for a time and finally decided that it just wasn't worth the turmoil.

 

I have the T&WW on mine. It's about time I find one of those construction sites.

 

Then why not just have a legal disclaimer form and have the customer read it and sign it?

IN WRITING, SPELLED OUT TO THEM, COPY GIVEN TO THEM ... not just spoken or inferred.

An hour's labor is an hour's labor and one should be grateful for the opportunity. It's a simple conversion of time into money where and however it comes.

Why the precondition of having demand additional profit? It's really not because of liability issue, it's just a business model.

Alternatively, why not throw it at the mechanic on his lunch break or after hours as a gratuity on the same conditions?

It's understandable perhaps, as brick and mortar struggles to stay but, post-internet, the world's changed from the old days and too many Indy's were too slow or incapable to adopt to it. And I concur with those who write about how useless going to their local indy is for the lack of parts they stock these days ... and their attitudes.

I have two Indy's near me, one is run by "club" and I would not go there if you paid me due to their attitude. It charges 10% on top of any parts you supply to do labor and won't do tires.

The other has ripped off everyone with an H-D I know at some point and I'm sure it'll end up burned down at some point. It's just a racket, pure and simple.

If the problem is paying the rent and property taxes, perhaps the answer is just offering good service and putting up the labor charge instead of blackmailing and coercing customers?

Thankfully a chain of local auto tyre shops do if you bring in the tyre, consequently, I buy from them at near internet prices and tip the workers' biscuit fund. So it's worth exploring that option. They won't do strip complete bikes - and I agree with that because all you need is one stripped bolt and your screwed - but they can do tyres and balancing.

I've had bike tyres done on auto equipment.

What such Indy's don't seem to realise is doing small jobs, as time allows, is good PR that leads to - or loses - big jobs.

Otherwise it is just a some kind of protection racket.

There is an upside to the internet age for reseller though in that they don't have to hold stock any more, so companies are tying up far less capital in it. The products are, essentially, becoming worth nothing. It's the services, and quality of services and 'experience', that are paid for these days.

FYI, I have worked in bikes stores on the parts and accessory and service management side.

These days, in my business, I carry zero stock and, hence carry zero overheads, and part of my service is advising on where to get the best stuff cheapest. I leave it up to the customers to do that ... which is a smart move as it also reduces hours of unchargeable work ordering, chasing up, accounting, and dealing with the hours of inevitable screw ups.

Any service bay worth its salt should be able to make good prediction of the basic parts it needs to operate.

Of course, the bike trade has changed a lot as well since the days of when it was able to keep afloat just by selling bikes and selling far more of them too.

In short ... they ought to swop your tyres for cost and charge you an additional $5 for a fancy coffee and brownie while you wait as you brows their t-shirts selection. Indy's might blame the internet for the drop in sales, but how many have really just lost customers' loyalty and income for precisely their own actions and attitudes?

The only unavoidable elements in all this are the rising values of property, especially in inner city are. It's a sign of times that hairdressers, tattooists and coffee shops can afford them but 'trade' cannot.

 

I had both tires done, off bike, at Swifty's in Ft. Worth for 30 a tire and they balanced them. This included changing the rim strips and tubes. Give them a chance next time.