Parker Brothers

[Dru]

Parker Bros was a great shop. Dave and Jill are the real deal. Glenn is one awesome dude too. He went way out of his way to drop off some moto mags when I was out of action with a shattered arm...

I wish all of them the best. I've no idea how tough it must be to go head to head with the online stuff or cross border shopping...

[Vikingtazz]

Parts Canada and Motovan have the wholesale market tied up in Canada.
That means if you want to be a retailer, you buy from them.

I have been told by those much more knowledgeable than myself, that they are both owned by the same company - disclaimer: I do not know if this is true or not.

Well, that's just what you call good business.
It's the kind of thing any successful minded business would love to accomplish.

So, imagine you are a retailer.
You have to buy your goods from the wholesaler who represents your area, because they have business agreements with the suppliers and manufacturers.
Retailers are not stupid, they are just not able to purchase their products from online retailers the same way consumers can.
They could probably "get away with it" for a short time, but ultimately the online retailers would notice and be required to stop; they also have agreements with suppliers and manufacturers.
They would not wish to risk losing their suppliers.

It does no good to demonize cross border shoppers.
The buying public will always try to get the most value for their hard-earned money, and money has no conscience.

[kruzuki]

I can't see how the mom-and-pop specialty store business model could work these days.

The economy has taken a huge bite out of everybody's disposible income, or we think twice before spending it very carefully. Which means getting the lowest price possible, wherever it may be.

Personally, I can't remeber how many times I've needed something that had to be ordered, had to wait 2 weeks, then make a trip to the shop to pick it up.

Why wouldn't I just sit at home, press a few buttons on my computer & voila! Found what I need, for less than what I can get it for here, it's in stock now, and it's delivered right to my door in a few days.
It's the modern way of doing business. Don't blame the customers.

It's sad to see this happening, but it's the way things are going.

[StepOnIt]

Ya me and the bike did some cartwheeling together but I did not sink her last summer. I came so close once but that does not count.
The dealer ( repair shop ) still owes me parts that were taken off my bike and never returned to me.
now it is at Mission and will see how that goes.

Originally Posted by shipwrek12001

oh my stomach hurts....


oh I mean sorry to hear that!!
a flip over two yrs ago, watered out last year... what is up for this year?

local dealer has no fear of going under with you around... LOL





just teasen

[shipwrek12001]

Originally Posted by StepOnIt

I had my bike repaired last year at a local shop (went under last spring) .
Just my nickle of thoughts

When you said this I thought you meant you put your bike under last year

opps..

[TE 450 Pilot]

Originally Posted by Vikingtazz

Parts Canada and Motovan have the wholesale market tied up in Canada.
That means if you want to be a retailer, you buy from them.

I have been told by those much more knowledgeable than myself, that they are both owned by the same company - disclaimer: I do not know if this is true or not.

Well, that's just what you call good business.
It's the kind of thing any successful minded business would love to accomplish.

So, imagine you are a retailer.
You have to buy your goods from the wholesaler who represents your area, because they have business agreements with the suppliers and manufacturers.
Retailers are not stupid, they are just not able to purchase their products from online retailers the same way consumers can.
They could probably "get away with it" for a short time, but ultimately the online retailers would notice and be required to stop; they also have agreements with suppliers and manufacturers.
They would not wish to risk losing their suppliers.

It does no good to demonize cross border shoppers.
The buying public will always try to get the most value for their hard-earned money, and money has no conscience.

There is some shops that buy from the USA and do their own importing. At one point they < local shop > had the best prices around but as of late they have moved their pricing more in line and increased their profits. This seams like the way to go from a business stand point.

[Weldit]

Originally Posted by shipwrek12001

oh my stomach hurts....


oh I mean sorry to hear that!!
a flip over two yrs ago, watered out last year... what is up for this year?

local dealer has no fear of going under with you around... LOL



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the main reason I ride with him - can't pay for entertainment like this

yell " Give 'er" - and stand back and watch the show !



just teasen

the main reason I ride with him - can't pay for entertainment like this

yell " Give 'er" - and stand back and watch the show !

[StepOnIt]

Originally Posted by Weldit

the main reason I ride with him - can't pay for entertainment like this

yell " Give 'er" - and stand back and watch the show !

All Good when it not you

[Big Toe]

Originally Posted by kruzuki

I can't see how the mom-and-pop specialty store business model could work these days.

The economy has taken a huge bite out of everybody's disposible income, or we think twice before spending it very carefully. Which means getting the lowest price possible, wherever it may be.

Personally, I can't remeber how many times I've needed something that had to be ordered, had to wait 2 weeks, then make a trip to the shop to pick it up.

Why wouldn't I just sit at home, press a few buttons on my computer & voila! Found what I need, for less than what I can get it for here, it's in stock now, and it's delivered right to my door in a few days.
It's the modern way of doing business. Don't blame the customers.

It's sad to see this happening, but it's the way things are going.

Problem with that is one day when we have a flat and need a tube there will be no or very local bike shops. Don't get me wrong I like to save money too but we need our local bike shops.

[Waterboiler]

I feel sorry for the local guys since at one time or another we all look to them for advice/parts and service.

I suspect the internet is mostly to blame. We find out about stuff and then want it - we also know what it should cost. We then go into a local shop and see a ( at times much ) higher price. Human nature tends to always look for a 'deal'

I have no problem paying a premium to a local vendor to save the hassles of internet shopping. The probelm is stock and availability, in general smaller vendors have little stock.

As an example I was looking for a pinlock insert for a Shoei RF1100, not a rare or expensive item. Guess what ? Nobody local ( went to about 10 shops ) had one. One shop said they would order it for me - great ! That was last July, still not in :( Guess what - ordered it online - got it in 4 days.

On the positive side, I had resigned to having to order and wait quite some time for some rather speciality frakles. Went to a local vendor and they had quite a few of the items - the missing parts they had to me by the end of the week - so it can be done. Maybe that was due to me shopping in the middle of the winter :)

[theshnizzle]

I say your whole story is a lie......I don't think there are even 10 shops in the GTA........

[Waterboiler]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

I say your whole story is a lie......I don't think there are even 10 shops in the GTA........

Well... I did have to stretch the definintion of GTA a bit, including Guelph, Hamilton and Whitby