[Boyo]

Now I am all for Buying Irish when I can, keeping the money and jobs here BUT!
I am looking for new Rear Pads for my bike, times are hard for us all so I also need to get value for money, but in the interest of fairness I called Honda Ballymount for a price (€51.00) so I said that David Silver UK had them for €30(delivered) could they do anything on the price.
I really don’t care if they are 10-20% more expensive (Ireland is an expensive place) but 40% is a bit much and especially when you get the take it or leave it comment. Leave it is fine by me!
Now I have had many dealing with Honda in Ballymount and usually they would meet me halfway, this policy seems to have changed. The recession must be over for Honda. Good luck to them!

[wesifumi]

When its coming out of your pocket you have to decide where is best to buy, but the only thing to remember is, we have higher wages to pay for, being an island the bits have to be transported here, customs duties and vat for the parts is different as well.

Still, when the re is 20 euro in the difference its a har pill to swallow thinking Irish.

[Pilot]

Yet another example of our little rip off republic, emigration here I come!

[Jem]

I wouldnt waste your energy on them lads, a couple of months ago I brought my Hornet in there to get some work done - was handing over 300 yoyos and yet they kept talking to my boyfriend about what needed to be done - to the point where he said to them 'its not my bike, speak to her' . First and last time I'd ever used them!

[Shinwacker]

Dackody, on 12 April 2011 - 02:28 PM, said:

I wouldnt waste your energy on them lads, a couple of months ago I brought my Hornet in there to get some work done - was handing over 300 yoyos and yet they kept talking to my boyfriend about what needed to be done - to the point where he said to them 'its not my bike, speak to her' . First and last time I'd ever used them!

Jeez I hate that sh1te, Mrs shins has the same when she tries to get work done to her car. Some pimply faced 20 year old thinking she is stupid, jeez she has been driving over 30 years and knows alot about cars and when they go wrong. Sometimes I have to step in and give out to them.

Next time anything starts to happen like that, don't wait for KTRIC to say something. Stand up and be counted girl. Tell them its your bike and ask why are you talking to him, he has no money for you I have the money. Do this at the very beginging of any conversation and let them know you're not happy with the attitude shown to you, if its a big place ask to talk to someone else, remember money talks.

Now back on topic. I thought buying Irish was about buying Irish goods. All these parts are made in Japan and are sold by either the Honda dealer or some middleman. So what is being said is that we should support the shops because they are in Ireland. I know lots and lots of motorcycle shops have closed their doors over the last few years and this is never good as people loose jobs and we loose choice and maybe have to pay more for the goods we want.

Now the old excuse of being on an island is being used, the last time I checked the UK was also an island, so why are prices cheaper in the UK for the same part? David Silver spares doing the same thing €20 cheaper. Then there is the idea of overheads, David Silver spares also have overheads and can pump out the stuff cheaper.

Those companies that didn't listen what their customers wanted are now out of business, people just voted with their feet and went elsewhere. As the recession bites deeper people are now shopping around for the best price and of course the best service. Is there any difference ordering on the Internet or going into a shop where they order on the net for you? The only difference I can see is cost, i.e. you paying a lot more for ordinary parts that should be cheap as chips.

I do honestly think that it would be foolish to spend more to buy Irish than you would elsewhere, you will still have to pay VAT and tax to the Irish state.

Shins

[Boyo]

Dackody, on 12 April 2011 - 02:28 PM, said:

I wouldnt waste your energy on them lads, a couple of months ago I brought my Hornet in there to get some work done - was handing over 300 yoyos and yet they kept talking to my boyfriend about what needed to be done - to the point where he said to them 'its not my bike, speak to her' . First and last time I'd ever used them!

I am surprised they spoke to either of you. I stood at the parts counter on a Saturday as the two boys had a chat and surfed the web. After they decided I had not taken the hint and gone away they asked me what I wanted.
The next week I got a cold call from a guy doing a customer survey for Honda. I told him what had happened but I do not think anything has changed.
The mechanic (think his name is Dave) is always very helpful whenever I've been there but the parts guys just thing Joe Public is and inconvenience.

[Jem]

Boyo, on 12 April 2011 - 02:55 PM, said:

I am surprised they spoke to either of you. I stood at the parts counter on a Saturday as the two boys had a chat and surfed the web. After they decided I had not taken the hint and gone away they asked me what I wanted.
The next week I got a cold call from a guy doing a customer survey for Honda. I told him what had happened but I do not think anything has changed.
The mechanic (think his name is Dave) is always very helpful whenever I've been there but the parts guys just thing Joe Public is and inconvenience.

Unreal!! Where do they get off? I hope it stays fine for them, cause I for one wont be back there!

[CBR 46]

I used to go into a particular shop for stuff and one day the guy behind the counter gave me a catalogue and said "Here, order it yourself from these guys, 'cos that's all I'll be doing"...

[Darkcloud]

Shinwacker, on 12 April 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

Jeez I hate that sh1te, Mrs shins has the same when she tries to get work done to her car. Some pimply faced 20 year old thinking she is stupid, jeez she has been driving over 30 years and knows alot about cars and when they go wrong. Sometimes I have to step in and give out to them.

Next time anything starts to happen like that, don't wait for KTRIC to say something. Stand up and be counted girl. Tell them its your bike and ask why are you talking to him, he has no money for you I have the money. Do this at the very beginging of any conversation and let them know you're not happy with the attitude shown to you, if its a big place ask to talk to someone else, remember money talks.

Now back on topic. I thought buying Irish was about buying Irish goods. All these parts are made in Japan and are sold by either the Honda dealer or some middleman. So what is being said is that we should support the shops because they are in Ireland. I know lots and lots of motorcycle shops have closed their doors over the last few years and this is never good as people loose jobs and we loose choice and maybe have to pay more for the goods we want.

Now the old excuse of being on an island is being used, the last time I checked the UK was also an island, so why are prices cheaper in the UK for the same part? David Silver spares doing the same thing €20 cheaper. Then there is the idea of overheads, David Silver spares also have overheads and can pump out the stuff cheaper.

Those companies that didn't listen what their customers wanted are now out of business, people just voted with their feet and went elsewhere. As the recession bites deeper people are now shopping around for the best price and of course the best service. Is there any difference ordering on the Internet or going into a shop where they order on the net for you? The only difference I can see is cost, i.e. you paying a lot more for ordinary parts that should be cheap as chips.

I do honestly think that it would be foolish to spend more to buy Irish than you would elsewhere, you will still have to pay VAT and tax to the Irish state.

Shins

And that's coming from a Northie

CBR 46, on 12 April 2011 - 03:13 PM, said:

I used to go into a particular shop for stuff and one day the guy behind the counter gave me a catalogue and said "Here, order it yourself from these guys, 'cos that's all I'll be doing"...

Can I have that catalogue when you're finished with it ?

[Jem]

Shinwacker, on 12 April 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

Next time anything starts to happen like that, don't wait for KTRIC to say something. Stand up and be counted girl. Tell them its your bike and ask why are you talking to him, he has no money for you I have the money. Do this at the very beginging of any conversation and let them know you're not happy with the attitude shown to you, if its a big place ask to talk to someone else, remember money talks.

Shins

Ah he was only one step ahead of me Shins - dont you worry! I wouldnt keep quiet for long, but as you say money talks and so, I shall be spending my money elsewhere

Darkcloud, on 12 April 2011 - 03:17 PM, said:

Can I have that catalogue when you're finished with it ?

[Boyo]

Shinwacker, on 12 April 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

Jeez I hate that sh1te, Mrs shins has the same when she tries to get work done to her car. Some pimply faced 20 year old thinking she is stupid, jeez she has been driving over 30 years and knows alot about cars and when they go wrong. Sometimes I have to step in and give out to them.

Next time anything starts to happen like that, don't wait for KTRIC to say something. Stand up and be counted girl. Tell them its your bike and ask why are you talking to him, he has no money for you I have the money. Do this at the very beginging of any conversation and let them know you're not happy with the attitude shown to you, if its a big place ask to talk to someone else, remember money talks.

Now back on topic. I thought buying Irish was about buying Irish goods. All these parts are made in Japan and are sold by either the Honda dealer or some middleman. So what is being said is that we should support the shops because they are in Ireland. I know lots and lots of motorcycle shops have closed their doors over the last few years and this is never good as people loose jobs and we loose choice and maybe have to pay more for the goods we want.

Now the old excuse of being on an island is being used, the last time I checked the UK was also an island, so why are prices cheaper in the UK for the same part? David Silver spares doing the same thing €20 cheaper. Then there is the idea of overheads, David Silver spares also have overheads and can pump out the stuff cheaper.

Those companies that didn't listen what their customers wanted are now out of business, people just voted with their feet and went elsewhere. As the recession bites deeper people are now shopping around for the best price and of course the best service. Is there any difference ordering on the Internet or going into a shop where they order on the net for you? The only difference I can see is cost, i.e. you paying a lot more for ordinary parts that should be cheap as chips.

I do honestly think that it would be foolish to spend more to buy Irish than you would elsewhere, you will still have to pay VAT and tax to the Irish state.

Shins

In the main I agree with what you say, however I am prepared to pay a “small” premium for the convenience of the shop being down the road with the stock on the shelf.
After all, if the guy in the shop gets paid with the money I spend, then hopefully he buy the services of the company I work for and I stay in a job (idealistic I know), and so it goes around, better than the business going out of the country.
The most important thing for me is service and then price, I’d like to think there will be some bike shop in business when this recession is over. Some deserve it as they go the extra mile and granted they can not compete with the internet they try and for this they do deserve our support , this does not mean I’ll be a mug but I prepared for a bit of give and take. Not the good olde Take Take Take that some shops seem to be into.

This post has been edited by Boyo: 12 April 2011 - 04:03 PM

[wesifumi]

Shinwacker, on 12 April 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

Now the old excuse of being on an island is being used, the last time I checked the UK was also an island, so why are prices cheaper in the UK for the same part? David Silver spares doing the same thing €20 cheaper. Then there is the idea of overheads, David Silver spares also have overheads and can pump out the stuff cheaper.

Shins

The UK has a bigger catchment of customers, therefore more stock can be bought, cheaper prices can be negotiated for, cheaper prices to the customer. Wages are lower in the UK also. David silvers i think is a phone call/ internet operation, i don't think they have a shop that you can walk into. lower overheads. The UK being an Island, is also closer to mainland Europe than Ireland, has more distribution warehouses too. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so you can get free postage from the UK to there, yet ROI is just down the road and cost increase.

We have diiferent vat rates to the UK for stuff, so that can affect it too.

[Shinwacker]

Boyo, on 12 April 2011 - 03:38 PM, said:

In the main I agree with what you say, however I am prepared to pay a “small” premium for the convenience of the shop being down the road with the stock on the shelf.
After all, if the guy in the shop gets paid with the money I spend, then hopefully he buy the services of the company I work for and I stay in a job (idealistic I know), and so it goes around, better than the business going out of the country.
The most important thing for me is service and then price, I’d like to think there will be some bike shop in business when this recession is over. Some deserve it as they go the extra mile and granted they can not compete with the internet they try and for this they do deserve our support , this does not mean I’ll be a mug but I prepared for a bit of give and take. Not the good olde Take Take Take that some shops seem to be into.

I would agree with you Boyo, the old saying of "you pay me, I'll pay him and he'll pay you" springs to mind. That's if your goodwill is not set upon by the take it all guys or guys that just don't care if you buy something or not. There is nothing so frustrating as being ignored in any shop, bike shops seemed to have made an art of it, customer service is hard to get but it is hard to beat when you do get it.

wesifume, on 12 April 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

The UK has a bigger catchment of customers, therefore more stock can be bought, cheaper prices can be negotiated for, cheaper prices to the customer. Wages are lower in the UK also. David silvers i think is a phone call/ internet operation, i don't think they have a shop that you can walk into. lower overheads. The UK being an Island, is also closer to mainland Europe than Ireland, has more distribution warehouses too. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so you can get free postage from the UK to there, yet ROI is just down the road and cost increase.

We have diiferent vat rates to the UK for stuff, so that can affect it too.

I can agree up to a point Wesi, what you haven't mentioned is a smaller profit margin for the sellers in the UK. Is the profit margin the same as in the Uk? If you strip out all the costs of running a business and getting stock, borrowing the money for stock and on and on, what's the profit margin? It has to be higher in Ireland and so the price stays higher, even when it's the same bit you're buying. Like Dunne stores et al, prices there are much cheaper in Northen Ireland becasue the profit margin is higher in Ireland.

It is going to be up to the customer and how much money he/she has to spend that will drive this market on.

Shins

[delooney]

Boyo, on 12 April 2011 - 02:55 PM, said:

I am surprised they spoke to either of you. I stood at the parts counter on a Saturday as the two boys had a chat and surfed the web. After they decided I had not taken the hint and gone away they asked me what I wanted.
The next week I got a cold call from a guy doing a customer survey for Honda. I told him what had happened but I do not think anything has changed.
The mechanic (think his name is Dave) is always very helpful whenever I've been there but the parts guys just thing Joe Public is and inconvenience.

There's more than one place in Ireland that treat their customers like this, as far as I'm concerned I won't bother them ever again. Is it something to do with the way the staff are managed?

I was browsing around a nicely presented, recently opened bike accessory shop, said "nice place you have here", to strike up a conversation, "Ungh" was the mono-syllabic reply from the counter. Off I went on my merry way.

Bizarrely, one of the biggest dealerships in Dublin was where I got the worst service, they're still in business, so there must be money in treating people like gobsihtes.

Luckily, I've found a place nearby that treats folk well, charges reasonable prices and offers good free advice where necessary. There are some people out there who know how to run a business!

[Yahooo]

Honda Ballymount are useless and i would never go to them, their prices and attitude are ridiculous. There are trees in the forest that have more entertainment & personality in them..

[BooBoo]

I called for a price for brake pads for my K1300s and was quoted 75 euro a side for the front. I was told the reason for the high price was they were sintered pads as opposed to standard organic pads. I then tried Hornig in Germany and they supplied the same sintered pads for 29 euro a side plus 7 euro shipping. The cost was less than half quoted locally.

I run my own business importing product. We face the same cost challenges as most if not all retailers here in Ireland and yet as a business we charge the exact same price in Ireland as what one of our customers can buy in the UK or elsewhere. My business employs Irish folk on above average wages, carry the same type overheads as others and yet still manage to be internationally competitive. So in my opinion if some one is retailing at a significantly higher price than else where they are either profiteering or simply too lazy to run an efficient ship thus reducing overheads. Profits in a business are made up of smart buying, keeping overheads down and increasing sales through being completive and clever marketing. Not by ripping off the few that are too lazy, ignorant or have no choice to shop elsewhere.

The unfortunate thing about all of this is that we here in Ireland have been brain washed into believing a lot of crap to justify the high prices being charged. I have witnessed many of my own customers go into liquidation due to poorly managed overheads and poor business principles. Many of these customers were making money in spite of themselves. By this I mean that anyone who was anyone thought that during the height of the boom the could start a business as demand was high and people would pay almost anything to get what they wanted. It was all too easy and now those left seem to have not learnt the lesson of those already out of business. The sad fact is that a lot more businesses are going to close before people wise up if they ever do.

I am sorry to sound real negative here, but folks, there are parts of our struggling economy that still has not adjusted to reflect reality and until this happens we are going to continue seeing businesses close with further redundancies.

Anyway that's my 10c worth.

Sorry it is Yogibear posting not Booboo, just realized she was still logged on when I clicked on post button.

This post has been edited by BooBoo: 12 April 2011 - 09:38 PM

[Linda]

@ Dackody I know exactly what you mean. It's why I don't use Priory at all, after for the 3rd time they told me to send my boyfriend in when I was arguing with them over a part they had misordered. I use to love using Mountjoy and now use either Peter in Redzone or Simon Cottors both of whom accept women bike.

[Shinwacker]

BooBoo, on 12 April 2011 - 09:36 PM, said:

I called for a price for brake pads for my K1300s and was quoted 75 euro a side for the front. I was told the reason for the high price was they were sintered pads as opposed to standard organic pads. I then tried Hornig in Germany and they supplied the same sintered pads for 29 euro a side plus 7 euro shipping. The cost was less than half quoted locally.

I run my own business importing product. We face the same cost challenges as most if not all retailers here in Ireland and yet as a business we charge the exact same price in Ireland as what one of our customers can buy in the UK or elsewhere. My business employs Irish folk on above average wages, carry the same type overheads as others and yet still manage to be internationally competitive. So in my opinion if some one is retailing at a significantly higher price than else where they are either profiteering or simply too lazy to run an efficient ship thus reducing overheads. Profits in a business are made up of smart buying, keeping overheads down and increasing sales through being completive and clever marketing. Not by ripping off the few that are too lazy, ignorant or have no choice to shop elsewhere.

The unfortunate thing about all of this is that we here in Ireland have been brain washed into believing a lot of crap to justify the high prices being charged. I have witnessed many of my own customers go into liquidation due to poorly managed overheads and poor business principles. Many of these customers were making money in spite of themselves. By this I mean that anyone who was anyone thought that during the height of the boom the could start a business as demand was high and people would pay almost anything to get what they wanted. It was all too easy and now those left seem to have not learnt the lesson of those already out of business. The sad fact is that a lot more businesses are going to close before people wise up if they ever do.

I am sorry to sound real negative here, but folks, there are parts of our struggling economy that still has not adjusted to reflect reality and until this happens we are going to continue seeing businesses close with further redundancies.

Anyway that's my 10c worth.

Sorry it is YogiBear posting not BooBoo, just realized she was still logged on when I clicked on post button.

Fantastic post Yogi/BooBoo, you've hit the nail on the head. The days of going into any business and not getting the service you're paying for are really at an end and about time too. Try finding something in Woodies, you'll be lucky if you can get help and most times I leave empty handed.

Another attitude that we get from the bike shops is that we the customers are stupid, can't ride the bike and some sort of snobbery comes form this idea. It's like they think we don't know how bikes work and that we can never learn. You really wouldn't get this from the people servicing the car. Ordering parts, some take so long your hair would be on the floor, either falling out or grown so long its on the floor. If the part is going to take two months to get then please tell me its going to be that long and then I can make my plans. I just hate when all you get is the usual excuses, postman ate by a dog in London and we couldn't get the part, all of that stuff.

A customer is a customer, good, bad or indifferent. They are not the enemy, they are the people spending their money and keeping people in work and should be treated so, in my honest opinion. Many years ago when I worked in the entrainment business they used to say "ban no plug" which meant that it didn't matter if it was bad things they were saying about you, as long as they were talking about you. Now I wonder how many people have been put of the Honda shop that Dackody was talking about? that would be interesting to find out.

Shins

[Darkcloud]

BooBoo, on 12 April 2011 - 09:36 PM, said:

I run my own business importing product. We face the same cost challenges as most if not all retailers here in Ireland and yet as a business we charge the exact same price in Ireland as what one of our customers can buy in the UK or elsewhere. My business employs Irish folk on above average wages, carry the same type overheads as others and yet still manage to be internationally competitive. So in my opinion if some one is retailing at a significantly higher price than else where they are either profiteering or simply too lazy to run an efficient ship thus reducing overheads. Profits in a business are made up of smart buying, keeping overheads down and increasing sales through being completive and clever marketing. Not by ripping off the few that are too lazy, ignorant or have no choice to shop elsewhere.

The unfortunate thing about all of this is that we here in Ireland have been brain washed into believing a lot of crap to justify the high prices being charged. I have witnessed many of my own customers go into liquidation due to poorly managed overheads and poor business principles. Many of these customers were making money in spite of themselves. By this I mean that anyone who was anyone thought that during the height of the boom the could start a business as demand was high and people would pay almost anything to get what they wanted. It was all too easy and now those left seem to have not learnt the lesson of those already out of business. The sad fact is that a lot more businesses are going to close before people wise up if they ever do.

I am sorry to sound real negative here, but folks, there are parts of our struggling economy that still has not adjusted to reflect reality and until this happens we are going to continue seeing businesses close with further redundancies.

Anyway that's my 10c worth.

Sorry it is Yogibear posting not Booboo, just realized she was still logged on when I clicked on post button.

Excellent post Greg.....Rip off Ireland has no place in today's Ireland...folk need to start voting with their feet and avoid anywhere that rips people off..
For example, I would NEVER buy ANYTHING in Spar on Dame Street...total rip off on all goods that all shops locally are cheaper for even another Spar around the corner...yet place is packed everyday...folk need to wise up...
Halfords?? Steer clear...go to your local motor factor..€12 bulb in Halford is only €4 in local shop.....wise up people...
The list is endless...........but it starts with us all here now....

[Turkish]

BooBoo, on 12 April 2011 - 09:36 PM, said:

......

I run my own business importing product. We face the same cost challenges as most if not all retailers here in Ireland and yet as a business we charge the exact same price in Ireland as what one of our customers can buy in the UK or elsewhere. My business employs Irish folk on above average wages, carry the same type overheads as others and yet still manage to be internationally competitive. So in my opinion if some one is retailing at a significantly higher price than else where they are either profiteering or simply too lazy to run an efficient ship thus reducing overheads. Profits in a business are made up of smart buying, keeping overheads down and increasing sales through being completive and clever marketing. Not by ripping off the few that are too lazy, ignorant or have no choice to shop elsewhere.

The unfortunate thing about all of this is that we here in Ireland have been brain washed into believing a lot of crap to justify the high prices being charged. I have witnessed many of my own customers go into liquidation due to poorly managed overheads and poor business principles. Many of these customers were making money in spite of themselves. By this I mean that anyone who was anyone thought that during the height of the boom the could start a business as demand was high and people would pay almost anything to get what they wanted. It was all too easy and now those left seem to have not learnt the lesson of those already out of business. The sad fact is that a lot more businesses are going to close before people wise up if they ever do.

I am sorry to sound real negative here, but folks, there are parts of our struggling economy that still has not adjusted to reflect reality and until this happens we are going to continue seeing businesses close with further redundancies.

Anyway that's my 10c worth.

totally agree ....i support local business as much as possible but some guys need to step down from heaven or stop taking pink tablets....

got lots of BMW car parts for a car project 740euro from Joe Scruffy and 510euro from BMW dealer NI ...same parts from same warehouse shipped by the same boat to small green island...

some local guys even charge more in these difficult days as turn over is $hite....hate this approach