http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-etQNklxoA
We're getting a lot of calls now in the USA on the brand, about 90% of the sales are going to 3 stores across North America because they stock the full line and they sell. This is the type of product that has POP, posters, D30 Demos, stickers, brochures, we have the tools to make sure your clients get the full experience of what makes Armadillo better than the other jackets on the shelf. Use the POP and sales materials to create more than just a repair shop, create a scooter store destination point.
CHECK OUT THE NEW 2011 Collection available now from http://www.mrp-speed.com or http://www.cyclegear.com
It's 2011 and its cold thats why stores that stocked up for the season are doing well, but again the video link above is to give you ideas. We have the materials available and they will help you run a more profitable shop if used correctly and displayed with the full line. You can't sell what you don't have so make sure to call us about Armadillo jackets and Scooter wear. Armadillo is fashionable European protective riding apparel featuring D30.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJCgZ_xgrIk
D30 in action check out this test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdE2MMcbLVw
How does D30 Work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYmYyVLbApE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88SoZESex0k
How does Armadillo Scooter Wear Work?
Armadillo Protects you thanks to a combo of D3O, Cordura, and the finest materials available. Many people aren't aware of D3O so here's some info.
Under slow rates of movement, the d3o™ CE certified (EN1621-1) pads provides maximum comfort through softness and flexibility, but when impacted at high speeds d3o™ displays excellent shock absorption as the Intelligent Molecules inside lock together, spreading the force over the whole pad.
d3o™ completely conforms to your body and remains almost invisible within your garment, but provides excellent shock absorption when you need it.
www.d3o.com
Our collection designed with the modern scooter rider in mind including scooter jackets, classic trench coats, hooded jackets and scooter gloves, all of our collection features d3o body armour, just in case you need it. The line comprises cutting-edge, outerwear with robust interior engineering that includes abrasion-resistant fabric, D30 material, and superior quality. Find it at your local scooter shop.
Our range of apparel has been designed to suit all riders and climates, from Vespa enthusiasts to city commuters every garment made carries unique detailing and comes with a 2 year guarantee.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Orphaned Customers and Orphaned Brands
I was talking to an employee of another company who asked me why we were working so hard to help consolidate the scooter industry. In his opinion it was best to let all the former United Motors, Diamo, Italjet and Daelim dealers/clients buy a new scooter. He didn't get the concept of how a dealer that sold a product a year or two ago were still liable for a product they sold. In some states those scooters are considered motor vehicles and had even more Lemon Laws affecting them. So you better believe someone who spent $6,000 on Hyosung 650cc branded UM is going to want parts, yes you can get some of these from Hyosung, but will they be in the same color with the UM logo on it? The answer is no.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRUokVfsDk&feature=channel
Thousands of orphaned customers and dealers are out there right now and the Indiana Dealer Expo is a good place for the scooter industry to educate them. From where to find parts to why as a distributor we want dealers to repair every brand they can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-5ZA5GvHs
The other issue facing us is a whole new crop of investors and possible operators are looking at opening a scooter shop. Since 2008 there's been hundreds of towns left without a dealership. The thinning of the herd has now caused there to be a market gap for someone to come in and take the market share. Consumers are having to drive miles to find a dealer to install a 80cc kit or to get an exhaust from.
Having fewer stores out there you find yourself waiting days sometimes to get a scooter repaired. Shops work leaner with less inventory, fewer mechanics, so if you have customers waiting on a couch why not sell them some water? Having these clients just waiting around a showroom means you should have jackets, helmets, soda, coffee and more.
I know these are things that bigger dealers get, but scooter shops managers don't usually know that they need to stock them so the Dealer Expo is a good chance for them to learn what they need to do. What type of market they are in? How to self-qualify themselves.
Are they a price point dealer? a repair only shop? or are they trying to build a destination?
What is their branding score?
Are they selling first tier brands ( Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa )
Secondary Price Points ( Kymco / SYM / PGO - Genuine / TAIWAN / KOREA )
or lower price points ( Mainland China)
How do they stack up against other dealers?
Do they stock clothing ( Armadillo ) Helmets, gloves, racing parts?
All these questions are extremely important. The other aspect is service. You can't survive without repairing as many bikes as you can and that means knowing all the brands that are out there and where to buy the parts. That's where MRP comes to help the dealer take advantage of all these brands no longer on the market and to give you one easy place where you can get the parts.
So a smart marketing savy dealer can make a name for himself in his local marketplace. They can send postcards, tweets, and flyers to all the clients the orphaned consumers out there from the local DMV registrations. They can contact the TNG, Diamo, CPI, United Motors, Tank riders and say "HEY WE HAVE PARTS" come in let us help you.
When accessing the potential of 2011 when you factor in rising gas prices, less competition, and more interest in alternative transportation this could be a great year. So there's never been a better time than now to hang in there and start promoting the joys of scootering in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIbN3Jo8pQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRUokVfsDk&feature=channel
Thousands of orphaned customers and dealers are out there right now and the Indiana Dealer Expo is a good place for the scooter industry to educate them. From where to find parts to why as a distributor we want dealers to repair every brand they can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-5ZA5GvHs
The other issue facing us is a whole new crop of investors and possible operators are looking at opening a scooter shop. Since 2008 there's been hundreds of towns left without a dealership. The thinning of the herd has now caused there to be a market gap for someone to come in and take the market share. Consumers are having to drive miles to find a dealer to install a 80cc kit or to get an exhaust from.
Having fewer stores out there you find yourself waiting days sometimes to get a scooter repaired. Shops work leaner with less inventory, fewer mechanics, so if you have customers waiting on a couch why not sell them some water? Having these clients just waiting around a showroom means you should have jackets, helmets, soda, coffee and more.
I know these are things that bigger dealers get, but scooter shops managers don't usually know that they need to stock them so the Dealer Expo is a good chance for them to learn what they need to do. What type of market they are in? How to self-qualify themselves.
Are they a price point dealer? a repair only shop? or are they trying to build a destination?
What is their branding score?
Are they selling first tier brands ( Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa )
Secondary Price Points ( Kymco / SYM / PGO - Genuine / TAIWAN / KOREA )
or lower price points ( Mainland China)
How do they stack up against other dealers?
Do they stock clothing ( Armadillo ) Helmets, gloves, racing parts?
All these questions are extremely important. The other aspect is service. You can't survive without repairing as many bikes as you can and that means knowing all the brands that are out there and where to buy the parts. That's where MRP comes to help the dealer take advantage of all these brands no longer on the market and to give you one easy place where you can get the parts.
So a smart marketing savy dealer can make a name for himself in his local marketplace. They can send postcards, tweets, and flyers to all the clients the orphaned consumers out there from the local DMV registrations. They can contact the TNG, Diamo, CPI, United Motors, Tank riders and say "HEY WE HAVE PARTS" come in let us help you.
When accessing the potential of 2011 when you factor in rising gas prices, less competition, and more interest in alternative transportation this could be a great year. So there's never been a better time than now to hang in there and start promoting the joys of scootering in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIbN3Jo8pQ
Alternative Sources of Revenue for Shops
Alternative Sources of Revenue for Shops
I had a dealer telling me today that it's dead outside his store. That the only people hanging out at the strip mall were at the market or Starbucks.
I asked him if there was any reason he couldn't sell tea or coffee and he replied "no"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRUokVfsDk
So there he had it. It might be snowing, but he could sell boots, jackets, and maybe do a fashion show for his riders much like the Ducati shops. Selling hot chocolate or tea in Atlanta might not seem like a bright idea, but it works for many dealers. When they add up at the end of the year how much they sold in coffee and sodas it adds up.
When its cold outside people might gather up and watch a movie in your shop if you made it more than just a repair location. There is no money purely in the parts, the real money comes in building a destination point. A place for rallies, gatherings, and clients who are willing to pay more because they have a good relationship with the owner.
If your store is boring, how can you keep the interest of someone raised on Game Boys or a Nintendo DS?
Think outside the box, do so and you will sell all the clothing, coffee, sodas, and treats you can imagine. For more articles visit our site http://www.mrp-speed.com
If you've read my articles in Motorcycle Product News ( available online at http://www.mpnmag.com or at our press section http://www.mrp-speed.com ) then you know the number one issue with small scooter dealers is making a profit all year long. Give up that extra scooter on display and focus on other sources of revenue like clothing, shoes, accessories, and of course WATER. People need to hydrate so sell some coffee, espresso, water, pre-packaged food items that don't require a health permit like ice cream. Very easy to do, keeps clients happy, and you create a destination point. For more ideas visit htttp://www.mrp-speed.com
I had a dealer telling me today that it's dead outside his store. That the only people hanging out at the strip mall were at the market or Starbucks.
I asked him if there was any reason he couldn't sell tea or coffee and he replied "no"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRUokVfsDk
So there he had it. It might be snowing, but he could sell boots, jackets, and maybe do a fashion show for his riders much like the Ducati shops. Selling hot chocolate or tea in Atlanta might not seem like a bright idea, but it works for many dealers. When they add up at the end of the year how much they sold in coffee and sodas it adds up.
When its cold outside people might gather up and watch a movie in your shop if you made it more than just a repair location. There is no money purely in the parts, the real money comes in building a destination point. A place for rallies, gatherings, and clients who are willing to pay more because they have a good relationship with the owner.
If your store is boring, how can you keep the interest of someone raised on Game Boys or a Nintendo DS?
Think outside the box, do so and you will sell all the clothing, coffee, sodas, and treats you can imagine. For more articles visit our site http://www.mrp-speed.com
If you've read my articles in Motorcycle Product News ( available online at http://www.mpnmag.com or at our press section http://www.mrp-speed.com ) then you know the number one issue with small scooter dealers is making a profit all year long. Give up that extra scooter on display and focus on other sources of revenue like clothing, shoes, accessories, and of course WATER. People need to hydrate so sell some coffee, espresso, water, pre-packaged food items that don't require a health permit like ice cream. Very easy to do, keeps clients happy, and you create a destination point. For more ideas visit htttp://www.mrp-speed.com
Monday, January 10, 2011
First Look at the New 2011 Collection now in stock at MRP
First look at the new gloves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrAdxWNF2tw
For more info visit http://www.ArmadilloScooterWear.com
New Winter Gloves from Armadillo Scooter Wear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrAdxWNF2tw
For more info visit http://www.ArmadilloScooterWear.com
New Winter Gloves from Armadillo Scooter Wear
Snow = Jacket Sales!
Snow = Jacket Sales!
The US might be covered in snow right now, but new Armadillo Scooter Gloves are in stock for 2011 and selling fast. Stores that know Clothing = Sales when its raining or snowy know Armadillo.
Check out the new 2011 Armadillo Scooter Wear items.
Armadillo Vulcan Gloves
1. Memory foam impact absorbers on knuckles area
2. Action fit panel for increased comfort
3. Reinforced Clarino palm panel resists grip wear
4. Drawstring adjustable cuff with elastic wrist
5. Power-stretch panel for increased comfort and fit
6. 3M (TM) SCOTCHLITE(R) tape for visibility
- Grade A, cowhide aniline leather
- Water repellant treatment to outer leather
- HiPora(R) waterproof and breathable
- 3M(TM) Thinsulate(R) insulation +50g polyfill insulation
Mocker Men's Gloves
1. Hardshell knuckle impact absorber
2. Velcro(R) wrist adjuster
3. Memory-foam impact absorbers on finger joints
4. Pre-curved for optimized grip
5. Power-stretch panel for increased comfort and fit
- Grade A, cowhide aniline leather
- Water repellant treatment to outer shell
- HiPora (R) waterproof and breathable
- 3M(TM) Thinsulate(R) insulation
For more info in the USA where you can get these amazing gloves visit http://www.Armadilloscooterwear.com
http://www.mrp-speed.com
or visit one of our retailers.
The US might be covered in snow right now, but new Armadillo Scooter Gloves are in stock for 2011 and selling fast. Stores that know Clothing = Sales when its raining or snowy know Armadillo.
Check out the new 2011 Armadillo Scooter Wear items.
Armadillo Vulcan Gloves
1. Memory foam impact absorbers on knuckles area
2. Action fit panel for increased comfort
3. Reinforced Clarino palm panel resists grip wear
4. Drawstring adjustable cuff with elastic wrist
5. Power-stretch panel for increased comfort and fit
6. 3M (TM) SCOTCHLITE(R) tape for visibility
- Grade A, cowhide aniline leather
- Water repellant treatment to outer leather
- HiPora(R) waterproof and breathable
- 3M(TM) Thinsulate(R) insulation +50g polyfill insulation
Mocker Men's Gloves
1. Hardshell knuckle impact absorber
2. Velcro(R) wrist adjuster
3. Memory-foam impact absorbers on finger joints
4. Pre-curved for optimized grip
5. Power-stretch panel for increased comfort and fit
- Grade A, cowhide aniline leather
- Water repellant treatment to outer shell
- HiPora (R) waterproof and breathable
- 3M(TM) Thinsulate(R) insulation
For more info in the USA where you can get these amazing gloves visit http://www.Armadilloscooterwear.com
http://www.mrp-speed.com
or visit one of our retailers.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
NS4L made me think about safety today
It's a Saturday.
I just checked our crazy emails. I start responding to dealers, then I log onto Facebook and what do I see? I see a great store in Gainesville Florida named New Scooters 4 Less. Not only do they rent scooters, they fix them, and they sell both new and used. The first thing they posted was a new jacket display with the Armadillo Camo on it, I was like way to go. Social marketing by a scooter shop, I don't think about it too much I have 10 emails here from riders looking for help even from Brazil thinking I can explain why his engine won't start.
I get every rider emailing me asking how to change a piston or which scooter to buy, I try to fwd these to the nearest dealer since if I explain this to the possible buyer they don't understand I'm not a retailer. Still it struck me that three of my emails today have to do with jackets and I realized why. I went to weather.com and the entire South of the US is being hit with rain and cold. So people are going into shops and asking about rain gear and jackets.
I'm new to the clothing game I realize that, but more and more I realize the difference between a store that does really well with clothing and stores that completely ignore it. It's like 10% of the stores do 90% of the business. It all comes down to planning. It's crazy because it has nothing to do with clientele, social status, location, or money. It's all about planning and what the owners or management think is going to sell vs what actually sells.
Most Small Scooter shop owners "THINK" they can't sell clothing or that it doesn't sell. Most shops also don't have good displays or showrooms so there's a lot to talk about here. Just to put out some figures - in 2008 and 2009 all sides of the business fell, but clothing was up. Also, companies like Cycle Gear do over $40 million in clothing in the USA. So if your store doesn't have it, they must be buying it somewhere right? So back to my point about safety and how to sell jackets properly.
This is where you have to plan ahead as a small business owner because for a store to be a year round shop you have to have products for all occasions. I've blogged about the store being an experience not just a place to get a tire, I've talked about building the lifestyle, and I've even talked about creative financing. So when I open my inbox and I see that two of the emails are from stores that get our brochures, but don't stock a single jacket it gets me a little annoyed. The third email is the perfect email. Why? Simple. The owner has a mannequin display in Georgia and when people walk in they see it. He can't afford to have 4 models in 10 sizes but he has something riders can touch, feel, see, and that's how he sells Armadillo. Then he sits and shows them the website. More than likely he will get the sale since I just told him we have the new Armadillo 2011 line in stock and the Travis is in the warehouse.
Back to Facebook I'm looking at the posting from New Scooters for Less. The owner Collin posted that picture on his Facebook account I mentioned, I'm re-posting it below it's showing a jacket display with a mannequin featuring an Armadillo Camo Jacket.
SMART MOVE- students can see the jacket, figure out "I don't have $20,000 for a skin graft," and he can offer products despite limited space because he has something people can feel, wear, touch.
www.NS4L.com is a great example of what you can do even with a limited space and a student crowd. Yes, kids can buy a jacket anywhere but they are already in the shop so why not offer them something that is quality. Without the display, without the jacket, its just a showroom with scooters.
Now the other two emails are just sad.
It doesn't help if you put a catalog on the table and say "you can order this from Armadillo or WPS, but I don't have any jackets in the store sorry." That's just poor planning. This the same guy that a year later might wright me an email to tell me he's closing because he couldn't build a client base. I know not every store is meant to be a Vespa "boutique" but you should try to build the experience anyways. Even if you sell all Chinese put up a classic Vespa sign ( I've made videos explaining why you should do this as well )
My point is you have to build the experience and part of that is lifestyle. I often hear "I don't have the clientele or people here don't spend that kind of money" my favorite from store managers is "The owner doesn't like stocking clothing." This just tells me they don't know their clients and the staff isn't trained to sell on safety. Two other aspects of the business. You have to train your staff to sell clothing, because selling from the brochure doesn't work in 2011. People have the internet and if I wanted to look at a catalog I would stay at home and not drive to your shop.
The truth is you don't offer jackets in your scooter shop they will go down the road to a Cycle Gear or a Sears and probably get a better selection of jackets and rain gear, not to mention Sears now has scooters and helmets. So does Pep Boys and Walmart.
So do like New Scooters 4 Less in Gainesville. Make people happy to be in a scooter shop, build that experience. Maybe they just went there to buy a battery but they might buy a glove or while they wait for the tire change if they see themselves in a Red Scarlett Mac they might get one purely for the fashion aspect, but you will know at night that your client, this person that keeps your business alive is safer and better protected because of something you sold. That's another side to this business that people forget. Clothing is about safety and you have to train your employees to express that especially in college towns. If you Google "Football" "Players" "Scooters" you will see how many Universities are trying to ban scooters on campus because athletes are getting injured, not wearing helmets, and even hurting themselves for riding in flip flops and thin shirts. In a college town like Gainesville Florida it's a great thing when you have a store promoting safety to students.
Let's be realistic not every student is going to buy a jacket. Probably 90% will continue to ride in flip flops and in shirts, but the one girl who buys that jacket will be safer and better equipped than buying a cheap Chinese jacket with no protection at Walmart. Plus it builds on the whole showroom experience since a jacket means a helmet and in this weather likely means gloves as well. That's part of the reason we took on the line.
To the other two emails I got, look we offer terms to good clients, we offer help in promoting the line. I expect more emails like these but my reply to everyone is the same. Build the showroom experience, go over to your competition, take a look at why stores like Cycle Gear do so well, and build that buying experience. Yes, tire and oil can pay the bills, but you will never expand beyond a basic service. By building the experience your store becomes a destination, a brand, an experience. In the case of New Scooters 4 Less you might even become a place where a student gets educated because no other shop near the University of Florida promotes safety the way they do from helmets to a solid quality jacket. Maybe if everyone that sold you a bike did that good of a job we wouldn't have all these tragedies because every student would have a helmet and solid protection. I know you can't force people to buy stuff, I know students will drive drunk, I know they will ride on sidewalks and cause havoc, but the store has to try. The saddest thing is that in most college towns you don't have a NS4L store and all the shops are just full of bikes. No helmets, no jackets, no gloves. You ask the owner why "People don't buy that stuff," drive an hour in any direction find a Cycle Gear or Pep Boys ask how many helmets did you sell this year?
IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME, build a sold Armadillo display and witness the questions you will get. Those emails I love.
Just some random thoughts on a cold windy rainy Saturday. Now I'm taking my Zuna out, its freezing here like 60 degrees and you better believe I have an Armadillo Hoody on. http://www.ArmadilloScooterWear.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e92vJgzgarI
If you need help or want to be one of those guys that do 90% of the clothing business email me and I will give you some ideas.
The Scooter Maven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iepi9k0mJCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sos_EV4Sjus
Friday, January 7, 2011
More parts than anyone at Indy 2011
More parts than anyone at Indy 2011
As we approach the Dealer Expo we keep thinking about how we've grown since we were the first to focus on the automatic racing parts back in 2005. We started in 2001 with scooters and maybe 200 parts in our system and now we've come full circle.
As of right now we have over 30,000 parts for sale. Half are still being added on a daily basis, but we're the only company that carries the best European brands as well as Asian models. As you can see we have OEM Hyosung, OEM United Motors, CPI ( from TAIWAN) , Diamo, TNG, Malaguti ( MADE IN ITALY ) and many OEM brands dealers can't get anywhere else. Upgrades for the Honda Zoomer / Ruckus, Silverwing, Suzuki Burgman, and the entire Kymco series including the best selling Quanon exhaust ( Ask Kymco USA who is using the MRP Quanon Exhaust in their fleet demo ) So if you want to upgrade your Kymco don't ask us, ask the Kymco USA marketing manager who happens to use a TK Quanon exhaust on his new bike.
Dealers have a hard time running a shop and they really shouldn't have to have so much trouble to find a Genuine supplier of OEM parts for their clients, but the truth is there is a lot of misinformation out there. For every store that knows us I still hear from one or two shops that call and say "I never heard of you guys" or my favorite "I was told by so and so that you only had a few parts." Part of this is the nature of our business. Small shops don't have time to read every industry publication, stay on top of the emails, posts online, nor do they research when competitors and companies have employees posting fake reviews on message boards. I see a lot of small guys online selling out of their house pretending to be big companies ruining the market for dealers or worse simply dropshipping from larger MRP dealers and other distributors like Tucker Rockey and WPS.
So just wanted to give you a preview of what we are working on and a look back at ten years of our family at the dealer Expo.
Running a motorcycle or scooter shop is one of the few jobs that requires you to be all things at once. A parts expert, a salesperson, a strategist, a marketing guru, and deal with 100 suppliers. You could sell ice cream all day and only deal with 20 flavors but selling motorcycles or scooters you have a 1,000 jobs. So information is key thats why we put over 150 manuals on our website for free. IF YOU DONT HAVE THE PART NUMBER EMAIL US A PICTURE WITH MEASUREMENTS, YOUR DEALER NAME, A PHONE NUMBER, AND WE WILL HELP YOU.
Another reason I want to show how open we are about what we sell is that the market fall of 2009 at least allowed us to see behind the smoke and mirrors when these former employees would apply for jobs and tell us "oh my job was to tell people that you didn't have the real parts, I'm sorry that's what the boss told me." My personal favorite story to tell now is when I walked into a distributor that just folded and on the desk was a yellowpad with "Alias" names for online emails, passwords, and the message boards they frequented to hype up the brand. Funny thing is after some time dealers realize all these positive reviews online of a cheap scooter can't be real. This lack of scruples amazes me so I have to be open about it and show the dealers we got parts, and we don't have anything to hide. We don't have everything and if we don't have it we will tell you who does. For every fake consumer or message board guy who has an agenda or an advertiser who doesn't know what we sell, we put it out there.
We have OEM real factory parts not the cheap Chinese guys that sell imitation parts " Zymco and Zyco" these are made by Kymco, Malaguti, SYM, TGB, Piaggio ( yes Vespa / Aprilia / Derbi ), Hyosung, real factories in Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Japan plus we have OEM Chinese parts from the distributors we've added in the last two years including LINHAI, LONCIN, JINCHENG, WANGYE, BZ Benzhou, QJ Qiangjiang ( Benelli, Andretti, Vento, UM ) plus CF MOTO ( CFMOTO USA, QLINK, TNG, YAMATI ) and ZNEN (TNG / PUMA / Flyscooters / BMS / Qlink ) just to name a few.
So if you're a dealer and you ever visit us, you will see we have real OEM stuff from real factories. From brand names in Europe like Turbo Kit exhausts all the way to Benelli ( Andretti ) scooter parts. Items that cannot take generic partsforchinese scooter parts. You won't get this stuff from anyone else, not Parts Unlimited, Tucker, or WPS. MRP is the only place for these items so don't be fooled by what you hear, we have it, let me show you.
Real Brand and Real Parts we're not affraid to compare numbers here, if your dealership needs parts it amazes us that dealers buy from online distributors only to have them dropped shipped from MRP
Our first show was in 2001 exhibiting the Malaguti line of Italy. Boy have we grown since then.....
Dealer Expo videos:
Dealer Expo 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDH9wfW-dF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWPpQ89R54s&feature=channel
Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwPLk364DlA
Guest Speaker Indy Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HohDXoVGM8
Dealer Expo 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmvZg-cPOPQ
Dealer Expo 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIHNTx6Dbw
As we approach the Dealer Expo we keep thinking about how we've grown since we were the first to focus on the automatic racing parts back in 2005. We started in 2001 with scooters and maybe 200 parts in our system and now we've come full circle.
As of right now we have over 30,000 parts for sale. Half are still being added on a daily basis, but we're the only company that carries the best European brands as well as Asian models. As you can see we have OEM Hyosung, OEM United Motors, CPI ( from TAIWAN) , Diamo, TNG, Malaguti ( MADE IN ITALY ) and many OEM brands dealers can't get anywhere else. Upgrades for the Honda Zoomer / Ruckus, Silverwing, Suzuki Burgman, and the entire Kymco series including the best selling Quanon exhaust ( Ask Kymco USA who is using the MRP Quanon Exhaust in their fleet demo ) So if you want to upgrade your Kymco don't ask us, ask the Kymco USA marketing manager who happens to use a TK Quanon exhaust on his new bike.
Dealers have a hard time running a shop and they really shouldn't have to have so much trouble to find a Genuine supplier of OEM parts for their clients, but the truth is there is a lot of misinformation out there. For every store that knows us I still hear from one or two shops that call and say "I never heard of you guys" or my favorite "I was told by so and so that you only had a few parts." Part of this is the nature of our business. Small shops don't have time to read every industry publication, stay on top of the emails, posts online, nor do they research when competitors and companies have employees posting fake reviews on message boards. I see a lot of small guys online selling out of their house pretending to be big companies ruining the market for dealers or worse simply dropshipping from larger MRP dealers and other distributors like Tucker Rockey and WPS.
So just wanted to give you a preview of what we are working on and a look back at ten years of our family at the dealer Expo.
Running a motorcycle or scooter shop is one of the few jobs that requires you to be all things at once. A parts expert, a salesperson, a strategist, a marketing guru, and deal with 100 suppliers. You could sell ice cream all day and only deal with 20 flavors but selling motorcycles or scooters you have a 1,000 jobs. So information is key thats why we put over 150 manuals on our website for free. IF YOU DONT HAVE THE PART NUMBER EMAIL US A PICTURE WITH MEASUREMENTS, YOUR DEALER NAME, A PHONE NUMBER, AND WE WILL HELP YOU.
Another reason I want to show how open we are about what we sell is that the market fall of 2009 at least allowed us to see behind the smoke and mirrors when these former employees would apply for jobs and tell us "oh my job was to tell people that you didn't have the real parts, I'm sorry that's what the boss told me." My personal favorite story to tell now is when I walked into a distributor that just folded and on the desk was a yellowpad with "Alias" names for online emails, passwords, and the message boards they frequented to hype up the brand. Funny thing is after some time dealers realize all these positive reviews online of a cheap scooter can't be real. This lack of scruples amazes me so I have to be open about it and show the dealers we got parts, and we don't have anything to hide. We don't have everything and if we don't have it we will tell you who does. For every fake consumer or message board guy who has an agenda or an advertiser who doesn't know what we sell, we put it out there.
We have OEM real factory parts not the cheap Chinese guys that sell imitation parts " Zymco and Zyco" these are made by Kymco, Malaguti, SYM, TGB, Piaggio ( yes Vespa / Aprilia / Derbi ), Hyosung, real factories in Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Japan plus we have OEM Chinese parts from the distributors we've added in the last two years including LINHAI, LONCIN, JINCHENG, WANGYE, BZ Benzhou, QJ Qiangjiang ( Benelli, Andretti, Vento, UM ) plus CF MOTO ( CFMOTO USA, QLINK, TNG, YAMATI ) and ZNEN (TNG / PUMA / Flyscooters / BMS / Qlink ) just to name a few.
So if you're a dealer and you ever visit us, you will see we have real OEM stuff from real factories. From brand names in Europe like Turbo Kit exhausts all the way to Benelli ( Andretti ) scooter parts. Items that cannot take generic partsforchinese scooter parts. You won't get this stuff from anyone else, not Parts Unlimited, Tucker, or WPS. MRP is the only place for these items so don't be fooled by what you hear, we have it, let me show you.
Real Brand and Real Parts we're not affraid to compare numbers here, if your dealership needs parts it amazes us that dealers buy from online distributors only to have them dropped shipped from MRP
Our first show was in 2001 exhibiting the Malaguti line of Italy. Boy have we grown since then.....
Dealer Expo videos:
Dealer Expo 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDH9wfW-dF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWPpQ89R54s&feature=channel
Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwPLk364DlA
Guest Speaker Indy Dealer Expo 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HohDXoVGM8
Dealer Expo 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmvZg-cPOPQ
Dealer Expo 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIHNTx6Dbw
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The road ahead for gas prices and US dealers in 2011
Gas prices rose each week in 2010 compared to 2009. As we start 2011 we are falling into a false sense of security that it was just a fluke and that in the next month it will go down. Dealers have had so much negative news the last two years they aren't used to seeing the sun anymore. I'm here to tell you that 2011 is your year. Take it.
We are off to a good start. I already have clients stocking up on clothing, accessories and asking how we can help them promote scooter racing and rides at their dealerships. In all honesty, we support the dealers that buy from us and work with us.
I see the media jumping when the barrel of oil goes down for a day or two, but you have to look at the average over a 12 week or 24 week time frame. The fact is we will have $4 gas in 2011. Not a question of if just when that is my prediction, the administration can only keep the other economies of the world at bay for so long. Our economy is doing better, gas will go up. A day or two won't make a difference and usually that's what get's us in trouble. We have to promote our stores and scooters as an alternative to the SUV mentality. Detroit only has one solution to the problem and thats to sell more cars that use a little bit less gas.
On average prices were are up 45 cents compared with 2009 to reach $3.05--the first time the cost of gas has climbed over the $3.00 mark since September 2008. In 2008 we were all caught with our pants down especially motorcycle dealers across the USA.
We all remember the summer of 2008 when gas prices hovered above $4.00 and there was a surge on fuel-efficient vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, and public transportation usage. Everyone was talking about electrics and scooters then suddenly the investors and buyers disappeared as the economy went south. Dealers were out of stock for months and when the shipment finally arrived many of them went out of business because the economy crashed. The glut of units from 2008 continues at NPA auction, dealer auctions, and GE warehouses across America. All I have to do is pick up the phone and find out how many units GE is picking up this week. In the end a handful of dealerships made millions buying back units from Piaggio Group at a third of the cost and selling them at their dealers. One dealer closes another one benefits, but now we're in 2011 and demand is creeping back up.
THIS TIME IT'S DIFFERENT
This time however dealers are unprepared for the rise in service and parts demands. The number one call we've had is from new shops who have mechanics that don't know how to look for a PDF file or use a factory number. They call asking for a throttle cable. We have over 85 cables in stock. This is likely to get worse as gas prices rise and dealers realize the profit is in selling used bikes and repairing older bikes. Our solution was to put online over 150 repair manuals for scooters http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm any dealer can click on the link and get the correct factory part.
USED EQUALS MONEY AND REPAIRS EQUAL CASH
I think many people get into the business without a manual. There is no one way to make this work. A college town is different from NYC or San Francisco. What I have learned in ten years of business is that new doesn't always equal profits. The dealer is told to stock more and more on inventory and pay more money to General Electric ( nicknamed Get's Everything because they will screw you royally when its the right time ) and you end up making money for everyone else except yourself.
The trick here is to think outside the box.
The first lesson new shops have to learn is you can make more money on trade ins and used units. Honda and Yamaha dealers make less than 7% on a scooter. Some new Taiwanese 125cc bikes cost dealers $2159 plus shipping you add that in they make less than $400 when retailing it for $2699. To be competitive some have absorbed dealer prep PDI and other costs making them less than $300. However taking that same 125cc and getting a used bike and $2,200 they can fix up the used unit, invest a few bucks and hours in it and later on sell it for $1500. They can make more on the used unit that a new 125cc. Even better some dealers have agreements with tow truck companies, auction houses, and car lots to buy units that have been abandoned. My biggest client in Central Florida buys every single unit from the tow truck company at the local University that has been abandoned for $150 cash. He invests between $200 and $300 in time and parts and sells them all for $999. Some of these are good units the same 125cc Buddy/Bubu PGO - Genuine scooter that he sells for $2700 retail he's sold a 2007 model twice after buying it at the tow truck house. These stories to me tell me that there are "Alternative" ways of being profitable in the scooter business. Not everything has to be about selling new units.
Trade ins as we approach 2011 is a fast money maker for college based stores like Gainesville, Florida or Austin, Texas. In other markets like Miami Beach transient people who live on South Beach or Key West for a few months tend to buy a scooter and quickly sell it on Craigs List or back to the dealer. These bikes often just need a piston change or a new belt so they are quick money makers. So my advice for 2011. GET AGGRESSIVE WITH USED SCOOTERS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2JBo6ifveU
Part of being a good dealer is knowing where the market is headed and those bikes selling at the tow truck auction for $100 today will be going for $899 come April when gas hits $3.90 a few hours of work, maybe $150 in parts and you just doubled your money. Where do you get the parts for these unknown brands? MRP - The one stop shop for scooter parts! We have it all for scooters from Aprilia to Zongshen we have the largest collection of parts in North America. Remember many of these students on a budget or the retired guys from the RV park are trying to save money so they will want a used unit before looking at the new Chinese bike. Twenty five percent of all used buyers are new to the market, they have never owned a scooter before according to Dealer News so take advantage of this. Every year three used scooters sell for every single new scooter so that equals over 200,000 units being repaired and put back into the marketplace. Having so many opportunities out there its no wonder Honda dealers are focusing on a used unit where they can make 40% instead of the new scooters where they only make 7%. The numbers don't lie. So if you're a smart dealership make 2011 the year of the used scooter before gas hits $4.
To find out more about used bikes or how to make money contact us about helping your dealership make some money in the new 2011 economy. http://www.mrp-speed.com
We are off to a good start. I already have clients stocking up on clothing, accessories and asking how we can help them promote scooter racing and rides at their dealerships. In all honesty, we support the dealers that buy from us and work with us.
I see the media jumping when the barrel of oil goes down for a day or two, but you have to look at the average over a 12 week or 24 week time frame. The fact is we will have $4 gas in 2011. Not a question of if just when that is my prediction, the administration can only keep the other economies of the world at bay for so long. Our economy is doing better, gas will go up. A day or two won't make a difference and usually that's what get's us in trouble. We have to promote our stores and scooters as an alternative to the SUV mentality. Detroit only has one solution to the problem and thats to sell more cars that use a little bit less gas.
On average prices were are up 45 cents compared with 2009 to reach $3.05--the first time the cost of gas has climbed over the $3.00 mark since September 2008. In 2008 we were all caught with our pants down especially motorcycle dealers across the USA.
We all remember the summer of 2008 when gas prices hovered above $4.00 and there was a surge on fuel-efficient vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, and public transportation usage. Everyone was talking about electrics and scooters then suddenly the investors and buyers disappeared as the economy went south. Dealers were out of stock for months and when the shipment finally arrived many of them went out of business because the economy crashed. The glut of units from 2008 continues at NPA auction, dealer auctions, and GE warehouses across America. All I have to do is pick up the phone and find out how many units GE is picking up this week. In the end a handful of dealerships made millions buying back units from Piaggio Group at a third of the cost and selling them at their dealers. One dealer closes another one benefits, but now we're in 2011 and demand is creeping back up.
THIS TIME IT'S DIFFERENT
This time however dealers are unprepared for the rise in service and parts demands. The number one call we've had is from new shops who have mechanics that don't know how to look for a PDF file or use a factory number. They call asking for a throttle cable. We have over 85 cables in stock. This is likely to get worse as gas prices rise and dealers realize the profit is in selling used bikes and repairing older bikes. Our solution was to put online over 150 repair manuals for scooters http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm any dealer can click on the link and get the correct factory part.
USED EQUALS MONEY AND REPAIRS EQUAL CASH
I think many people get into the business without a manual. There is no one way to make this work. A college town is different from NYC or San Francisco. What I have learned in ten years of business is that new doesn't always equal profits. The dealer is told to stock more and more on inventory and pay more money to General Electric ( nicknamed Get's Everything because they will screw you royally when its the right time ) and you end up making money for everyone else except yourself.
The trick here is to think outside the box.
The first lesson new shops have to learn is you can make more money on trade ins and used units. Honda and Yamaha dealers make less than 7% on a scooter. Some new Taiwanese 125cc bikes cost dealers $2159 plus shipping you add that in they make less than $400 when retailing it for $2699. To be competitive some have absorbed dealer prep PDI and other costs making them less than $300. However taking that same 125cc and getting a used bike and $2,200 they can fix up the used unit, invest a few bucks and hours in it and later on sell it for $1500. They can make more on the used unit that a new 125cc. Even better some dealers have agreements with tow truck companies, auction houses, and car lots to buy units that have been abandoned. My biggest client in Central Florida buys every single unit from the tow truck company at the local University that has been abandoned for $150 cash. He invests between $200 and $300 in time and parts and sells them all for $999. Some of these are good units the same 125cc Buddy/Bubu PGO - Genuine scooter that he sells for $2700 retail he's sold a 2007 model twice after buying it at the tow truck house. These stories to me tell me that there are "Alternative" ways of being profitable in the scooter business. Not everything has to be about selling new units.
Trade ins as we approach 2011 is a fast money maker for college based stores like Gainesville, Florida or Austin, Texas. In other markets like Miami Beach transient people who live on South Beach or Key West for a few months tend to buy a scooter and quickly sell it on Craigs List or back to the dealer. These bikes often just need a piston change or a new belt so they are quick money makers. So my advice for 2011. GET AGGRESSIVE WITH USED SCOOTERS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2JBo6ifveU
Part of being a good dealer is knowing where the market is headed and those bikes selling at the tow truck auction for $100 today will be going for $899 come April when gas hits $3.90 a few hours of work, maybe $150 in parts and you just doubled your money. Where do you get the parts for these unknown brands? MRP - The one stop shop for scooter parts! We have it all for scooters from Aprilia to Zongshen we have the largest collection of parts in North America. Remember many of these students on a budget or the retired guys from the RV park are trying to save money so they will want a used unit before looking at the new Chinese bike. Twenty five percent of all used buyers are new to the market, they have never owned a scooter before according to Dealer News so take advantage of this. Every year three used scooters sell for every single new scooter so that equals over 200,000 units being repaired and put back into the marketplace. Having so many opportunities out there its no wonder Honda dealers are focusing on a used unit where they can make 40% instead of the new scooters where they only make 7%. The numbers don't lie. So if you're a smart dealership make 2011 the year of the used scooter before gas hits $4.
To find out more about used bikes or how to make money contact us about helping your dealership make some money in the new 2011 economy. http://www.mrp-speed.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
Where do all these scooters come from? A closer look at OEMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DYLMhbuuAo
The big news today was Benelli opening a flagship store in China for the race bikes. It was on the main page of allaboutbikes. Behind the scenes I read that Benelli is costing QJ the new Chinese owners about 5 million Euros a year in losses. So in a weird way I thought it was great that they would export the Superbikes to China despite the country not having too many places where you can go 120mph.
So I need to do a follow up video to this video from 2 years ago since OEMs are shifting again. More OEMs are shifting to Malaysia and Vietnam to outrun the higher costs in China. Last month the yuan rose for the 9th time in a row ( not by much but sufficient to make the robber barons at US banks raise eyebrows. Gasoline is going up and predicted to get to $100 a barrel by the end of the year so what does it all mean? It means companies will find a way to make the units cheaper elesewhere outside of China.
Where do all these scooters come from? A closer look at OEMs mainly the Italian brand names and the state of Italian scooter manufacturing in 2008.
From Piaggio Group owners of Aprilia, Vespa, Derbi to Malaguti (now working with CF Moto) and brands being revived by Asian owners such as Benelli, Italjet Moto, and more...
How does MRP fit in all this? How do we feel about sourcing from different lands? Hopefully some of these questions will be answered for the scooter media, dealers, and consumers who like to take a closer look at the Powersports Scooter Industry.
I need to follow up this 2008 video with the view in 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2JBo6ifveU
Going into 2011 The US Scooter Market is about USED BIKES
As we go into 2011 I feel its my duty to point out that dealers keep neglecting the Used chart that is up 38% this year. Overall the industry is down, but used continues to go up. The used market for scooters is also about to blow up as gas continues to rise.
So the main question dealers sitting on a junkeyard need to ask themselves is not what they paid for the bikes, but how much they can get for them. What are you going to retail them for? Trade ins as we approach 2011 is a fast money maker for college based stores like Gainesville, Florida or Austin, Texas. In other markets like Miami Beach transient people who live on South Beach or Key West for a few months tend to buy a scooter and quickly sell it on Craigs List or back to the dealer. These bikes often just need a piston change or a new belt so they are quick money makers.
So my advice for 2011. GET AGGRESSIVE WITH USED SCOOTERS!
Part of being a good dealer is knowing where the market is headed and those bikes selling at the tow truck auction for $100 today will be going for $899 come April when gas hits $3.90 a few hours of work, maybe $150 in parts and you just doubled your money. Where do you get the parts for these unknown brands?
MRP - The one stop shop for scooter parts! We have it all for scooters from Aprilia to Zongshen we have the largest collection of parts in North America.
Remember many of these students on a budget or the retired guys from the RV park are trying to save money so they will want a used unit before looking at the new Chinese bike. Twenty five percent of all used buyers are new to the market, they have never owned a scooter before according to Dealer News so take advantage of this. Every year three used scooters sell for every single new scooter so that equals over 200,000 units being repaired and put back into the marketplace. Having so many opportunities out there its no wonder Honda dealers are focusing on a used unit where they can make 40% instead of the new scooters where they only make 7%. The numbers don't lie.
So if you're a smart dealership make 2011 the year of the used scooter before gas hits $4.
For more information on finding used scooter parts follow the link to the current issue of Scoot Magazine.
MRP distributes OEM parts for TNG (CMSI) select models of CF Moto Daelim Motors Korea ( parts should appear on website by mid July) Malaguti of Italy (www.Malaguti.com) Keeway Southeast (Keeway Vento QJ Andretti Yamati models)
CPI Taiwan Powersports Factory Brands PSF Diamo Cubik (matches OEM Vento part numbers) as well as QJ and ZNEN (who manufacture bikes for a variety of scooter importers) such as FlyScooters Lance BMS Qlink models that were ZNEN corresponding to matching TNG parts. Every scooter is someone's first ride we help the dealers and consumers find those hard to find parts. Doesn't matter what brand it is we've been doing the Chinese scooter parts thing since 2004 so we can help you find the right part. Since January 2009 MRP has expanded by acquiring the QJ -- Keeway Southeast distribution parts warehouse the Diamo USA / LS Motorsports / Italjet USA parts warehouse CPI -- TAIWAN Distribution and TNG Scooters. The company has OEM parts for Malaguti scooters of Italy Benelli (acquired by QJ in 2006) the Italian brand now made in China and sold in the USA under the Andretti name MH Motorhispania of Spain RX Loncin Lifan Linhai Zongshen Wangye MS UTVs and CPI Taiwan.
MRP is the only source for UMGLOBAL United Motors of America scooter parts now that United Motors (www.UMGlobal.com) has closed in the USA. We also offer Hyosung parts as well Franco Morini kits for scooters.
In addition the company distributes performance parts from Athena Malossi Turbo Kit Innova Vee Rubber Duro Bando Gates Powerlink Posh Maxxis Namura Scooter Ninja Slipstreamer and MRP. Products carried by MRP can be obtain exclusively at select Motorcycle Dealerships and Repair Shops in the USA. MRP is the one stop wholesale ONLY scooter buggy and ATV parts distributor.
ZNEN PUMA 150cc Freebird Cardenza Retro 150cc Scooter Review Test Drive
Test Driving the new ZNEN 150cc it's sold in the USA under many different names and we review it for the dealers and talk about the parts we have available for it at http://www.mrp-speed.com
Featuring the only Dyno Tested ZNEN 150cc Retro Style Stainless Steel Performance Exhaust for 150cc and 125cc GY6 4-stroke B QMJ152/157 QMI152/157 engine based scooters. Fits models with 12" rear wheel ZNEN Cardenza BMS Qlink Puma freebird 150cc
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