Some dropshippers will take your clients

I just got a cool comment from a dealership today.

The big rave right now is drop-shipping in the scooter industry. Newbies that think they can get rich without a store or an actual location are buying from distributors that happen to be mainly retailers first. You can even visit their website purchase there direct from them.

I have to say it's pretty funny and a sign of the times. I just got this email with a really small dealer who drop shipped with another company last month.

20 days later the consumer calls him saying he can buy the parts cheaper from his supplier and if doesn't give him a discount he will go to the source. The client got the parts in a box with the other companies logo, website, and info. Even the tape around the box had the other companies logo and website. Then a month later the client got a flyer in the mail plus a discount coupon by email.

The store lost the client. Maybe if the store owner would stick to a company that won't steal his client and mail him a catalog, coupon, or a box with a website that clearly says "The store didn't ship this" maybe then the store would have kept that client.

I think the whole thing is beyond funny. Look at my blog about a lack of ethics in the industry, when you say there's sufficient pie for everyone distributors should really think about it before they cannibalize their own dealers.

I know a lot of small stores don't care. The guy working out of his garage doesn't have anything to loose to begin with, but for the store building up his e-commerce site and client base, its a slap in the face. Just another sign of the times and dealers not being smart about where they send their money.

MRP has new Go Kart and Buggy Upgrades in Stock!

TKC-TM108 The New CF MOTO 500cc Variator for UTVs, Buggies, GoKarts is now in stock and selling fast. Up to 2.5CV more power, 11.5km more top speed on the PGO Kart, Nylon Cylindrical Rollers similar to the TK Variator featured in this video: Kymco 500cc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLEdBt26h1A

HOW IT WORKS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7QhUa6GAUs

HAMMERHEAD 250cc POWER PACK IN STOCK!

N-GK-02100

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-gk-02100--80000E48-1228329353.jsp

TJ Hammerhead 250cc MRP Exhaust Upgrade POWER PACK (works on some CF Moto based units like Joyner) Brings AIR INTAKE FOR HAMMERHEAD 250

2 SETS OF JETS

HEADER PIECE

BOLTS

MRP TYPE 2 BUGGY RACE EXHAUST DYNO TUNED

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM MRP DEALERS

CARTER 250cc and Carter 300cc BUGGY EXHAUST IN STOCK N-GK-02001

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-gk-02001--80000E6E-1232754084.jsp

New Carter 300cc Rollers with nicks / Carbon composite / Copper

17grams what everyone is looking for! In Stock N-MP-03427 only roller weight that works properly for the new Carter 250cc and 300cc!

17gr http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-03427--80000E72-1232754491.jsp

19gr http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-03427-1--80000E73-1232754567.jsp

21gr http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-03427-2--80000E74-1232754622.jsp

25gr http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-03427-3--80000E75-1232754669.jsp

NEW BMS300 Exhaust System now available: TKC-Q4T40

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/tkc-q4t40--8000291E-1272910958.jsp

Carter 250 / Hammerhead 250 / Kinroad 250cc Racing CDI DC high tension high performance in stock!

N-MP-01206-1 RACING CDI - DC PULSE COMPATIBLE CF MOTO 250 - 150

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-01206-1--80000DFC-1221234080.jsp

In Stock Dr Pulley Clutch System for Carter 250 / 300cc

UNI-CLUTCH-201205 http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/uni-clutch-201205--80000C5F-1189086085.jsp

UNI-CLUTCH MAJESTY 250 CARTER 250 / 300 DR PULLEY, PHOENIX 300CC GO KARTSAPRILIA

LEONARDO 300

ETON

VECTOR 250

MALAGUTI

CK250

MBK

KILIBRE 300 / SKYLINER 250

PEUGEOT

SATELIS 125 COMPRESSOR

SYM

RV250

250 cc

YAMAHA

MAJESTY 250 (Mod.2000) / VERSITY 300 / XCITY 250 / XMAX 250

Chinese Price Wars

It's always interesting to see whats going on in the market.

2010 is already at the mid-point for the industry and several high profile stores across the US are closing. Meanwhile several Chinese manufacturers are fighting it out in public swapping sales reps, cutting prices on GoKarts and ATVs in an effort to get more of the cash the retailers have left. Consumers online love to fan the flames, of course, because it makes for good debates online, but mostly because pro-summers who are fans and riders tend to think they know the industry. The truth is mostly half truths come out and most of what needs to be known can't be explained because eventually it makes it out into the public sector. So you have to be careful what you say because the guy that operates out of his house without any assets, without insurance, without a DMV or importers license he doesn't care if he goes to court. He's not in it for the long term and had nothing to loose from the start. There are more and more retailers like this bringing into the market the lowest common denominator to the types of exchanges online, in the stores, and in the marketplace.

Great stores take time to build and they get to the point where they must adapt to the changes the same way distributors do. One case in point and I'm sad to say is one of the longest running scooter and kart distributors in Miami AAA just closed http://blog.guidoebert.com/2010/05/04/florida-scooter-specialist-closes.aspx the store had been a staple for 30 plus years in Miami. So its sad to see a legitimate retailer go out of business. Instead you have all the local Craigs List distributors and people selling parts on message boards, drop shipping from their houses. Consumers and Pro-summers alike need to start asking questions like are they really helping anyone other than the Chinese factories by shopping from these pseudo shops?

I think stores need to be smarter of who they pick as well. The guy that sells around them or the guy that sends them business. Some of the shop owners I know don't really care or think the internet doesn't affect them, but it does. It's the reason shops close. It's funny they don't tell me I'm right until after the fact. Then I have the other type, the guy's that come up to me and we got get some espresso or we meet for lunch. One store owner I know with two locations isn't my greatest customer, but takes me out to dinner just so we can brainstorm. More than once he's invited other store owners and I think this his greatest strength he's friendly with all his regional competitors. At these dinners we've not only talked about brands and who's doing what but we've managed to figure out who is going around them particularly new importers and new brands.

Now this is where the Scooter Maven comes out. You have to know what you're doing when you're in the industry because if you screw your importer, dealers, or clients its very easy in this market to find another brand. I know this because I've managed to switch more than one store to another brand. If you have the type of relationship that means real influence inside the customer base you have what the vendors and producers fear and that's the ability to switch dealers to another product you distribute or that you recommend. Every single day a store asks me the question " Should I carry this brand? " and I have to give them an unbiased answer even if the brand president is a personal friend. Just so I make myself clear, if you screw the dealers by drop shipping or selling direct be it a vehicle, part, or accessory all it takes is an industry insider to convince them to switch or to tell them check out this article online on the company. That's the truth and that's why despite wanting more sales and more revenue we have to have some ethics.

This week I had calls from sales reps and was caught in the middle of inter-Chinese price war. My opinion the way to sell is not price, its the quality of the product and service. I had dealers asking me if they should buy from one company or the other solely based on price without any regard to service, marketing, technology, and I had to give them the best possible answer. The best answer in this case was to not buy at all if the decision was solely based on price something the dealers didn't want to hear. I also had a good lecture for the sales reps because setting up dealers for the sake of a sale is locking up territories ( this is a whole other speech ) in the end what it came down to is that theres a proper way of doing this and everyone is so hell bent on getting the sale they are forgetting what its about.

I know the high profile sales of 2006 and 2007 are gone. It's going to take a long time for quality retailers to come back to the marketplace. Those days won't come back unless gas hits $4. Meaning nobody will be buying RVs, ATVs, Go Karts but everyone will be rushing for scooters.
That's not what I would like to see either, it has to be a gradual return to real enforcement of DMV laws everywhere. The OEMs also have to crackdown on the dropshipments. I think more legitimate brands need to put an end to it and it's hard to say no to a sale, believe me I know, but its better to do that than to let one online retailer ruin your brand. This happens all the time and more companies in the industry need to put an end to this. CLOSE THE GUY WORKING FROM HIS GARAGE.

Now this is not something message boards, Ebay guys, craig list sellers, and small backyard shops want to hear, but its the truth. Sometimes when manufacturers, producers, or importers engage these pro-summers it only makes the situation worse. Since legitimate entrepreneurs with companies, insurance, retail locations etc... ( real overhead the guy in his garage doesn't have) can't come out and basically say " hey this guy is a full time truck driver by day he should not be drop shipping scooters and ATVs on a message board since he has no DMV license " because then the OEM or distributor looks like the bad guy. Still for any brand to become legitimate in the marketplace they will have to put an end to it before the CSP or NHTSA do.

The same has happened in the parts business and I've called out a lot manufacturers to their faces what I see as a backstabbing of the dealer. 2009 caused a lot of brands that traditionally sold only to distributors to turn to the internet in desperation. Basically bypassing distributors and selling direct to the public, braking promises, braking agreements and causing all sorts of havoc. The end users do see the effects, but the constant search for better pricing completely disregards the need for stores to stock, provide service, and allow brands to make a profit. That profit allows for things such as warranties and giving good customer support.

I'm convinced many of the moves we saw in late 2009 are a mistake and many of these brands will have to change. A few of my industry contacts disagreed in 2009 when I wrote my articles for Motorcycle Product News and since then have come back and said "hey you were right so and so factory never paid me my commissions" and my whole opinion on that is when it gets hot you see what people are truly made of. It's called ethics. It's unethical to run a drop shipping website selling for less to the public if you are selling to dealers. It's unethical for parts OEMs to sell under false names on Ebay or to bypass importers and dealers. Yet I see it everyday and its a thorn in the industry. We have to support the "Real" retailers and I think its something many of my industry peers have forgotten. I don't blame some of the salespeople they are just employees following what the boss at the top commands, but when you get the emails or call a store and the number is disconnected it does get to you.

I'm hoping we start having less of that in 2010.

New Sliders in Stock

NEW MRP rollers and sliders!

So we added some new rollers to our website.
N-MP-03427 series http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/n-mp-03427--80000E72-1232754491.jsp

CARTER 250cc / 300cc and SILVERWING FROM HONDA


MRP has new rollers made of Carbon made in Taiwan for our in-house brand "MRP" we had them designed for the Carter 300cc Go Kart. We will be posting a video on this and it will give you more power on your Carter 300cc buggy.

Now these are a Carbon composite exterior with nicks for better take-off. We've seen a lot of comments and honestly we like these better because they don't melt under heat and they eliminate heat better than stock which are copper. So if you have a Go Kart with a SYM engine then this is a better roller.

CYLINDRICAL VARIATORS AND SLIDERS
We just added some new sizes of cylindrical rollers from Turbo Kit Spain ( http://www.turbokit.net ) we've imported and represented this fine line since 2003.



Since 2005 we've imported Dr Pulley nylon sliders from Taiwan, we've also started importing Adige from Italy in select sizes and SN Scooter Ninja sliders from Taiwan. Cool fact about the SN sliders is that the new ones for 2010 have Aluminum the Zuma 125 riders we spoke to in Taiwan say they work better because despite copper's better thermal conductivity, it is denser than aluminum and therefore keeps the heat in more. We have two race teams testing these now including the Scootertronics who is stocking the new SN Sliders now for the ZUMA 125 call them up or email them the website is www.Scootertronics.com ask them how they work

So far they run great and last just as long as Adige, Dr P, and other rollers. Now most brands we carry have a metal mix, copper, aluminum however we prefer aluminum rollers and sliders see (A less dense structure allows for better airflow through that structure, at the molecular level)

Now for buggies we are really digging the take-off on the Adige sizes for bigger buggies. The carbon composite is serious stuff on the Italian brand of sliders. For Scooter Racing according to our dealers SN takes the cake so try the Scooter Ninja for your Zuma 125 or call Mike at Scootertronics for more info on them since he seems to be the main guy racing bikes every weekend these days. - See our previous post on sponsoring his race team.

For those in the racing scene everyone seems to have an opinion some prefer the TK cylindrical sliders with their variators ( like J Costa ) , others argue that Malossi ( Carbon composite ) are better, some Quad racers swear by Koso carbon which we also carry, the MRP ATV and Buggy branded rollers are also made in Taiwan with carbon composite. In our opinion the aluminum sliders and rollers are better. Aluminum has the ability to absorb heat faster than copper, and when removed from the heat source, will cool faster because it is less dense than copper.

So whatever your needs Carbon or Nylon, round, slider, or cylindrical we have it.

We have the TK Variator for the CF MOTO 500cc, the CF Moto 250cc, the Kymco 250cc is in stock with the cylindrical NYLON TK Sliders as well. So contact your local dealer ASAP! These are MADE IN SPAIN of the highest quality and in stock at MRP. No other buggy - scooter distributor has these in the USA.




We carry both varieties in MRP, Malossi, Dr Pulley, Adige, Top Racing roller kits, TK Variators and Cylindrical rollers, in both copper and aluminum / nylon and carbon.
Check them out at http://www.mrp-speed.com



Cool thing about the newest SN Scooter Ninja sliders they are filled with aluminum for heat elimination and suppression.


CONTACT AN MRP DEALER FOR MORE INFO:
http://www.mrp-speed.com

Check out the full range of cylindrical sliders in the TK variators featured here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUW4mER4obE

MASRC Sponsored by MRP

MRP Speed sponsors Mini Moto racing at Sandyhook Raceway along with Scootertronics for MASRC.

With two race days (track) down in 2010 the season is picking up. In May two feature races will award the top finishers cash prizes. All racers will receive certificates of participation also. With many class of motards, Superminis along with pocketbikes and scooters showing each day this will be a thrill ride feature.

MRP is sponsoring dealer scooter race teams for 2010 http://www.mrp-speed.com


Check out the Scootertronics http://site.scootertronics.com/blog2/

Whats up with CF MOTO in 2010?

Our good friends from CF MOTO USA stop by check out the interview with Kevin Miller. Expect more industry guests to appear with the Scooter Maven in the coming weeks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxOMQowjOGQ

MRP has some awesome upgrades for the CF MOTO lineup from the Scooter Ninja Sliders, to the Turbo Kit variator, MRP Exhaust, Gates belts, and much much more for this awesome lineup.

Check out the new Z6 for 2010!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyva-cJWwm8


CF MOTO V3 and V5 UPGRADES checkout Scootertronics cool video featuring MRP upgrades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz116voqQn0


MRP CF MOTO upgrades by Beuford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp5uMChv7Pw


What does MRP think of the 150cc CF MOTO engine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xxeIRFDt7c

Kymco 250cc and 500cc Variators and Exhausts

KYMCO 250cc SET UP

Todays video is on the TK Variator weve been raving about this and what a lot of people dont know is that it works on the Daelim 250cc, PGO 250cc Go Karts with the Kymco engines, the Kymco 250cc series and more.

http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/tkc-tm25--80000FEF-1241654194.jsp


Variators by Turbo Kit Spain www.TurboKit.net The best racing variators available with circular capsule rollers made of carbon and nylon they slide in / out new variator in order to increase and improve the performance of your maxi-scooter. You'll achieve better acceleration, greater gas mileage, less vibration and no roller clanking. Upgrade your stock scooter for a smoother ride Comes complete with weights. www.TurboKit.net for more information. KYMCO 250 Bet and Win Dink Xciting 250 PARA KYMCO 250cc BET AND WIN 250

The best selling Kymco 250cc Exhaust from MRP
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/SPD/tkc-m4t02-n--80000FE9-1241653645.jsp
Works on the Grand Vista 250, Grand Dink 250cc, Bet and Win 250cc, Xciting 250cc,
Made in Spain by TK Exhaust with over forty years experience in the racing sector these are some of the best hand made exhausts in the world. European quality at extremely competitive pricing distributed by MRP in North America.

There is no other exhaust on the market hands down that works as great as this TK Exhaust in America. Weve tested it and we love the 3rd generator stealth flat black exhaust form TK is simply the best we have tested.

TK VARIATORS
HOW THEY WORK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUW4mER4obE


Make sure to visit the site to see dyno charts and why these exhausts kick ass.
http://www.turbokit.net


To find a dealer that carries these parts click on http://www.mrp-speed.com for all your Kymco Racing upgrades.

LISTEN TO THE TURBO KIT 500cc KYMCO XCITING http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRRp_wW1vjk


ANOTHER TEST KYMCO 500cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yMxBct_xJA


CHECK OUT THIS TK EXHAUST IN ACTION IN DIRT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_hwbl7TQ_A

12,000 Items and counting

Something we just have to get out there.

I read from a dealer online that his distributor had closed and he didn't know where to get parts. Then I saw a posting where he told the client that nobody had them. He later said it was too much work to have to find them. I try not to jump in because then consumers get upset we don't sell direct etc... It was a Vento scooter he had sold and he didn't know where to get parts. I finally had to jump in and help the client find the plastic and tell the dealer he could come to us. Turns out he never reads his emails, so it just goes to show sometimes a store has the resources they are just unaware where to buy the stuff.

If you have a Vento scooter. Go to our website, get the part number from the repair manuals and call an MRP dealer. We will try to help you as best we can.

Vento is closed you can read about it at: http://blog.guidoebert.com/2010/02/18/vento--gone-with-the-wind.aspx

However, I do have to say if you have a Vento scooter. Any product by QJ China who manufactured Vento, Benelli - Andretti, Diamo, TNG, Xtreme Motor Co, MotoMojo, some United Motors, CPI, etc... in the past. Odds are we have it.

We are third party vendor. We do not cover the warranties and we have nothing to do with the original vendor, but if a store or consumer needs help we will sell them this part so that the store can get the client back on the road.

To our knowledge we have the most OEM parts hands down in Florida hands down. We're not drop shipping from other distributors if we have it we want that client to get it.

Repair Manuals for Vento, QJ, CPI, Benelli, Andretti, Strada, Yamati, Powersports Factory, Xtreme Motor Co, Diamo, Twist N Go - CMSI, TNG, all QJ OEM brands:
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm


We add 20 to 30 parts per day. We will probably still be counting parts until December or January of next year since we have deliveries that are still arriving from buyouts. So bear with us our primary mission is to make all the parts available to our dealers and the customers that need them.

The Scooter Maven

Revive your Shop with Free Shipping Sunday!

May is the deadline for 2010 orders.
We haven't heard from a few of you this year.

So let me get this message out. We are going to let everyone know in North America and Central America we are having a sale. We want to keep you active, but we can't give the support we need to give to stores that buy $50 a year, it's not fair to the client that's buying $50,000. So place your stocking order and get listed.

So again May is the deadline let's get everyone on board.

We got some great new items arriving like SN variators, Scooter Ninja rollers, CAPO tubes, TK exhausts for the Honda Ruckus, Adige Sliders, Duro and Innova tires stat tuned for we will have a ton of news in the coming days.


My message to you is if you don't have an account open one. If you do have one and we haven't heard from you in some time keep it active.

Here's your excuse.

FREE SHIPPING + FREE SCOOTER STICKER SET ON ALL ONLINE ORDERS THIS SUNDAY
OVER $100 (in stock items only) EVERYTHING FROM APRILIA DISK BRAKES, TWO BROTHERS EXHAUSTS, TIRES ALL THE WAY TO OEM TNG, CPI, DIAMO, MALAGUTI, CF MOTO, UNITED MOTORS, AND ZONGSHEN PARTS.

STOCK UP FOR 2010 -

NEW BRIDGESTONE, DURO, VEE RUBBER AND INNOVA TIRES IN STOCK http://www.martinracingdealer.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=Parts+by+Type:Tires+and+Tubes

APPLIES TO ALL ITEMS GO AHEAD ORDER AWAY www.mrp-speed.com http://www.mrp-speed.com

At checkout type: FREE SHIPPING SUNDAY.

REPAIR MANUALS
MAKE SURE TO LINK TO THE REPAIR MANUALS SECTION IF YOU HAVE NOT VISITED THIS LINK WE IMPLORE YOU TO BOOKMARK IT ON ALL YOUR COMPUTER FOR ALL YOUR EMPLOYEES - WE NEED THESE NUMBERS WHEN YOU CALL IN OR FAX IN PARTS DIAGRAMS.
Most of the time we are busy taking orders we do end up slowing down the process with stores that don't have manuals or know how to look up parts. Please bookmark the links or add them to your website so the consumers can find the part numbers. When a client has the ability to look up the part number on the dealer website it makes it easier for us and for you to order. So add them to your site.

NEED TO FIND A STORE CLICK HERE
DEALER LISTS http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php
IF YOU ARE AN ACTIVE DEALER AND PURCHASED IN 2010 AND ARE NOT LISTED EMAIL US ASAP



CONSUMERS ARE FIXING OLD AND NEW BIKES:

We hate hearing from consumers that go to a store a former CPI or United Motors dealer that says they can't order the part. The truth is some don't look up the manuals or don't want to become a stocking dealer. If we have the part we are happy to help you and the consumer get back on the road.

We didn't buy these parts to keep them in a warehouse, we purchased them so that consumers can have a place to buy them. It's sad to know many dealers carried brands like TNG, UM, or CPI and then flat out refuse to buy parts for them. In many states like Arizona that makes the dealer liable under lemon laws because even if the distributor closed the dealer still has to repair a new unit. This even more important to a store that still has unsold inventory meaning brand new United Motor, CPI, Italjets, QJ, Benelli - Andretti bikes.

Any TANK scooter that's brand new sitting on a dealer floor still has a warranty and in many states the dealer is liable for this warranty and can be sued even if the original distributor cannot get parts or refuses to do so. So to refuse to buy parts for these units for a consumer is just straight up negligence on the part of the dealer that sold the unit to begin with, because by law the dealer will have to replace the unit at their expense in many cases.

Now we hear from many of these dealers stuck in this situation where they purchased an Xtreme or Tank scooter they don't want to be a stocking dealer, they just want to buy one part from us. Thats fine, we will still sell you the part. I'm putting this out there because consumers need to know this as well, we will sell the repair shop that one part they are calling for. JUST UNDERSTAND That is not a dealer. You go to a Ford Car Dealer that happened to carry Tank or TNG in the past and they call us for a part, we will sell them to help you out, but they are not a stocking dealer, and if they don't become one they will pay a premium for the part. We want to help you get that bike back on the road, but you're better off going to an MRP stocking dealer than someone who only sold scooters because in 2007 they thought they were going to get rich at the height of the scooter craze and decided to sell some TANK scooters.


We want to help the customer, but in the end they are better off going to an active MRP dealership because thats how we make a living. That "one time purchase store" will not be getting the same price as an active store and that is fair. That is the standard industry practice. Honda and Yamaha do it this way, so does Kymco, Genuine, SYM. If you go to a non-dealer you pay more for the part they might be forced to buy it from another dealer in the area. Most companies still go by this tradition. So if you go to a non-active MRP dealer you will pay more for the part. If you order from a stocking dealer you will pay a lot less. Really there is no excuse to not be an active dealer when we have so many parts that so many Go Kart, Scooter, and ATV dealers need.

UPDATED Forms:
Download Dealer Application
https://www.martinracingdealer.com/SignIn.jsp

I think thats a pretty reasonable offer in addition to our low prices, drop shipping, and the help we provide stores by being the one and only source for many OEM parts.

Some companies have a $5,000 buy in like Parts Unlimited, or a yearly buy in of $2,000. Our minimum which is clear on our site is $250. That's the wholesale cost of one exhaust per year and we don't mean pre-sale orders or JIT. If a store can't afford that or to have some parts in stock I don't know what to say. Silverwing 600cc exhausts sell for $500 and we have stores that buy them in the blink of an eye. We know there are small shops and big shops, some have been our clients for over 9 years so we feel that our minimum buy ins are small compared to others in the industry. Those are our policies. If you haven't purchased in two years we will need you to restock.

Honestly every shop needs to have a Tax ID, Resale certificate, and a location where people can buy. I think we have pretty low minimums and we might not always be the least expensive price out there, but I strongly believe we do offer a value to the shops.

We talk to a lot of stores, we know things are tight. Many right now are buying based on price without regard to quality, brand name, or care if they are buying from another retailer. In the end they pass the price increase to their customer.

Yes, the industry is in shambles and all sorts of unethical business is going on. We are still paying the price for the glut of 2009. Japanese, Italian, and Korean brands are hurting the most See http://blog.guidoebert.com/2010/03/30/japans-oems-slash-exports-to-the-us-71-in-janfeb.aspx Guido Ebert reports: The four Japanese OEMs The four manufacturers shipped 17,757 units to the U.S. during the first two months of the year, down 71.4 percent compared to 62,105 units during the same two-month period in 2009.

Imagine how their scooter sales look with all the Chinese companies flooding the market. As to Koreans well Daelim is out of the USA. Not a day goes by someone doesn't call looking for parts for them, Hyosungs importer United Motors is gone and we sell parts for them all day long. The Italians well it's hurt Piaggio dealers and the company as well. It will take a long time for the market to bounce back. Worst off are the Chinese distributors because dealers were so slow last winter they haven't even realized their distributor closed until they need a part. I've had more than one dealer tell me I only know Keeway Southeast my vendor closed because you purchased them.

As to the service sector I know stores are running on low. It's depressing, but its also an opportunity. Sales of motorized two-wheelers in 2009 sank 40.8 percent compared to sales in 2008, down another twenty points from 2007 and we know repair shops are hurting. There is also a ton of people selling on message boards that don't have a store, but as a shop and a shop that wants to do well you need to stock. Service has always been the solution during a downturn. If you can't make the money in new vehicles you can make it in parts. So if they other guy closed that means more parts business for you, 1 in 5 shops gone so that you can get more business.

We hear the complaints every single day about people working from their garages competing with you without an actual store. We know of the mechanics working from their homes. We wish these guys making it harder on you would go away as well. It's not easy, but right now its a free for all in the marketplace for the small shop owner. You are competing with corporate giants like Cycle Gear, Dennis Kirk and others, but guess what? They wont touch the OEM buggy or scooter parts. So advertise that you fix Joyners, CPI, Diamo, Italjet, TNG, Malaguti, Linhai, Benelli, Sunright, and others. This will bring you business.

You cannot expect any loyalty from your end user, rider, or even the guy looking for oil. If you don't have it in the shop he might drive to Walmart to save a one dollar on the price of the oil. Some factories have even lost any sense of decency they had in the past by selling to distributors and competitors alike behind everyone's back in 2009. This has been cross-industry as suppliers desperate for cash have copied one another in an effort to get revenue. Some factories which have been 100% wholesale for years in Europe have changed one day to the next and started selling to the public without regards to their distributors or dealers. Still we feel that integrity and maintaining a minimum will allow MRP to grow as the industry continues on its path. So we will be supplying parts regardless to both MRP dealers and non-stocking dealers, but as is the standard expect to pay a premium if you go to a non-stocking store.



Consumers need parts. We have them and we are more than happy to sell to our stores and to make sure people get back on the road.

If you have a comment or question do not hesitate to email us. We might not sell to you direct, but we will find you a store or website that will give you the service you need.
CONTACT US
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=StoreContactUs.htm

DEALERS
http://www.martinracingdealer.com/locator/index.php

I have a dealer that called me asking why he was loosing money. He has a great location, tourists, and a good mechanic that I exchange emails with every week. I told him because you run the shop trying to save money in the short run.

My advice for scooter rental shops is stock, stock, stock.

His shop ( let's call him John Smith) Makes a ton of money, but he could make so much more if he stocked more parts.

I got into 3 seconds into explaining it to the store and he didn't get it. He just wanted a MAGIC BULLET to solve his problme. Mr. Smith said he didn't like having to look at tires and "his money on the wall." He couldn't grasp something called "the opportunity cost" when he has units that are down because he refuses to stock belts or tires that means his rental fleet is down.

Now let me see if this makes sense:

THE COST OF NOT HAVING PARTS:
So when he has 20 scooters rented and 5 are waiting for repairs should anyone come in to rent those 5 that means his business lost that amount. So 5 X $100 per day = $500 because he won't stock a $20 tire or a carb. Waiting a day or two for belts and tires doesn't make sense.

Same goes for the fact that a good friend of mine gets all the local service because if a consumer has a flat tire he wants it fixed that same day. If your only form of transportation is a scooter on South Beach you don't want to wait two days for a tire. See Store: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJMkjpr1ejo


I got into it with the shop and I actually convinced the mechanic. He got. So instead of buying one tire for the down bike they purchased two. It made sense for him and it made sense for us as a supplier. Did I really care about one tire? Not really I spend that on lunch, but what I care about is to see someone who has a good idea and a nice store who might go out of business for not running his business the right way.

My second point was that it applies to how you source. The fact that his rental fleet is made up of 5 brands. It makes no sense whatsoever. He buys solely on price. What's cheap today will cost you tomorrow. I told him call my good friends at TGB they have great scooters for rental fleets, instead he buys from whoever is selling the cheapest scooters that week. That makes stocking even harder because the parts are non-compatible.

Buying from one or two sources &
Having PULL with a supplier

When you buy from multiple suppliers solely based on price you cannot have a scalable business. You won't have any pull if you buy from 10 suppliers the same applies to the shop when asking for warranty, parts, or better pricing.

You buy batteries from one guy because they are $2 cheaper, the next supplier because his helmets cost $10 less, and then the next because he offered a brake pad at $1. That's thinking you're saving money today only to loose it in the long run. Parts Unlimited and even companies like MRP give discounts based on volume and if can't get that volume no supplier will ever give you better pricing. The problem with the "Chinese Shop" mentality is they want the lowest price without having volume actually sometimes just buying once a year. If you buy once a year as a store you're not a dealer for them. That's why respectable companies have yearly buy ins to separate the store that should be representing them from the guy working from gis garage at home. You can't have one without the other. You have to give more business to your bigger suppliers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LfqkEa9zts&feature=related



There is also a big issue stores forget all the time

QUALITY

If you want to have a rental fleet that doesn't go down all the time. Rent better scooters like a TGB or Kymco, Even better my good friend is the new importer for CPI.
If you run a shop like John don't buy some cheap Chinese scooter because they are cheap, but something you can rent next month and the month after that. Buy Taiwanese or a brand that will support you!

CALL CPI


So pick one or two good brands. Stick to them. Stock parts. Pick one or two good suppliers, stick to them, give them volume and you will get better pricing. I see too many mistakes everyday and when the store closes they end up asking where did it go wrong? The videos speak for themselves if you visit a shop thats been open 10 years and you see the secret its right in front of you. Enjoy the videos.