How does RockyMountain make money

mxracerjohn250 1/8/2019 5:10pm
1/8/2019 5:10pm
Cant beat RMATVMC. If I order by 7pm, I usually have it by 1030 the next morning. Very seldom does something come out of Utah.

Their prices are great, part is usually always in stock. I get RM $$ with each purchase. My local racing organization gives $20 RM bucks with membership and $10 each race you go to.

I ordered a closeout bell moto 9 for $299. I was totally happy with that price. About 3 weeks later they put like $110 in my account because they lowered the price on the helmet again. Thank you RM.

Order from a dealer they say we will probably have that in in about 5 days or so.
2
Caseclosed713 1/8/2019 6:25pm
1/8/2019 6:25pm
After working at a local shop for 5 years, the online stores really made it hard to make money off parts. Our dealer cost was sometimes the same or more than the cost you could buy it online for. Most shops wouldnt even mount tires bought elsewhere, but we charged $40 to.
Frank
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Frank 1/8/2019 6:28pm
1/8/2019 6:28pm Edited Date/Time 1/8/2019 6:28pm
Did all our business with RMATV until they had to start charging sales tax. Completely wipes out the benefit of the RM$ now. Other than OEM parts eBay is usually less expensive now.

Sir Roostsalot 1/8/2019 6:44pm
1/8/2019 6:44pm
They lose money on every sale, but they make up for it in volume. Blink
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Timo_2824
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Timo_2824 1/8/2019 9:35pm
1/8/2019 9:35pm
My local Yamaha shop, which is now out of business, didn't even carry oem fork seals for the KYB SSS forks. YZ from 06 on and WR from 07 on are the same part. Why would you not have that in stock? I don't know what business plan they were on but it obviously didn't work out. I also drove 2 hours away to buy my 19, local dealer was complaining about people driving down to Stillwater to save $100 bucks. I saved $1000 out the door, totally worth 1/2 tank of gas.
DYE
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DYE 1/8/2019 10:05pm
1/8/2019 10:05pm
feelit2morrow wrote:
I can order from RM by 5pm and have my order the following day by noon. That's dangerous for our family's savings account!
Talk about dangerous..their Winchester warehouse is 40 minutes from my house! It’s so nice knowing that if something comes up during the week any part I could possibly need is just 40min down the road. They’ve done me solid on several occasions even when they didn’t have to (bought a bad stator from them and there’s a no return on electrical products that’s been opened but they did anyway). Can’t say enough good things about them. I’ve tried to support local dealers but they are closer to me than any dealership. Let’s see any of you drive 20 minutes passed RM to pay a higher price Laughing
Titan1
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Titan1 1/8/2019 10:09pm
1/8/2019 10:09pm
feelit2morrow wrote:
I can order from RM by 5pm and have my order the following day by noon. That's dangerous for our family's savings account!
DYE wrote:
Talk about dangerous..their Winchester warehouse is 40 minutes from my house! It’s so nice knowing that if something comes up during the week any part I...
Talk about dangerous..their Winchester warehouse is 40 minutes from my house! It’s so nice knowing that if something comes up during the week any part I could possibly need is just 40min down the road. They’ve done me solid on several occasions even when they didn’t have to (bought a bad stator from them and there’s a no return on electrical products that’s been opened but they did anyway). Can’t say enough good things about them. I’ve tried to support local dealers but they are closer to me than any dealership. Let’s see any of you drive 20 minutes passed RM to pay a higher price Laughing
Their Utah warehouse is 25 minutes from my front door. I drive past 4 dealerships on the way there...but I don’t think twice about it. RM just makes it a “no brainer”.
wfo4ever
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wfo4ever 1/8/2019 10:40pm
1/8/2019 10:40pm
Rocky Mountain is where I buy a lot of my parts and accessories. They have great pricing, excellent customer service, and a no hassle return and exchange poilcy. OEM parts are close to dealer pricing. I always shop for the best prices though before I buy anything. I buy a lot on Amazon. I will not buy from Ebay at all. Buyer beware!!! I have had quite a few problems and issues with Ebay over the years and they are a major pain in the ass to deal with. My local dealers are all owned by idiots or bean counters. I will not buy anything from them. They have very high prices (over retail), nothing is in stock, and the employees are clueless, lazy, and rude. Support your local dealer is a bunch of BS. Brick and mortar dealers will be a thing of the past in the near future, just like all the other retail stores that are closing. Rocky Mountain understands the on line market, they get it, and will survive. I buy everything on line if possible except for groceries. I save a lot of time and money. Sign of the times...
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mxracerjohn250 1/8/2019 10:49pm
1/8/2019 10:49pm
When will the day come when we have no hassle buying bikes online. Never walk in the dealer and the bike is delivered to your door step.
cowasocki205 1/9/2019 1:59am
1/9/2019 1:59am
I find it very amusing how the people on here have an issue with the 1 or 2 dealers that are near them so they automatically assume that every dealership in the nation sucks. Sorry to hear your local dealer doesn't meet your needs but don't bash every other one because of it, as most are sole proprietorship. If you got a bad haircut at a barbershop would you say that every barbershop in America sucks? Some of the people on here I bet would...then they'd go online and say how they can't wait for the day that they can order there haircuts online hahahaaha.

Also, we don't price match at the dealership I work at. We only beat online prices by atleast 10% because we understand that the price is only part of it. You have to factor in the other online perks as well and give the customer more of an incentive to buy local. A lot of times well ship it to them as well for no charge. That along with advise, expertise and easy returns. People new to the sport appreciate a place they can go to for advise on riding, maintenance, gear, products that work/don't work, etc...

To the people who support local dealers, thank you.

To the people that shop online and local, thank you.

To the people that don't support local dealers at all and just continue to bash them for whatever reason, that's your decision and regardless of what you read on this forum page you're not going to change your mind so why bother.
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kb228
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kb228 1/9/2019 2:14am
1/9/2019 2:14am
mxracerjohn250 wrote:
When will the day come when we have no hassle buying bikes online. Never walk in the dealer and the bike is delivered to your door...
When will the day come when we have no hassle buying bikes online. Never walk in the dealer and the bike is delivered to your door step.
I seriously wish i could order bikes online and have them shipped to my house to assemble them.
2
7I3N
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7I3N 1/9/2019 5:28am
1/9/2019 5:28am
Rocky Mountain actually makes a lot of the UTV accessories they sell in house. And it's not only a great place to buy from, it's a great place to work. That's why the customer service is so good.

coastlinecascot 1/9/2019 5:54am
1/9/2019 5:54am
I'll never forget going to another local dealer on my way home from work needing some shock oil. This unarmed dealer stated he will need to order it and charge me freight which wad the same amount as the oil. I just laughed and walked out.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 1/9/2019 6:29am
1/9/2019 6:29am
endurox wrote:
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue...
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue with their tire, they pay to have the tire removed. Rocky sells tires at about 8$ over best dealer pricing from Part Unlimited for a Dunlop mx tire for example. So someday when your local dealer is no longer their or has been bought out by a big place selling rv's, quads and boats, you will know why.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
I worked at a shop and our tires were priced $5-$10 over our cost just so we could move them. This is back in 2008-2012. It...
I worked at a shop and our tires were priced $5-$10 over our cost just so we could move them. This is back in 2008-2012. It was hard to sell tires even at that point. We sold more than the rest of the local shops, but that wasn't saying much.
But did you also have a mounting fee Separate of the cost of the tire?
mattyhamz2 1/9/2019 6:52am
1/9/2019 6:52am
endurox wrote:
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue...
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue with their tire, they pay to have the tire removed. Rocky sells tires at about 8$ over best dealer pricing from Part Unlimited for a Dunlop mx tire for example. So someday when your local dealer is no longer their or has been bought out by a big place selling rv's, quads and boats, you will know why.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
I worked at a shop and our tires were priced $5-$10 over our cost just so we could move them. This is back in 2008-2012. It...
I worked at a shop and our tires were priced $5-$10 over our cost just so we could move them. This is back in 2008-2012. It was hard to sell tires even at that point. We sold more than the rest of the local shops, but that wasn't saying much.
Lightning78 wrote:
But did you also have a mounting fee Separate of the cost of the tire?
We ran specials here and there if you bought the tire from us yoi got free mounting if you brought your wheel. If you brought the bike in, you’d get the mount for a discounted price. Normal tire swap fee was $10 and if you brought your own tire it was $15. We didn’t want to discourage people from coming to us
willie838
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willie838 1/9/2019 7:03am
1/9/2019 7:03am
endurox wrote:
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue...
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue with their tire, they pay to have the tire removed. Rocky sells tires at about 8$ over best dealer pricing from Part Unlimited for a Dunlop mx tire for example. So someday when your local dealer is no longer their or has been bought out by a big place selling rv's, quads and boats, you will know why.
Sorry man, capitalism is hard.

The selfish nature of it requires that I "vote" with my dollars where they go the furthest.

Doubt I would see you going out of your way to pay a lil more to any wholesalers middlemen that charge a few bucks extra to earn themselves a lil gravy on top?
willie838
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willie838 1/9/2019 7:05am
1/9/2019 7:05am
Sir Roostsalot wrote:
They lose money on every sale, but they make up for it in volume. Blink
Amazon style lol.
Fearo
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Fearo 1/9/2019 9:35am
1/9/2019 9:35am
It's what we will later call "the great race to the bottom" of our time. The consumer wins (but not really), the large online dealers have to take HUGE risks with their orders constantly, in order to not be a penny more expensive than the next online company.

Next is going to be the online sale of the bikes themselves, and then Jimmy is going to wonder why there is no dealer in a 5 hour radius to help him replace a piston.

I'm an independant store owner in an entirely different field and it's the exact same thing. 99% of people have become online-shopping crusaders who almost spontaneously cream their pants when they save $5 online.

UNTIL they are in need of some actual help, service or assistance. Then all of a sudden they come strolling through your door like you are their best friend.

I have decided to say Good Fucking Ridance, and will be closing up shop simply to be done with that kind of nonsense.
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Titan1
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Titan1 1/9/2019 9:46am
1/9/2019 9:46am
cowasocki205 wrote:
I find it very amusing how the people on here have an issue with the 1 or 2 dealers that are near them so they automatically...
I find it very amusing how the people on here have an issue with the 1 or 2 dealers that are near them so they automatically assume that every dealership in the nation sucks. Sorry to hear your local dealer doesn't meet your needs but don't bash every other one because of it, as most are sole proprietorship. If you got a bad haircut at a barbershop would you say that every barbershop in America sucks? Some of the people on here I bet would...then they'd go online and say how they can't wait for the day that they can order there haircuts online hahahaaha.

Also, we don't price match at the dealership I work at. We only beat online prices by atleast 10% because we understand that the price is only part of it. You have to factor in the other online perks as well and give the customer more of an incentive to buy local. A lot of times well ship it to them as well for no charge. That along with advise, expertise and easy returns. People new to the sport appreciate a place they can go to for advise on riding, maintenance, gear, products that work/don't work, etc...

To the people who support local dealers, thank you.

To the people that shop online and local, thank you.

To the people that don't support local dealers at all and just continue to bash them for whatever reason, that's your decision and regardless of what you read on this forum page you're not going to change your mind so why bother.
Given the fact that there are people from all over the country sharing the exact same frustrations about their “1-2 dealers near them”, I’m inclined to say that good dealers are virtually unicorns.

So your barber analogy would more appropriately be: every barber you go to, your friends go to, and people on line go to are bad barbers...so your write off barbers all together.
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neysbo
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neysbo 1/9/2019 4:39pm
1/9/2019 4:39pm
They make money because they are still selling stuff for a decent profit margin and than add to that their volume so that is how they do it.
KingsCourt 1/9/2019 5:12pm
1/9/2019 5:12pm
What I want to know is how does RMC or any other online retailer afford free shipping? Every time I have to ship something I'm shocked by what I have to pay.
BAMX
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BAMX 1/9/2019 5:34pm
1/9/2019 5:34pm
KingsCourt wrote:
What I want to know is how does RMC or any other online retailer afford free shipping? Every time I have to ship something I'm shocked...
What I want to know is how does RMC or any other online retailer afford free shipping? Every time I have to ship something I'm shocked by what I have to pay.
They negotiate rates with the carriers. Just like buying parts, volume works for good shipping rates.
Premix
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Premix 1/9/2019 5:48pm
1/9/2019 5:48pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2019 5:48pm
I’m split, RM has never done me wrong. I was trying to use my Local Yamaha dealer here more over the past 2-3 years for OEM parts, oils, and bought my race gas from them, but they recently closed their doors after 51 years. Oldest stand alone Yamaha dealership in the country. Small shop, greated you by name, had an outrageous of in stock OEM parts and a wealth of knowledge.

A great dealer is harder and harder to come by unless it’s family owned. You’re not going to get a great parts guy for 12 bucks an hour.

The only thing that will save local dealers is if they become co-ops and rent bay’s, tools, and equipment for people to work on their own bikes and then sell parts to those people.
jonboy688
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jonboy688 1/9/2019 6:21pm
1/9/2019 6:21pm
I am guessing that the dealers on him claiming that Rocky Mountain or other online shops are selling below their employee price or cost must not be wd’s and must be jobber or something? The dealerships around here have dried up and it sucks. I remember being a kid going to different shops to gaze at the new bikes and new products, and some of the local dealers would offer specials on saturdays. My fav was hp2 and yamhalube for 99 cents a bottle. Now the local one that is still around didn’t even stock a spark plug for a 13 crf450. Ended up ordering from o Reilly’s for half price and same day.
C_Class_Hero 1/9/2019 6:55pm
1/9/2019 6:55pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2019 6:56pm
endurox wrote:
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue...
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue with their tire, they pay to have the tire removed. Rocky sells tires at about 8$ over best dealer pricing from Part Unlimited for a Dunlop mx tire for example. So someday when your local dealer is no longer their or has been bought out by a big place selling rv's, quads and boats, you will know why.
I've lived in Boise my entire life and I can't connect you for sure with any shop in the Valley. Between the husky jersey avatar and your final comment regarding rv's, quads, boats, which I assume is a reference to Dennis Dillon, I'd guess that you were involved with Big Twin. If not, then what small shop to operate?
8tensolutions
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8tensolutions 1/9/2019 7:08pm
1/9/2019 7:08pm
endurox wrote:
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue...
I have a small shop. When people bring in their own tires to mount, I charge them more and tell them if there is an issue with their tire, they pay to have the tire removed. Rocky sells tires at about 8$ over best dealer pricing from Part Unlimited for a Dunlop mx tire for example. So someday when your local dealer is no longer their or has been bought out by a big place selling rv's, quads and boats, you will know why.
This way of thinking will put you out of business. Local Dealers CAN compete by having products in stock that customers actually want, support local events/clubs, and other custom ways to make yourself relevant. It is not the customers fault they choose to buy products online. It is up to the dealer to give the customer a reason to choose them.
wfo4ever
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wfo4ever 1/9/2019 8:48pm
1/9/2019 8:48pm
I would hate to be the owner of a brick and mortar motorcycle dealership as it is a sinking ship. If you work at one you should be looking for another job like yesterday. I bet Rocky Mountain or Amazon are hiring. Only the smart motorcycle dealers like Rocky Mountain and others like it will survive in the modern market place. These dealers were smart enough to change and adapt years ago for a thing called the internet. Internet sales have been increasing every year while brick and mortar stores are decreasing every year. Any motorcycle dealer had the same chance to be similar to Rocky Mountain, they just chose to not change with the times and stay with their same old business plan. Now those brick and mortar motorcycle dealers will just fade away like all the other brick and mortar retailers in other markets that are closing now. The biggest problem for the motorcycle industry now is the lack of new motorcycle riders. Honda is the smart one and already has a very good business plan for the lack of new motorcycle riders in the future. They sell cars.
KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 1/10/2019 3:51am
1/10/2019 3:51am
DTR830 wrote:
I can discount RM website pricing.
KDXGarage wrote:
WE GET IT!!

WE GET IT!!

WE KNOW!!

THANKS FOR JUMPING ON YET ANOTHER Rocky Mountain THREAD TO SELF PROMOTE!!

AGAIN, WE #&^%ING GET IT!!
DTR830 wrote:
What are you butt hurt about? Do you think there is any profit involved by discounting for everyone ? No, I keep sales activity so it...
What are you butt hurt about? Do you think there is any profit involved by discounting for everyone ? No, I keep sales activity so it stays open. If it’s open I save on parts myself.
The OP asked. how does RM make money.

What was your response? Anything about what the OP asked? Nope. Your gig is for other people to spend money with your code so you can keep saving money. This thread is yet another time that you have jumped in on a RMATVMC thread just to spam it with your effort to try to keep saving money.

I might be the only one saying something out loud, but I guarantee you others are thinking it. Enough already.
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DTR830
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DTR830 1/10/2019 5:52am
1/10/2019 5:52am
KDXGarage wrote:
WE GET IT!!

WE GET IT!!

WE KNOW!!

THANKS FOR JUMPING ON YET ANOTHER Rocky Mountain THREAD TO SELF PROMOTE!!

AGAIN, WE #&^%ING GET IT!!
DTR830 wrote:
What are you butt hurt about? Do you think there is any profit involved by discounting for everyone ? No, I keep sales activity so it...
What are you butt hurt about? Do you think there is any profit involved by discounting for everyone ? No, I keep sales activity so it stays open. If it’s open I save on parts myself.
KDXGarage wrote:
The OP asked. how does RM make money. What was your response? Anything about what the OP asked? Nope. Your gig is for other people to...
The OP asked. how does RM make money.

What was your response? Anything about what the OP asked? Nope. Your gig is for other people to spend money with your code so you can keep saving money. This thread is yet another time that you have jumped in on a RMATVMC thread just to spam it with your effort to try to keep saving money.

I might be the only one saying something out loud, but I guarantee you others are thinking it. Enough already.
So your saying you would like the code?
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Broughton859
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Broughton859 1/10/2019 12:34pm
1/10/2019 12:34pm
I work for another big Ecom retailer in this space and I can say without a doubt RM is not getting standard dealer and they most likely don't sell anything at a lost. They're closeout buys are huge and at a deep discount which is why they can offer a deep discount to the customer as well. For regular price items that don't have a MAP, they are more aggressive than the rest of us which I personally don't like since that undercuts dealers who can't be competitive. If we had it our way, all items would be at full MSRP and everyone competes on service instead of price.

As far as local dealers go, the real problem is most of them are bad. They don't stock anything, they are not as knowledgable, and they don't communicate well. There's been multiple times I order OEM parts from a dealer and I never get told if the part ever showed up. I usually have to end up following up multiple times before they finally say yep it's here come and pick it up a couple weeks after I ordered it. I definitely don't want them to go away but they have to do something or it's looking like that's most likely going to happen.
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