Posts
915
Joined
8/21/2008
Location
western, NY, USA
I’m beating a dead horse, but I can’t help it…
Is it unreasonable to think an OEM dealership should stock common wear items?
Let’s say a Honda dealership, stocking a 13t front sprocket for a CRF450X? Aftermarket or OE.
Is this asking too much from your local dealer?
And let me be clear - this isn’t just out of stock, this is just simply not stocked.
Is it unreasonable to think an OEM dealership should stock common wear items?
Let’s say a Honda dealership, stocking a 13t front sprocket for a CRF450X? Aftermarket or OE.
Is this asking too much from your local dealer?
And let me be clear - this isn’t just out of stock, this is just simply not stocked.
Out here, we have shops like AEO who stock every singe OEM part and race aftermarket hard part for Motocross and turn them over quickly.
But if you are a shop owner where there is less demand for Off road parts, and you decide to stock $3,000 worth of sprockets and they set on the hook unwanted, you wouldn't order them for stock again when they finally get sold.
These shops are running on credit and small margins, they don't want to tie up cash in dead inventory that makes them 15 percent if it ever sells.
When online shopping become more mainstream we started to notice a decline in sales to the point of when some inventory was sold we never restocked it because it was just too money sitting there in product not being sold. We were competitive price wise with online retailers and in some cases cheaper, but the public had spoken 'we don't need you' Odd to say but it was the buying public who in a round about way had changed what dealers were stocking or not stocking anymore.
That being said (as mentioned above) some of the larger high volume dealers with high turnover of parts seem to do well still.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
10 or so years ago I got told that I need to wait a week to order a spark plug, it’s been mail orders ever since.
We’ve went as far as to hold meetings detailing how the small low overhead items are what drives larger average sales tickets.
Let’s say you need a top end for a 125 and some chain lube, maybe a couple spark plugs and an inner tube.
Okay now the dealer doesn’t stock, say the spark plugs or air cleaner.
That customer isn’t buying the piston and gaskets, oils or coolant because if they’re ordering parts they may as well order all of them. Not a split order and get them days quicker.
Plus places like rmatv will give bonus points and usually discounts.
You’ve lost a potiental 500$ sale because of a 2$ spark plug.
Retail basics.
A cool idea would be for the dealer to work out a commission deal with a place like RM where a customer can have the assistance of a good parts guy and have their order shipped to their house often within 2 days.
Gen 2: Only Renthal makes an aftermarket. Hard to get anywhere- Renthal is way behind.
Gen 1: I just went through this the other day. Wester Power Sports (7 or 8 warehouses across the U.S.) has zero 14T countershaft sprockets, of any brand. I bought the last one lol.
I'm not directly answering your question, but just some insight. It's really difficult getting parts.
I told the parts guy that I’m trying really hard to support my local shop but that they are making it really hard. I could order one from Amazon and have it delivered same day. I do t mind paying more from a shop to support our sport.
How much does it cost to lose a sale because you don't stock it?
Pit Row
Some people, can't be happy.
I understand it’s impossible for a dealer to stock every part for every bike/ATV/UTV/PWC. There needs to be a warehouse, or distribution hub, that stocks all the parts for multiple dealers within a certain area. The dealers need a “parts runner” in a van that runs from the dealership to the warehouse and back twice a day. Early am and noon. Customers who order parts before noon will have their parts available when the “parts runner” arrives back from his noon trip. Parts ordered after 12pm will be available first thing tomorrow morning.
I just don’t understand how someone can order a part online and have it in 2 days, but if a dealership orders it, it takes a week. That, IMO is what’s killing them more than pricing. 99% of people that go into a dealership to get parts, aren’t going because they have the best price. They’re going because they want their part now. Focus on that, because “getting parts quick” is and should be the dealerships strength against online retailers.
Lightspeed the MC industry inventory program keeps a record of every time someone searches for a part number. After x amount it pops on a potential stock list. If the manager thinks it is worth stocking they stock it.
Stocking Inventory requires a LOT of $$$$$$$ tied up till it is sold.
It won't be long till I despise the moto dealers as much as i despise the auto dealers.
But the industry people will point the finger at me.
So yes your'e correct and it ruined the motorcycle shop experience in in many araes.
Not all shops are lousy, it's a tough business and some shops are outstanding, feel lucky if you have a good one in your area.
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