Disparity in prices

[Spence]

Has anyone got any views on the huge variation in prices we have to put up with on the scene?

For instance, there's a dealer I know who shall remain nameless, who's been accused from time to time of overpricing things (and for being a grumpy tw*t). However, he sells fully-synthetic Rock Oil 2-stroke (in the gold bottle), which is my chosen brand, for £6.50. Anyone who's had to buy a bottle from a stand at a parts fair will know you won't get it for less than £9. I went to another dealer in Cheshire yesterday, because I was passing, and they sold the same stuff for £8.70. They also had a rather sorry-looking Jan 03 PX125, with numerous dints and scrapes in it, for sale for over £1500. When you can get something better for £1100 through a private sale, why do we bother with dealers? I'd like to say it's for the after-sale care, but we all know how happy they are to see us coming back with a problem.

On the off-chance that anyone will bother to reply, what do you think?

[Smallframe]

Loss leaders, classic retail trait.

Tyres are a great loss leader.

If you really want to save money, hang tight and do one big order to the germans.

[Spence]

Yeah, good point smallframe. Lots of people have said you're much better off ordering stuff from Stoffi's or S.I.P. They apparently work out cheaper than a UK dealer even when you include the shipping costs.

I suppose if there's a few of you at a club who all want bits and pieces you could join together to reduce prices even more.

[chipso]

How is it possible to be charged £17.50 for a 6 rollers kit a year ago in one dealer and £3.75 for the same thing 2 weekes ago!?I don't understand want's going on. Can dealers charge whatever they want or are they taken the p**s. Chipso

[Spence]

Welcome, Chipso.

I think some dealers rely on the fact that humans are lazy articles who will buy something at the first place they see it, rather than wonder if they can get it cheaper elsewhere. Something that really irritates me is dealers on stalls at rallies who overcharge for the smaller, more essential parts that they know people may need to fix their scoot to get home. That's low, and makes something of a mockery of the scooter community.

And here's a poser for you - why do people go mad bidding for things on ebay without stopping to see if they can get them from a dealer for less? The other day someone was flogging a T5 front spoiler on ebay, Buy It Now, for £11.95. I did a bit of research and got one from a dealer for £9.95. They must think we're thick. Or lazy. Which lots of us are.

[Smallframe]

shopping off your couch - its the future for us as we get more like the US and obesity levels rise.

i;ve flogged a fair bit of stuff on ebay - so I'm not moaning

[Spence]

I'm having that, baby David. Does Kelkoo have a Scooter Parts and Accessories search function?

[sportique]

People seem to have more confidence buying from a dealer , especially if they are not mechanicly minded . However it is sometimes an advantage to pay slightly over the going rate for some parts from local dealers , as the little bits of advice that you can pick up during a brief chat can be invaluable , especially if you don't have the knowledge of club members to draw on.

[Spence]

That's what this forum's for.