Quote:
Originally Posted by JS
I know this has nothing to do with this post but its a knock off no doubt it..In the end its the customers option to buy what he wants regardless of what most people think, sometimes people do what they have to do and thats it.
Our shop sells KOOKS and other companies headers and imho they are one of the best headers money can buy and we offer them to our customers. Again its totally up to what the customer wants to spend and if he wants to bring us a set of OBX we will give an opinion (NOT A GOOD ONE) and leave it up to them.
Now here is the BIG PROBLEM I HAVE WITH SOME OF THE VENDORS ON THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES...
They work out of a small garage, they dont install and they dont pay shop keepers insurance..They then put together buyins or gp's on parts that we as a shop cant possible buy at that quantity..What happens is they then pass off the savings to people on the board and we as a REAL SHOP DOING WORK FOR 30+ YRS get hosed because they do a PM pricing or go below MAP..
We then have to deal with customers saying, "WHY IS SO AND SO CHEAPER THAN U"..
I tell them becuase they are not really a shop, just a vendor working out of there house, small rental space, they have no walkin or people who actually put the parts on..
How does this hurt our business, it does the same way someone steals a header and markets it at 400.00...ITS TOTAL BS AND HAS RUINED THE SPEED SHOP BUSINESS..
If more companies would stick to MAP or SUGGESTED PRICING we would all do better.
I hate to say that because I am an end user too, but the companies on here that do this are just as guilty..They have no overhead nor really understand cars or how to make hp or even the workings of an engine, trans and electronics.
It all nonsense, My belief is one sponsor cuts another by 10 and soon we will all be out of business including the manufactures..I have called KOOKS AND ARH many times to complain about this PM pricing BS and they seem like they wanna help but in the end they at times look the other way..
DONT THROW STONES WHEN U ARE JUST AS GUILTY AND OBX..I AM SICK OF THIS BS, ITS REALLY SAD WITH WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS INDUSTRY AND GUYS LIKE US WHO REALLY RACE, TUNE AND BUILD SOME OF THE FASTEST CARS ON THE PLANET GET HOSED..
I am done, my opinion is it wont change so to potential customers just buy what makes u happy becuase everyone is quilty when it comes to being loyal..
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I couldn't agree more about being a really brick and mortar shop/business. We have offices/shop/warehouse in Sandy Utah and we install every product we sell. We're also direct with most of our suppliers and that is the ONLY way we survive. I would LOVE to sell at MAP but some people can't get business based on customer service or knowledge, it is all about who has the lowest price! I've spent hours helping someone find the right set up and then they find it on Ebay and off they go... Unfortunately that is the direction we're moving in and it is sad. I know some companies are putting unilateral pricing in place and if you want a warranty your invoice better show MAP or the warranty is voided, I wish more would do the same! The Internet has changed everything and some adapt better than others.
I'm guilty of selling below MAP, I don't advertise below MAP however and I'd much rather sell at MAP. We have our building, insurance, utilities, inventory, product testing, tools, equipment, payroll and everything else. I've been in this industry for 20+ years and I've worked for some of the top manufactures. I've built 1000+ RWHP cars and we've been featured in a lot of Magazines throughout the world.
Times are tough right now and the good companies and shops will rise to the top. The guys selling out of there houses will keep cutting it down until there is ZERO profit left in this business but people always want the best price, at some point service and knowledge will prevail. I have a lot of GREAT local customers who purchase products from us and we do the installs in many cases. I wouldn't judge every forum sponsor like your post implies, I know there are some good one's out there like ADM, Jannetty Racing, East Coast Supercharging, Vengeance Racing and IPS that install everything they sell as well. They also pay to sponsor and support this forum so end users have a place to learn/socialize.
The bottom line is I feel your pain and good luck to you!
Kind regards,
Jordan Priestley