Purchase online vs in store.

[NorthernPete]

Ive ordered online and bought in store.

My boots,helmet and gloves were all instore purchases. I liked the fact that I was able to try it all on, get what I wanted and get out with it.

My jacket, well, that I did get on ebay, not the greatest quality Im sure (stitched leather) but its better then the not leather jacket I was wearing before. and I'll admit I did go into the shop and try on jackets to get my size. But I couldnt justify paying what they wanted for a jacket of the same quality. I am planning on getting a newer jacket this riding season, but I am hoping to be living in a bigger city with more cycle shops that I know have better prices then the sports shops around here. the problem of living ina smaller remote comunity is that you have no competition between the few stores in town.

Actually, we only have 2 motorcycle dealers here in town, so it doesnt make much for comparison shopping.

[Lion_Lady]

I've also been known to look online than walk into a store and see if I can find the item. If they've got the item, I'll usually buy it unless the price is far above the online price.

I'm really a hands on person. If I can have it NOW, I'll buy it rather than order online and wait.

Pam

[NorthernPete]

I am liking this New enough.com international thing though....

[skiman90]

Buying online will kill dealers.

buying from dealer will help dealer sales they will buy in higher quantities and as such they will pay less and if the dealer is like me they will in turn be able to present the customer with better deals.

as a small town moto dealer it fustrates me to see customers who by over the net or go to the bigger citys to get there gear, for the most part we have some good loyal customers who always buy from us but the ones who don't hurt everyone in the comunity. if i sell 5 jackets, next year i bring in 6 more and get a certian discount for doing so. if i only sell 2 of them jackets i dont bring anything new until the other 3 are gone.

selection gets low, price stays high, dealer closes down, now you don't have anywhere to buy bikes or gear. now you get to drive 100's of miles to get a visor for your helmet, oil and filters for your bike ect.....

there has been 2 other dealers in our town who went broke not selling product cause cust thought they would save $10 some where else now the same cust are wondering why they cant by bombi or suzuki parts in this town, mad at me cause we don't sell them(good thing the honda line is as good of seller or we would be out as well).

support your dealer it will have a positive result!!!!

oh and gear is a huge portion of income for dealers
contrary to pop belief we make very little money on units and by the time you pay the mechanic we make barly more on service work.

[Seetrout]

If I need to try on something before I buy it, I wouldn't go to a store to try it and then buy it online (at least not with that specific intent). If I had already done research, I might ask for a discount by mentioning the online price. If I'm talking $15-20 difference (when I factor in shipping, etc) it's not a ripoff IMO because the store has to hire staff, rent space, pay electrical bills, etc, etc. For me to use their services without paying them is unethical.

I can easily save money other ways.

If you continue to try stuff on at stores and then go shopping online, the store is eventually going to go out of business. Well...then what are you going to do?

AMEN BROTHER!

Or quit carrying accessories.

[darsek]

I buy from my favorite MC shop...I am pretty loyal to them because when I started out last year they were very helpful and knowledgable about gear that was totally new to me. Not only that but they have a great selection of ladies MC clothing which is hard to come by. I am a believer in buying local but I do my share of online shopping. When it comes to something that needs to fit as well as MC gear does, I want to try it on and get expert advise, I am willing to pay a little extra for the customer service.

[dr_bar]

For most of my accessories, I shop online and find what I want. Then I head out to the local shops looking for a comparitive price. While I was in Calgary earlier this month, I went to Motorcycle Accessories, they do business online as ChromeToys. I ordered and picked up my parts from their storefront. My major purchase from them didn't arrive before I had to return home, so they shipped it free of charge. I now have (a) new light bar/s and highway pegs as well as some chrome covers for exposed bolts... (yes, I know it needs a wash job, wasn't someone going to start a detailing business for bikes??? )


You can see that this is one complete light bar, it clamps right to the
fork at the location of the existing turn signals. The kit obviously
comes with a right and left...


Turned on you can see that the existing signals are used and bolted
to the underside of the new bars...


Foot peg needs a bit of adjustment but it feels good. I had the actual
pegs already, but needed the offsets to make them fit my ergs...

[Shorts]

I didn't vote, no option to my answer.

I'd buy in the store in a heartbeat if it has what I want. We don't ever really get that chance in JPN. And in the chances we have finally gotten here in the States, the store doesn't carry what we're looking for. So, no choice but to buy online.

We did hit it off with one local place that offered to order and send us anything we need. I think that we may use them in the future.

[-Holiday]

i normally do research online, then buy it in the store as long as the price is comparable to the online price, taking into account the fact i don't have to pay shipping, and i get immediate satisfaction.

If I notice that the price differs greatly online compared to in-store, i have absolutely no problem leaving and purchasing the item online.

THATS CAPITALISM BEOTCH!


THAT SAID,

i have a friend that runs a small scooter parts business, and i regularly pay more than i should for items from him because he's my friend and he helps me work on things.

BUT
don,t tell me to buy in-store just for the sake of helping people out. If your business relies on people making poor financial decisions than you should'nt be in business anyway.

[TR7]

I do both. There are a couple shops by me so I guess Im lucky to have a selection. The litte shop that is always friendly and gives great service has been getting my buisness, even if they do cost a little more. If they dont have what I want, I go to the huge super-dealer that has no interest in their customers (last time I bought something there I was down cash and up an ulcer, Im not just making an assumption) and try the stuff on/check out stuff, and then go buy it online, usualy for cheaper, they dont even care.