Need help setting up Elkas shocks, Apparently Cowtown is now just shipping boxes

[Buttsy]

Very simple, do you like to get paid??? If everyone is selling it at cost then no makes money or gets paid. So we don't buy, stock, or sell it. Simple economics. Unfotunatly we have to make a profit. I know I know it's a fun thing and I would do it just for fun but someone's got write the check, and the boss's have to be happy or playtime is over:yikes:......I want to stay in biz working with and for folks..... No money no biz:gaah:

:roflblack: here I thought all you dealers were just in business to loose money? And Yes I do like to get paid. My question was why mandate what a product can be advertised for sale at and then when the customer calls the dealer they quote a different price anyway? Simple economics would suggest if someone sells something at cost like you stated they would not have money to pay the bills and would go belly up anyway?

Just seems a little silly to say "you have to advertise it at this price but............in the end you can sell it for whatever you want"?

 

[SteveMac]

My question was why mandate what a product can be advertised for sale at and then when the customer calls the dealer they quote a different price anyway? Simple economics would suggest if someone sells something at cost like you stated they would not have money to pay the bills and would go belly up anyway?

Just seems a little silly to say "you have to advertise it at this price but............in the end you can sell it for whatever you want"?

This is a common practice by many manufacturers. Go check golf clubs like Ping or Callaway when they are at "special" prices, you will see that you have to add the product to the shopping cart to see the sale price. It is often used to prevent crazy sales practices from driving down the value of the product in the overall market. Yes, the dealer can ultimately sell for what they choose, but MAP helps level out the pricing to a certain extent. Would it be best for the consumer to benefit from some low-ball pricing war? Sure it would,,,for the short term. But eventually if there is not a reasonable profit margin then dealers won't carry the product. This also is a preventative measure to keep large super-shops from cutting the legs out from under mom and pop shops to the point where the super-store is the only one selling and then they monopolize the market. In the end it is an attempt to find a balance in what is best for the consumer from a retail price perspective and yet to maintain a reasonable profit amongst the variety of dealers in the market. Otherwise, the product dies.

 

[Firefly]

Gotcha Thanks...............:thumbup:

A little off topic I realize but why is it an issue to a manufacturer of a product what the dealer advertises their price at? Always been curous about that one, in the day an age of the internet I hate when the site says "call for our best pricing" why not just let the dealer advertise and sell it for whatever they want? I assume the manufacturer got paid by the dealer so what does it matter how much margin the dealer wants to make from it? Just curious not trying to hurt anyone's feelings................

Well, it's about fairness. Some dealers might sell products as 'loss leaders' in hopes of selling other items to you. It only benefits some customers and if the dealer keeps it up for long... they'll be out of business.

I've seen it thousands of times in my printing business. Someone will complain that my product is more expensive than a competitor.... and a few years down the road that competitor will be out of business (gee-- I wonder why-- lol). Then they can't get their artwork back and have to pay us to recreate it.

Basing your selling price solely on what others are charging is a recipe for disaster. Your overhead and cost of doing business is entirely different than theirs.

No one likes a low-ball guy out there under-cutting everyone. They're not doing anyone any favors... and the customer that will always jump for a lower price will never be loyal... so it's best not to try and join in their price war games.

If I was supplying a product to a particular dealer that wouldn't respect our MAP... I'd ditch them and let others sell the product instead.

 

[Mama Phoenix]

Wow!

I would just like to say that I think it is awesome that reps showed up in this thread to offer help, as well as phone numbers and PMs. That says a lot, and it gives me something to think about WHEN I do get my :ani29:. Glad you got help, DMENTR! :clap:

 

[murphybrown]

there is a reason

That I willingly and eagerly drive from WA state to Cuba, MO to have Len/Cowtown service Ms Spyder...and it ain't for the coffee???? Thanks Len (also John/Elka)...I love my Elka's as well as everything else Cowtown (len & Jimmy, service dept mgr) have done for me to keep me a very happy Spyder Ryder...:yes::yes:
Heck just as a side note my servicing dealer in Spokane, WA wouldn't even bother to get me a price on set of Elkas...oh yea, I'm betting they aren't going to be in business much longer...just my observation and they have a great service mgr. in Bruce...customer service is what keeps the doors open and oh yea..good management, which includes profit helps also!!!:thumbup:

 

[leenanj]

I was told that a web site was in the works (from Len I think) where you could enter all your rider specs for the Spyder and model of Elkas
and it would tell you the perfect settings and adjustments for your particular ride.

Does anybody know if this web site has materialized yet? hyea:

 

[Arr MiHardies]

It's called spyderlovers

 

[PAPA G]

HELP FROM LEN

Agreed if I have failed you, then let me know, give me the chance to make it right and i'll do my best. John "tropper" and I both take a lot of presonal pride in doing our absoulte best. I get folks from all over the country needing help, whatever it takes to try to help, doesn't mean I won't fail and like john said I apologize and keep trying.

Len I want to thank you for all HELP you gave me over the phone to work my problems out on my RTS


THANKS AGIN FOR YOUR HELP LEN................:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: PAPA G..