Rivetts in Receivership

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by lukemillar

We are all entitled to our opinions. I physically couldn't go into a shop and try something and then walk out the door with the intention of buying it online. Just couldn't do it.

Recently I find myself in a position where buying stuff online in NZ isn't really like the UK where competition is fierce and prices low. Import tax threshold is very low to encourage people to buy in NZ and which has made me build a very good relationship with the local bike shop. They now know me by first name and even discounted a couple of things for being a regular. So, you'll have to forgive me for banging this drum, but from where I'm sitting, this is better.

When you need new leather tho, head up to Auckland and get them from Kerrie @ MSW

God job Ady got the boot when he did then. Nearly asked for a job in there too.

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

I heard heine G aint too rock steady bouyant at the moment..

but then .. who is??

They havent been for a few years tbh

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Paws

They havent been for a few years tbh

Who is?!

I work near J&S & HG in Leeds; they are opposite each other. HG seem to have a sale of some sort on constantly, and J&S's 20% off everything Christmas Sale hasn't ended yet.....

I firmly believe that competition is a good thing as it widens choice and reduces prices for consumers. But it isn't easy to dream up a new business model. I know all about rip off business rates and rapacious landlords charging artificially high rents, plus there are so many other overheads associated with retail services.

I have to say that the cost dynamics of legal services are no different....

Stores like J&S and Infinity have an online price and instore price. This really only works with someone who has a large store that can ship items straight out.

Unfortunatly I doubt it really works that way and they probably just ship it from one of the larger stores. They may not make as much off the item as in store but at least they hold on to the sale?

The above comment is more of question as I really dont know the truth.

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

With regards to trying items on in the shop, and buying online: I try not to abuse this, but I will do it on occasion (although I also buy in shops on occasion as well). I get the moral objection, but at the same time I'm under no illusion that any chain/corporation (or the corporate entities that supply it) are guided by any moral compass whatsoever -they exist for the sole purpose of maiking as much profit as possible for their owners/shareholders..

And here is the crunch of it.

You see, I own my shop, therefore I own my own company, run my own business, therefore I must be rolling in money....what a misguided view of the world many people have.

If you want to know how wrong your perception of 'big corporations solely trying to make as much money as possible' is, then go take a look at some annual accounts for some of these shops (go have a look at mine) they are public documents. Yes, I am trying to make a profit, to keep my head above water. I have no idea why me striving to get a salary above the minimum wage from my business is so awful. Many times I've got the impression that some people think shop owners are not allowed to make any money. What you may think of as greedy profit is often just a meager income.

Please, before you tar every company with the same brush, remember that behind many of these companies that are struggling may be only one or two people fighting to hold on to their business/job/home (often all three at once).

[CheGuevara]

Originally Posted by shop_addict

And here is the crunch of it.

You see, I own my shop, therefore I own my own company, run my own business, therefore I must be rolling in money....what a misguided view of the world many people have.

If you want to know how wrong your perception of 'big corporations solely trying to make as much money as possible' is, then go take a look at some annual accounts for some of these shops (go have a look at mine) they are public documents. Yes, I am trying to make a profit, to keep my head above water. I have no idea why me striving to get a salary above the minimum wage from my business is so awful. Many times I've got the impression that some people think shop owners are not allowed to make any money. What you may think of as greedy profit is often just a meager income.

Please, before you tar every company with the same brush, remember that behind many of these companies that are struggling may be only one or two people fighting to hold on to their business/job/home (often all three at once).

I don't think I tarred every shop with the same brush -or at least that wasn't my intent. I did mention at the bottom of the very same post how I'm happy to support (and do support when possiple) the smaller business and how I felt they often provided a better value for the money than the chains -even going on to provide a local example ("I will try and spend money at smaller shops and sellers, run by individuals, whenever I can. I find their prices are often a lot lower...").

Unfortunately for individual retailers like yourself, the only real voice consumers have against the larger companies up the chain (distributors and manufacturers) is where we choose to spend our money, which is every bit as valuable and hard earned to me as it is to you or any other retailer.

All that aside, corporations do exist to make money. That alone is probably no great revelation, but as an entity unto themselves corporations bear no inherent moral responsibility to the communities in which they operate, or to the consumers to which they market. Sometimes that extends to no financial responsiblity in the case of corps that fold and then simply reopen under another name - robbing customers of deposits or (as in my case) ensuring I'm denied a refund for an incorrect item.

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

Unfortunately for individual retailers like yourself, the only real voice consumers have against the larger companies up the chain (distributors and manufacturers) is where we choose to spend our money, which is every bit as valuable and hard earned to me as it is to you or any other retailer.

Yes, you are right, and I sincerely apologise for raising my hackles by quoting a post of yours.

It is just that every day, every single day, people like me are trying their best to just make a living, not a fortune, just a living, just trying to survive. The UK motorbike industry in made up mainly of lots of very small businesses.

For every lovely person I meet (and fortunately, there are a lot of lovely people out there) that values the extra customer service they get, there is at least one more that will come in, take up my time (hours of my time on ocassions), and then tell me, "Thanks for all the help, now I'm going to see if I can buy it cheaper online". It happens, a lot. I'm not sure what the textbook reply from me is supposed to be - "Cool, no problem, I'm just here for your convenience, I don't have to make any money to survive" - that would not win me return custom, so I just have to take it on the chin.

If folks intend to come in my shop, try stuff on, then buy on ebay, fair enough, there is no-way I can predict/spot them, and nothing I can do about it. But it is absolutely heartbreaking when some customers seem to treat folks like me as some some of charity-come-agony-aunt who can spend ages advising then be expected to tell them where to buy stuff cheaper than I can provide.

I cannot in the long term compete purely on price with an internet seller with a large shed, no rent, no rates, etc. But that internet seller may not be there when you wash your helmet cheeekpads and cannot get them back in. When you can't get your visor to seal and need a hand in fixing it. When you need fitting for a suitable back protector/helmet/racesuit/<add any other item here>.

No offense meant at you Che, but for anyone reading - when the drive for 'lowest price only' overtakes any customer service/personal convenience that you appreciate, don't mourn it the loss, it'll be too late.

This is not just about motorbike gear, it's about much more than that.

Jo

Originally Posted by shop_addict

Yes, you are right, and I sincerely apologise for raising my hackles by quoting a post of yours.

It is just that every day, every single day, people like me are trying their best to just make a living, not a fortune, just a living, just trying to survive. The UK motorbike industry in made up mainly of lots of very small businesses.

For every lovely person I meet (and fortunately, there are a lot of lovely people out there) that values the extra customer service they get, there is at least one more that will come in, take up my time (hours of my time on ocassions), and then tell me, "Thanks for all the help, now I'm going to see if I can buy it cheaper online". It happens, a lot. I'm not sure what the textbook reply from me is supposed to be - "Cool, no problem, I'm just here for your convenience, I don't have to make any money to survive" - that would not win me return custom, so I just have to take it on the chin.

If folks intend to come in my shop, try stuff on, then buy on ebay, fair enough, there is no-way I can predict/spot them, and nothing I can do about it. But it is absolutely heartbreaking when some customers seem to treat folks like me as some some of charity-come-agony-aunt who can spend ages advising then be expected to tell them where to buy stuff cheaper than I can provide.

I cannot in the long term compete purely on price with an internet seller with a large shed, no rent, no rates, etc. But that internet seller may not be there when you wash your helmet cheeekpads and cannot get them back in. When you can't get your visor to seal and need a hand in fixing it. When you need fitting for a suitable back protector/helmet/racesuit/<add any other item here>.

No offense meant at you Che, but for anyone reading - when the drive for 'lowest price only' overtakes any customer service/personal convenience that you appreciate, don't mourn it the loss, it'll be too late.

This is not just about motorbike gear, it's about much more than that.

Jo

Well said and totally echos my feelings on the subject as well.