Bill Squeezing Tips Requested ?

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Hi !

I am in the process to shop a list of accessories for my R1200R and since my dealers stores are not very responsive or either capable to provide real attractive deals. I decided to turn myself towards Online dealers and was wondering if you had some good addresses to recommend me ?

Located in California, I usually like to practice "bill squeezing" by ordering Interstate to avoid taxes
and prefer free shipping on large orders.

Already noticed Sporttour.com and Twistedthrottle.com but do you have any other to recommend ?

On my priority list are GIVI Maxia 52 liters...and very certainly some RKA luggages

[AmostThere]

I like the AdMoreLighting kit for the Givi Maxia that TwistedThrottle has and I'm not sure anybody else has that product. Big improvement in night visibility to other vehicles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLwkx0Ysy5A

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Thanks Amosthere ! I noticed these lights and was wondering if there were worth it...

I Might buy all my stuff from TwistedThrottle
but I wonder if there is other reliable online stores capable to propose attractive good prices
on GIVI luggages or any other brands

Any Ideas ?

[Tr250Tom]

"Any Ideas ?"

Sure, I have one, since you ask. Instead of going to a real live dealer, with a shop and inventory and employess to support and state sales tax that must be paid, then deciding what you want and finding it online from a low-overhead tax-free competitor, my idea is this:

Try establishing a business relationship with your local dealer. Make it clear that you value their shop as a resource, and are willing to support them, even if there's a web site that sells the same item for a nickel less. Once you've proven your loyalty, you might find that they are more willing to work with you on price. I have my wife's Volvo at a shop right now with a recurring problem. I have a free loaner car, and the manager has offered to eat 50% of the labor cost for the repair, since he feels they didn't do enough to fix it last time. (The car has 150K+ miles on it.) I've been going to this shop for over 10 years, and I never complained that Wal-Mart sells Mobil 1 oil for less than his markup. They take care of me because they know me.

These are hard times, and few of us have money to throw around, but consider what is in store for our hobby over the next few years as the dealer networks shrink. And shrink they shall, I'm afraid.

Cheers, Tom

[skysailor]

"Any Ideas ?"

Sure, I have one, since you ask. Instead of going to a real live dealer, with a shop and inventory and employess to support and state sales tax that must be paid, then deciding what you want and finding it online from a low-overhead tax-free competitor, my idea is this:

Try establishing a business relationship with your local dealer. Make it clear that you value their shop as a resource, and are willing to support them, even if there's a web site that sells the same item for a nickel less. Once you've proven your loyalty, you might find that they are more willing to work with you on price. I have my wife's Volvo at a shop right now with a recurring problem. I have a free loaner car, and the manager has offered to eat 50% of the labor cost for the repair, since he feels they didn't do enough to fix it last time. (The car has 150K+ miles on it.) I've been going to this shop for over 10 years, and I never complained that Wal-Mart sells Mobil 1 oil for less than his markup. They take care of me because they know me.

These are hard times, and few of us have money to throw around, but consider what is in store for our hobby over the next few years as the dealer networks shrink. And shrink they shall, I'm afraid.

Cheers, Tom

Well said. Couldn't agree more.
Cheers. Lyle

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Don't get me wrong !

Me too I respect craftsman's and local dealers when I feel them really focus and committed to help and I know that at my dealer if I pass the order trough my salesman he will try his best to squeeze the bill... Therefore anything I plan to buy online is listed and will be submitted to my dealer first to let him find out if he can get a better price.

But I don't know what's going on Honestly ! maybe its specific to Los Angeles...
Or It appear that some dealers teams these recent days in LA seem a bit disoriented by the economic context.

It look like for years they were so used to deal with customers that just compulsively buy stuff like Paris Hilton shop her shoes.
(Empty head, Large smile , Shinny credit Card type of customers)

So now when you pops up with a list of precise questions concerning at least 15 items they might not have physically in display they just can't focus their attention long enough to fairly close the deal.

I have been patient for at least 2 weeks....will give a try again maybe with another dealer soon but for example just on luggage equipments if I buy online I save almost at least $250.

This is why I was asking if you guys knew some good website beside twistethrottle.com where I can buy in one or two times at least all I need...

So ! now here we are Any Ideas ?


PS: Please remember that it happened in Los Angeles... I call all over US to get infos and I can't find any other states in US where sales or parts guy can be more shallow and shortcut minded than in Los Angeles.... money money money this is all they want in LA most of the time.