Black spade bikes good or bad?

[Pornstar]

Hi Guys

 

I guess this is where I need to jump in and put a few things straight. We are not try to rip anybody off, we definitely aren't making R 5000 on a frame I promise you, spray jobs aren't $5, in fact they are closer to $55 and then you pay for frame stickers around $20 as well, we pay extra for things like seatpost etc too.

 

We started the brand to supply the guy out there with choice and the possibility to do custom spray jobs, what our difference is that we have a office, somebody running the brand during the day, we have a store room with around R 400 000 stock at any one time, we do this so that we can warranty any stock quickly without the customer having to wait a few weeks to get a warranty from the east.

 

We insure stock on the way as we pay upfront, as a solo person the government states that you are only allowed to import 3 times for personal use and after that you are flagged as a business or importer, due to this we registered a company, got a import / export code and are clearing our payments through the South African Reserve bank, we also pay Vat and we pay admin fees.

 

Add to this that the $ was close to 10 a few months ago there are a lot of factors that make up a business. We also advertise, for eg like here on the HUB, we do sponsorships as well, at the moment we have around 8 sponsored athletes and around 10 Brand ambassadors which get products cheaper enabling them to carry on living their dreams. We also sponsor TEAM MECCER as a up and coming team, so put a lot back into the industry and into people

 

You can make a burger at home too, cheaper than you can buy at a restaurant, but we are a Registered business, pay auditors, bank fees etc and so there are a lot of costs involved here, we aren't just a single guy bringing in 1 or 2 frames on his credit card unpainted and undeclared.

 

We are doing things properly and trying to grow a brand and continue to offer great value for money bikes to people, I understand we arent everybodies cup of tea, but then we aren't trying to be.

 

I come in piece and do not want to get into a mud slinging fight with people and nit pick on why and who is better, the pie is big enough for all of us.

 

We also support the local industry by getting all of our build up bits and groupsets locally from local suppliers and get our bikes built by local shops and use local couriers to send product around, so we are not raping the cycling industry but building it.

 

We build bikes up for the individual according to his budget, and can build one off spray jobs which means that he will be the only person out there with that bike, that is special.

 

If you know me, you know that i am not out to hussle anybody or screw anybody over, I've been a hub member almost since the beginning and always the first person to help somebody out, I don't drive a porsche or live in a penthouse...ha haa

 

Thanks for all the support from the people who have supported us and continue to support us so that we can continue to delivery great quality products are great prices and build a Black Spade Family of people who see the world as we see it.

 

Peace and Love to all of you and may 2013 be an amazing year for you all.

[Cav']

Hi Guys

 

I guess this is where I need to jump in and put a few things straight. We are not try to rip anybody off, we definitely aren't making R 5000 on a frame I promise you, spray jobs aren't $5, in fact they are closer to $55 and then you pay for frame stickers around $20 as well, we pay extra for things like seatpost etc too.

 

We started the brand to supply the guy out there with choice and the possibility to do custom spray jobs, what our difference is that we have a office, somebody running the brand during the day, we have a store room with around R 400 000 stock at any one time, we do this so that we can warranty any stock quickly without the customer having to wait a few weeks to get a warranty from the east.

 

We insure stock on the way as we pay upfront, as a solo person the government states that you are only allowed to import 3 times for personal use and after that you are flagged as a business or importer, due to this we registered a company, got a import / export code and are clearing our payments through the South African Reserve bank, we also pay Vat and we pay admin fees.

 

Add to this that the $ was close to 10 a few months ago there are a lot of factors that make up a business. We also advertise, for eg like here on the HUB, we do sponsorships as well, at the moment we have around 8 sponsored athletes and around 10 Brand ambassadors which get products cheaper enabling them to carry on living their dreams. We also sponsor TEAM MECCER as a up and coming team, so put a lot back into the industry and into people

 

You can make a burger at home too, cheaper than you can buy at a restaurant, but we are a Registered business, pay auditors, bank fees etc and so there are a lot of costs involved here, we aren't just a single guy bringing in 1 or 2 frames on his credit card unpainted and undeclared.

 

We are doing things properly and trying to grow a brand and continue to offer great value for money bikes to people, I understand we arent everybodies cup of tea, but then we aren't trying to be.

 

I come in piece and do not want to get into a mud slinging fight with people and nit pick on why and who is better, the pie is big enough for all of us.

 

We also support the local industry by getting all of our build up bits and groupsets locally from local suppliers and get our bikes built by local shops and use local couriers to send product around, so we are not raping the cycling industry but building it.

 

We build bikes up for the individual according to his budget, and can build one off spray jobs which means that he will be the only person out there with that bike, that is special.

 

If you know me, you know that i am not out to hussle anybody or screw anybody over, I've been a hub member almost since the beginning and always the first person to help somebody out, I don't drive a porsche or live in a penthouse...ha haa

 

Thanks for all the support from the people who have supported us and continue to support us so that we can continue to delivery great quality products are great prices and build a Black Spade Family of people who see the world as we see it.

 

Peace and Love to all of you and may 2013 be an amazing year for you all.

Good post

[Sitting slip]

I very much like the idea of importing these frames and being able to build your own specs!not buy a top end bike like that for 10 to 20 grand more and in the end spend more money on upgrades that you could not build up how you wanted it in the first place. Good on you guys doing this!

[ThatRiderGuy]

Hi Guys

 

I guess this is where I need to jump in and put a few things straight. We are not try to rip anybody off, we definitely aren't making R 5000 on a frame I promise you, spray jobs aren't $5, in fact they are closer to $55 and then you pay for frame stickers around $20 as well, we pay extra for things like seatpost etc too.

 

We started the brand to supply the guy out there with choice and the possibility to do custom spray jobs, what our difference is that we have a office, somebody running the brand during the day, we have a store room with around R 400 000 stock at any one time, we do this so that we can warranty any stock quickly without the customer having to wait a few weeks to get a warranty from the east.

 

We insure stock on the way as we pay upfront, as a solo person the government states that you are only allowed to import 3 times for personal use and after that you are flagged as a business or importer, due to this we registered a company, got a import / export code and are clearing our payments through the South African Reserve bank, we also pay Vat and we pay admin fees.

 

Add to this that the $ was close to 10 a few months ago there are a lot of factors that make up a business. We also advertise, for eg like here on the HUB, we do sponsorships as well, at the moment we have around 8 sponsored athletes and around 10 Brand ambassadors which get products cheaper enabling them to carry on living their dreams. We also sponsor TEAM MECCER as a up and coming team, so put a lot back into the industry and into people

 

You can make a burger at home too, cheaper than you can buy at a restaurant, but we are a Registered business, pay auditors, bank fees etc and so there are a lot of costs involved here, we aren't just a single guy bringing in 1 or 2 frames on his credit card unpainted and undeclared.

 

We are doing things properly and trying to grow a brand and continue to offer great value for money bikes to people, I understand we arent everybodies cup of tea, but then we aren't trying to be.

 

I come in piece and do not want to get into a mud slinging fight with people and nit pick on why and who is better, the pie is big enough for all of us.

 

We also support the local industry by getting all of our build up bits and groupsets locally from local suppliers and get our bikes built by local shops and use local couriers to send product around, so we are not raping the cycling industry but building it.

 

We build bikes up for the individual according to his budget, and can build one off spray jobs which means that he will be the only person out there with that bike, that is special.

 

If you know me, you know that i am not out to hussle anybody or screw anybody over, I've been a hub member almost since the beginning and always the first person to help somebody out, I don't drive a porsche or live in a penthouse...ha haa

 

Thanks for all the support from the people who have supported us and continue to support us so that we can continue to delivery great quality products are great prices and build a Black Spade Family of people who see the world as we see it.

 

Peace and Love to all of you and may 2013 be an amazing year for you all.

 

And there we have it. Straight from the horses mouth with great transparency. Hope the trolls can move on or support these guys

[Raab]

Hi Guys

 

I guess this is where I need to jump in and put a few things straight. We are not try to rip anybody off, we definitely aren't making R 5000 on a frame I promise you, spray jobs aren't $5, in fact they are closer to $55 and then you pay for frame stickers around $20 as well, we pay extra for things like seatpost etc too.

 

We started the brand to supply the guy out there with choice and the possibility to do custom spray jobs, what our difference is that we have a office, somebody running the brand during the day, we have a store room with around R 400 000 stock at any one time, we do this so that we can warranty any stock quickly without the customer having to wait a few weeks to get a warranty from the east.

 

We insure stock on the way as we pay upfront, as a solo person the government states that you are only allowed to import 3 times for personal use and after that you are flagged as a business or importer, due to this we registered a company, got a import / export code and are clearing our payments through the South African Reserve bank, we also pay Vat and we pay admin fees.

 

Add to this that the $ was close to 10 a few months ago there are a lot of factors that make up a business. We also advertise, for eg like here on the HUB, we do sponsorships as well, at the moment we have around 8 sponsored athletes and around 10 Brand ambassadors which get products cheaper enabling them to carry on living their dreams. We also sponsor TEAM MECCER as a up and coming team, so put a lot back into the industry and into people

 

You can make a burger at home too, cheaper than you can buy at a restaurant, but we are a Registered business, pay auditors, bank fees etc and so there are a lot of costs involved here, we aren't just a single guy bringing in 1 or 2 frames on his credit card unpainted and undeclared.

 

We are doing things properly and trying to grow a brand and continue to offer great value for money bikes to people, I understand we arent everybodies cup of tea, but then we aren't trying to be.

 

I come in piece and do not want to get into a mud slinging fight with people and nit pick on why and who is better, the pie is big enough for all of us.

 

We also support the local industry by getting all of our build up bits and groupsets locally from local suppliers and get our bikes built by local shops and use local couriers to send product around, so we are not raping the cycling industry but building it.

 

We build bikes up for the individual according to his budget, and can build one off spray jobs which means that he will be the only person out there with that bike, that is special.

 

If you know me, you know that i am not out to hussle anybody or screw anybody over, I've been a hub member almost since the beginning and always the first person to help somebody out, I don't drive a porsche or live in a penthouse...ha haa

 

Thanks for all the support from the people who have supported us and continue to support us so that we can continue to delivery great quality products are great prices and build a Black Spade Family of people who see the world as we see it.

 

Peace and Love to all of you and may 2013 be an amazing year for you all.

 

Awesome response

[Guest]

I'm intrigued as to how you land a ± R6k frame with only R200 levies which means approximately R165 VAT and R35 admin fee? BSR, I'd imagine, pay VAT on the CIF price plus 10% ito the VAT Act.

 

To pay R165 VAT means your vatable amount is R1,178.57 giving a cost INCLUDING FREIGHT of R1,071.43. That's US$ 133.

 

No wonder the feeling is that importers are ripping the locals. A R12,500 retail price including VAT. That's 11 times his money back! I wonder why every one is not doing it.

 

Or you're not paying your fair share of VAT that legitimate businesses have to pay?

 

I tried to buy a dual suspension frame for R6k landed in SA with VAT paid. I gave up. Although my business imports (non cycling) products I couldn't get close.

 

I have had different experiences with different courier companies( DHL, FEDEX, TNT) -they all seem to charge differently. Often door to door services does not have hidden costs since the "sender" pays upfront which means that the cost is included in the selling price.

[T-Bob]

Great post Pornstar,

 

end of the day you can buy cheaply overseas and import cheaply by cutting out the middle man. If you buy in SA then you are buying from an individual who needs to pay everything, turn a profit and offer certain warranties else he'll end up getting slated on a forum as not looking after his customers.

 

He's not going to import for fun and give you the same price. That's what your mate doing a CRC group order is doing.

 

I do have issues with a lot of the overpricing in this country but I like the fact that BSR is trying something, delivering a good product (hopefully paying correct tax) and getting involved in the scene so good on them. If they are good bikes, ride well, good prices and the customer services if great then they will succeed and rightly so.

[Guest]

And there we have it. Straight from the horses mouth with great transparency. Hope the trolls can move on or support these guys

 

It seems that you have a problem with reading English - I am not trolling or have never tried to bad mouth BS. I support what they do. I have a problem with shops selling framesets for R65K just because they can.

[CAAD4]

The team that you are sponsoring are Team Mecer, Collin. Good luck for 2013.

[Guest]

Great post Pornstar,

 

end of the day you can buy cheaply overseas and import cheaply by cutting out the middle man. If you buy in SA then you are buying from an individual who needs to pay everything, turn a profit and offer certain warranties else he'll end up getting slated on a forum as not looking after his customers.

 

He's not going to import for fun and give you the same price. That's what your mate doing a CRC group order is doing.

 

I do have issues with a lot of the overpricing in this country but I like the fact that BSR is trying something, delivering a good product (hopefully paying correct tax) and getting involved in the scene so good on them. If they are good bikes, ride well, good prices and the customer services if great then they will succeed and rightly so.

 

"hopefullly paying correct tax" - The tax you pay on imports is determined by Customs and SARS and has NOTHING to do with the individual doing the importing. You cannot take possesion of your goods before all taxes and duties are paid.

 

You should be more concerned about correct tax being paid on sales of imported goods - just saying.

Edited January 14, 2013 by Johnny Bravo

[Andymann]

Hi Guys

 

I guess this is where I need to jump in and put a few things straight. We are not try to rip anybody off, we definitely aren't making R 5000 on a frame I promise you, spray jobs aren't $5, in fact they are closer to $55 and then you pay for frame stickers around $20 as well, we pay extra for things like seatpost etc too.

 

We started the brand to supply the guy out there with choice and the possibility to do custom spray jobs, what our difference is that we have a office, somebody running the brand during the day, we have a store room with around R 400 000 stock at any one time, we do this so that we can warranty any stock quickly without the customer having to wait a few weeks to get a warranty from the east.

 

We insure stock on the way as we pay upfront, as a solo person the government states that you are only allowed to import 3 times for personal use and after that you are flagged as a business or importer, due to this we registered a company, got a import / export code and are clearing our payments through the South African Reserve bank, we also pay Vat and we pay admin fees.

 

Add to this that the $ was close to 10 a few months ago there are a lot of factors that make up a business. We also advertise, for eg like here on the HUB, we do sponsorships as well, at the moment we have around 8 sponsored athletes and around 10 Brand ambassadors which get products cheaper enabling them to carry on living their dreams. We also sponsor TEAM MECCER as a up and coming team, so put a lot back into the industry and into people

 

You can make a burger at home too, cheaper than you can buy at a restaurant, but we are a Registered business, pay auditors, bank fees etc and so there are a lot of costs involved here, we aren't just a single guy bringing in 1 or 2 frames on his credit card unpainted and undeclared.

 

We are doing things properly and trying to grow a brand and continue to offer great value for money bikes to people, I understand we arent everybodies cup of tea, but then we aren't trying to be.

 

I come in piece and do not want to get into a mud slinging fight with people and nit pick on why and who is better, the pie is big enough for all of us.

 

We also support the local industry by getting all of our build up bits and groupsets locally from local suppliers and get our bikes built by local shops and use local couriers to send product around, so we are not raping the cycling industry but building it.

 

We build bikes up for the individual according to his budget, and can build one off spray jobs which means that he will be the only person out there with that bike, that is special.

 

If you know me, you know that i am not out to hussle anybody or screw anybody over, I've been a hub member almost since the beginning and always the first person to help somebody out, I don't drive a porsche or live in a penthouse...ha haa

 

Thanks for all the support from the people who have supported us and continue to support us so that we can continue to delivery great quality products are great prices and build a Black Spade Family of people who see the world as we see it.

 

Peace and Love to all of you and may 2013 be an amazing year for you all.

 

Well said! - We will most likely be buying 2 BSR 29ers later this year. And not because I can't bring a frame in myself (I also do a lot of work in China and Taiwan), but because Colin has got himself a good business, does indeed support the local cycling (and TRI/DU) community ito sponsorships, and he is much easier to chat to if you have an issue than Mr. Lin and Mr. Chang because a call to CT is much cheaper than a call to Taiwan

[Sitting slip]

Ja keep it local keep it simple!

[Pornstar]

Go in peace Johnny Bravo I have no issue with you..we all just trying to live the dream the best way we know how

[McD23]

I have dual sus 29'er BS. Came of a Gaint Anthem XO 26. Loving the bike, given me no problems, weighs 10.7kg and looks the business. Guys where very helpful with build and offer extremely competitive pricing for a well specc'd race ready XC mtb.

Edited January 14, 2013 by McD23

[Pornstar]

That looks awesome..hadn't seen it before..happy riding

[Azonic]

How much for a set of those wheels?