Grey imports

[schauff]

"ShaunhI like to keep my nose out of these 'debates' but what has started as a defamatory post by PUSSLER has now ended in more people willing to support CWC. Well done pussler!"

 

Well, seing the everyone believed that CWC did nothing wrong, and like Shaunh says, more people now support him (more clients), maybe PUSSLER is CWC himself.

[markStockton]

 

I like to keep my nose out of these 'debates' but what has started as a defamatory post by PUSSLER has now ended in more people willing to support CWC.

 

Well done pussler!

 

Well said Shaun.

 

I must say I'm of the opinion that we should rather support people like CWC, until such time as the wholesalers either come to the party or go out of business.

 

Also shop round, there are some great alternatives being brought in by Kiwi and TokenFreak.

 

[bruce]

I see there are quite a few responses to my post, so let me try to cover them all.

 

Firstly, I was speaking in general terms about the practice of grey and/or parallel imports.  That is not an endorsement of poor service.  Poor service is not acceptable be it from an official supplier or a parallel importer.  In this situation I would chose an alternate product - one that is officially represented, and comes with good service.  Service and support forms a big part of product selection for me, brand name is somewhat secondary.

 

Secondly, I'm a bit puzzled about the idea that this represents antiquated business practice.  Having parts on hand, and trained service staff is antiquated?  How so??  I have personally seen Gary Lee from Just Fun Cycling, hand deliver 2 Bontrager spokes to WestRand Cycles because a customer broke some spokes.

 

Thirdly, there are many ways that a parallel import can be made, at cheaper prices than official imports.  Take the concept of OEM for example.  E.G Raleigh make a deal with Zipp to sell bikes with 404's on them.  Because of the volumes, Zipp gives the wheels to Raleigh at a very good price.  A certain team buys lots of Raleigh bikes, but is sponsored by Shimano so have to ride Shimano wheels.  Zipps are removed from the bikes and sold at a price that is significantly below market price - local Zipp agent suffers the loss of many sales, but then has to support these wheels when brought in 'under warranty' because he would rather support the wheel than give his product a bad name.

 

Anyway, this is my opinion.  Being an importer of a specialist product, I have a bit of understanding as to what it takes to create a market presence and penetration.

 

I also don't bribe police officers because it is 'cheaper' than paying the fine, or throw paraffin down the drain because that small quantity won't make a difference.  Everybody makes their own decisions in life.

[Aicorner]

Bruce

 

You suggest changing brands when (as you seem to agree happens)authorised dealers don't provide the service/parts/backup they should. What's the difference between doing that and going grey ?

 

    

[bruce]

Bruce

 

You suggest changing brands when (as you seem to agree happens)authorised dealers don't provide the service/parts/backup they should. What's the difference between doing that and going grey ?

 

    

 

Because I personally don't wish to support grey importers.  I believe in the long term it is damaging.

[GoLefty!!]

Wow i am overwhelmed by the response. One thing seems clear though there is huge confusion regarding serial numbers.

A serial number is a unique number that  is assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor.

Serial numbers are valuable in quality control and  part reorder.

Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products' date=' as serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified.

 

It makes sense that products with out serial numbers are not official so are kinda void of the manufacturers warranty.

Unauthorized dealers either knowingly deceive the consumer by telling them that the product is covered by the manufacturers warranty or do the repairs themselves.

Makes you think doesn't it.

But the Choice is yours !

[/quote']

 

 

If the serial number is so important, why is it applied to the rim as a weak adhesive backed foil strip and not engraved or etched?

This tells me the manufactirer is not interested in honouring a possible warranty anyway and this is the loop hole they use...?

 

 

[widget]

Bruce, your points are only relevant in a perfect society where there is a contented and happy supply chain from manufacturer to customer.

 

As soon as there is a break in one part of the chain, the whole thing falls into disarray.

 

Now the break can be for many reasons, cost, availability,competition etc , but in my experience the man in the street is of key importance, as soon as he feels he is been taken advantage of, he shops around, and a new market and supply chain is created for the product, be it a parallel importer or via the internet.

 

From here its a downhill spiral, loss of business by the agent, means he needs to margin more, he becomes a more difficult supplier regarding warranty,stock and  spares availability, he becomes less inclined to "see the other side" and the more difficult he becomes, the less business he gets, customers preferring to shop where the deal is sweeter and the supplier behaves as if he wants your business.

 

To be honest, in small economies like SA - This business model is doomed to failure, I cant think of one sole distributor in SA, in any retail industry, who is NOT competing with a parallel importer and the internet.

 

Distributors in the cycling business are stuck in the old school mentality, competition is never going to go away, it will only get stronger, rather improve your business model here to ensure your supply chain is good enough to keep the customer from going to the opposition in the first place.

 

[bruce]

Bruce' date=' your points are only relevant in a perfect society where there is a contented and happy supply chain from manufacturer to customer.

 

As soon as there is a break in one part of the chain, the whole thing falls into disarray.

 

Now the break can be for many reasons, cost, availability,competition etc , but in my experience the man in the street is of key importance, as soon as he feels he is been taken advantage of, he shops around, and a new market and supply chain is created for the product, be it a parallel importer or via the internet.

 

From here its a downhill spiral, loss of business by the agent, means he needs to margin more, he becomes a more difficult supplier regarding warranty,stock and  spares availability, he becomes less inclined to "see the other side" and the more difficult he becomes, the less business he gets, customers preferring to shop where the deal is sweeter and the supplier behaves as if he wants your business.

 

To be honest, in small economies like SA - This business model is doomed to failure, I cant think of one sole distributor in SA, in any retail industry, who is NOT competing with a parallel importer and the internet.

 

Distributors in the cycling business are stuck in the old school mentality, competition is never going to go away, it will only get stronger, rather improve your business model here to ensure your supply chain is good enough to keep the customer from going to the opposition in the first place.

 

[/quote']

 

Sure, and I'll support those guys that have managed to get it right.  I'm not endorsing poorly run businesses.

[Aicorner]

Bruce

 

I respect you and your views but isn't it just as damaging in the long term (and also the short term) to not go grey, because that allows authorised importers to get away with inflating prices and delivering poor service ?

[GoLefty!!]

Bruce

 

I respect you and your views but isn't it just as damaging in the long term (and also the short term) to not go grey' date=' because that allows authorised importers to get away with inflating prices and delivering poor service ?

[/quote']

 

 

amen

[Speed Devil]

Wow i am overwhelmed by the response. One thing seems clear though there is huge confusion regarding serial numbers.

A serial number is a unique number that  is assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor.

Serial numbers are valuable in quality control and  part reorder.

Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products' date=' as serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified.

 

It makes sense that products with out serial numbers are not official so are kinda void of the manufacturers warranty.

Unauthorized dealers either knowingly deceive the consumer by telling them that the product is covered by the manufacturers warranty or do the repairs themselves.

Makes you think doesn't it.

But the Choice is yours !

[/quote']

 

Does anyone have an old HDD so that I can moer this oke?

[widget]

I sort of just skipped through all this, 22 odd pages is more than I can bear to read, but I cant see the issue, ..................if the serial numbers are just stuck on, who is to say, I cant remove them??

 

After all, are they not my wheels?? .............and if I want to resell them AFTER I have taken the stickers off,well, why can I not do that??

 

Sounds like theres more to it than just a sticker.

 

 

[Guest colonel]

Wow i am overwhelmed by the response. One thing seems clear though there is huge confusion regarding serial numbers.

A serial number is a unique number that  is assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor.

Serial numbers are valuable in quality control and  part reorder.

Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products' date=' as serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified.

 

It makes sense that products with out serial numbers are not official so are kinda void of the manufacturers warranty.

Unauthorized dealers either knowingly deceive the consumer by telling them that the product is covered by the manufacturers warranty or do the repairs themselves.

Makes you think doesn't it.

But the Choice is yours !

[/quote']

 

 

Well my penis doesnt have a serial number so does that mean its grey import aswell cause I cant seem to get anyone to cover my warranty now that it doesnt work......

[hot stuff]

Wow i am overwhelmed by the response. One thing seems clear though there is huge confusion regarding serial numbers.

A serial number is a unique number that  is assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor.

Serial numbers are valuable in quality control and  part reorder.

Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products' date=' as serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified.

 

It makes sense that products with out serial numbers are not official so are kinda void of the manufacturers warranty.

Unauthorized dealers either knowingly deceive the consumer by telling them that the product is covered by the manufacturers warranty or do the repairs themselves.

Makes you think doesn't it.

But the Choice is yours !

[/quote']

 

 

Well my penis doesnt have a serial number so does that mean its grey import aswell cause I cant seem to get anyone to cover my warranty now that it doesnt work......

 

[shaunh]

Colonel, have you not heard of Viagra!!!

[sampie]

Removed, sorry that was unnecessary. What i meant to say was that there's a difference between freedom of speech and to badmouth someone trying to ruin their bussiness, Especially with a hidden identity.

sampie2008-10-17 05:08:45