Parker brothers close shop
- Thread starter klr_guy
- Start date
Re: Parker Bros. - done
I think I'm with the majority on here who are sad to see a good shop go.
Like a few others have mentioned, I met Dave when he was my instructor at FAST. Since PB was also a sponsor of FAST and I had a great time there, I started to go to PB as my first choice for accessories when they were still on Dundas.
Dave was always good to me - when problems occurred, he took the time to get them sorted out. He never put pressure on to buy a bike or anything else, and I appreciate that. I ended up buying Jill's white Duke 690 a few years ago and had an amazing time on it until I sold it last summer - I was sad to see them drop KTM but when I talked with him about how KTM was squeezing the smaller dealers more and more I understood why they had to do it. Basically, they were selling maybe 50 bikes per year and would have had to sell closer to 100/yr in order to make money as a KTM dealer. As KTM has grown from a niche to a prestige brand, they have loaded more and more obligations on the dealers in terms of stocking parts, buying expensive diagnostic/repair equipment, signage & logos, etc.
Glenn was worth his weight in gold and I hated like hell to see him go. Years ago I bought an SV650 that supposedly had a Hindle full system on it, but it turned out to be a Hindle pipe hacked together with the OEM front half and a crappy custom mid-pipe. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me and with Hindle to figure out what all I needed to get everything sorted out, including some back & forth about how to properly install the dB killer insert when the instructions were unclear. As a result, I became loyal to PB & Hindle and a few weeks ago when I needed a new muffler for my CBX I went with Hindle and ordered through PB. They closed after the order was taken and before I got my muffler, and Dave directed me to Glenn at Z1 to try to track it down. Glenn got on the horn with the Motovan and Hindle people, located the order/muffler, had the paperwork changed, and my special-order muffler is supposed to be in my hands next week. There are very, very few parts counters in this city or anywhere else that will take care of a customer like that.
I've also been a loyal customer of Cyclewerx for most service stuff since they opened - I think my moneypit beater SV might have paid Tom's rent for the first winter he was open.
Examples of two VERY different business styles, but I definitely liked both. I talked to Tom a bit on Tue about PB closing and about how this might affect him and his business, whether he might expand if he sees more demand from the loss of yet another shop - and he said that he likes his operation as it is.
Anyhow, a bit of rambling there but the short story is that I always liked Dave, Jill, Chris, and Glenn and I hate to lose another shop in the city.
I think I'm with the majority on here who are sad to see a good shop go.
Like a few others have mentioned, I met Dave when he was my instructor at FAST. Since PB was also a sponsor of FAST and I had a great time there, I started to go to PB as my first choice for accessories when they were still on Dundas.
Dave was always good to me - when problems occurred, he took the time to get them sorted out. He never put pressure on to buy a bike or anything else, and I appreciate that. I ended up buying Jill's white Duke 690 a few years ago and had an amazing time on it until I sold it last summer - I was sad to see them drop KTM but when I talked with him about how KTM was squeezing the smaller dealers more and more I understood why they had to do it. Basically, they were selling maybe 50 bikes per year and would have had to sell closer to 100/yr in order to make money as a KTM dealer. As KTM has grown from a niche to a prestige brand, they have loaded more and more obligations on the dealers in terms of stocking parts, buying expensive diagnostic/repair equipment, signage & logos, etc.
Glenn was worth his weight in gold and I hated like hell to see him go. Years ago I bought an SV650 that supposedly had a Hindle full system on it, but it turned out to be a Hindle pipe hacked together with the OEM front half and a crappy custom mid-pipe. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me and with Hindle to figure out what all I needed to get everything sorted out, including some back & forth about how to properly install the dB killer insert when the instructions were unclear. As a result, I became loyal to PB & Hindle and a few weeks ago when I needed a new muffler for my CBX I went with Hindle and ordered through PB. They closed after the order was taken and before I got my muffler, and Dave directed me to Glenn at Z1 to try to track it down. Glenn got on the horn with the Motovan and Hindle people, located the order/muffler, had the paperwork changed, and my special-order muffler is supposed to be in my hands next week. There are very, very few parts counters in this city or anywhere else that will take care of a customer like that.
I've also been a loyal customer of Cyclewerx for most service stuff since they opened - I think my moneypit beater SV might have paid Tom's rent for the first winter he was open.
Examples of two VERY different business styles, but I definitely liked both. I talked to Tom a bit on Tue about PB closing and about how this might affect him and his business, whether he might expand if he sees more demand from the loss of yet another shop - and he said that he likes his operation as it is.Anyhow, a bit of rambling there but the short story is that I always liked Dave, Jill, Chris, and Glenn and I hate to lose another shop in the city.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
I'd been going into PB for years; probably since around the time they first opened. Dave saved my '97 riding vacation by calling around to find me an Ohlins shock, when the stock shock on my bike blew out a week before my trip. Over the years I bought a bunch of stuff off the racks and special ordered more.
My last couple of visits, over the last couple of years, showed me that that things had changed. I asked about a Targa tank bra and was told that they no longer existed. I went online and ordered one that night, when I'd have gladly paid the extra to get it from PB. I wanted to swap the bars on my ER for alloy dirtbike bars. Knowing that PB did KTM and dirtbike parts I went in to see what they had. Unfortunately they didn't have what I was looking for in stock, so I ordered online. I went back to get a set of bar ends for the new bars. Not in stock, so I ordered them through PB. It took two weeks and I went in a couple of times to see if they'd come in, since I wasn't getting a call. They were in on the second visit; no call. Fortunately they were on my way home from work, so it wasn't a special trip.
Times change. Shops change. I tried to support them and ultimately gave up. Local shops survive because they provide a personal sales experience, have knowledgeable sales staff who can help with product selections, and because they provide a ready stock of items that customers can paw through while trying to make a decision, or that they can buy immediately. All of these things are 'value added', that justify higher prices. When those things start to dry up you're then only relying on loyalty and habit, to bring people into the store. You're no longer generating new customers, in any realistic numbers. Ultimately even the loyal customers have to admit that it's time to go elsewhere.
If you're effectively just a catalogue ordering outlet then you're trying to compete with a model that you simply can't beat; the internet. Anyone remember Consumers Distributing? They didn't survive with that model BEFORE the internet hit its stride.
I'd been going into PB for years; probably since around the time they first opened. Dave saved my '97 riding vacation by calling around to find me an Ohlins shock, when the stock shock on my bike blew out a week before my trip. Over the years I bought a bunch of stuff off the racks and special ordered more.
My last couple of visits, over the last couple of years, showed me that that things had changed. I asked about a Targa tank bra and was told that they no longer existed. I went online and ordered one that night, when I'd have gladly paid the extra to get it from PB. I wanted to swap the bars on my ER for alloy dirtbike bars. Knowing that PB did KTM and dirtbike parts I went in to see what they had. Unfortunately they didn't have what I was looking for in stock, so I ordered online. I went back to get a set of bar ends for the new bars. Not in stock, so I ordered them through PB. It took two weeks and I went in a couple of times to see if they'd come in, since I wasn't getting a call. They were in on the second visit; no call. Fortunately they were on my way home from work, so it wasn't a special trip.
Times change. Shops change. I tried to support them and ultimately gave up. Local shops survive because they provide a personal sales experience, have knowledgeable sales staff who can help with product selections, and because they provide a ready stock of items that customers can paw through while trying to make a decision, or that they can buy immediately. All of these things are 'value added', that justify higher prices. When those things start to dry up you're then only relying on loyalty and habit, to bring people into the store. You're no longer generating new customers, in any realistic numbers. Ultimately even the loyal customers have to admit that it's time to go elsewhere.
If you're effectively just a catalogue ordering outlet then you're trying to compete with a model that you simply can't beat; the internet. Anyone remember Consumers Distributing? They didn't survive with that model BEFORE the internet hit its stride.
killerkeith
Well-known member
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Consumers Distributing carry most items in the back? I remember as a kid going there, pointing to a toy in the catalog and walking out with it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Consumers Distributing carry most items in the back? I remember as a kid going there, pointing to a toy in the catalog and walking out with it.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
You're right that they did but they frequently had back orders, in my experience. I would have used Sears catalogue stores as an example instead, but I doubted that anyone who wasn't from northern Ontario or the Maritimes would have a clue what I meant.
You're right that they did but they frequently had back orders, in my experience. I would have used Sears catalogue stores as an example instead, but I doubted that anyone who wasn't from northern Ontario or the Maritimes would have a clue what I meant.
digabel
Active member
Sad to see them go. Bought tires a while back. Good shop. I read a lot about GP being a big box store. But I can remember buying a 1974 Honda cb from them when they were a tiny shop in that strip mall with maybe 15 bikes and a few jackets. Stores change. But very sad that the local Toronto bike shops are fading.
That's what the previous generation was saying about you and that's what those kids will be saying about their kids. At any point in time "current" generation of kids is spoiled, lazy, unmotivated and has an overblown sense of entitlement. Bottom line - median wage in Canada hasn't changed in the last 20 years, but the prices have. That means fewer Canadians have enough disposable income to support the hobby and many more shops will die.
I'm sorry to see PB go. They were a great shop that I used to buy parts and gear from - excellent friendly service. Wish Dave and the family all the best.
H
HeritageAuto
Guest
This is truly a sad day. As a business owner and mechanic myself, it is almost impossible to please everyone. We do our best, try and save our clients money and provide upstanding service as best as possible.
I can remember back in 99, Sasha being my instructor at Humber. Building a friendship with Parker Brothers. Buying my first set of gloves. My First Arai Helmet(still have it) My Sidi Boots(Still have them and use them) to guys that were just an ACE. I was 19. First year in College, finally working up to my dream of owning a sportbike. First ride was a 1986 Yamaha RZ 350. Bought from John and Mike at the Bike Yard. Robbie and Rob at Rocket Motorcycle, restoring her to her glory. These were the guys that helped a Generation of people ride and ride smart.
Truly a Sad Day. Best of luck to all your future Endeavours Dave.
I can remember back in 99, Sasha being my instructor at Humber. Building a friendship with Parker Brothers. Buying my first set of gloves. My First Arai Helmet(still have it) My Sidi Boots(Still have them and use them) to guys that were just an ACE. I was 19. First year in College, finally working up to my dream of owning a sportbike. First ride was a 1986 Yamaha RZ 350. Bought from John and Mike at the Bike Yard. Robbie and Rob at Rocket Motorcycle, restoring her to her glory. These were the guys that helped a Generation of people ride and ride smart.
Truly a Sad Day. Best of luck to all your future Endeavours Dave.
Agreed.
RC8BOY
Well-known member
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Sorry dude, Dave is a stand up guy. Some customers just can't be pleased. I'm sure there are unsatisfied pro6 customers out there as well. Thats's business.
Sorry dude, Dave is a stand up guy. Some customers just can't be pleased. I'm sure there are unsatisfied pro6 customers out there as well. Thats's business.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Let me set the record straight.
When Dave closed, I still had business with him.
I could have been screwed.
But Dave did all in his power to make it as right as he could.
Dave is a great guy.
He honestly felt bad.
Stop bashing Dave.
Let me set the record straight.
When Dave closed, I still had business with him.
I could have been screwed.
But Dave did all in his power to make it as right as he could.
Dave is a great guy.
He honestly felt bad.
Stop bashing Dave.
Who's bashing him? I have read nothing but great reviews here. The only negative thing I recall being said was about his comment about Internet shoppers ruining the industry here and people are just stating their point of views regarding that issue.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Wasn't Consumers distributing taken out by internal theft, nothing to do with the business model except when they finally did a physical inventory, they had about 50% of what should have been in the stores? I remember the trainwreck sort of.
Wasn't Consumers distributing taken out by internal theft, nothing to do with the business model except when they finally did a physical inventory, they had about 50% of what should have been in the stores? I remember the trainwreck sort of.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
So my experience was perfectly normal and i am to blame because "some customers can't be pelased?" hahaha good one
So my experience was perfectly normal and i am to blame because "some customers can't be pelased?" hahaha good one
daught
Well-known member
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Maybe shops should start pushing Parts Canada or whoever the distributors are. Prices are WACK here. On average I can find things 30% cheaper from the US. I have sympathy for local shops, but I'm no charity. Someone's making big bugs up the chain. Hopefully distributors or whoever is responsible for the outrageous prices will start lowering their prices as so many shops go out of business.
Maybe shops should start pushing Parts Canada or whoever the distributors are. Prices are WACK here. On average I can find things 30% cheaper from the US. I have sympathy for local shops, but I'm no charity. Someone's making big bugs up the chain. Hopefully distributors or whoever is responsible for the outrageous prices will start lowering their prices as so many shops go out of business.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
When i was looking for a helmet all the local shops wanted 1199+ tax. I ended up picking up the exact same helmet in the states for 750 taxes in.
When i was looking for a helmet all the local shops wanted 1199+ tax. I ended up picking up the exact same helmet in the states for 750 taxes in.
Re: Parker Bros. - done
Yeah that'll be when pigs fly too and china pays their workers more then a buck a day... till then this is life. It appears Canadian companys get surcharged for the same product the US doesn't get surcharged. Or the US can just get the product cheaper due to volume or umpteen other reasons. Companies have to make that money back plus everyone wants a profit so the price we get chanrged in Canada is the price.
It is sad, but I agree with the charity comment, I work hard for my money so why spend more when I can get it for less. I am a big advocate for states side purchases, got my track bodywork, suit, helmet and many other things with an approximate overall savings in the thousands. Small stuff I can support the local establishments provided the extra money I pay is returned by way of convenience with the item in-stock and in my hands when I swipe my card. That appears to be what PB may have been lacking as well. But not kick a guy when he's down, I wish the owners all the best, I'm sure it's a really tough time right now.
Yeah that'll be when pigs fly too and china pays their workers more then a buck a day... till then this is life. It appears Canadian companys get surcharged for the same product the US doesn't get surcharged. Or the US can just get the product cheaper due to volume or umpteen other reasons. Companies have to make that money back plus everyone wants a profit so the price we get chanrged in Canada is the price.
It is sad, but I agree with the charity comment, I work hard for my money so why spend more when I can get it for less. I am a big advocate for states side purchases, got my track bodywork, suit, helmet and many other things with an approximate overall savings in the thousands. Small stuff I can support the local establishments provided the extra money I pay is returned by way of convenience with the item in-stock and in my hands when I swipe my card. That appears to be what PB may have been lacking as well. But not kick a guy when he's down, I wish the owners all the best, I'm sure it's a really tough time right now.
