Parker brothers close shop

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Re: Parker Bros. - done

nfq said:
People spend $3K/yr on their bikes? Are you crashing every 20 km? :O :O :O
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2-3 sets of tires, brakes, valve adjustment and you're already at 2k.

Throw in some levers, chain/sprockets, ss lines, power commander, tune etc etc...

2k is the low end

This aint a cheap hobby lol
 
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Re: Parker Bros. - done

I don't know what to say here... but I know cross-border/online shopping shouldn't take the blame. Sharing a few stories here.

I was shopping for tires last year, and Parker Bros. didn't have them in stock, and had to order for me. It was going to take 5 days.
Ended up getting it from Glenn at FlyingSquirrel, who had to order in as well, and I got them within 24 hours, and $15 less.

I am a fan of HELD products, especially their phantom gloves. Also Kriega bags. No one carries them locally. Some stores would order, charge me a premium on top and yet I have to pick up at the store (why don't I just order myself and ship to my home?). Found out Oakville Yamaha carry my bags. Biked out there, met Elios (sp?) and the parts guys, super friendly. Ended up buying 2 bags, a pair of HELD pants. $500, and I spent that happily because those folks made me feel like my business is valued.

Been PM'ing Sturgess a few times, because I have an ever-growing list of items I want to get. However, trying to be a penny-pincher, I need to know price quotes and then work with my budget, what I can afford now, and what I should hold off till next year. Never ever did Sturgess pressure me into buying stuff. They are super fast in responding to my PM's with price quotes. I will be confirming my purchase order soon with them.

I do support local business (Flying Squirrel, Oakville Yamaha, Sturgess Cycle) who works hard for my money and saves me time, because i sure as hell work hard for my money and make time for motorcycling. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I had supported Ted also a few times.

I'm guessing all motorcycle retailers pretty much go through the same distributor to get their inventory (Parts Canada is the name I believe), including online Canadian store like Canada's Motorcycle. So don't blame cross-border shopping, we do it because either local stores do not carry the product "I" want, or the price difference is much greater than the "dime" you mentioned. Consumers value 3 things: cost, time (speed) and quality (including both product & service). If you hit all 3, you have a winning formula.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

I think his simple point was, Karma is a *****.
 
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Re: Parker Bros. - done

I never shopped there but as a consumer free to spend my hard earned dollars, I will always look for the lowest price. Simple as that. Don't blame your customers; there are always so many more factors which contribute to a business' demise.

I have a lot of financial obligations, and by far the majority of my money is spent here in Canada. However, motorcycling is a hobby that takes my discretionary income, so I want to stretch it as far as I can and get the most bang for the buck. If that means a U. S. company can get me a product for substantially less that here, I will go for the deal.

It's my money and I am fortunate to live in a country where we are free to spend it as we choose.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

I went there to look at boots and a tank bag before my California trip. They had great prices but had nothing i wanted in stock. I think it was like a week to get the stuff i wanted and my trip was sooner than that.

I also try to support local shops but if the price is not even close i will buy from the internet.

I tried to support a shop in Quebec (MBP) and they would not reply to my emails so i had to buy their product from emsduc (us distributor).
 
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Re: Parker Bros. - done

1304cc said:
I think his simple point was, Karma is a b!tch.
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So what because people didn't buy from him they deserve whats coming to them? hahahah what kind of business mentality is this?
You aren't entitled to having customers, you have to attract them and keep them. The people who know and understand this keep their business running, ones that don't end up in the gutter every time.

I can't help but remember their "staying in business sale" sign as cycle world was closing down on dundas.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

killerkeith said:
A final pot shot at people who didn't shop there? Classy til the end.
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I thought the pot shot was at everyone that wasn't loyal "to your local shop" - not specifically this shop. It's a legitimate point, too, whether it's the causal factor or not. If we're all going to the states or the internet to order stuff, what will keep them in the retail business?
So then there's service. There are positive and negative posts about every shop in the GTA. Look at the posts about Rosey Toes - customer opinions are at opposite poles.
Paul's is the first negative thing I've seen or heard about parker brothers, at least with respect to customer service. Sure we're entitled to our opinions, and they're voiced regularly on the board. Whatever the cause, a family business that served many riders well for two decades just went under. He's entitled to some frustration. Maybe now isn't the time to be quite so vocal about one experience.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Parts Canada one issue...poor customer service another
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Emefef said:
I thought the pot shot was at everyone that wasn't loyal "to your local shop" - not specifically this shop. It's a legitimate point, too, whether it's the causal factor or not. If we're all going to the states or the internet to order stuff, what will keep them in the retail business?
So then there's service. There are positive and negative posts about every shop in the GTA. Look at the posts about Rosey Toes - customer opinions are at opposite poles.
Paul's is the first negative thing I've seen or heard about parker brothers, at least with respect to customer service. Sure we're entitled to our opinions, and they're voiced regularly on the board. Whatever the cause, a family business that served many riders well for two decades just went under. He's entitled to some frustration. Maybe now isn't the time to be quite so vocal about one experience.
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Most people want to avoid confrontation and you have to do something really special to get someone to write up a review. Also you only hear from a fraction of customers. If i wanted to write a review about every shop ive visited in the last 10 years id be here till christmas.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

My experience: they never had the best prices, but they had the friendliest service! Shop was looking kind of empty last December. Who remembers when they had armies of KTMs in the bloor location?
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Paul1000RR said:
lol im that popular

im not kicking anybody down, but if you're gonna write a open letter to the entire motorcycle community and blame them for your failures expect a response
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rbjeepthing said:
You folks were not the only one's to notice but you need to have owned a business in the industry to fully understand. I can only imagine the feeling the OP has right now and I've been in his shoes. Retail and Service are to different buisnesses and sometimes it's diffcult to be good at both.
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Sorry - I've realized I was vague in my initial posting - was just a cut & paste from an email rec'd from them - I have no involvement with them whatsoever.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

klr_guy said:
Sorry - I've realized I was vague in my initial posting - was just a cut & paste from an email rec'd from them - I have no involvement with them whatsoever.
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lol I was under the impression you were the owner......carry on then :happy1:
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

For me, it's a sad day. My introduction into the world of motorcycling occurred 21 years ago this summer. I started my research before getting my license with visits to Cycle World West and Parker Brothers. My first memory of Parker was Dave and Jill packing up for the Supershow, telling me to go there for a surprise - a Bimota, that they allowed people to sit on and have their picture taken. Both shops gave me good advice, and I have bought a few things over the years. This year I planned on a helmet (it would have been about number 5 or so) from Parker. It was always a good place to visit and meet with people.

It seems I have a track record of dealing with companies in this industry that go out of business. Cycle City where I bought my first bike, Cycle World West where I bought accessories, serviced and stored my bike. McBrides where I bought the Trophy, along with gear and accessories. Now Parker.

We can talk about local vs. internet out of the US all we want. A large part of the problem would appear to sit with the Canadian government, who collects high duties and tariffs on imported items, and may be the biggest single source of cost difference in the US vs. Canada debate.

Ultimately, if all you care about is price, buy from China, and in the future, Africa. Cheap and disposable, but service, maybe not so much. Or, you have to drive down the wages, quality and standard of living enough here so that we can compete on $$$ alone.

I didn't take Dave's comments as a shot at people who cross border shop as much as a statement of fact.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Dave and Jill are personal friends that I have known since the 80s Dave was my instructor at my race school in 1987. He always treated everyone I have ever seen well and with respect. He is a good person with a great sense of humor and I am sure it stings when you watch your business slowly move out of your reach. I am not going to sit and try to figure out what happened I am certain that it was various factors an frankly none of my business. The industry does not need to lose any more good shops. I wish nothing but the best for Dave and Jill both great people and good ambassadors for our sport.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Here in lies the problem...

"Back in the 80's/90's...blah blah blah"

Well, your right. Back in the 80's & 90's we only had the local shop to depend on to get parts. They could treat their shop like a clubhouse, talk down to you, rip you off and get away with it. Where else are you going to go for parts, right? Who are you gonna tell?

Now I can order tires off my phone for less than the local guy and ***** about my lousy customer service to 11,000 other local riders. Welcome to 2013. Time to work on your customer service skills.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Walmart and the internet are evil. But, if you live in a world populated by evil things, like Walmart and the internet, and you want to compete with them, you need a business model that will work. If you can't create a business model that will work than the evil Walmart and internet win. Oh well.

Retailers are the epitome of the capitalist/consumer system. For a retailer to complain that their customers followed capitalist/consumer doctrine and shopped for the best price/service/quality doesn't create much sympathy, from me.

It sucks that local book stores and specialty retail shops are becoming extinct. But that's the reality of the world we've created together. Get over it.

To Parker Bro's, good on 'em that they at least reached out to explain what is going on to their customers instead of just locking the doors.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

kneedragger88 said:
Dave and Jill are personal friends that I have known since the 80s Dave was my instructor at my race school in 1987. He always treated everyone I have ever seen well and with respect. He is a good person with a great sense of humor and I am sure it stings when you watch your business slowly move out of your reach. I am not going to sit and try to figure out what happened I am certain that it was various factors an frankly none of my business. The industry does not need to lose any more good shops. I wish nothing but the best for Dave and Jill both great people and good ambassadors for our sport.
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Good/bad, right/wrong, poor service/good service etc are all red herrings. It's the economy, pure and simple. Less people spending less money and always looking for the lowest prices. Something has to give, and PB's was the latest victim of a flagging economy. Look at all the once excellent, big, shops/dealers who have closed their doors in the GTA in the last 10 years. Did they all close due to high prices and poor customer service?

Times are tough for the motocycle industry in general, unless you're Ducati or BMW, and there's no end in sight.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

PB has no one to blame but themselves, people buy where they feel most comfortable. Combination of price, serivce, stock, and selection.
There are lots of Canadian bike shops and parts stores that are expanding and busy right now that get this concept and know how to work it. (riders choice, Bluestreak, apex, GP, Inglis, RD) they all do it a little different but they cater to a specific type of customer they and they have to compete against the online thing.
The online thing is a concern but many companies know how to get around ita nd guess what it's not going anywhere!
Bitching about it an email like they did does nothing. There's the doorn PB don't let it hit you on the way out.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

When I go to GPBikes they are always packed, always making sales and seem in good spirits. Go down the street to Oshawa Cycle, they are dead. They don't even have a mechanic in the shop during the winter. Both are bike shops, one is big and one is small. The small shop that turned Big Box store-ish seems to have the right idea. I go there because they typically have what I want when i want it, I don't need to wait...

I don't see the economy moving that much slower, people are a little more safe with their money. If you can buy a product for 200 on-line shipped to you, are you really going to buy the exact same thing locally for $300? NO.

How are local shops dealing with this? Pushing inferior asian made products, at a low low cost. And that helps them, but does not help North American manufacturers.

So everybody is looking out for #1 and we will all end up in #2 in the end.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

I can remember taking trips down to the city and checking out McBride, Cycle World and Parker Bros. It was fabulous to be able to see all the bikes and check out gear in stock in your size and favourite colour. Parker Bros were usually the best for price and advice...Dave was always a pleasure to deal with, a class act.
You could also go up to Brampton Cycle or even Mike Duff's shop.

I don't care what anyone says...it is still a sad day in my eyes.
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