Parker brothers close shop

klr_guy

klr_guy

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Parker Bros. - done

Just got this in my email:

Sorry to say but after 20 years of serving GTA motorcyclists the Parker Bros era has come to an end. The store is now closed. Unlike those who past before us we did fight it for all it was worth. We tried to hold on until spring but this week the writing was on the wall. We tried to end it with minimal damage to both customers and suppliers. With that said it can never be completely clean and I must apologize to any who might experience a loss. My hands are some what tied but I will do my best to make sure no customers are out of pocket.(please contact me atparkerbrostoronto@gmail.com) For those with bike in storage or in service, don't panic, see below.
I would like to thank all our great customers over the years. In the last couple years our financial handcuffs prevented us from offering the level of service you deserved and yet you remained loyal. No bitternes intended but this is my last email so I can say for all of you who are not loyal to your neighbourhood bike shop and cross border shop or drive 2 hours to save a dime, "take a bite". I can also say that when you are making a purchase be it a bike or parts or riding gear, the profits the dealer makes are very small and he/she is certainly not retiring on your purchase. Be good to your local shop and they will be good to you, enough said.
I would also like to thank all the ex-employees of Parker Bros. We had a great family and I always felt truly blessed that everyone gave 100% to make sure the customer was happy. Two of the people now unemployed and looking for work are Rick Rundberg (mechanic) and Chris Dring (parts, sales, service, etc). If you know someone in need, these guys are awesome.

​
Staffing from the start (1992) to finish Dave, Jil, Allison, Kyle & Megan Grummett , Bryan Rolls, Bill Lehman, Rob C, Glen V, Johnny 5, Claire M, Frank Wilson, Alastair Walker, Glenn Yatabe, Sasha Soloviov, Chris Dring, Dave Moss, Steven Able, Rob Yocco, Gary Hesmer, Will Gonidas, Will Gorelle, Rick Mik, Jenn Mik, Shayne Waters. Eric Sum, Rick Gunby, Chad Martin, Andy Gale & Rick Rundberg. Sorry if I forgot anyone.​
I would also like to thank all of my suppliers. Although we didn't always see eye to eye on cross border pricing I do appreciate our relationshps and thank you for your support.


​
 
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Re: Parker Bros. - done

Stand up shop. Always has been, sorry to hear they are done.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

It's a sad day, for sure.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Another one bites the dust.

I wasn't a parkers bro customer, I think i purchased the odd set of gloves from them when they were on Dundas, but is still sad to see. They had a very loyal following.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

They were a good shop. Damn shame...
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

klr_guy said:
Sorry to say but after 20 years of serving GTA motorcyclists the Parker Bros era has come to an end. The store is now closed. Unlike those who past before us we did fight it for all it was worth. We tried to hold on until spring but this week the writing was on the wall. We tried to end it with minimal damage to both customers and suppliers. With that said it can never be completely clean and I must apologize to any who might experience a loss. My hands are some what tied but I will do my best to make sure no customers are out of pocket.(please contact me atparkerbrostoronto@gmail.com) For those with bike in storage or in service, don't panic, see below.
I would like to thank all our great customers over the years. In the last couple years our financial handcuffs prevented us from offering the level of service you deserved and yet you remained loyal. No bitternes intended but this is my last email so I can say for all of you who are not loyal to your neighbourhood bike shop and cross border shop or drive 2 hours to save a dime, "take a bite". I can also say that when you are making a purchase be it a bike or parts or riding gear, the profits the dealer makes are very small and he/she is certainly not retiring on your purchase. Be good to your local shop and they will be good to you, enough said.
​
I would also like to thank all the ex-employees of Parker Bros. We had a great family and I always felt truly blessed that everyone gave 100% to make sure the customer was happy. Two of the people now unemployed and looking for work are Rick Rundberg (mechanic) and Chris Dring (parts, sales, service, etc). If you know someone in need, these guys are awesome.​
Staffing from the start (1992) to finish Dave, Jil, Allison, Kyle & Megan Grummett , Bryan Rolls, Bill Lehman, Rob C, Glen V, Johnny 5, Claire M, Frank Wilson, Alastair Walker, Glenn Yatabe, Sasha Soloviov, Chris Dring, Dave Moss, Steven Able, Rob Yocco, Gary Hesmer, Will Gonidas, Will Gorelle, Rick Mik, Jenn Mik, Shayne Waters. Eric Sum, Rick Gunby, Chad Martin, Andy Gale & Rick Rundberg. Sorry if I forgot anyone.​
I would also like to thank all of my suppliers. Although we didn't always see eye to eye on cross border pricing I do appreciate our relationshps and thank you for your support.


​
Click to expand...

I've dealt with parker bros for years since they were located so close to my house. However when i went in for service the experience was not what one would expect. Long story short lack of communication on Dave's side led to me taking my bike down the street to Pro 6 and i never looked back.
I never posted a review of this even although it was a mind boggling experience, however now with this email response from Dave i cannot sit idle anymore.

Instead of taking accountability for your failure you take a shot at the motorcycle community and blame them for shopping elsewhere. Do you realize how many costumers you chased away because of how you dealt with them? Have you ever considered that there is more to a business than just purchasing gear and servicing motorcycles? Its the attitude and how you treat EVERY single costumer no matter if its a good experience or bad.

Let me explain, you mess up, waste my time and then tell me off as a result instead of apologizing and trying to make things right. Now this is what happens. I go tell 20 guys i ride with what happened, they each know atleast 5 other riders and they also share the story. Now all those guys/girls on average would spend 2-3k$ on parts/service per year. So lets do the math 20 + 5(20) = 120 customers you just lost because of one experience. Multiply that by 2-3K each one would have spent and you've got 240,000 - 360,000.

Now multiply that by every customer that left your shop ****** off, and that my friend is why you are where you are now, not because some people ordered online or went to the states.
If cross border shopping was so evil, PRO 6, Cyclewerx, Z1, GP Bikes, Royal etc... wouldn't exist.


 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Paul1000RR said:
I go tell 20 guys i ride with what happened, they each know atleast 5 other riders and they also share the story.
Click to expand...
How come you know 20 friends and your friends only know 5 people? are you more popular than your friends? ..Made up Math?

Way to kick someone that is already down - Just let it go
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

ZX600 said:
How come you know 20 friends and your friends only know 5 people? are you more popular than your friends? ..Made up Math?

Way to kick someone that is already down - Just let it go
Click to expand...

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
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

A final pot shot at people who didn't shop there? Classy til the end.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

ZX600 said:
How come you know 20 friends and your friends only know 5 people? are you more popular than your friends? ..Made up Math?

Way to kick someone that is already down - Just let it go
Click to expand...


LOL.


I moved in the neighborhood last year. I got my tires and safety on the bike there. Service was good. Mechanic was really friendly guy. Sad to see it go.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

"There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chariman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else."
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

killerkeith said:
A final pot shot at people who didn't shop there? Classy til the end.
Click to expand...

Paul1000RR said:
I knew i wasn't the only one who noticed lol
Click to expand...

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.
 
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
Click to expand...

IMO you are kicking them now that they're dead. It's too late to do any good. It may be the Canadian way of being polite to people or companies that give poor service. Canadian companies have to recognize that polite people complain to their friends not the offending party. If a company wants to survive it has to rely on self evaluation. Denial doesn't help.

I bought gear from PB but do my own service. Gear prices and information were OK for me. I was thinking of going back for a new helmet in the spring but.....

Best wishes to all for improved fortunes.
 
Re: Parker Bros. - done

Paul1000RR said:
I've dealt with parker bros for years since they were located so close to my house. However when i went in for service the experience was not what one would expect. Long story short lack of communication on Dave's side led to me taking my bike down the street to Pro 6 and i never looked back.
I never posted a review of this even although it was a mind boggling experience, however now with this email response from Dave i cannot sit idle anymore.

Instead of taking accountability for your failure you take a shot at the motorcycle community and blame them for shopping elsewhere. Do you realize how many costumers you chased away because of how you dealt with them? Have you ever considered that there is more to a business than just purchasing gear and servicing motorcycles? Its the attitude and how you treat EVERY single costumer no matter if its a good experience or bad.

Let me explain, you mess up, waste my time and then tell me off as a result instead of apologizing and trying to make things right. Now this is what happens. I go tell 20 guys i ride with what happened, they each know atleast 5 other riders and they also share the story. Now all those guys/girls on average would spend 2-3k$ on parts/service per year. So lets do the math 20 + 5(20) = 120 customers you just lost because of one experience. Multiply that by 2-3K each one would have spent and you've got 240,000 - 360,000.

Now multiply that by every customer that left your shop ****** off, and that my friend is why you are where you are now, not because some people ordered online or went to the states.
If cross border shopping was so evil, PRO 6, Cyclewerx, Z1, GP Bikes, Royal etc... wouldn't exist.
Click to expand...

People spend $3K/yr on their bikes? Are you crashing every 20 km? :O :O :O
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