Thoughts on motorcycle online store...

M

mimico_polak

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
So recently I've been notified our company is closing and I have a few months to work before I'm let go. As such I've started toying with the idea of starting my own e-store for riding gear/equipment/parts. I know there is a lot of competition and its a very tough business but my question is what does the community think is missing in this market?

What don't you like about what's out there?
what do you like?
what brands would you like to see represented that aren't in Canada?
What would make YOUR purchase easier? I read that actual part numbers (starting store in Richmond hill/north York thread) would help source parts

Very preliminary phase but I love my bike, and would like to look at options with this in mind. I know it's extremely competitive marketplace but right now just doing my research before I move forward.
 
It's a tough market but the ones that last are the ones that have the best customer service and cheapest price. You're gonna have to compete with American pricing and that's gonna be tough. Good luck to ya
 
You can start by having good communication. This is where companies either lacks or thrives. If I email a company I expect a response within 24/48 hrs max. Same thing with voicemails, hate having to leave a message and never get a reply. If you don't know the answer then a simple "I'm not sure but let me find that out for you and get back to you...." will suffice. Don't leave me in the dark for over a week. As long as your price is competitive then all I look for is how a company communicates to it's customer. Having a easy to use website is a major ++++. Take Royal Distributing for ex...good deals at times but horrible site to navigate. It takes away the fun in browsing, drooling, and purchasing online. I'm sure I've ranted a bit there but I can't stress enough how companies over look the small things. Having competitive pricing will not always get you the sale.
 
For a e-business to run a few factors need to be in place.

A easy to use website
a good selection of quality products and brands with competitive pricing
a target audience
reliable communication
consistant delivery times & methods

Sorry to hear about your company closing, good luck and please keep us posted of any progress.
 
Thanks for the note guys I appreciate it. The biggest hurdle will be convincing the suppliers to provide product to an unproven model. I'm currently researching suppliers and have already sent some info requests from a few but still no response. I think the hardest is getting that first supplier as that will allow the site to start and move forward.

My biggest concerns so far:
- to warehouse or not (each has obvious advantages)
- which suppliers to focus on. I'd rather not have the exact same ones as every other motorcycle store. I'd prefer ones without distribution I'm Canada but they would want a bricks and mortar to showcase their product
- to inc or keep as sole proprietor for the moment
- how will warranties be handled (obviously much supplier involvement)
- if the company already has distribution in Canada then may be easier going through their distributor. Advantage of already imported product but obviously cost implications

anyway I will keep researching and emailing suppliers to see what is possible.
 
Just a quick point some companies require you to have a brick and mortar store before they will sell to you. Case in point, Twisted Throttle.
 
Some of the big companies have agreements with their suppliers stating that if the suppliers start to work with a competing company that they will drop that supplier. No supplier will stop working with one of the big companies to deal with one of the little guys.

I've heard this type of stuff from people that have run similar companies in the MX world.
 
Good point I know that revzilla can't ship revit and shoei to Canada due to such a agreement with Canadian suppliers
 
If a product is priced right it will sell. Key is communication and marketing. People these days sometimes would rather email or send a message via facebook, rather than call....and you would not believe the number of messages and emails that go un-answered by vendors here on gtam even.

Know your competition, and see what you can do better.
 
Reselling the big brand stuff is going to be really though because in terms of price, its going to be hard for you to compete with American shops and high volume Canadian shops.

Another route you can go is through manufacturing & selling your own product line. Whether it be selling custom decals, machined metal bits n pieces like levers, frame sliders or even motorcycle luggage solutions. You just need some designs and to source out a manufacturer. Maybe start with a small, specific line of products that require a minimal investment to stock and just see how it goes. If its working, grow organically from there.

Maybe to start, cater to a smaller subset of motorcycle riders. For example you could cater to the adventure touring crowd and could sell GPS mounts or custom saddlebags/cases/luggage solutions for a few of the most popular bikes. I think people would buy if the quality is there and the price is right.
 
I will tell you this flat out. Good luck having to work with Parts Canada, Motovan, Thiebeault and Kimpex etc. Most of them require a buy in and a brick and mortar store.

As for a good website they are not cheap. In total our current one with the cart/paypal/development/live support ect were into 10's of thousands of dollars investment wise.
 
toshison said:
Reselling the big brand stuff is going to be really though because in terms of price, its going to be hard for you to compete with American shops and high volume Canadian shops.

Another route you can go is through manufacturing & selling your own product line. Whether it be selling custom decals, machined metal bits n pieces like levers, frame sliders or even motorcycle luggage solutions. You just need some designs and to source out a manufacturer. Maybe start with a small, specific line of products that require a minimal investment to stock and just see how it goes. If its working, grow organically from there.

Maybe to start, cater to a smaller subset of motorcycle riders. For example you could cater to the adventure touring crowd and could sell GPS mounts or custom saddlebags/cases/luggage solutions for a few of the most popular bikes. I think people would buy if the quality is there and the price is right.
Click to expand...

This is honestly the way to go. There is a guy on the FZ6 site making a part that EVERYONE with an FZ6 wants to have and he can hardly keep up with orders. His labour isn't that intensive, and I think the worst part for him is waiting for people to send their cores in for him.

I myself have a few ideas floating around in the head, and once I get my trade transfer I'll have more than enough skill to pull off professional work and hopefully by the time I'm done my contract I can collect my pension and be self employed.
 
I have heard the same sucess stories from a friend of mine. Almost all the addon parts he added to his V-Strom have been from guys making the part and supporting the V-Strom forum. It can work but I guess that leaves the question can you live off of it?
 
Jampy00 said:
I have heard the same sucess stories from a friend of mine. Almost all the addon parts he added to his V-Strom have been from guys making the part and supporting the V-Strom forum. It can work but I guess that leaves the question can you live off of it?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately creativity and hands on I has not been in my genes! LoL so designing my own product is an unlikely target. At first id like a supplemental income but yes the end result is full income. Price is king in this market from what I see and read. Customer loyalty to brick and mortar is falling by the wayside is also a disturbing trend as the actual stores are used for fitting of equipment and then the purchases are made online at the best deal.

thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. Seems like a bricks and mortar is the first step which I can't afford at this stage. However, looking to rep companies which do not have distribution in Canada and also to iprt direct may be an option. If the distributos and suppliers require a store the it's just not going to work for me.

I will look further into what can be done....starting off with a list of mfg suppliers that will supply multiple vendors, the suppliers which don't have vendors. Once I get more info I can make an informed decision. I've got all of 2013 to make a decision and to toy around with the idea, lol

seems like communication and informing the client of order status are the biggest hurdles and seem to be something that's missing in the current marketplace from your comments.

A question....what brands would YOU like to see represented/offered in Canada that are not yet here? Are there any left? I'm new at this hobby/sport and don't know all the players yet but I'm learning.

once again thank you as I appreciate the input.
 
One big plus is if you cater to GTA your shipping costs could be very cheap. You could market it in a way so the prices reflect 'free shipping' and a 5% discount for pick-up (kind of backwards, but to offset gas). Everyone likes to see free shipping, and even better for a 5% discount and you don't have to drive anywhere. It's all perspective and the way you present it.

I love clearance items. I will buy clearance items even if they're not really on my radar...A cup holder for less than $20? I'm there...clutch levers for $20?? I'm there, etc. Small things like oil can be a decent steady stream of income if you're located centrally. A bunch of us buy oil from a friend who has hookups every year, I save some money, he makes some money everyone is happy happy.

I'm not too sure if you want to delve into the gear department though, I always thought it'd be hard to turn over stock with so much variety unless you are ordering them as people request. Shark helmets are still not too common here but I know are gaining popularity.

Also, do tire changes. Private tire changers make good money and it's not technically difficult with the right tools/machines. You can easily charge half of what stores charge and still make enough money.
 
I would also suggest that you look for products made off shore, if you can strike a deal with these manufacturers you may be able to provide a good product and a great price. Do not leave any stone unturned.
 
mimico_polak said:
Unfortunately creativity and hands on I has not been in my genes! LoL so designing my own product is an unlikely target. At first id like a supplemental income but yes the end result is full income. Price is king in this market from what I see and read. Customer loyalty to brick and mortar is falling by the wayside is also a disturbing trend as the actual stores are used for fitting of equipment and then the purchases are made online at the best deal.
Click to expand...

If you are fairly decent at making observations, I think that will compensate for creativity. You can even just start with one specific product and just test the waters with that. . And you personally don't need to make these either, you would just need to source a manufacturer to do it for you.

Have you ever bought a product and said "it's nice but it would be even better if....." OR passed on buying a product because "its nice but its just too expensive"? If the answer is yes, then you are at least acknowledging that there is room for improvement.

For me, I see plenty of motorcycle accessories that either are way overpriced or are close to what I am looking for but not exactly what I want. In those cases, I figure there is room for better priced products of similar quality and for products that are currently not out there to address a rider's needs.

With regards to reselling brand new stuff.. I just don't see how you can compete with big volume sellers, ebay and american shops with huge inventory and selection. The track record for small motorcycle accessory/apparel shops is not so great. I think you'd be in a fight just to survive, let alone flourish.
Forum Sponsor
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom