Comments on: DIY: The Next Thing in Moto-Shops? (News) http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/ Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews Sun, 19 May 2013 20:34:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Aleks http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36978 Aleks Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:29:28 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36978 Hi -- Owner of Moto Shop here --- in fact we DO have Liability Insurance.... LOTS OF IT! This is the most common question and concern we are asked about. I just hope we never have to use it. Thanks for the support! Hi — Owner of Moto Shop here — in fact we DO have Liability Insurance…. LOTS OF IT! This is the most common question and concern we are asked about. I just hope we never have to use it.

Thanks for the support!

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]]> By: dave http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36976 dave Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:20:33 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36976 We just bought one section of gridwall and hung a few frame sliders and turn signals on the wall and VOILA! We just bought one section of gridwall and hung a few frame sliders and turn signals on the wall and VOILA!

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]]> By: dave http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36975 dave Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:19:11 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36975 I used to manage a motorcycle shop. You only need a $1,000 order to open a Parts Unlimited Wholesale acct. And yes, you need to have some merchandise on hand, but you wouldn't really be a retailer...Simply buy a few sets of tires to have on hand for those who need them and some common items like a couple chains and such and you're in business. All the other sales would be special order from the catalog with payment up front. So, there's nothing to lose. You just have to have enough merchandise on hand to keep the Parts Unlimited Rep off your ass and from threatening to pull your acct. I know cause I've done this before!!! But at the same time, the way PU's discounts work, you get shitty deals on tires unless there a "special buy," and it's hard to compete against internet retailers who get massive quantity breaks and can whore shtuff out at a basic PU retailers cost. In other words, they're getting 50% off most things and you're only getting 35% off. I used to manage a motorcycle shop. You only need a $1,000 order to open a Parts Unlimited Wholesale acct. And yes, you need to have some merchandise on hand, but you wouldn’t really be a retailer…Simply buy a few sets of tires to have on hand for those who need them and some common items like a couple chains and such and you’re in business. All the other sales would be special order from the catalog with payment up front. So, there’s nothing to lose. You just have to have enough merchandise on hand to keep the Parts Unlimited Rep off your ass and from threatening to pull your acct. I know cause I’ve done this before!!!

But at the same time, the way PU’s discounts work, you get shitty deals on tires unless there a “special buy,” and it’s hard to compete against internet retailers who get massive quantity breaks and can whore shtuff out at a basic PU retailers cost. In other words, they’re getting 50% off most things and you’re only getting 35% off.

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]]> By: Norm G. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36956 Norm G. Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:46:54 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36956 re: "As far as the story above, that particular DIY shop better rethink the selling of parts idea. They have a shop and a biz license…they better start selling parts." the better trade off is they're not incurring the costs of stocking parts (not yet anyway). inventory is akin to taking a bound stack of $100 dollar bills out of the bank (where it could be drawing interest) and setting it on a shelf where it then "draws dust". at which point it either sells...? or it doesn'...? that's a risk you won't to hold off on as LONG as possible with consumers (ESPECIALLY motorcylists), even where you have a riding community as robust as the bay (note: the bay's an exception, not the rule). i suspect that's where their association with motosuperstore comes in. better to let THEM sit on and warehouse the inventory. they're in oregon i think, so that's gotta be next day shipping on everything...? that's a win/win. re: “As far as the story above, that particular DIY shop better rethink the selling of parts idea. They have a shop and a biz license…they better start selling parts.”

the better trade off is they’re not incurring the costs of stocking parts (not yet anyway). inventory is akin to taking a bound stack of $100 dollar bills out of the bank (where it could be drawing interest) and setting it on a shelf where it then “draws dust”. at which point it either sells…? or it doesn’…? that’s a risk you won’t to hold off on as LONG as possible with consumers (ESPECIALLY motorcylists), even where you have a riding community as robust as the bay (note: the bay’s an exception, not the rule). i suspect that’s where their association with motosuperstore comes in. better to let THEM sit on and warehouse the inventory. they’re in oregon i think, so that’s gotta be next day shipping on everything…? that’s a win/win.

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]]> By: falcodoug http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36933 falcodoug Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:50:46 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36933 Like the Falco. Like the Falco.

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]]> By: Jeremy in TX http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36927 Jeremy in TX Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:09:23 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36927 $75 per month is cheap, especially since it includes bike storage. I HAVE a garage and lots of tools but would gladly pay the $75 just to keep my POS bike out of the way until I can get it running again. Plus they would have better equipment and more specialized tools, too. $75 per month is cheap, especially since it includes bike storage. I HAVE a garage and lots of tools but would gladly pay the $75 just to keep my POS bike out of the way until I can get it running again. Plus they would have better equipment and more specialized tools, too.

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]]> By: Moto Shop http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36926 Moto Shop Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:56:13 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36926 Hi, co-owner of Moto Shop here. It's nice to read the article and the feedback - after just a few months things are off to a great start for us! Just a few responses and clarifications: 1) Yes, liability was our first concern when creating our business model and is the primary reason people give for this concept not working. It wasn't easy to find, and it isn't cheap, but we have a good solid policy that covers us in the event something should go wrong. We do also use liability waivers and surveillance cameras. 2) No reason to carry tires in around your waste - simply order them online and have them shipped directly to our shop! We'll call you when they come in. (you can do this with any other part too). 3) Our rates are $25 for two hours. If you run long, it's $10/hr after that, or $50 for the whole day. We also offer a month pass for $75, which includes motorcycle storage. For small fixes, we have a general work area where you can ride in and clean your chain, borrow a wrench, use the drill press, wash your bike, etc for FREE (pay what you can to our donation helmet to help keep this community shop alive). 3) We are well aware of San Diego's Privateers' Garage that didn't make it, but we are not "exactly" like them by any means. Our business model is different in many ways. Here at Moto Shop we are trying to create a community based shop where folks can learn and work on their bikes for a very reasonable cost. We have good quality tools, but our focus is on providing what's needed to get the job done rather than the creating a super fancy shop with premium everything. But it has turned out to be a very cool place to work! 4) So far we have had a good solid turnout with a lot of great people coming into the shop. We've been deeply involved with the SF Bay Area motorcycling community for many years, and as expected the shop has been very well received. If any of you are in the area, please stop by and check us out and say hi! Thanks for the write-up Gabe! Hi, co-owner of Moto Shop here. It’s nice to read the article and the feedback – after just a few months things are off to a great start for us! Just a few responses and clarifications:

1) Yes, liability was our first concern when creating our business model and is the primary reason people give for this concept not working. It wasn’t easy to find, and it isn’t cheap, but we have a good solid policy that covers us in the event something should go wrong. We do also use liability waivers and surveillance cameras.

2) No reason to carry tires in around your waste – simply order them online and have them shipped directly to our shop! We’ll call you when they come in. (you can do this with any other part too).

3) Our rates are $25 for two hours. If you run long, it’s $10/hr after that, or $50 for the whole day. We also offer a month pass for $75, which includes motorcycle storage. For small fixes, we have a general work area where you can ride in and clean your chain, borrow a wrench, use the drill press, wash your bike, etc for FREE (pay what you can to our donation helmet to help keep this community shop alive).

3) We are well aware of San Diego’s Privateers’ Garage that didn’t make it, but we are not “exactly” like them by any means. Our business model is different in many ways. Here at Moto Shop we are trying to create a community based shop where folks can learn and work on their bikes for a very reasonable cost. We have good quality tools, but our focus is on providing what’s needed to get the job done rather than the creating a super fancy shop with premium everything. But it has turned out to be a very cool place to work!

4) So far we have had a good solid turnout with a lot of great people coming into the shop. We’ve been deeply involved with the SF Bay Area motorcycling community for many years, and as expected the shop has been very well received.

If any of you are in the area, please stop by and check us out and say hi!
Thanks for the write-up Gabe!

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]]> By: Norm G. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36921 Norm G. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:07:59 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36921 don't be pressured. i've been to and ridden in the bay area. from infineon out to concord down redwood up to alice's there's no such thing as cheap overhead. $25 bucks for a SINGLE hour is MORE than reasonable (maybe needs to go higher). any motorcyclist living in the bay who's not willing (or unable) to afford that probably needs to just stay working outside in the lot of their apartment complex. don’t be pressured. i’ve been to and ridden in the bay area. from infineon out to concord down redwood up to alice’s there’s no such thing as cheap overhead. $25 bucks for a SINGLE hour is MORE than reasonable (maybe needs to go higher). any motorcyclist living in the bay who’s not willing (or unable) to afford that probably needs to just stay working outside in the lot of their apartment complex.

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]]> By: Moto Shop http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36912 Moto Shop Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:55:20 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36912 Hi - Moto Shop owner here. It's great to see hear all the good feedback, thanks! Actually we charge $25 for TWO hours, meaning you can easily get your oil and filter changed for $25. If you don't know how we have a class that will teach you. And if you have more work, we have a daily price of $50. And if you have even more work, we offer a MONTH PASS for $75, including storage space so you can leave your bike at the shop. Hi – Moto Shop owner here. It’s great to see hear all the good feedback, thanks! Actually we charge $25 for TWO hours, meaning you can easily get your oil and filter changed for $25. If you don’t know how we have a class that will teach you. And if you have more work, we have a daily price of $50. And if you have even more work, we offer a MONTH PASS for $75, including storage space so you can leave your bike at the shop.

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]]> By: Norm G. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/diy-the-next-thing-in-moto-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-36911 Norm G. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:12:16 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=20245#comment-36911 re: "hopefully a knowledgeable demographic is a more respectful one." from your mouth to god's ears. re: “hopefully a knowledgeable demographic is a more respectful one.”

from your mouth to god’s ears.

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