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Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Oct 28, 2011 5:10:07 GMT -5
As a dealer in NC I wanted to ask other dealers what their thoughts were on 2011 and what they think 2012 will be like for the industry.
Did sales go up? Did product quality improve? Did we loose any importers/distributors? Did any new one make it that other dealers should consider?
If you change anything about the industry what would it be?
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Post by cardini on Oct 28, 2011 9:49:21 GMT -5
it's all about Marketing strategy these days.
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Post by Cookees on Oct 28, 2011 11:18:57 GMT -5
...reminds me of a great joke.
What's the difference between a radial tire and 365 BJ's ?
One's a Goodyear, the other's a Great year
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Post by abscooters on Dec 8, 2011 0:02:33 GMT -5
Our unit sales were up over 50% (which ain't saying much after how bad last year was) & service and parts were up too. Should make it into next season, but am keeping lower levels of scooter inventory than we have in the past.
Hope we get a strong early Spring ;D
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Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Dec 8, 2011 6:22:23 GMT -5
Being more up north do you switch to winter type products? In Charlotte we have a good business all year. Thanksgiving to Christmas is go-karts, ATVs and dirt bikes.
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Post by rapidjim on Dec 8, 2011 8:50:27 GMT -5
Trike sales were up over last year and 2 wheelers were about the same. Like abscooters we have lowered our inventory mostly due to the economy. Online parts sales were down. I am looking very closely at the numbers to see if I am going to continue with MRP or not come the first of the year. I have had quite a few lost sales because of items being out of stock and not being reordered. I think this has a lot to do with MRP buying out others that have folded but, not sure.
Now in store parts were up 35% ( had to rely on other distributors for what I didn't have in stock ) and repairs/ maintenance was up 51%. Lots of carb issues this past year which I blame on the sh$$ty gas around here.
All and all not a banner season but, I am keeping the wolves away from the door. Let's all hope the economy gets better and people get back to work!
Jim/Owner
Rapid Repair
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Post by abscooters on Dec 8, 2011 9:41:27 GMT -5
I don't do anything other than scooters. Our dealer location is too small to let quads, trikes and bigger vehicles through the door.
Being in the chinese stuff, I really do not want to carry anything that I do not stock 100% of the drivetrain and electrical parts for. So expanding into other lines is slow.
Looked at doing snowblowers, but the American machines are very competitively priced and if it doesn't snow much you could be screwed sitting on inventory.
I really need a winter product line, overhead doesn't seam to go away in the winter. Online Parts sales to the southern states is pretty much all that keeps my lights on during the winter. With more dropshippers and non-B&M places popping up everyday it is hard to stay competitive.
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Post by Enviromoto on Dec 8, 2011 9:44:45 GMT -5
Sales are flat but NASRA is blowing up.
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Post by jdikov on Dec 8, 2011 17:56:33 GMT -5
The earlier part of the year was much better but lately it has just about died out. I think people ae just hanging to their $ right now waiting to see what happens.
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Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Dec 8, 2011 19:03:27 GMT -5
in 73 when I went to work out of college the company told me that there are only 2 things that cause people to do thing differently.
1. POM or peace of mind
or
2. FUD or fear, uncertainty and doubt
and the world is drowning in FUD.
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Post by larrball on Dec 8, 2011 19:20:25 GMT -5
I wish you guy's all the best and although im not a dealer we all know with Job's on the slim and fuel prices at a premium people are going to do what people do best.. find a cheaper way to get here and there. Looking for work often requrers one to get off your butt and go there and apply in person,If you'r one of the smarter people looking. Who would you hire? Easy Larry that's on the phone asking about work? Or That dam Larry's setting in front of my office desk for the 3ed time this week.  |
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Post by larry001964 on Dec 8, 2011 20:28:43 GMT -5
LOL well my employer hired a Larry ( Me ) that drove a scooter half way across the state for their job...
But I got it.... Was it crazy... With today's unemployment so high, competition for a job high, you just about have to do something that will stand out.. I think as things get worse and i do believe they are getting worse, you will see scooter sales and service rise... I have no business persay, but recently I have been asked to fix quite a few scooters, by my neighbors and coworkers.. Valve jobs, one crank job besides my own..
From what I see it's only going to increase....
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Post by mainepeace on Dec 8, 2011 20:43:31 GMT -5
I had a great summer. Fall not so great.
In this economy the only way to get a job is to make one for yourself, which is what I did. Working on starting up another 2 businesses while getting my online scooter parts shop going. Not bad for a guy with narcolepsy.
Greg
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Post by Cookees on Dec 8, 2011 21:08:04 GMT -5
Fantastic Spring and Summer, slow October.. strong November in ATV's and Go-karts. Haven't sold a scooter since Oct.
Christmas sales are strong.
Really surprised to still being offered scooter '08s.
Pit Bike sales are nearly non-existent.
Could really use a decent quality mid-priced 200cc enduro bike.
Have high hopes for Puma.
Wish Sunright/Linhai would "get with it".
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Post by Scooter Boy on Dec 8, 2011 21:48:20 GMT -5
Can't complain, I sold 51 Scooters, serviced about 200 Scooters and met many, many nice people.
Not bad for a one man operation.
The best part I now have some of the best friends you could ever want, and they ride Scooters.
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