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Author Topic: What do you want from a bike accessory shop  (Read 4407 times)

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BIGDOG

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What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« on: September 19, 2008, 07:57:57 PM »

For the past 30 years I have wanted to start a bike accessory shop and have decided that I ain't getting any younger so I'm pulling the trigger. I want to have a shop that is a place where Harley and Gold Wing riders can go , feel appreciated , enjoy there time at the shop and maybe make I can make a buck while offering good value to the riders that grace our place.
So here is my question to you all. What would you like in a shop that sells accessories for you and your bike.There are no right or wrong answers I want  the shop to be a great experience for any one that comes by. I want those people to take a load off and stay a while.
I also would like to know what you dislike about other shops you have been to, Like I hate going to a shop that plays head banger hard rock for the dirt bike riders. I would really like you all to give me some input . I value your opinions and you are the type of people I want in my shop.
Our product line will be Trailers , Chrome , lighting , maintenance items, and some clothing. We will do no motor work oil changes or general mechanic work, just install what we sell .
When we get every settled I will let you know and we will extend special pricing to all CVO members.
Thanks in advance for any help
BIGDOG
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Gettinold

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2008, 08:05:30 PM »

When I walk in from a good long ride, I want some thing to drink. :drink: Then I want to relax, so on that note, you must have some coolers and couches.. :smilie_staub:  Then its time for a nice hot bath  :bath: and some shut eye. :sleeping:
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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2008, 08:08:20 PM »

Good luck with your business venture!  All the items you mentioned would be great.  Maybe add motorcycle magazines and books - how-to books and such.  And sell quality!  No cheap chit - but top of the line stuff.  Get a reputation for quality products...  Have a lounge area with comfy overstuffed chairs and such - maybe just vending stuff so you don't have to deal with health regulations.  And work towards an online store so your buyers can be anywhere - not just in your area...

Have fun with it... :2vrolijk_21:
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Sean M Cary

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2008, 10:05:25 PM »

For the past 30 years I have wanted to start a bike accessory shop and have decided that I ain't getting any younger so I'm pulling the trigger. I want to have a shop that is a place where Harley and Gold Wing riders can go , feel appreciated , enjoy there time at the shop and maybe make I can make a buck while offering good value to the riders that grace our place.
So here is my question to you all. What would you like in a shop that sells accessories for you and your bike.There are no right or wrong answers I want  the shop to be a great experience for any one that comes by. I want those people to take a load off and stay a while.
I also would like to know what you dislike about other shops you have been to, Like I hate going to a shop that plays head banger hard rock for the dirt bike riders. I would really like you all to give me some input . I value your opinions and you are the type of people I want in my shop.
Our product line will be Trailers , Chrome , lighting , maintenance items, and some clothing. We will do no motor work oil changes or general mechanic work, just install what we sell .
When we get every settled I will let you know and we will extend special pricing to all CVO members.
Thanks in advance for any help
BIGDOG

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RedFXR2

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2008, 10:49:25 PM »

...a bike accessory shop....

Our product line will be Trailers, Chrome , lighting , maintenance items, and some clothing. We will do no motor work oil changes or general mechanic work, just install what we sell .

I highlighted the statement about the proposed product line and what labor you would provide because it sounds like you are closely paralleling the history of a local shop.  I'll try to be brief in the hope that you may find it useful.

Two guys down here, both very experienced (one a former long term employee of Arlen Ness and the other an associate of Dave Perewitz) wanted to do exactly what you describe.  They were both at least semi-retired but wanted to stay in the atmosphere.  Sell some chrome, filters, oil, maybe some clothes.  Books and magazines.  And hang out with the local riders.  They didn't want to turn wrenches.  They quickly discovered though, that their customers wanted them to install the chrome they sold, and then do the oil changes and mechanical accessories installation as well--stuff like Ness Big Suckers and pipes.  They started doing this themselves but soon they needed help.  Meanwhile, their customers wanted more complicated work--engine work, cams, heads, pistons, electrical, you get the picture.  "Could you guys order this cam/ignition/carb/big bore kit/ whatever and install it?"  That sort of thing.  So they hired a Harley certified Tech from one of the local dealerships.  All was well for a while.  They even took in used bikes for sale on consignment and had a website for online sales and news.

Last year, though, the bottom dropped out of the market down here, anyway.  Or maybe their customer base finally bought everything they wanted.  They hardly ever sold anything but consumables involved in maintenance work (gaskets, spark plugs, oil and filters).  The accessories from two years ago were still hanging on the walls and in the display cases.  They sold the shop to a guy who downsized it to concentrate only on service, which was 90% of th business anyway.  He moved out of half the storefront and devoted most of the space left to service bays.  The new guy is OK and the good Tech is still there, but the "social" aspect is gone with all the lost floor space.  It's only about 3 feet from the front door to the counter.

Bottom line of my story is that the owners opened the shop wanting to do the same thing you describe, but found themselves nearly forced to concentrate on service in order to sell anything, and not much sales at that.  Then the motorcycle fad sort of died down and their business dropped off to a smaller, albeit steady level.  Just not enough to keep it worth the effort to them.

When it was at its best, there was an ample front room with stools at the counter, free coffee most days and doughnuts on Saturdays.  They had a TV/DVD player showing something all the time.  Either re-runs of biker build off episodes, or maybe the movie "Easy Rider".  Since one of them regularly traveled with Ness to the major rallies, there was always a stack of photographs from the most recent trip on the counter to sift through while you shot the breeze.  They sponsored a Bike Night on Thursdays at one of two local locations for publicity and appeared on bikes with the Tech driving a truck towing the shop's logo trailer in the local community's July 4th parade.  I really miss seeing them and the others at the shop.  There was always a group passing through on Saturdays when folks were out riding.  I miss it really bad, but I still run into the main former owner once in a while since he lives close to me.  The other guy lives south of here--haven't seen him since.  Bummer.

[edit to add]  I should also state that this shop was open for about 5 years under the original owners.  That's to give you an idea of the time involved in the events I outlined.  They sold it last Summer and it's still going well, just service only.

I know this is long but maybe you can benefit from their experiences as they related them to me.  I love the idea, myself.  Good luck.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2008, 11:02:05 PM by RedFXR2 »
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Hugh Janis

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2008, 07:40:19 AM »

I like the idea.  But as mentioned above, guys coming in, browsing and taking a load off don't pay the bills.  Billable service hours do.  Your plan sounds amazingly similar to one a buddy of mine has.  He bought a building and has been renovating it.  He's running high speed wireless for it also.

My opinion is if you want guys to stick around and spend money it has to be a "must do" destination on rides, rallies, and runs.  How do you do that?  Everything you mentioned above plus FOOD.  Have a sandwich counter with killer dagwoods and a hot waitress.  Maybe a couple soups and chili also.  Put parts and accessory catalogs on the lunch counter and have "while you wait" installation specials on pre-ordered parts (this gets them there a second time).  The only way to stay open is to make sure their wallets are lighter than when they came in.
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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2008, 07:46:22 AM »

lottery tickets
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pado

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2008, 07:54:37 AM »

I like the idea.  But as mentioned above, guys coming in, browsing and taking a load off don't pay the bills.  Billable service hours do.  Your plan sounds amazingly similar to one a buddy of mine has.  He bought a building and has been renovating it.  He's running high speed wireless for it also.

My opinion is if you want guys to stick around and spend money it has to be a "must do" destination on rides, rallies, and runs.  How do you do that?  Everything you mentioned above plus FOOD.  Have a sandwich counter with killer dagwoods and a hot waitress.  Maybe a couple soups and chili also.  Put parts and accessory catalogs on the lunch counter and have "while you wait" installation specials on pre-ordered parts (this gets them there a second time).  The only way to stay open is to make sure their wallets are lighter than when they came in.


Great post and so true.
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sportygordy

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2008, 08:58:05 AM »

T & A  :pepper:

Actually, just someone that provides a good dependable friendly service at reasonable price. And somone that has connections for pretty much everything im after if not provided by the shop..

Good Luck with your business, I cant wait for our CVO discounts..  :2vrolijk_21:
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RedFXR2

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2008, 09:14:05 AM »

Since a couple of folks after me mentioned food, I'll throw in that another indy shop back in NC  (Twin Specialties) had a full service lunch and dinner restaurant (Scooters) with alcohol built into the side of the shop and the presence of food and beer certainly drew customers in. 

http://www.scootersbar.com/linkspage.htm

It caused another set of problems to be dealt with as well, but it got folks in there.  Place was packed on weekends during the Spring-Summer-Fall.  But that shop was full service mechanical/electrical and was a Big Dog dealer as well as many consignment bikes and clothes and accessories.

One more thing is location.  In my rather long post above, the shop I talked about was/is close to exactly halfway between the nearest HD dealers to the south and north.  Just steps off of Federal Highway (US1) so it was in a good position to offer an alternative to a bit of a trip to those dealers for parts and service.  That's what's still keeping it going today.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2008, 09:25:45 AM by RedFXR2 »
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LRebel

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2008, 10:20:19 AM »

I have a friend that opened a small shop out in the middle of no where a couple of years ago.  He does mainly minor service: oil changes, tune-ups, tire sales and install.  He is selling and installing a few accessories, but not many.  His business is going like gangbusters.  If he was in a good location, I bet his business would triple.

I think what has been mentioned above are all good ideas.  I would say that quality is very important.  There are a lot of small accessory shops around, and for the most part they are all the same.... they all sell cheap stuff - high profit margin junk.  I would like a shop that sold good stuff at a fair price.

I think that a dyno and a good tuner would go a long way in building a good reputation and drawing folks in.  Around here, it would be a big $$$ maker too.
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Sean M Cary

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2008, 11:49:45 AM »

Something I have always wanted to do (but don't dare venture into another self employment thing) is along the lines of the Hobby Shop on base...

Lifts, tools and resident assistants to help you do your own car repair...  The Auto hobby shop on base is ALWAYS pegged, and with apartments and many HOA's banning work in your driveway - just seems ripe for it.

Maybe the same thing for MC's?  Lifts, specialty tools, but let the customer rent a bay and give them help when they need it?

I figure you would have to have an air tight release however...freakin lawyers.
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ice6900

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2008, 01:32:48 PM »

i gotta agree with LRebel, a dyno with a good tuner would pull the crowds in! Lets face it, every harley owner needs this service.
Trouble is with the assessories idea is, the fast moving cheap crappy stuff is what pulls the $$$ in, the slow moving expensive quality stuff sold with a good discount wont make u rich! IMHO
Trouble is internet sales will kill u b4 u start! IMHO

Do u have large department store bike shops in USA like these?
http://www.louis.de/  or http://www.polo-motorrad.de/  the lil specialist indy shops cant compete against them
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T MAC

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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2008, 06:15:47 PM »

Hey Bigdog,

It's a Great idea but it may be a tough market considering where we live.  I have spent quite a bit of time lately at the Legend our local HD dealer getting parts and the one thing that really suprised me is how busy they are.  I know there sales are low right now - they have a lot of 08 bikes sitting on the floor and as of 3 days ago they had a new 09 cvo ultra blue/gray on the floor price 37k, they also have a 08 cvo springer and a 08 cvo 105th roadking.  But parts and moco clothes are busy.  They have had the bands and cookouts lately.  The reason I say this is because my thought would be the bikes bring people in and I am sure that is a big reason there are so many people there but only a few bikes are being sold.

I think parts, service and apparell are the reason most folks come in.  There service department which I believe you have had some experience with is really busy.  I don't know if you could have a successful store without turning wrenchs.  I think the most important thing a shop could have that would bring people in to a store and keep them coming back and telling their friends is a knowledgable mechanic and parts guy.  Someone that really knows their chit.  The Goto guy on the penisula.  I would gladly pay a few more dollars if I knew that the guy working on my bike was the Goto guy.  That is how you build a business.  I know this is not what you said you wanted your business plan to be but if you really want to be sucessful and grow the business I think this is the key element.

I liked RedFXR2 post.  Those guys had a good business but in the end it was service that was the key.  If you want to sell accessories and some aparrel then just start a website keep your overhead low and give great service which I know you would. You could probaly even set it up where you could drop ship the parts,clothes,etc and would not have to have any inventory on hand.   If you have trailers then you will have alot of cash tied up in inventory and have to have a large space to retail them, you might as well sale some used bikes there too to help cover the cost of the dirt. 

I like the idea of a great local shop to hang out at but I think without service you would limit your traffic.  I keep thinking since our area is such a tourist destination if there was a way to market that - it would help in the summer months but not much in the winter.  Food would help but unless it was a restaurant(that got the buzz out about how good it is) I don't know how cost effective it would be. 

One idea might be to have a place like a pub that folks could come eat, drink and hang out.  You could do the light service and istall their accessories while they wait ,also some some clothes, chrome etc but the main draw would be the food.  There is that little pub on Hwy 101 just south of Brinnon I think it is called the crows nest - it is out by itself off the road-  I have never stopped but some of my buddies have.  They say the have a Great Burger and there is always a few bikes out front no matter what day of the week I ride by. 

Whatever kind of shop it is it would need to be a destination for us to ride too.  If you had service then that would be a destination for sure if you had good food and I knew other bikers were going to be there that would be a destination too.

Whatever you decide I hope it works out for you - I would stop by :2vrolijk_21:   
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Re: What do you want from a bike accessory shop
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2008, 06:42:22 PM »

Something I have always wanted to do (but don't dare venture into another self employment thing) is along the lines of the Hobby Shop on base...

Lifts, tools and resident assistants to help you do your own car repair...  The Auto hobby shop on base is ALWAYS pegged, and with apartments and many HOA's banning work in your driveway - just seems ripe for it.

Maybe the same thing for MC's?  Lifts, specialty tools, but let the customer rent a bay and give them help when they need it?


I figure you would have to have an air tight release however...freakin lawyers.

I like that idea!! :bigok: My major problem is I don't have a table lift, good assortment of tools along with old age, arthritis, and artificial joints makes it difficult to do some of the things that I probably could do on my bike myself. With the option of renting a table lift, accessibility to good tools, and someone there to give guidance when I got in a bind I might just be able to be a decent  (ok, maybe not as dangerous) mechanic.

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