Exactly, after all it is the shops that are actually selling the kites....making the money for the manufacturerCraz Z wrote: I really dont think the consumers owe a shop anything its the manufacturers owe it to the shop.
Exactly, after all it is the shops that are actually selling the kites....making the money for the manufacturerCraz Z wrote: I really dont think the consumers owe a shop anything its the manufacturers owe it to the shop.
Jdizzle wrote:Exactly, after all it is the shops that are actually selling the kites....making the money for the manufacturerCraz Z wrote: I really dont think the consumers owe a shop anything its the manufacturers owe it to the shop.
Just curious about how much the fees are at your club house? Hot showers can be priceless... Maybe that's where all the money is in this sport!....Kamikuza wrote:
Our local spot has a 'club house' just over the road and I'd bet dollars to donuts that the proprietor makes more money from annual carparking fees and lessons than he does from selling kites, even in this captive market. Which is fine by me, I'm happy to pay the fee cos we get secure storage (if you want it), a reasonable crapper, changing rooms and best of all - hot showers!
tautologies wrote:While I can understand your concern, I do think that this is really not a shop vs online argument since most shops today, like your own, are also selling online. I think I bought my gopro from you. So in this case you are actually on both sides of the argument, and I am guessing this thread is also a way for you to showcase your shop (which is fine).
The main problem for shops, I guess, is that there is much more information out there. When there is more information it is harder to make a customer pay a premium on the merchandise.
Personally I think it is worth paying a little extra for something I get faster. Most people are like this, which is why Amazon is offering free shipping.
Here are some suggestions for shop owners:
The customer is not out to screw you. S/he wants to buy a given product or perceived equal for a minimum. Leaving money on the table is silly for anyone. Now the product is NOT only the kite, and herein lies your opportunity to sell more kites. The product is the whole purchasing experience.
You as a shop owner have to take every chance you have to form and strengthen customer relationships. There are many way of doing this outside of price on the product.
1. Have a two tiered price model: Getting the product now = premium on the price as storing the product costs, and adds risk. Pre-orders gets a discount as it lowers the risk of unsold product. Have the products in stock. Have a clear pricing model, follow it.
2. Have all the minor things..fins, repair, tshirt, boardshorts, screws..let the customer know he can find it in your store. He will come every time he needs something.
3, Be ultra professional in every part of the transaction. Make sure you manage reputation in every aspect. Your staff should be trained, without attitude and smiling.
4. Have a way to contact your current customers for sales and events etc.
5. Be HIGHLY involved in the local scene. This is how you form new
Personally I think people selling low end brands out of their cars is much more of a threat than any online shop.
How many times are we going to go through this?KiteCulture wrote:i have e-mails from the factories that manufacture the brands offering complete kite for $300 US, plus shipping. They are taking the brands designs and selling kites with no graphics from what I can tell...or close to it. So if they make them for $300 and we pay $1700...... I understand there are costs for marketing, design and so on. But the manufacturing cost is low.
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