Quote:
Originally Posted by C0braed
The downside to this is that the local corner speed shop is no more as they cannot purchase most parts in Australia from our so called wholesalers at a competitive price to be able to be competitive and survive.
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To some extent this is true and the demise of the 'Speed Shop' is lamentable in terms of being able to go somewhere, look, touch etc and see what is new/available. (Anyone remember Graeme Withers Speed Shop?)
However, the Speed Shop has been in steady decline (near me) for well over 10 years. When I first moved in ('95) the local shop had a selection of manifolds, some carbies and cams etc.
Now its just parts for the standard cars and accessories. According to the owner the problem for him was the divergence between the 'tuner' and Street Machine types and the cost of keeping the shop stocked with very a limited return from a small market.
There are a couple left around Melbourne they also do internet/catalogue sales and maybe competitive depending on the item - pays to shop around
I have used them on occasion and would prefer to (use it or lose it as the saying goes)
**warning repeated rant ahead**
What is a bit annoying is that often-times the shop will be doing what you would be doing - ordering from US and waiting for delivery. The shop will be doing this wholesale and has established logistics but very often you can import yourself for less (even taking into account the GST and parasitic agencies).
It seems to me that some shops a relying on a model of exclusivity that is evaporating in the global economy.
I also enjoyed getting my SuperPlus catalogue (although it cost me $30 - to be refunded from first order)
Still I'll be enjoying browsing the Summit cataloge and the possibilities it creates for a short time - while pondering the effect of the global economy on speed shops in the digital age.
LoBelly