No more grey imports - Why it should stay

[Tintin]

I think there is definetly a place for grey's but the dealers do need to give a good warranty of sorts.

Greys help noobs get into biking, because they are affordable, but we all need the dealer to stand behind his product.

If a dealer has to give a good warranty, then they will shy away from dodgy bikes that they won't be able to repair, so it should improve the situation.

I think grey's should stay, but the quality must increase.

[KiLRoy]

"Approved distributors can support customers and look after them properly. It’s great news for customers," Mr Fourie said.

Does Fourie think we are baboons?  can the clown think he speak on behalf of the consumer.  Does he really think the consumer think its good news to be butt-fucked by greedy dealers.  is killing the competition good news for any consumer.  the farker must be on drugs to speak kak like this.

Wish Wild Dogs had a PR function - would like to tell him in public that 10 000 members of the biggest bike forum in Africa think he is talking through his ass, and that we like grey importers because it gives us an alternative to be ripped off by greedy dinosaurs ...

Come to think of it - anyone up to it to make our feelings public? Farker dared to claim that he is killing his opposition by dubious ways to make us, the consumer happy - who the fark do he think he is?

I dare you okes to contact the grey importers - point em here, and let them see how the REAL consumers feel.

[RobC]

Devil's advocate...but the local guys do a lot to promote/advertise/grow the brand. The "grey" guys can sell cheaper cos they don't have to (they piggy back).

Maybe there's 2 sides to the story.

There is... as I have heard from mates too... spares/warranty service are usually and issue on a grey.

[bronzy]

I think there is definetly a place for grey's but the dealers do need to give a good warranty of sorts.

Greys help noobs get into biking, because they are affordable, but we all need the dealer to stand behind his product.

If a dealer has to give a good warranty, then they will shy away from dodgy bikes that they won't be able to repair, so it should improve the situation.

I think grey's should stay, but the quality must increase.

What quality they all made in the same factory

[Justin]

I think there is definetly a place for grey's but the dealers do need to give a good warranty of sorts.

Greys help noobs get into biking, because they are affordable, but we all need the dealer to stand behind his product.

If a dealer has to give a good warranty, then they will shy away from dodgy bikes that they won't be able to repair, so it should improve the situation.

I think grey's should stay, but the quality must increase.

What quality they all made in the same factory

Quality of service perhaps?

[bronzy]

One of the biggest dealers sell grey bikes in Gauteng

[KiLRoy]

Grey is not for everyone - if you want to be disillusioned with the comfort of buying from a dealer provides you - be my guess.  I have many mates who can attest to the 'comfort' warranties and spares availability provides in real life - but thats not the point.

Point is - give us choice and give us competition - and don't take us for baboons 

[Go Big]

Please keep this threat topical and to the point with as far as possible objective.

If we can list enough objective reasons for the move to ban grey imports we can start a petition on Avaaz. I wanted to send them the info but it is better to get it off the ground if we can list the reasons for the grey import market being a good thing.

Also, I'm not against change, maybe instead of a total ban, the importers should have to provide a warranty of some sort on bikes and spares - possibly just ting in to the consumer act  

I know Track & Tar will have to close their door. Megabike et al.
For consistency please place your comments under one or all of the following headings:

 - Reason(s) grey imports are important to South Africa
 - Reason(s) grey imports are bad for South Africa
 - Suggestions to make the grey import market better

Thank you.

Link to post about Business Day news:
http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=78428.0;topicseen

Link to Business Day
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=153234

How will a ban on grey imports result in Track and Tar closing its doors?

[Inprogress]

Grey imports....unless they they changed their business profile.

[the_BOBNOB]

there are 2 different types of importers

the kind that sell you a brand new cbr 1000 with 0km on the clock as a brand new bike

and the type that import old 2nd hand bikes from all over the world

cant see this changing business for the 2nd type of importer

there will be loop holes again - as there always are

you will now see them sell a cbr 1000 with 0km on the clock as a 2nd hand import

the guy that wants it will buy it - as they have always done and the people that wants the full warranty etc will go to the dealer as they have always done

cant see this changing anything

[Captain Morgan]

Grey is not for everyone - if you want to be disillusioned with the comfort of buying from a dealer provides you - be my guess.  I have many mates who can attest to the 'comfort' warranties and spares availability provides in real life - but thats not the point.

Point is - give us choice and give us competition - and don't take us for baboons 

+1000000000

Cheers

[Dogboxelectric]

Grey or not Some Bikes are an issue regarding spares, as for the Local Bull twang about safety, Blah Blah  Blah, he is making sure his bank balance is safe is all. With regards to Homologation I think the XR650 L we get here comes straight from the states( or Canada) where the safety standards are actually higher than here. If i am wrong please correct me.

[DOCTOR KLR]

I am for grey imports,gives the stealers a run for their money[they been ripping us for many many years and after the greys started coming,the priceses came down],all the bikes come off the same line.VIVA GREYS

[KiLRoy]

poll added

[KiLRoy]

Also - formal ranges of bikes is limited in SA (exhibit A - XR650) - at least we'll get more choice.  Honda is not prepared to import me my farking Postie bike --- that hurts big time.  maybe if we can chat with Cayenne ? 

So who wants a Postie?

[Inprogress]

poll added

Thanks 

Also - formal ranges of bikes is limited in SA (exhibit A - XR650) - at least we'll get more choice.  Honda is not prepared to import me my farking Postie bike --- that hurts big time.  maybe if we can chat with Cayenne ? 

So who wants a Postie?

Yes, like the awesome Kawasaki W650 and W800.....real smoooooooooth.

[2StrokeDan]

I owned a grey import 2nd hand Suzuki once, and as soon as the dealer sees your eng/frame number, they sometimes refused to help me. There was of course always the couple of dealers who would, and then later in the 90's it started relaxing to the point of our own Droomers Yamaha always havig a few grey FZR's on their 2nd hand floor.

[KiLRoy]

Nowadays - buy service parts from dealers - anything more complex - from overseas, land here faster than a dealer's order at half the price... video killed the radio star...internet killed kak dealer rip-off service.... dear dog, i love globalisation 

[Scribble]

Nowadays - buy service parts from dealers - anything more complex - from overseas, land here faster than a dealer's order at half the price... video killed the radio star...internet killed kak dealer rip-off service.... dear dog, i love globalisation  

Is pretty scary what u say but so true
I been looking at parts for the boys bike and for a pw 50 piston rings and gaskets tthe local dealer quoted around 600 ront
i found on the net the whole top end,barrel,head,piston rings and gaskets for about 100 bucks more
gotta love that

[Manic]

Most of the Grey Dealers give a 2 year Warranty on a new bike.

But there is a big bike shop in the East Rand, they Import Containers full of secondhand grey bikes. Now those I will stay away from for sure.

Will I buy a brandnew Grey from Megabike, hell YES