![](/images/sa_full_logo_01.gif) |
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
New Shop Opening in Clifton, NJ - Need Your Input |
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-19-2006, 01:20 PM
|
#1
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
New Shop Opening in Clifton, NJ - Need Your Input
OK, this is preliminary. I am in the final stages of negotiatiing the lease on the property but it is right on main ave in clifton, nj about a block or so before Speers Yamaha in Passaic.
I initially started off just looking for a new workshop for my own bikes and projects and came across this place. I am putting another service center for my business in there, www.northeastsmartstart.com , But that still leaves me with about 2200 sq ft of which about 1800 or so is open flooring. To give you an idea of the space, it currently has a boat and 5 or 6 cars in it.
So I have this space and it should be making me money. But the question is, which avenue do I take with it. I want to keep things simple and not get complicated since I don't have a ton of money to pour into the place, like stocking parts inventory. This is an off-shoot of my existing business so I can't get too carried away off the bat. Eventually I can ramp up into parts, but I can't afford that inventory right off the bat.
I have been looking into chrome and powedercoating plus doing assembly/dissasembly work. I have a line to the best chrome plant in the state of who I used to work for when I was 19. I have a friend who owns a powdercoating operation and she is going to give me the run-down on that.
I also own www.apexracetire.com and www.puckedup.com -I might get a tire changing station and do lower-cost tire changes and swaps since the dealerships are just brutal to people as well as get the mail-order thing going. And puckedup.com was a site that I started building to just sell knee sliders and pucks.
I like the idea of being a motorcycle service station where you can come in and get your oil changed, get your tires changed and have your bike looked over and be back on the road in a matter of minutes instead of hours. It limits the stuff you need to stock. You can carry batteries, sprockets, chains, tires and oil/filters and have a nice area to chill in while your bike is being worked on. And of course I can get pretty much anything special ordered.
I have been toying around with several ideas but I want to hear from you guys what you think will work as well as what you like to see or have provided to you. My big thing has always been customer service. Taking care of people and not letting them feel screwed over after they leave your place. And just having a place of business that people like and are happy to have available to them.
let me all know what you think! You comments really mean something so please respond!
-Eric
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 02:28 PM
|
#2
|
Burnout
Xracer264 is offline
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 203
|
Hey Eric,
Not a bad idea about the oil change, tire service and maintainence. I live really close by in Nutley and drive 20 minutes to order parts and buy gear and so forth. I know many people on this site have also rode a good distance to have their suspensions dialed in. I can say I don't recall a shop in that area that cater towards sport bikes.
__________________
MSF Rider Coach Rider Education of N.J. www.rider-ed.com
"Me and Max we no like" Valentino Rossi in "Faster"
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-19-2006, 02:54 PM
|
#3
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
I can dial suspension in and have done it lots of times for people just riding on the street and they have told me their bike feels a 100% better. Most people have no clue what the knobs do. They just get on and ride and figure thats as good as its gonna get.
I have this same post up on a few boards and have been getting some really good feedback. Basic maintenance stuff at a good price and not screwing the customer seems to be the repetitive theme.
I just want to provide a solid service to people and have them feel good about where and how they are spending their money, while also knowing that they aren't being fed a bunch of bs from unexperienced people.
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 03:36 PM
|
#4
|
The Solution
Cakes206 is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Joisey
Posts: 8,105
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onedwn5up
I have this same post up on a few boards and have been getting some really good feedback. Basic maintenance stuff at a good price and not screwing the customer seems to be the repetitive theme.
|
One of the biggest rip offs(and one of my biggest gripes) is when dealers/shops charge an arm and a leg for tire changes. I say if the customer brings just the wheel, it doesn't take much to throw on a new set of rubber.
__________________
Character is who you are when no one is looking.
The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 03:51 PM
|
#5
|
Burnout
HondaGalToo is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 294
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakes982
One of the biggest rip offs(and one of my biggest gripes) is when dealers/shops charge an arm and a leg for tire changes. I say if the customer brings just the wheel, it doesn't take much to throw on a new set of rubber.
|
![+1](images/smilies/+1.gif)
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-19-2006, 04:06 PM
|
#6
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
yeah, I hear ya all loud and clear on that one. I never understood the price gouging in that respect. I change my friends tires all the time just because, well, because its not that tough. And if you already have a couple stands and the tools, it should take about 5 minutes per wheel to change and balance them using a concentric balancer, not even computerized crap which I don't even trust most of the time. (plus race and aftermarket wheels wont fit on computerized balancers a lot of the time if they have captive spacers). And the amount that the charge someone who brings the bike to them is even more ridiculous. Taking wheels off a bike should only take another 10 minutes at the most.
Dealerships take advantage of people in the respect that they capitilize on someone not having mechanical know-how or the right tools for the job. And I just think thats the wrong to go about things. I don't need to gouge someone for tires or taking them off the bike to change them with the tires that I am selling them nonetheless.
I was a service manager at a large dealership and know what kind of pain they can inflict on people. Price gouging and taking advantage of your customers and people will not do you any good in this business or any for that matter.
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
12-21-2006, 01:29 AM
|
#7
|
Squid
Roberts is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 97
|
For A shop that size you would have to do a whole shit load of oil changes to just break even.
Plus you'd kill yourself manually mounting & balancing enough tires to keep the lights on.
If your main bussiness makes enough to support the shop you'll be fine. But if the shop needs to generate cash with in the first year, your in trouble.
Don't get me wrong, I like the intent. The dealership I just left was pretty good a pricing but I understand how people can feel about being taken advantage of.
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-21-2006, 12:05 PM
|
#8
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberts
For A shop that size you would have to do a whole shit load of oil changes to just break even.
Plus you'd kill yourself manually mounting & balancing enough tires to keep the lights on.
If your main bussiness makes enough to support the shop you'll be fine. But if the shop needs to generate cash with in the first year, your in trouble.
Don't get me wrong, I like the intent. The dealership I just left was pretty good a pricing but I understand how people can feel about being taken advantage of.
|
Don't be hatin' Roberts. Don't you think I already know what I am getting in to? How much oil changes are..how much is costs to change a tire., etc.
I have worked for a race tire vendor at the track. I'd change a 100 tires before lunch and you never use manual equipment. Tire changes are always air compresor driven. Plus you don't know my costs and expenses as related to it. I already have an existing business that will be using the right side bay and it is such that I don't even have to open a shop there if I don't want to. My other business more than supports the expense of that space. But I want to provide something in a way that other places in the area don't. It orignially started out as a personal workshop but I figured why not make something out of it since the location is so prime, plus I have been in the motorcycle business most of my life.
If you're still dissapointed when you come to the open house then feel free to bust my balls all you want. In the mean time, if you have questions, just ask.
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-21-2006, 02:19 PM
|
#9
|
Squid
Roberts is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 97
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onedwn5up
Don't be hatin' Roberts. Don't you think I already know what I am getting in to? How much oil changes are..how much is costs to change a tire., etc.
I have worked for a race tire vendor at the track. I'd change a 100 tires before lunch and you never use manual equipment. Tire changes are always air compresor driven. Plus you don't know my costs and expenses as related to it. I already have an existing business that will be using the right side bay and it is such that I don't even have to open a shop there if I don't want to. My other business more than supports the expense of that space. But I want to provide something in a way that other places in the area don't. It orignially started out as a personal workshop but I figured why not make something out of it since the location is so prime, plus I have been in the motorcycle business most of my life.
If you're still dissapointed when you come to the open house then feel free to bust my balls all you want. In the mean time, if you have questions, just ask.
|
Sorry, didn't mean to come off negative (not hatin'). I saw your intensions were good, just would not want to see a person with good intensions get burned.
From what I've seen, the motorcycle industry is brutal. No matter how little you charge, people still want it cheaper; it's retarded. It seems people will always think your ripping them off. Nobody (customers) understand the cost of running a shop. They think that just because it takes a tech .5 to change something should make it cost near nothing. They don't understand that eletricity was needed to light the building, run the compressor, etc. It's not easy to manage all the finances to run a shop & make things real cheap. Shops are there to make a profit, not just get by on nickles and dimes.
I wish you nothing but the best of luck & hope that more people like you would open up shops so the people would start trusting the industry again.
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-19-2006, 05:29 PM
|
#10
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
ust got off the phone and it looks like all systems are a go. I'm going tomorrow to sign the lease and get the keys. By this time next week the power and heat should be up and going. And when I get back from holiday break with my pops, it will be all systems full-throttle ahead.
I'll probably start things off with a small party in a couple weeks once I can at least get the projector up and get some sound in there. And you will probably here me asking for help to start cleaning things up and outfitting the place. So for all you that volunteered to help...be forewarned that I will be taking you up on those offers.
In the mean time, if you come across any fixtures, furtniture, building materials or anything that can be of use, please let me know.
I'm psyched and hope you guys are too.
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-19-2006, 05:36 PM
|
#11
|
Lazy Ass
soda7o is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 2,242
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onedwn5up
ust got off the phone and it looks like all systems are a go. I'm going tomorrow to sign the lease and get the keys. By this time next week the power and heat should be up and going. And when I get back from holiday break with my pops, it will be all systems full-throttle ahead.
I'll probably start things off with a small party in a couple weeks once I can at least get the projector up and get some sound in there. And you will probably here me asking for help to start cleaning things up and outfitting the place. So for all you that volunteered to help...be forewarned that I will be taking you up on those offers.
In the mean time, if you come across any fixtures, furtniture, building materials or anything that can be of use, please let me know.
I'm psyched and hope you guys are too.
|
sounds good ... good luck with it...
if you need furniture and crap let me knwo what i have a garage full of shit i need to unload..
and if you need help with anything le tme know.. (ie networking, runing network and shit.. will be willing ot donate my time...even PC.. i get good deals on them)
__________________
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 06:00 PM
|
#12
|
Gear Nazi
shadoxkila is offline
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Totowa
Posts: 515
|
i'll tell you what i would definitely give you some business, because there simply arent enough reliable places in the area who can do various or even simple things for you....put out an address and info as you get set and i can guarantee you'll see my RC unless someone buys it, or whatever else i'm riding
__________________
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 07:04 PM
|
#13
|
Tank Slapper
Retom7 is offline
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hyde Park, NY
Posts: 366
|
Sounds like a good idea. Customer service is truly what puts one company above another. Word of mouth is the strongest (and cheapest) form of advertising that exists. Start with a few customers, make sure they go home with a smile, and they tell their friends. With specific groups, especially bikers, they always have friends who ride, so there will be no shortage of new people coming in once the ball starts to roll.
In my area, the only shops around are dealers, which I don't want to deal with. After that it's mostly v-twin or harley shops. I just hate going to the dealers because they all suck in my opinion... most won't give up chatting with their friends about going 150mph and doing wheelies to answer questions.
Goodluck!
|
|
|
12-19-2006, 10:22 PM
|
#14
|
Squid
nj01f4i is offline
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: new jersey
Posts: 56
|
im offering to help with anything. just let me know
|
|
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_ls.gif) |
|
![](http://sportbikeaddicts.com/forums/fusion/misc/cat_top_rs.gif) |
12-20-2006, 01:40 AM
|
#15
|
Short Shifter
Onedwn5up is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wayne, New Jersey
Posts: 166
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadoxkila
i can guarantee you'll see my RC unless someone buys it, or whatever else i'm riding
|
What year is your RC? I have an '03 and it is the bike that really got me started doing track days. I learned how to ride the heck out of it and got real good at throwing that thing around. 2 seasons later when I decided to race I got a 600rr and went out and ripped since I was used to throwing around the rc. I went to Daytona in October and I was having issues with my 600 so I decided to take the RC out for the heck of it. I figured why not? So I slapped some numbers and a fresh set of tires and went out there on it. I tell you, it was pretty cool doing over 170 on the bike I got started on. I was running real well in the top 5 but knew I didn'thave anything on the built modern 1000's up on the banking. It was my 125 hp vs their 160+. I ran strong but I dnf'd on the last lap of the unlimited GP with a sprocket failure but somehow I still took home 9th place out of 20 something. That bike is great. It is one of the few bikes I will never sell.
__________________
Take it to the Track!
Team ProMotion Coach & NE/Mid-Atlantic CCS/LRRS #973
www.myspace.com/roadracerx
2006 NE CCS/LRRS Amateur Champion
Middleweight SuperSport, Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight SuperSport, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited Superbike
Need Tire Service, an Oil Change or Parts Installed? For Competition-Level Service Call Paddock Race Service * Wayne, NJ * 973-704-1555 *
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:01 PM. |
|
|
|
|