Forum

Competition Problem
 

I sell these Motorcycle parts I custom paint myself but my problem is the competition of China.
I buy Chinese aftermarket pieces clean them throw bad ones away and use the good ones to sand, prep and paint.
I own a body shop and only use the top quality paint that is recommended by the dealer (colorrite).
the problem is my parts use 50 dollars of paint cost me 25 each piece and shipping is about 30 bucks so basically my cost without labor is 100 bucks.
I ship them priority 3 day
the chinese sell them for 90 bucks and you receive them in a month more or less, I know the quality is horrible but the ebay photos look nice!
I sell them for 190 bucks shipped and my photos are great and the quality is awesome top notch no question!

any ideas or suggestions on what I can do to attract buyers at my of course way higher price point?

Re: Competition Problem
 

Point out the difference in delivery time, warn buyers about inferior Chinese products, look into cheaper shipping options (UPS Smartpost may be viable for the weight of your items).

Also consider selling on your own site if you aren't already, and include business cards with your orders to draw customers to your site.

That's all I can think of. It sucks competing against manufacturers..

Re: Competition Problem
 

thank you very much for the insight on this, really appreciate it.

Re: Competition Problem
 

Consider building a brand? I know it may be obvious but many people appreciate that 'personal' touch to a custom item....Im in the art field and I have to compete with many other artist by adding something a little more.

Re: Competition Problem
 

these are less art and more replacement for damaged pieces, the key here is to make them look as close as possible to OEM

Re: Competition Problem
 

You can always have them......No, nevermind that's illegal in some Countries.

Re: Competition Problem
 

what???? what are you trying to say?

Re: Competition Problem
 

I was just being sarcastic......

Re: Competition Problem
 

That is the approach I would take. This is America. We dont want to wait 30 days for a delivery. We want it NOW!

Re: Competition Problem
 

Wörd.

I've noticed lately I purchase stuff for myself for a lot more, just to get it ASAP. Who cares if an item costs £4.99 coming from China, or £20 and I get it next day in the UK.


Yo, I feel you need to play that 'Murica card.
Start airbrushing Eagles who hold the American flag onto things and I'm sure it'll sell :)

All jokes aside, I think you should really point out that you are based in the great 'Murica, you offer high quality work and you have wonderful shipping times.
Play to your strengths:spy:

Re: Competition Problem
 

yes agree thanks again for the help.

Re: Competition Problem
 

Why us? Best plastic painter in the business, top quality materials (nothing like Chinese painted fairings), same day shipping, Overnight delivery (no waiting), perfect color match (using OEM paint) and guaranteed satisfaction or your money back. All our parts prepped, painted and shipped from Glendale, Arizona USA.

that is my opener on my parts

Re: Competition Problem
 

any additional suggestions or edits to that???

Re: Competition Problem
 

take ur business to et.sy.........

Re: Competition Problem
 

Expand your reach, consider other trading platforms like estsy etc

Re: Competition Problem
 

As others have said you should consider Et.sy. People are willing to pay a lot more on there even for basic art designs.

Otherwise you need to build a brand name for yourself, get known in the motorcycle community and get the community itself to spread the word. Any smart biker knows you don't go cheap when it comes to your ride.

Get a site up, get instagraming, get a following and you'll get to a point where china and its rip offs are flattering rather than a burden.

Re: Competition Problem
 

Just go work for the Chinese company? You seem to know what you are doing, maybe they are paying well ? :heh:

Re: Competition Problem
 

etsy does not sell motorcycle parts and a great use of your time reading this whole thread and commenting go work for them

Re: Competition Problem
 

Correct about etsy - it's not the great platform for motorcycle parts. Danshan, your post #12 was pretty much on point.

Re: Competition Problem
 

thanks I hope it works really hard to explain to people that garbage you are buying is worth half of what mine is because mine is better material better worked and blah blah BUT the photos of the chinese and mine look identical

tough sell not sure if I can overcome that but I got to try!

Re: Competition Problem
 

Have you looked into Forums that deal with aftermarket parts or motorcycle parts in general? Might find one that has a sellers section, could try to be a seller. I would say maybe also expand to your own website.

Re: Competition Problem
 

I have a site and traffic is minimal and cost per sale adwords is too high. I also use the forums but so many scammers and ⊗⊗⊗⊗ sellers that people are very skeptical on the big forums. MC parts is a huge scam business for online scammers