I have just started on a new project bike (more on that later), but have been a bit disconcerted over the local prices of OEM and aftermarket items versus getting them from overseas.
First off, I'll point out that I'm quite happy to pay a reasonable surcharge to getting the items from local suppliers.
However, getting an OEM cam chain locally is $128, v's the US price of $27.80 (plus $14.95 delivery within 5 days), so I have a hard time justifying the extra expense of buying the local one.
What are people's opinions on supporting local suppliers that seem to be just ripping us off, versus buying in the global market?
Pete do not blame the local retailers its the importers and the suppliers to them. There are lots who are making an effort to match. Dont get me wrong I still buy heaps from overseas but I do give them a go locally first and sometimes they do surprise me.
I did buy all my washers and spacers and bearings and seals etc for my 525 clutch repair recently and my reckluse for the 525 was cheaper buying here locally than direct from the USA. What is crappy is that locally made Pivot Pegs are cheaper to buy from the states than Aus and they are made here.
So what I am trying to say is that no one place has a better price all the time so it pays to check everywhere.