Chassis dealers… What can you do for me?

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1340

Andrew,

This subject comes up occasionally and is discussed at length as there are usually a couple of sides to every story...

First, let's clarify the meaning of certain terms so there is no confusion. Let's use chassis coming from a manufacturer in Europe as an example in order of the market chain.

Manufacturer) Actually makes the chassis but usually doesn't make all of the components so they have to buy them from an outside source.

Brand name) Could be, but is not always, the same as the manufacturer. Example: CRG makes a number of brand names such as: CRG (of course), Zanardi, GP, etc...

Importer) Chassis manufacturer/brand name enters into an agreement with an importer to bring in chassis for the US market. CRG made chassis brands are typically imported by separate importers in contrast with OTK who imports all of their brands (Tony Kart, Kosmic, FA, Exprit) through one importer. I suspect in many cases the importer must buy a certain amount of chassis per year and chooses the most likely chassis for the local, regional and national market. Notice, the importer must buy as the manufacturer/brand name doesn't typically provide chassis on consignment or free due to the shipping costs. If the importer buys a larger quantity there may be greater discounts from the manufacturer and shipping due to volume. The manufacturer doesn't typically accept returns due to shipping costs so the importer must choose wisely. When there is a separate importer (Note: in some cases the importer is also the distributor which is usually a kart shop) they should not be selling directly to the end user although I suspect that unfortunately sometimes with unscrupulous importers this happens to the detriment of the distributor… This is the first step in our market chain and profit margin.

Distributor) Buys the chassis from the importer to sell to the end user. This is the second step in our market chain and profit margin. Ideally the distributor wants a chassis that is exclusive to them and for a certain geographic region to be protected from competition. It’s bad business to have too many distributors with the same brand in the same region as it creates “too much” competition.

End user) Racer.

Jimmy McNeil · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject:

During the years I raced motorcycles, not once did a mx shop show up to the track and offer support

Greg Wright

TJ Koyen · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:32 pm Post subject:

The karting teams/shops that I've aligned myself with over the past several years all provided excellent support, great availability of parts and spares, and good equipment at fair prices. And I enjoyed hanging out with the guys on the team. I gladly wear their colors, logos, decal kits, suits etc. any day because their support and help has been invaluable. If you aren't getting that stuff from a dealer/shop, you should be looking elsewhere to buy your stuff.
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T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
www.oktanevisual.com
www.facebook.com/oktanevisual
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DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard

Tim Blaney · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1127

Cory Ross · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:43 pm Post subject:

Tim Blaney · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1127

Vince Mandarino · Joined: 25 Nov 2002 Posts: 38 Location: Canada, Alabama,

Hello Andrew.

I agree, great post, manufactures and importers need to understand the transition, not always the manufacture the target, some time the manufacture supports the importer the goods never make it to the customer.
if a manufacture sales karts and the importers making money then the buyer cant be forgotten.

Vince Mandarino.

http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=119645&highlight=vemme

Russell Stevens · Joined: 15 Oct 2012 Posts: 100

We have a local kart shop that is very involved with support at our track and a few ovals. His shop is half mower/small engine repair and half race shop. Rich (the owner) doesn't advertise, doesn't try to sell new chassis for any particular brand, but is the go-to guy for 4 stroke engine building, and setup in our area. He techs 4 stroke classes at a number of tracks, and brings his family's race karts to the track in a rollling store/shop of a trailer. His shop is full of customer's karts of all different makes and ages (being near Rochester, NY Coyote is a more common brand to see).
He will drop what he is doing to help out another racer, and he does it for the love of the sport. He is well stocked with new and used parts and equipment, and is quick to order whatever you need. He can be seen stopping into other pits and offering tuning and setup advice. He watches racers and offers driving advice. I bought my son's (used) 4 stroke kart and engine from him, and he has been awesome to deal with.

I also have delt with J3 over the phone. I purchased a Kosmic / Rotax on the secondary market. Found J3 after stumbling about some. They have provided hours of phone support for a ~7 year old chassis and engine that they didn't sell me. They have been awesome and I was seriously considering purchasing a supernat engine and chassis from them this year. I did not because a new, never driven, showroom display 08 Italkart Supersonic with front brakes, with an unfired '09 Leopard came available at a substantially lower price. My only wish is that the Tony Kart branded parts were priced more in line with everyone else as J3 is fairly close to me in Erie, PA.

IM has bent over backwards for me, making me a satisfied customer. Michael sent me replacements for parts that went MIA during shipping. Has offered setup advice on a couple of occasions, and even included an extra seat for the kart when I explained that I am a fat old guy. I only wish that they had a shop on the East coast.

Am I typical customer? I've spent over $10,000 on the hobby (not including track fees) in the last year. When I want to order parts I check IM and J3 to see if they have the widget I am looking for. I then check Comet if the other two don't have what I want. It is a rare occasion that I have to look any farther than that. I go locally to Rich for all of the parts for my son's Coyote.

At the local level, I want someone to talk to when something is wonky, and I can't figure it out. I want to be able to get parts in a reasonable timeframe at a reasonable price. If you can do this you have my business.

Rusty