S&S Cycle, Inc. has formulated a policy that forbids dealers from selling S&S products on the internet. S&S, as you probably know, sells V-Twin engines and components into the chopper, Harley and V twin racing markets. Resellers may advertise the fact that they have them, but they may not advertise the price or sell the products over the internet. This policy is intended to support dealers who are trying to get enough margin from the sales of those products to be able to sell and then properly install and service them.
This is a tough call. Aftermarket companies that I’m aware of do not prohibit internet sales by their resellers, but do restrict what discounting can be advertised and this, too, is intended to protect dealers. Some online resellers will sell at discounts no physical store can possibly match. If the buyer is going to install and service that product himself, I see no problem, but all too often, someone buys on the internet and then expects the local dealer to install the product or repair the botched installation. Dealers must make a profit to survive and this type of customer hurts the dealer network for everyone.
It will be interesting to see if this policy starts a trend or gets reversed. Abandoning internet sales could be a very risky business move. Time will tell.
Scott says
I think Arai has done this as well with helmet sales online.
Jeff in Ohio says
Arai went one step further. Mail order all together of Arai products was stopped. You must now go to an Arai dealer in person to purchase. The large Arai dealers will tell you that sales dropped around 30%. Some plan, huh?
At least with S and S, people can still mail order, they just cannot point, click, and order. Now they have to pick up the phone and do it the old fashion way. The places can adevertise that they sell S & S, they just can’t say what parts and how much untill the customer calls in. A guy in Alasaka can still buy S&S products from somebody in Florida thru the mail, unlike with Arai helmets….
Eddy Wentz says
As an S&S dealer I can say that They have screwed their dealers long ago with thier discount price structure.
Example, one can purchase a carb from a mail order distributer for less then dealer cost.
There simply is no profit left in selling these products.
S&S also promotes the TV morons that have zero qualifications.
Adding to that, the new fuel injection systems are only availible to dealers that go to Viola and take the required training. Along with purchasing a dyno.
It doesnt make sense investing any more into a company such as this.
Eddy