It's not my job to keep dealers' doors open, rather it's up to the dealers to hang onto their customers if they want to stay in business. If they want my loyalty, then they'll have to earn it. Several years ago I worked for a motorcycle parts distributor (I won't say which one) and because of this I know first hand that they don't make it easy for dealers in Canada. Before that, I also worked at a medium-ish sized dealership for a short time. Dealers have it tough, I'm aware of that.
Indeed, I change my own tires (most of the time) and I do all my own repairs, upgrades, and maintenance except on rare occasions.
With all the preaching, I feel like I need to come clean and confess my sins but I will also say that I have supported plenty of local dealers. I do it for the convenience of buying local, not because I feel the need to support them. I've shopped at just about every one of them in the Ottawa area, and a couple in Toronto. I spend a pile of cash on motorcycle stuff every year, way more than I can really afford in fact. In the past year alone I've spent:
Wheelsport - $350
GoodTime Centre - $300
Powersports Honda - $500
Ottawa Yamaha - $100
Motor Sports World - $50
RMB Motorsport (Aylmer) - $150
Pro6Cycle (Toronto) - $150
Parker Brothers (Toronto) - $250
Route 68 Sales & Service (Ogdensburg, NY) - $800
Motorcycle Superstore - $500
eBay - not sure, but well over $1,000
I've also bought and sold many items from forum members on several popular web forums, mostly from the US.
I will finish by saying that of all the places I've spent my cash, the best place for service (and reasonable pricing) was Route 68 Sales and Service just outside of Ogdensburg in NY. The owner is Ken Hill, and he's the best by far, hands down. A real genuine nice guy who cares about his customers. Second place for service in my experience is Powersports Honda.
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