[RCjohn]

I have had nothing but polite service from them but I can definitely vouch that they put damn near everthing on back order. They do not stock enough stuff. It is very frustrating. I don't use them if it is something I need quick.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[AZ Scott]

Lockhart is the King of Backorders! They've got some of the coolest looking stuff -- in their catalog -- but I think most of the items are one-of-a-kind, since none of it is ever available!

There's no excuse. L-P has been in the accessory business for over 15 years, and they are big enough that they should have a huge inventory, but apparently they don't.

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A fool and his money are soon partying.

 

[tigerblade]

Last night my roommate called LP to order some turn signals & such. The guy he talked to told him that there was a m/c dealership close and why didn't he check there? Ummm, I thought LP sold you catalogs with the idea that you could call them and maybe purchase a product or two out of it? My friend called the one of the dealers here and the guy told him to bring the catalog in and they would order from there. ??? Needless to say, my friend called LP back and got a different person from whom he ordered the stuff with no problem. Now that was nice of LP if they were going to let the dealer make the sale instead of selling one to the dealer at wholesale and another to my friend at retail, but what gives? Was this guy rolling herbal cigarettes or is that normal?

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"It depends on what part of the country you're standin' in as to just how dumb you are."

 

[Guest]

Sounds like the guy was nearing the end of his shift, and was too lazy to process one more order. Happened to me last week with the cable company. That's what I get for calling them at 5:00PM.

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Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[cbr600f4gd]

It is in the best interest of LP to let their dealers sell you LP stuff. If LP can get more dealers to carry LP stuff than they get more exposure to the market. Even though LP will make more $$ for selling the equipment directly to the customer as opposed to selling at wholsale prices to the dealer, the dealer remains the best outlet for LP to not only make the 1st sale but to pick up others in the marketplace for addition sales. Most buyers do not have LP catalogs and many probably do not even know what LP is. But if they go to their trusty dealer and see LP stuff sitting there than they are much more likely to purchase it, and even if they do not purchase it thay now have seen the LP name and as a result LP market share will continue to grow. I know I am rambling but it's tough to clearly think out a post while my phone is ringing off the hook here at work. See ya!

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Ride Fast - Take Chances

 

[RCjohn]

This isn't that unusual for them, for reasons just mentioned. They did the same thing to my wife. Said they couldn't sell directly over the phone. I called them myself and I now have an assigned Representative.

I asked him about not selling to my wife and he gave a similar explaination. I mentioned that the Rep at the track was awefully quick to give me the catalog for free, which would make me think that I could purchase directly. Amazing what a Fast by Ferracci uniform will get you.

My guess is that the sales people get some sort of commission but that direct sales to general public is discouraged and when they direct you to the dealers, it's because the wrong person is within ear-shot of them while talking. Just a guess.

BTW I do not get any special discount. The race team does but not me.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[tigerblade]

I can understand your reasoning but I don't know if I agree with it all. Why advertise your catalog on Speedvision if you don't want people to 1) have the catalog and 2) order from it? If you call Sears to order something out of their Christmas catalog, they don't tell you "there's a store at the mall". I guess I believe that if you obviously had the resource to call them directly, you shouldn't refer them to an outside vendor. Make sense?

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"It depends on what part of the country you're standin' in as to just how dumb you are."

 

[Rug Burn]

I have heard nothing but bad things about LP. Poor customer service seems to be there forte'. I was going to order some frame sliders and something else from my dealer and he cringed when I asked for these items. He said, I'm sure they won't have the items you're looking for in stock so let me call them before I place the order. Sure enough, after about 10 min. on hold, the LP person told him both items were on back order.

My dealer tried to cover for them saying small companies like Intuitive Racing can't keep them supplied with their products. Funny, I had no problem getting the stuff from Gables.

Buy where you want, but I'll only use them as a last resort.

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Clark

 

[tigerblade]

I should mention that the time I called them about a month or so ago, the guy I talked to was very polite and we even talked about his bike while he was waiting for something to process. Guess it depends on who answers the phone.

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"It depends on what part of the country you're standin' in as to just how dumb you are."

 

[Mr.TrevorClever]

I have had 2 mirror stays on back order for over 3 months. They said they would be avaiable the beginning of July and still nothing. I finally had to get OEM for $75..chitty. If I crash and wad the one I got I'm screwed at the track.

Trevor

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[jrm]

How about the theory "If they have it in stock, they sell it to you. If they don't, they recommend a dealer". Seems like it would fit all the other comments.

Having had my own attempt at a mail-order business, I can tell you it is very easy to make a catalog (or website) with lots of pretty pictures, but it is a whole lot harder pain in the butt to actually have the stuff in your "warehouse". I bailed on that aspect of the business BECAUSE I got tired of telling people I didn't have stuff. LP attracts a lot of attention with all the things they show and they hope that you ask for something that they DO have IN STOCK. I sure did.

Support your local guy. He's the one that is there to explain things to you and the one you can go bitch at in person. You pay a premium, but if you have a good person it can be a great relationship.

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[tigerblade]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jrm:
How about the theory "If they have it in stock, they sell it to you. If they don't, they recommend a dealer". Seems like it would fit all the other comments.



<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Again, your comment is rational, but when my roomate called back to LP he put in the order and they had the parts in stock. I think they should decide how they want to market their products, either direct or through dealers, but BE CONSISTENT!

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My Maserati does 185, I lost my license now I don't drive...
My Hayabusa does 186, should do 200 the Feds are such d%#$s...

 

[chris_y2k_r1]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cbr600f4gd:
I know I am rambling but it's tough to clearly think out a post while my phone is ringing off the hook here at work. See ya!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bastard, pick up the damn phone so I can order
my blue anodized bar ends!


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Anyone got a rear tire I can borrow?

[This message has been edited by chris_y2k_r1 (edited July 21, 2000).]

 

[Fritz]

I've ordered a lot of stuff from LP over the last few years and when I call, I deal with Mickey, who's been there for years and sends me their catalog free every year. I didn't used to be this way. LP used to encourage direct consumer sales but they're trying to change their focus to becoming a supplier. That's why when you call, they may say something is on backorder. Dealers get the priority on stuff. If a dealer has ordered items in bulk to stock his shelves and you order ONE directly from LP, who do you think is going to get the parts?

BTW: Why bother ordering Intuitive products from LP when Intuitive has their own website you can order from. I once tried to order the Intuitive frame sliders from LP and got the standard "on backorder" response. I found Intuitive's website and ordered at the same price and had them in two days.

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"It's easier to get forgiveness than permission."

 

[Rug Burn]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fritz:

I've ordered a lot of stuff from LP over the last few years and when I call, I deal with Mickey, who's been there for years and sends me their catalog free every year. I didn't used to be this way. LP used to encourage direct consumer sales but they're trying to change their focus to becoming a supplier. That's why when you call, they may say something is on backorder. Dealers get the priority on stuff. If a dealer has ordered items in bulk to stock his shelves and you order ONE directly from LP, who do you think is going to get the parts?

BTW: Why bother ordering Intuitive products from LP when Intuitive has their own website you can order from. I once tried to order the Intuitive frame sliders from LP and got the standard "on backorder" response. I found Intuitive's website and ordered at the same price and had them in two days.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't agree with this philosophy of dealer first. I would think the dealer would be less likely to turn there business away from LP for being short on a couple items than I would. They have many cool products (in the catalog-as someone pointed out) but if they can't deliver then I'll look else where.

The only reason I was going to order the sliders from them was because I was at the dealer picking up the bike and wanted the sliders right away (HAHAHAHA)-just in case.



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Clark