Just like anyone, I look for a good deal and buy stuff online all the time. However, sometimes I am willing to pay more for good service.
When it comes to my Connie, I usually buy locally. My dealer went out of business last year and the next nearest dealer is horrible!
Lucky for me the service manager and his boyhood friend who also turned wrenches there opened up their own shop doing service and repairs. They are the most talented bike techs I ever met and they are honest guys. I just had a ton of maintenance work done on my c14 which included tires. I wanted Conti road attack II's but his distributor did not carry them. He said he could get them but they might be pricier than other brands since he had to get them elsewhere. I explained that I was willing to pay for some mark-up because the bottom line was that if he only relied on labor to pay the lease, bills, insurance, lights, heat, etc that he and his partner would likely not be in business very long.
Not only would I hate to see them close but I also have a stake in making sure he stays open. I don't want to have to find another mechanic that I can trust.
Owning and running a motorcycle business can be tough. Think about it. At least here in New England, you basically have about 8 months maximum business. When it is cold nobody comes in the door. Motorcycle sales are down in this recession and the margin on most brands is rather low. No dealer can make it by just selling bikes and some gear so they need to make money in service. People think every dollar paid between wholesale and retail is profit! It is not. You need to pay the following........
Lease or mortgage on building
Taxes on the building if owned
Heat
Electricity
Building maintenance and upkeep
Payroll for staff, mechanics, parts counter, sales, etc
Payroll taxes. (Did you know every dollar the employee pays in federal tax is matched and paid to the IRS by the employer too?)
Workers compensation insurance
Medical insurance for staff
Vacation pay
Sick pay
An accountant or book keeper
Signage
Company taxes on profit to state and feds
Advertising
Telephone and internet
And I am sure there are some big things I am missing
So the bottom line is that if a dealer or shop only charges you labor and does not mark up parts they will probably close shop. I am willing to pay more in these instances so long as I am not getting royally shafted. For me those tires were $325 online. I was fine paying $385 because I knew he would take care properly mounting and balancing them for me too.