cars are cheap, but bikes are expensive?
Hey everyone, specifically the motorbike fans, I have recently moved here from the States and smoothed out my change by checking out what the showroom's had to offer for motorbikes.
The second hand rides (barring the ones that I have seen offered on this site, that are fewer in number, but definitely still options) were pretty ratty and all those showrooms, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, BMW, Aprilia, and Ducati (ok the last two are to be expected) are pretty freaking pricey. Now I do hear that the Harley's are reasonably priced, but I'm not really that interested in a cruiser.
As far as my coworkers are concerned, cars here are less expensive then they remember from their (Euro) home country's so I can't understand why it is that, unless you just have to play serious hard ball on the negotiations, that the bikes are so much more expensive then the cars.
Ideas?
marais, from what I understand, the profit margin should be built into the (in this case euro) MSRP, right? And even so, some of these guys are still ANOTHER 5-10% over that price.
In efficient competitive markets you cannot fix the price...its the demand and supply which have to decide it. If the demand is low then the price has to be low for a given supply curve.
Qatar I think was spared the full blow of the downturn...selected places which were booming earlier were doomed suddenlty...but hey...its all good if it does not affect us.
...shapil, the economic downturn hasn't affected my spending pattern so far.
Well...if you listen to American Fed Chief...consumer spending is what keeps the economy chugging along...in the recent downturn they begged the people to spend and gave them cash in hand in terms of tax refunds. In singapore women think that they are doing economy a favor by buying that Chanel purfume.
After you guys have finished comparing notes on how good you listened in your economics class, could you get back to the original question???
Bikes are imported through Europe and prices are in Euro plus about 5% import tax and 5% profit margins. So take the price in Euro and convert to QR and add 10%. Prices are very rarely negotiable, and cash or credit makes no difference. What you see is what you pay.
I wouldnt suggest buying a 2nd hand bike, as the bikes here get ridden hard. If you are knowledgable and can spot a good 2nd hand bike, then go for it, most have low millage, and gets changed for whatever is new in the market.
good luck with your purchase.
Oh, and for the economists...prices for bikes here are not about supply and demand. Demand is high for whatever is new and the best. The bikes sold on QL are mostly expats that leave the country, and most guys keep there bikes as they upgrade. The ones in the 2nd hand market are track bikes thats done their work.
...shapil, can I shock with something? Although I briefly studied economics in school, however, all I ever have to do with "Economics" is...SPENDING...:)))
You made me refresh all my college economics..:)..do u know Nokia has a luxury brand called Vertu..they have a showroom in CCD...its the same phone with shiny appearance and sky high prices.
...Yes, I agree with you at this point.
If they are rarely demanded or purchased only by the elite then they fall under luxury goods. The supply of the luxury goods is controlled below capacity and their prices are kept artificailly up.
...commodities on the market, but rarely demanded, or purchased by the crème de la crème.
What about them?...are you talking about commodities futures market? Stock or futures market doesnt work on same rules as real goods market.
....What about dear commodities are higher in price?
Unless offcourse if there is a collusion amongst the manufactures to keep the prices artifically up...but then it is not efficient market.
.....shapil, isn't the Law of Demand that higher the price, lower the demand?
But that should have brought the price down Happy2..:)
...Cars are in demand, bikes aren't?
yeah brand new ones are really expensive .. go for second hand bike (buy 1000cc) .. much cheaper ... try Dream bikes shop