Hi, just noticed that Z1 are now advertising on our site..are they a seller now or just advertising?

Ooooops :rofl: Return shipping would probably cost more than the item lol. Depending on its construction you might be able modify it..

 

Just got an e-mail.There going to source me a rhd master cylinder brace :hyper: :rofl: :tongue:

 

Top service well chuffed :D

Superb! Can't do any better than that!!!!

iv bought quite a few parts from z1 over the years and the service is great, i can believe though, that if a part is damaged or incorrect it could be a headache (or expensive) to rectify? im not sure on the z1 procedures for such an event?

 

rest assured though that they do everything possible to ensure this doesnt happen, the goods are always well packaged. generally, if iv ordered online i will phone to ensure that order is correct, but i make my order over the phone most of the time as you can specify to jt or brian your requirements such as rhd etc :D

Its a shame though that its that expensive for businesses to run in this country that we have to take our business to foreign shores.

 

I always try to patron local, British companies first, but through no fault of their own they can no longer remain competitive.

 

Very good points.

 

As a point in case, I have run DTA-Motorsport for three years now and Smithy's Place for the past 6 months. On both counts I face competition from US suppliers, eBay cowboys and UK-based businesses. The squeeze on profits (and hence my ability to draw an income and support a mortgage, family and put food on the table) has come to such a point that on most items I am close to taking a loss. This can not continue and at various points throughout the past three years I have come extremely close to shutting the business down and doing something else.

 

I can't condone competition, it is how a free market economy works; I can't compete with US suppliers as their "wholesale" costs are a lot less than over here; I can't (and won't) compete with eBay. So at the end of the day I need to shift a very large volume of products in order to make a little money to live off. Given the fact that the UK market is in fact very small and consists mainly of young buyers who generally do not have the financial resources to pay UK prices (no offense intended to any one out there reading this), I have to spend a lot of time, effort and money to try and sell a few parts.

 

I try to remain as competitive as I possibly can whilst still maintaining a balance on profit (all businesses want to make a profit) but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do this.

 

If Z1 come onboard as a trader - which is their right and I do not have a problem with that - then it is very likely that I will not be able to continue running my businesses beyond the next few months. Yes, I provide good customer service, I am a UK-based company so you have a "local" point of contact, and I provide warranties on ALL our products which is often not the case when buying direct from the US, Asia or eBay. But all that comes at a price, which invariably has to be built into the price of our products. And this makes a UK-based company more expensive to buy from than direct from the US (for example).

 

I apologise for going on a bit and sounding as if I'm feeling sorry for myself. This is not the case. I really enjoy running the two businesses, I'm a Z32 enthusiast at heart but business is business. I simply can not compete with US suppliers on price but I can compete with quality of service and speed of delivery. And I sincerely hope that this is what keeps UK customers buying from UK companies.

 

Rant over ... :(

 

Dan

Dan, I don't think anyone on here would disagree with you about the service that not only you supply, but the other Traders involved with this club, which is not only confined to the supply of parts but usually also a continual supply of technical assistance, which is free of charge, but this situation has been inevitible for some time as the US dollar has slowly sunk to such a low as it has now. The financial temptation now to shop from US suppliers is enormous especially as running costs of these vehicles has increased restrospectively as the dollar has sunk. Fuel is now 25% more expensive than 2 years ago and insurance premiums have also risen due to other problems financially affecting Insurance Companies, i.e.floods etc. The motorist has always been a soft touch. We all love our cars and want to obviously hang on to them and short term gains now will obviously not be there when / if the Dollar makes a comeback, and we all know this. It would be sad if at the end of the day, we do not have people like yourself Danny, someone you know and see at meets, someone you ultimately trust, but everyone is being squeezed nowadays from so many angles in your life, that keeping one of these cars in roadworthy condition and enjoying it, is all down to how much it will cost to do so. There are already people on here saying 'its time to sell up' , and there is also a good market in spares from cars being broken. In this sort of economic climate I think everyone is thinking about costs and there are bound to be some casualties on both sides, owners and traders. Its a very hard fact of life. From what I am hearing I think 2008 financially is going to be a tough year in most households, and no matter how cheap the prices of parts get, there will not be many spending a fortune on their cars be it from the US or the UK.

Danny, I feel for you mate :( Since Thatcher forced the UK to shut down decent, local business, we've been pushed into an import society :(

 

Anyway, I'll give you a call in the next few days, I have a few suggestions for you ;)

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

Just my opinion, I support local UK businesses as much as I can, even though I have setup massive import businesses from SE Asia to Europe - not car related though! If we are a community then we should support each other.

You should know that in time the dollar will rise then a few years down the line if there are no decent supliers left in the UK, dont moan about it, pay the premium price from abroad! I do also agree that with many reputable suppliers like the ones on this site you get a lot more than just your parts for your money, money well spent if you ask me.

I would certainly prefer to support traders on this site and have done over the years, but sometimes cant afford to as prices dictate actions.

what are you guys talking about I buy most of my stuff for the Zed over in japan! Sheesh talk about killing me on shipping! lol

Japan has all the best goodies for our cars anyway!

When i ordered a load of bit for an engine rebuild I was talking to "Borbee at ZEE won Neeson Moda Sport". and because I'm a Yorky he thought i had a funny accent the cheeky git.

When i ordered a load of bit for an engine rebuild I was talking to "Borbee at ZEE won Neeson Moda Sport". and because I'm a Yorky he thought i had a funny accent the cheeky git.

i always get brian or jt @ ZEE won

Very good points.

 

As a point in case, I have run DTA-Motorsport for three years now and Smithy's Place for the past 6 months. On both counts I face competition from US suppliers, eBay cowboys and UK-based businesses. The squeeze on profits (and hence my ability to draw an income and support a mortgage, family and put food on the table) has come to such a point that on most items I am close to taking a loss. This can not continue and at various points throughout the past three years I have come extremely close to shutting the business down and doing something else.

 

I can't condone competition, it is how a free market economy works; I can't compete with US suppliers as their "wholesale" costs are a lot less than over here; I can't (and won't) compete with eBay. So at the end of the day I need to shift a very large volume of products in order to make a little money to live off. Given the fact that the UK market is in fact very small and consists mainly of young buyers who generally do not have the financial resources to pay UK prices (no offense intended to any one out there reading this), I have to spend a lot of time, effort and money to try and sell a few parts.

 

I try to remain as competitive as I possibly can whilst still maintaining a balance on profit (all businesses want to make a profit) but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do this.

 

If Z1 come onboard as a trader - which is their right and I do not have a problem with that - then it is very likely that I will not be able to continue running my businesses beyond the next few months. Yes, I provide good customer service, I am a UK-based company so you have a "local" point of contact, and I provide warranties on ALL our products which is often not the case when buying direct from the US, Asia or eBay. But all that comes at a price, which invariably has to be built into the price of our products. And this makes a UK-based company more expensive to buy from than direct from the US (for example).

 

I apologise for going on a bit and sounding as if I'm feeling sorry for myself. This is not the case. I really enjoy running the two businesses, I'm a Z32 enthusiast at heart but business is business. I simply can not compete with US suppliers on price but I can compete with quality of service and speed of delivery. And I sincerely hope that this is what keeps UK customers buying from UK companies.

 

Rant over ... :(

 

Dan

From a consumers point of view, it appears that you are hoping for or wishing there was some sort of protection for your business. Protectionism is not healthy for a free market economy. I'd like to think that a good percentage of Z1's products are in fact sourced from Japan, just like UK retailers. The reasons why UK retailers can be undersold by US retailers would probably be based on excessive excise taxes and tarrifs placed by the government. Even with the exchange rate between Canada and US and the cross border taxes and tarrifs it still is more cost effective for Canadians to shop south of the border. Why, because our country as well levies high taxes and tarrifs that come from Japan.

I'm sorry to say that as much as I would like to spend my own money within my own country, it just ain't going to happen because my own government wants a bigger piece of the action. For the time being Z1 (as well as CZP) will get the majority of my business.

As they say, "money talks".

 

John

 

 

AM Rad, Adj Tension Rods, Stillen Fr Adj Upper Control Arms, KYB AGX, Eibach ProKit, Rr Adj Control Arms, CZP OEM Suspension Kit, MR 2.5" SS DP TP Catback, AIV EGR PVRR Delete, Greddy Turbo Timer, Long Block Rebuild, ARP, Wiseco, Cometic, PE 850's, OBX Hardpipes, Dual Z, GT675's, Z1 ECU, GReddy Profec B Spec II, Apexi Neo, Z1 HP Clutch & FW, CZP Louvers, CZP 12.75" BBK, MS Manifolds, Z1 SMIC's, 99 Tails, AMS UD OD & BOV's, Z1 1pc DS

i think Danny made a very valid point. i think its easy to forget that living needs to be made and if the business is not worthwhile then whats the point in continuing it, especially if it barely breaks even. the potential problem here is (not talking specifically about DTA or Smithy's Place) but if 'local' places cannot continue trading, then other traders have less competition, therefore prices go up. quite ironic really. :confused: