Uhh...everyone's backordered because MAZDA Japan is backordered And I just bought 2 original 99spec bumpers for customers

Lemme put this disclaimer up before ppl start PMing me, however; the used parts market sells for just that: MARKET value. So I can't, won't, and don't compete w/ Mazda Motorsports prices. So yes you will pay above the $400 or so "race-only" price for the part, used.

~Ramy

 

FDNewbie For not "pointing any fingers" or "bad mouthing" any one it sure seems obvious you are unhappy with a vendor, or two or three since several do this.
I have a few questions on this, sorry to thread jack.

So if I don't race I should not be allowed to get these parts unless I buy them used from a racer?
Or, I should pay you $400+ for a used bumper instead of buying a new one for less?
Are you a racer and/or vendor of used parts?
How exactly do you get these bumpers retail if one is not a racer or living in Japan?
It's a little disturbing that you seem to suggest paying more because it is the right thing to do while supporting discount shopping. Retail prices are set at a fair level for customer demographics vs what a company needs to pay it's bills and make a profit. How is any discount "fair"?

Exactly why is Mazda in the "business" of racing and supplying parts to racers if it is not to; 1) make money, 2) market Mazda and it's products (make money), 3) nurture a market that provides an additional customer base (make money) 4) test bed for new and existing parts/cars (make money & improvements), protect it's interests in specific markets (make money), create customer loyalty (make more money) and so on.
Mazda Motorsports would not be with out people buying their products, period. The more they sell the more they can grow. Mazda corporate policies are no different than anyone elses, good marketing, good image, good product, use effective business practices to-MAKE MONEY and protect your ASSets/investments.

To your credit I did not read any blatant bashing on your part. But there are plenty of vendors slinging Mazda parts that are good vendors. Not scamming people and doing business legaly, which you seem to condemn. Non-Profit is not any word I would apply to any branch of the Mazda Corporation or any other auto manufacturer.

Not bad mouthing you just my opinion.

 

That's fine, but I don't think you know me or understood me well enough to understand what I'm saying. IMO, there's a HUGE difference between buying from Mazda (retail) and buying from Mazda Motorsports, which is not an open-for-the-public-for-profit type of deal. They give wholesale prices specifically to help support those who race and thus will tend to see much greater wear and tear.

Simple question: Is the vendor racing himself? Is he supplying to racers? Are they anywhere near the majority of his customers? If not, I frown upon that. You're right, I'm not gonna backbite, badmouth, point fingers, or bash. Not my style. But I definitely will EXPLAIN. Why? B/c ppl have a hard time understanding how a 99spec bumper (from Japan) can cost than a '93 bumper from right here in the good old US. Or how the 99spec bumper's price is INCREDIBLY low now, when only a few months ago it was virtually double the price.

So to answer you, YES, if parts sales from a specific avenue are intended for race purposes, and you purchase them to make a wide retail profit off of them, YES YES YES I think that's wrong. If you disagree, that's fine, but I'm sticking to my morals and values.

And no this isn't about buying from me or paying me etc. Plz don't misunderstand. I just would like to see the correct pricing on parts. Price 'em from Mazda Japan, factor in shipping here, etc, and lemme know how much it'll run you It's no mistake that 99spec USED bumpers in JAPAN (where they're a LOT more plentiful and easier to get) run more than the NEW ones here from some vendors. Hmmm....

You ask how to get the bumpers retail? Again...simple. Buy it from Mazda Japan. The source that's for PROFIT. Mazda Motorsports is NOT "discount shopping" as you described. Such a description leads me to believe you don't know what Mazda Motorsports is. In fact, it's not even a store. It's an avenue that REQUIRES that you ACTUALLY enter a competitive event w/ you vehicle in order to qualify. It's dedicated *SOLELY* to maintaining Mazda's appearance in the auto competition arena.

So again, when you're going on about Mazda being in the "business" of this and that, it's avenues and stated goals are clear. That's why it has Mazda Motorsports AND Mazda Japan dealerships. Two diff things, two diff target populations, for two diff purposes. I think you should use them accordingly, as intended -- not abuse them for profit purposes.

That's my $0.02, and I'm sticking to it.
~Ramy

PS: Please note, I didn't make a blanket statement about ANY vendor as being good or bad. Just speaking about a specific PRACTICE (one aspect of business, not the business as a whole) that I disagree w/. And this topic was mentioned previously in other threads, and many ppl agree w/ me on it. Again, I think it's simply a matter of values. To me, they're more important than making a sale.

 

yes yes ramy, i will get my bumper from you

 

Very funny Andy lol. I'm not advertising. And this is EXACTLY why I hesitated to say anything in the first place...b/c once you're involved in the business, then everything you have to say is seen as some marketing ploy, when that's not the case. Oh well...