We're a little different than most shops here at Fortyone Automotive. Our prices are always up to date with the current exchange rates and therefore if the exchange rate gets better, prices get better.
In general retail there's plenty of shops that operate on very high margins - 50%, 100%, 1000% in some cases even more. Think of a towel being bought for 5c a pop and being sold for $30 and put on 'sale' for $20. Or a plastic container - a dozen for 10c being sold for $10. We can't, don't and never have operated on such high margins, because you'd either go elsewhere, or buy direct overseas. This is why, very early on, we incorporated live exchange rates into our web site - so that when the exchange rates change, ours do also.
We buy for $1.00, we sell for $1.30 - GST and shipping included. We think this is ethical!
Most retail shops - because they run such high margins - absorb movements in the exchange rates. If they are paying 5c for a towel it doesn't matter if the exchange rates drop by 50% (a 100% price increase) because the new price (10c) still doesn't dent their $30 price tag. If exchange rates drop for us, prices go up. It's real, super fair and super transparent.
Our retail prices are meaningful and honest as a result. They are not magical numbers with hundreds of percent mark-up on them.
What this means currently is that parts from the USA are very, very well priced. I don't want to remind myself that the last time the US$ was this good for us kiwis, the recession hit 2 months later. It's a very good time to complete your wish list, build or shopping because the general rule with exchange rates is that they are down far more than they are up.
A little example. I won't use 'our' prices, just raw, converted prices. No GST, Fees or Shipping. I will compare prices today versus prices at the start of 2008.
JE Pistons
Jan 2008: $1433 / set
Today: $826 / set
Skunk2 / Cosworth / Buddyclub Cams
Jan 2008: $1528 / set
Today: $882 / set
Neuspeed Race Springs
Jan 2008: $444 / set
Today: $256 / set
JE Pistons
Jan 2008: $1433 / set
Today: $826 / set
Eagle Rods
Jan 2008: $888 / set
Today: $512 / set
Blox Exhaust Manifold
Jan 2008: $1777
Today: $1025
EBC Pads (standard Yellow)Jan 2008: $310 / set
Today: $179 / set
So when we say prices are good, we're not trying to crack sales, we're trying to save you money. We can set up a fee and interest-free laybuy for you to lock in the current price right now, so that you can pay it off later on. It really sucks when exchange rates change because the end user pays, not the banks skimming it in the middle. So to get the best and fairest prices out now is definitely a good time to sort out your build!
Prices today are 37% than Jan 2008. Whilst this is at the extreme end (best vs worst) they are still 25% cheaper than they normally are!
I hope this illustrates not only how our pricing works, but just how good the deals are currently. Hit us up, even if you think we don't do a particular brand. We normally do, and we can suggest lots of alternatives!
Mac
mac@fortyone.co.nz
http://www.fortyone.co.nz
Facebook: Here
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Possibly something on Yahoo JP?