Why are TJM stores so expensive???

Gompy,
I had a similar experience with the bracket extension, but from a different supplier in WA. After being quoted $29.95 from Black Widow, I approached the supplier and they reckoned their price list showed $59.95, but I got Black Widow to call them, and the price dropped to $29.95. They reckoned it was an old price list.
Even tho the price is high for a little piece of metal, it's great - dunno why Nissan fitted the original stupid door stay, which won't open to 90deg.
Gerry

I think they are like boat shops its a captive market.
I bought some s/s hinges from a boat store paid 25 pair.
I found out there supplyier and now buy then for 5.5 a pair.
Boat stands for bring over another thousand.
We might be able to work one out for TJM.

All the best
Eric

Had 4wds for almost 20 years now.
TJM and ARB are my nearest 4wd only stores.

Have noticed in the last 5 years that the staff are more 'sales' people and less enthusiasts.
Of course I am the worst type of customer, spend hours window shopping and asking for information over about 3 months before I buy.
Afraid I am not an impulse buyer which is what these shops seem to be geared to these days.
Also noticed that quite a few local people have 4wds and planning to do thier 'big' trip, and have no experience, but are willing to option up at these stores trusting in what they are told.
Seems to be a trend in society where if you think you know, you must be able to put into practise. But we all know there is a big gap between book knowledge and experience.

With both these trends emerging in the shops and customers, the chance of a major problem out west or while 4wding is more likely, because less experienced drivers are getting out west, and they have been told the item is perfect for what they do. They are trusting in the gear, and not building up experience over a number of staged trips.
It has taken me 10 yeras to get my car to a level where it suits the type of travel I do, all from experience by doing basic, then more adventurous trips each time.

Let me say up front, I import winches and recovery equipment from China, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I have no idea why these guys are charging so much. We are currently buying Australian Standard gear (Hi-Lift Jacks, Shackles, etc...) direct from China. The chinese have done all the testing, provide certificates, and we can choose things like colors, brands, etc...

The markup that these 4WD shops charge is amazing, considering they just onsell the stuff!

Gompy, things like brackets, and vehicle specific stuff still tends to be made in Australia (I think), so I wouldn't know why the price differences are there. I would guess that some groups try to apply their 100% (or whatever) markup accross the board.

Cheers,

Chump

TJM,Opposite Lock and ARB are all the same. I phoned TJM last week for a price on some Nite Stalker Spotlights 200 series. I already had a quote from Supathief for $160.(but needed to order them in) TJM had them in stock as did Opposite Lock.$239 from each place so i said i can get these for $160 elsewhere. TJM said we can do them for $179.............OL did not care. So Supathief got a customer. Intersting enough Prestige communications had them for $179 plus frieght and they are usually the best price going around.

You pay for what you get. I've purchased stuff from both ARB and TJM and always found their products of very good quality and service. If I ever had a problem with the fitment of and item they would fix it immediately.

TJM are, at time somewhat cheaper than ARB and definately OL. When I lived in Darwin OL opened a store offering discounts to certain organisations. When compared with TJM they were no where near the mark, no matter how much hagling you did.

I recently got quotes for replacement shocks. Depending on who you spoke to at the local TJM store dictated the price. On 3 seperate occassions I got different prices!

I've been looking at camper trailers for the big trip next year, and went to the recent Sandown expo and spoke to quite a few of the builders.

I am having trouble reconciling the cost of these things -

A 7x4 trailer can be had for about $600. Beef it up so it's up to "off road" standard and let's be generous and pay $2000. Add a 4 man tent and a mattress, about $300 at K-mart, but let's be generous again and pay $1000 to have it screwed to the trailer.

Add a basic kitchen, a few fittings, and ----- whoa there, why is the price $13500 or more, I paid handsomely and got to $3000........I already have a stove and washbasin. It's not only the tent that's being screwed here.

TJM et al would then mark it up 100% and sell for $27000 for an item maybe worth $4000 tops.