Can you read the OEM Kawasaki label?

I don't know what catagory to put this in so excuse me if this needs to be moved.

I'm doing this because people relay prices they get quoted on OEM parts. Some are way over suggested Kawasaki Retail. Profit is required to stay in business. Greed is entirely another matter...

Under PKG, you'll see a number with dashes that divides the long number into 3 groups.

The price on this part [OEM KZ Valve Seal] is $11.06.

First and last group of numbers.

The profit margin is 50% [middle number]. That's not a 50% mark up. There's a difference between mark up and profit margin.

So, now you know how to read the labels. Don't be afraid or ashamed to speak up next time some greedy dealer tries to overcharge you.

that is very good info thanks for putting that out there for even if it does upset the apple cart for a few shop's but what the hay!

So, what should it cost? 11.06 x 150% ?

will61310 wrote:

So, what should it cost? 11.06 x 150% ?

That part should cost $11.06. The 50 or profit margin number is reflective of the dealer cost on the item plus associated overhead costs. Educated shopper dollars go further than uneducated shopper dollars...

i myself like using original kawi valve seals on the exhaust especally but there prices are ridiculess i can buy a complete athena gasket kit that has 8 very good quality valve seals for less than i can buy 8 o.e valve seals so guess what i use most of the unless specified.

So this would mean the dealer paid about $7.40 give or take a few cents. These labels are a good source of entertainment. Say a dealer bought a clutch cable way back in 1980. It may have had a tag something like 15-50-90 for example. The cable sits there for 30 yrs. Fast forward now 30 years with parts inflation and the cable now has a list price of $65.00. Add to that most dealers charge at least 10% to 20% over full list, so this cable may now cost $75. Not bad for a $10 investment sitting in the bank on the shelf.

larrycavan wrote:

I don't know what catagory to put this in so excuse me if this needs to be moved.

I'm doing this because people relay prices they get quoted on OEM parts. Some are way over suggested Kawasaki Retail. Profit is required to stay in business. Greed is entirely another matter...

Under PKG, you'll see a number with dashes that divides the long number into 3 groups.

The price on this part [OEM KZ Valve Seal] is $11.06.

First and last group of numbers.

The profit margin is 50% [middle number]. That's not a 50% mark up. There's a difference between mark up and profit margin.

So, now you know how to read the labels. Don't be afraid or ashamed to speak up next time some greedy dealer tries to overcharge you.

My local dealer charges $28 for a little tube of 3-bond sealer...... the mechanics there even warned me not to buy it there. That's probably a 500% margin. They absolutely have no shame.... apparrently that's a job requirement.

As for "oil seals", they charge $10 each for O rings (any size doesn't matter). If they come in a little plastic bag, it's $10.

RonKZ650 wrote:

So this would mean the dealer paid about $7.40 give or take a few cents. These labels are a good source of entertainment. Say a dealer bought a clutch cable way back in 1980. It may have had a tag something like 15-50-90 for example. The cable sits there for 30 yrs. Fast forward now 30 years with parts inflation and the cable now has a list price of $65.00. Add to that most dealers charge at least 10% to 20% over full list, so this cable may now cost $75. Not bad for a $10 investment sitting in the bank on the shelf.

I came across a $70 valve cover gasket for my 750 twin at the local stealer last year, and I do remember the gasket cost about $8 back in the early 80's (last time I bought one at the dealer). So that's a pretty good return on investment if one sat there for 20 years.

I know. The valve cover gaskets are one of the worst for price hike.

I bought 2 filters at local Kaw dealer recently. I had one in my hand reading the label while the kid did up my invoice. Looked at the invoice and it showed I got a discount. All said and done, discount applied, price was still higher than the label price. That's one of the main reasons I did this post. I've had enought of people getting overcharged.

This might sound, simple minded!

Maybe we should start a list of the cheapest dealers around?

Most dealers need to order the parts, so why not order from one of the cheapest dealers.

Some of you guys outside of the USA, get reamed, more then us. Maybe we need our own black market shipping of parts? (OH that's a joke, for law enforcement, {HaHa my ass})

Perhaps some dealer out there, would like our business? We have buying power! Or we can just keep crying about it?

If we use our "MASS brain power" and think-tank this, it can be done.......................Maybe someone will send you a box of cookies, with a Z1 in it?

Gasket templates, now that's a thought? I wonder what, that would save?

RE: 30 year old clutch cable

Maybe. I wonder what the profit really was after subracting 30 years of inventory taxes, utilities, cost if keeping it in inventory, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?

I bought a few items from Jeff at Z1E and the parts were in factory Kawasaki packaging but only had the part# and bar code. The price I paid was very reasonable but after checking the package I dont see the numbers you speak of. Would that relate to the factory Kawasaki shops or any jobber?