Group buy? China bicycle engine kits?

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Oakdale Calif. Cowboy capital of the world
I was poking (slow poking on dial up connection) around the internet and Googled China bicycle motors. Seems there are makers (GruBee? and others) that will sell you kits BUT you have to buy 50 or more (100) minimum. When broken down the kits come out to around $50.00 each. I don't have any experience with importing or international trade, but this sounds like something that maybe a group could purchase. I know there has to be someone here with international trade experience. I live near Stockton Calif. which has a large port. Can something like this be shipped here and hauled in a cargo container to my place (I have room for a container). There are a lot of logistical issues to figure out. I don't know what the shipping charges would be etc. and if this would bring up he cost of the engines too much.
 
I wonder how much it'd cost to ship a single kit from China to USA via DHL, Fedex or something similar. Definitely over $50.
 
Am I the only one seeing the fact that a good majority of these kits have something wrong, something damaged, something missing or something broken on or inside of them?

I would venture a guess that there is no exchange or warranties on these kits.... so kind of like throwing away money???
 
^I wouldn't know, never bought one. Have you tried a few? had many problems with them?
 
Shipping for one..

I just checked over at the bay...

$88 shipping for complete $105 kit, buy with papal from mainland china.

http://cgi.ebay.com/80CC-MOTOR-GAS-...ultDomain_2&hash=item1e63a44ab4#ht_6253wt_905

And this is NOT an endorsement of the seller, their product, or business! Lol
Only that it exists, and I'd think there's most likely many more.

WMD, I think a majority of the products old are probably 'good', and a good value for what they are. It's a discount offering.

We all know where we can buy a big name branded cycle in or near our home town from a company with a nationwide dealer network for support, warranties, and even financing.

Risk is the name of the game!

Best
rc
 
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Thanks for the input guys. I threw this question out because I did see some of the offerings but know little of international trade. LOT of logistical hurdles to consider and I figured the question I posed would raise more questions and see if it was feasible. I belong to a Honda Odyssey (mini van) forum and every once in a while a member gets a good deal on some part or accessory and notifies us of a group buy (I think factory fog light kits for $50.00 was one) and passes the deal on to members.
Well anyway thanks for the input, it was a nice thought but I think it will be put on the shelf for now. I have a friend who travels to Japan and speaks the language...I wonder what Japan has to offer for bike motors?
Defiantly DO THE HOMEWORK first and I think this was a good first step.
Thanks again! Jack
 
it would be a good deal if you knew you could unload them and turn a profit thats why i havent bought a bunch as of yet . People say they want them but dont wanna turn loose of the cash. They talk a good fite but theyre swing falls way short of hitting it's mark .............
 
I have a friend who travels to Japan and speaks the language...I wonder what Japan has to offer for bike motors?

mostly, the four stroke engines that people here use.


Defiantly DO THE HOMEWORK first and I think this was a good first step.
Thanks again! Jack

I don't know what the profit margin is on a Chinese 2-stroke, but I bet it's not huge-- if cost for one direct is $50, and then you tack on shipping, import taxes, port fees, whatever else, PLUS the shipping to get the motors from the port to the individuals who want them... plus all the time it would take to deal with getting 100 engines out to everyone who wanted them.... you're really right back up to what a Chinese engine costs-- around $150 to $200.

If you have to buy a minimum of 100, that's going to be two shipping pallets worth. Do you know anyone who would want to have to receive and distribute 120 cubic feet of cargo without getting paid more than a bike engine?
 
I was entertaining the thought, but right now is not the time nor will it be the time anywhere in the near future. It was interesting to hear the different input...good information. As far as receiving 2 pallets, that's no problem as long as the timing is accurate as far as shipping. I'm less that 2 hours to port of S.F. and have access to large truck or neighbor's car trailer.
 
One of you should think of this as a business opportunity, buy a bunch from China and resell them in the States.

I've looked at the sites that sell bike parts listed in this forum, most of them look like they were designed by a 16 year old 10 years ago. Wouldn't be hard at all to become their competitors.
 
After watching videos of some of the factories.....I wonder how hard it would be to manufacture them, across our southern border.
 
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