**Mods can move this if not appropriate for this forum.**
My local shop just quoted me $52 for fork seals and I have seen them online as cheap as $16 pr. Even with shipping that is 50% less. :x I don't even save time, the dealer has to order them.
I am a big believer in keeping my dollars local whenever possible. I complain every time my wife goes to Wal-Mart, buy my veggies at the farmer's market, etc.
I am wondering how much extra you are willing to pay or if you even care?
I'm willing to pay some, but not a lot
it really depends on how much help I need from the shop... i.e... my jacket (alpinestar tz-1) I bought at the shop.. cause I had to try on all the different jackets.
on the other hand, oil filters I will buy online.
My local shop isn't *all* that great either... so my support will be going elsewhere
geeee
I buy my filters at ADVANCE AUTO
$52 is ass rape-ing for fork seals....but if it is fork seals and dust seals....it's not bad
I never buy anything from the dealer (or repair shop) that needs to be ordered. They take my cash up-front, then take Lord-knows-how-long to actually get the part in. Once it's in, they usually don't call me to tell me it's in; I have to find out that it's in by calling them every week or so and asking.
With mail-order, the FTC requires that the vendor tell you (within 30 days) if it will take longer than 30 days to ship; and if so, they have to give you the opportunity to cancel with full refund (see http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/mailorder.htm). Also, many mail-order or on-line shops will invoice your credit card when the goods actually ship. Some (e.g. Chaparral) will add separate charges to your credit card for each box they ship, when they have to ship a partial order.
I buy clothing from the dealer, since I need to try it on. They're also good for selling discounted gear and cosmetic parts that were scratched in shipping.