Why is  2^nd Gear structured along the same business model as Costco?

As a member of the Costco, I always have been impressed at how easy Costco makes it to purchase essential items and provide excellent customer service. They have a business model where their membership pay all the overheads of the business so they can make spot purchases and provide lower pricing as their product margins only need to cover the day to day costs of employee salaries, utilities and profit.

Costco also understands the importance of employee retention by providing pay and benefits far above the average in the retail sector. Great customer service is far easier to deliver when there are long term employees that feel respected and know how the business operates. This along with liberal return polices makes it easy to purchase without hesitation.

While 2^nd Gear is at best a start up business… the principle of only purchasing gear on liquidation, and essential products at maximum discount… deliver member pricing that justifies membership payback in the first or second transaction.

Are 2^nd Gear prices lower than other motorsport shops, ebay and craigslist?

2^nd Gear uses a very targeted approach in purchasing, one that recognizes the best source in a specified time frame. 2^nd Gear members can expect their pricing along the lines of the following examples:

• Canadian Distribution & Other Canadian Dealers (same price)
• Everyday repair items needed in a day…
• Fork seals, brake pads, batteries, sprockets, chains, bulbs, levers,
• grips, spark plugs.
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• Tires (minimum 20% off retail, up to 50% off special buys and vintage tires)
• Brands include Michelin, Bridgestone, Dunlop
•  
• Shop Rates (30% off typical hourly rates)
• $65 dollars per hour
•  
• US Distribution & US Dealers (up to 35% cheaper) 1 week turn around
• Expensive OEM… and aftermarket parts not distributed in Canada
•  
• Oil & Lubricants (40% off retail semi-synthetic and full synthetic)
• Lucas, Motul.
•  
• Helmets and Liquidation Gear & Apparel  (up to 55% cheaper)
• End of line buys from last years catalog
•  
• Ebay (up to 1/10th of retail) 2 week turn around
• Used CDI computers, wheels, forks, 
• Used OEM and aftermarket exhaust systems.
• OEM styled signals via Asia.
• Expensive and no longer available parts for late model & vintage bikes
• Fairings, seats.