AXP Racing Skidplate (Plastic) Installed

I would like one as well.

I'm stationed up in the frozen tundra known as Minot, ND... Only got the bike because I'm PCS'ing to Davis Monthan in the fall. Can't wait to get down there and ride!

I would like to participate in this group buy among friends too. I have abused my Flatlands skid plate, cracking both welds. It's done its job and paid for itself, but I'm willing to try something different.

Thank you,
Neil

thumpjump wrote:

I just talked to Pierre at AXP and he said if I can come up with a quantity of skid plates to order, he will give me a wholesale discount. Perhaps I could buy them from AXP, then take Paypal payment directly and ship them out to you guys. I can ship them through the US Postal Service on the military base, thus avoiding most of the customs crap, and it's a lot cheaper than shipping international.

So whatever the cost is, plus shipping, and Paypal fees is all I would charge. So maybe add, 5% to the total price and that should cover everything. I'm not looking to make a profit on this deal, but I don't want to lose money either.

Made in France but it is 1/4" material :)

I want one to replace my Ricochet but I am busy spending time and money to farkle my new Husaberg.

Just an update - I'm still working with Pierre at AXP. He said last night that he still needs some time to come up with a price. I'm guessing he is working with his manufacturer to come up with a price for this production.

One downside is that we will still have to pay the 19.6% Value Added Tax (VAT) that France charges on all retail purchases. If it was Germany, the military has an agreement that exempts us from the VAT, but nothing with France. Pierre said that the VAT is paid no matter where you buy or ship the product, unless it is a business to business transaction. So, I'm trying to figure out away to avoid this VAT by maybe having it go to a business in Germany, but I kind of doubt it's going to work.

It would be nice to get a discount on quantity, and then another 20% off to avoid the VAT.

ncbuckeye wrote:

Total cost for me was $143 + 25 bank transfer= $168

NCBuckeye,

That price is really good compared to what the price is on their website. They list the price at 119 Euro, which is about $169 U.S. at today's exchange rate. Add on shipping and I would think it would be closer to $190. Did you get a discount? I'm just trying to get some bargaining ammunition ready when he finally comes back with a group buy price.

thumpjump wrote:

ncbuckeye wrote:

Total cost for me was $143 + 25 bank transfer= $168

NCBuckeye,

That price is really good compared to what the price is on their website. They list the price at 119 Euro, which is about $169 U.S. at today's exchange rate. Add on shipping and I would think it would be closer to $190. Did you get a discount? I'm just trying to get some bargaining ammunition ready when he finally comes back with a group buy price.

I'm in for 1, thanks

Sorry- I've been out of town for a few days-

thumpjump - that price came from correspondence from Pierre, and I'm pretty sure he offered that price when I was asking him for a final cost. I didn't ask for a "best price", or lowball offer, he just came back with that price. I was a little surprised by the price too, but wasn't going to argue when I saw the web cost...

connectusa wrote:

thumpjump wrote:

ncbuckeye wrote:

Total cost for me was $143 + 25 bank transfer= $168

NCBuckeye,

That price is really good compared to what the price is on their website. They list the price at 119 Euro, which is about $169 U.S. at today's exchange rate. Add on shipping and I would think it would be closer to $190. Did you get a discount? I'm just trying to get some bargaining ammunition ready when he finally comes back with a group buy price.

I'm in for 1, thanks

Guys and Gals,

I haven't forgotten about this.

I don't know if Pierre is ever going to get back to me. I had several e-mail exchanges, and the last one was that he didn't think "the group" was going to like the price because it would include VAT. I asked him to please provide a price, and he said he would think about it. I haven't heard from him since. I'll ping him again next week if nothing comes through.

If you want this skidplate e-mail Pierre he will give you his bank info, go to your bank and wire him 100 euros ( $ 143 ) and he will mail you the plate. You will have to pay your bank a $25 fee for doing this. End of story............ If you pay VAT it will cost you more. Bugging Pierre is only going to piss him off so he stops accommodating those folks who are willing to do it HIS way. He is doing us a favor. He does not normally sell retail!

Does anyone know Pierre's actual email address? I can't find it on the AXP website.

Sproat Sport wrote:

Does anyone know Pierre's actual email address? I can't find it on the AXP website.

Just go to the apx racing web site; click on the contact heading and that will get you an e-mail form that Pierre will get.

I'm in for one too... I'm using a Husky TE OEM plate right now and it's less than ideal....

Thanks, Rick

I just got back from a trip to central Oregon where I beat the crap out of the AXP (tons of rocks....the sharp, volcanic type) and it did its job. One thing I really liked about it is there is no additional noise as a result of mounting it, which is something I've heard is an issue with the metal ones. Highly recommended, BUT it's damn spendy given the current weakness of the dollar against the Euro. Pierre is great to do business with, and his English is WAY better than my French, so don't worry about working with him. The only fiddly bit is having to wire funds to his bank. Most (all?) US banks charge a fee to wire funds (mine charges $25US), and the wire transfer form is a PITA if you've never dealt with international bank routing codes before. Pierre is trying to figure out a way to make it easier to sell these internationally, but in the mean time if you want one just email him and he'll walk you through the process. If you get stuck (like trying to find the right codes for his city.....), let me know and I'll help if I can.

-SM

Couldn't he just make a paypal account and get paid through that instead of directly through his bank?

foofighter wrote:

Couldn't he just make a paypal account and get paid through that instead of directly through his bank?

I asked him that and I don't remember the reply, but I think it had something to do with PayPal not being set up in France, or some other issue with it.

But yes, that seems like the obvious solution and would save us the wire fee and other hassles......

-SM

I have a feeling this guy just doesn't want to go through the effort... Because Paypal does have a France specific site.
http://www.paypal.fr/

Il still probably end up buy it via wire transfer, but it would make a whole lot more sense if we could just go through paypal.

foofighter wrote:

I have a feeling this guy just doesn't want to go through the effort... Because Paypal does have a France specific site.
http://www.paypal.fr/

Il still probably end up buy it via wire transfer, but it would make a whole lot more sense if we could just go through paypal.

Pierre wrote me a while ago that the reason they don't do Paaypal is because in Europe they sell Wholesale not Retail. But I assume you are correct. The effort to make Paypal happen for USA sales is not worth it to him.

I really wish it was easier to get one of these. I'd spring for one if it wasn't such a hassle, plus additional fees...

I've been in contact via email with Pierre since Jan about the plate.

And today he wrote that he is finalizing with a distributor for the U.S to be ready by Mid March.

I hope it works out, because I've been holding out for one.

I will order TWO!

Shit ,I just mounted up a Flatland!

This is awesome! I will definatly get one of these over the metal versions that are availible now...

Yeah, count me in also!

I've been holding out on a skid plate as well. I hope the price is reasonable! Any word from the original poster, or anyone else with experience with this plate? I'd love to know how it's holding up to heavy abuse.

(BTW, that mounting system looks awesome! No bolt heads sticking down to get beat up!)

mordicai wrote:

Shit ,I just mounted up a Flatland!

Crap, me too, only a Zeta...