Are Parallel imports (PI) the equivalent of pirated CDs?

[Liping24]

QQ is the equivalent priated CD of Matiz!

This is the perfect analogy.

 

90% of stuff we eat and use in Singapore are Parallel Imported without any Authorised agents!

 

The Handphones for example...for those eager adopters who wants the latest HP or PS3 or electronic gadgets...many are PI goods.

 

Car/motorcycle parts by so many different stockist.....are mostly PI as well.

 

The durains fruits, wet markets vegetables, Giants/Prime foodstuff/products all PI from all over the world. Sometimes you see arabic wordings on them.

 

Hardware equipments, cranes, pumps, compressors are mostly PI stuff as well.

 

Its not possible for all the worlds manufacturer of products to have a base in Singapore.

 

So what is this Komoco spokeman talking about? He must be feeling like a idiot for making such statement.

[Meanz21]

ya agree.

after all it's the same product that you get maybe only the accessiors, term n condition different

 

it's not like a Honda u buy from PI is made by KIA. it's still made by Honda

[Porker]

Teo Hock Seng is an idiot period.

 

And... reason why there's no PIs for Hyundai is because the mark up is too low to justify selling them. PIs are only interested in selling the following:

 

1) Models not brought in by the ADs

2) High end models where mark up is more substantial and justifiable

[Jaskin]

someone doesn't like competition...

[Chemz]

parallel imports are no form of piracy.. unless of course it's pirated import.

 

PI and AD cars both come from the same parent company's manufacturing arm(thai honda vs jap honda = both also honda)

 

we can only label it as piracy when the PI's open their own independent factory, replicate another firm's car and selling it based on the original's name. In which case, there's an element of fraud involved.

[Route88]

1. Ok, this one was extracted from another discussion thread and was based on BT 18/4.

 

2. "Parallel imports (PI) are the equivalent of pirated CDs, declares Teo Hock Seng, managing director of Komoco Motors. This is despite the fact that there are no parallel imports of Hyundai cars, of which Komoco is an authorised distributor.

 

'Parallel imports affect everybody because of their pricing,' says Mr Teo. But more importantly, he is concerned that buyers of PI cars have no recourse because of the lack of warranty on the product and a possible credibility issue with the seller.

 

As a result, safety standards could be compromised and this is dangerous.

 

'Parallel importers have no warranty costs and no obligations to the buyer,' says Mr Teo, adding that they don't have high overhead costs either. 'I am so irritated that I am thinking of going into the PI business too.'

 

'PIs affect everybody because of their pricing,' explains Mr Teo. 'The high brand equity of the Japanese makes, at the same price as a Korean car, is eating into my market.'

 

What do you think?

 

Regards,

 

If mis-interprate it wrongly....ppl might read it as Japanese makes are better than Koreans

[Ls430]

if agents are so competent ... I am sure their primary would not have allowed PI to flourish ...

 

the presence of PI therefore is gauge of agents relationship with the primary and competency of their sales

[DarkLord]

Isn't that common knowledge?

[Djcoolmax]

I reckon PIs provide competition and that's good in a so called "open-market".

[Clazio71]

Definitely dun agree.... This is because there are many car models not available through local authorized dealers eg. Axio and Mark X so if people are willing to buy through other dealers in the form of Parallel Imports, I dun really see any wrong or "piracy" in this business. These are just some of the allegations made by him because he can't keep up with the competitiveness of the industry. Consumers love to have more choices especially when it comes to a purchase that comes in the tens or even hundreds of thousands dollars...

[Suze]

obviously not! clearly he doesn't understand the meaning of the wordings 'parallel imports'. both AD and PI are selling the same authentic HONDAs, cars manufactured by HONDA... or is he trying to insinuate that the PIs are selling cars with some self-assembled emblems?? that's like assassination of the PIs!

 

well, he has the option of going into the PI business... so why is he deliberating? no one can stop him if he wanna to.

Edited April 19, 2007 by Suze

[Falc]

Mr THS is no saint.

 

Komoco was well-known to do false mark-ups on their cars in order to secure high loans for their customers.

 

What right has he to say that PI are like CD pirates.

But he's smart in a way, because nobody can/will sue him for saying that.

Scaly one PI here sues him. That PI, posting in MCF, said they are considering legal action against one of their customers leh.

[Kelpie]

Is that some sort like a PI association out there?

 

Regards,

[Reng]

Mr Teo H.S. "Su Pua Ki'lah,just becos PI eat into AD's profit only he said that.

What about he eat into the japs car profit, did any japs company complaint or not.

This is business OK,if you dun die,i die, is just like war.

[Falc]

Dun think so. Sharks and other predators normally operate in solo.

[Tarzan666]

juz sad such people oso can bcum MD..

 

hope someone can bcum the 1st PI 4 hyundai cars in spore..2 compete with komoco

[Blackyv]

some people can become mp, why not some people can become md leh??...

[Apollo]

hw can b sad... here got 2 supporters leh.