Karting as a business

[Steven Tippett]

I posted the following on a local web board, but I think it is relevant to karting in general. It deals with the karting business, it is based on observations in my area, but I think this is common place abroad, tell me what you guys think.
A couple observations, (one) people go to where they feel wanted. A fact lost on some dealers.
(two), people look towards the more helpful dealers for assistance. What I mean by this is, the person who is involved in making karting happen, the person who helps out and is a positive influence on the sport. This person doesn't have to know everything, but they still have to be knowledgable to a degree and honest. One thing I can't respect is someone who says they know something, pretend to be an expert, and have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.
(Three), no secrets, the dealer can't give some customs one thing and other customers another, that simply isn't sportsmanship. Hiding something from a customer or potential customer is a huge no no.
(fourth), be dependable, with service and parts.
What I see locally is there are really only 2 dealers who do this, and most glaring of the other 4, I'd say 3 of them fail on at least 3 of the 4 qualities I listed.
So the question then is, how do they stay in business. Well, mainly they get discounts and since no overhead they are just racers like you and me, only they get to do it cheaper. In other words, they'd be spending it anyways. Why do Companies (Chassis manufacturers) do this, really because they are still making money off theses business (Lots of money, go look at the prices over in England and Italy, You can buy a shifter chassis for $3,000 CDN and I would guess it won't cost more than $500 to transport, I new chassis from some dealers cost between $4000 - $5000 new CDN. You do the math) Also check out how much Chromoly steel cost a foot, not much. (maybee I wrong on this, but I don't think so, unless my source is wrong $2 a foot)
anyrate a lot to think about, I don't want to get into an arguement here, these are just observations, and discussion is good, it might give a better insight for all of us, take it easy.