June 4, 2007 – Online retailer opens up first parts-only store

JC Motors, formerly an exclusive online powersports retailer, tore down the customer service barrier the Internet can create by recently opening its first retail store.
The company, which receives about 500,000 hits online every month, now can satisfy the personal contact some customers have been asking for, says JC Motors President Clint Lawrence.
Lawrence admits the Internet can be a difficult place to develop consumer relationships, especially when contact is made mostly by e-mail.
“We are getting involved in the community at a deeper level than we ever were,” he says of the reason for the company to open up a retail store. “We even have been getting involved in some of the local rides and helping out just about every motorcycle club and organization out there.”
The new JC Motors retail outlet, featuring a 15,000-square-feet retail parts showroom, opened May 5 in Irvine, Calif. The store will carry parts for motorcycles and ATVs, same as its online outlet.
Lawrence expects the business to grow substantially now that they have the retail store. But there are no definite plans to open other retail stores as of now.
“I say that with hesitation because it depends on how the industry grows in the future,” he said.
Coming from a longtime motorcycle enthusiast, Lawrence is excited to provide customers with more of a personal experience.
“It’s giving them a place to go when they need one-on-one help,” Lawrence said. “The local clientele was just clamoring for a walk-in facility where they could put their hands on the product and still get the same selection and great prices.”
Although the store is new, the prices, lifetime return policy and damage replacement offer will remain the same as what’s offered online. Lawrence says they are able to provide a lifetime return policy because JC Motors is driven by volume, and the volume allows the company to provide its replacement and return policies. psb