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Buying from shops vs. online

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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
So when I was doing a job interview at my local ski shop, we were trying to figure out how to get more park kids to buy stuff from shops.  Why does everyone buy online? Just because prices are cheaper?  What would make you rather buy from a shop then online?
Jul 22 2011 2:40PM
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Myfirstname.
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 312
Cheaper Prices, much more convenient, much better selection/higher chance of teh interwebs having the ski that you want etc. etc.
Jul 22 2011 2:49PM
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array.
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 202
most NS'ers don't have a bunch of $ to throw around, and if buying online means they can get sick gear whenever they want for less, they will get their stuff online.
Jul 22 2011 2:53PM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6102 - Karma: 7,626
Mostly cuz my shop has shitty brands, i wish theyd carry like FT salomon armada ect
Jul 22 2011 2:56PM
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JaayLaay
Posts: 939 - Karma: 89
support your shops haha. Just my opinion.
Jul 22 2011 3:00PM
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D.B.ALL.DAY.
Posts: 365 - Karma: 158
this. all my shop carries is K2 and Rossi
Jul 22 2011 3:00PM
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T.MARTIN
Posts: 1333 - Karma: 62
I buy on d-structure because the prices are so cheap and they usally have deal where you can get free bindings with a pair of skis or 20% off. Ski shop don't ever offer anything like that, so i buy online.
Jul 22 2011 3:01PM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
That's because they can't afford to...
Jul 22 2011 3:11PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
i've never bought online mainly because i don't trust the shipping if my shit gets lost.

and because of the price of shipping too, especially in canada
Jul 22 2011 3:12PM
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T.MARTIN
Posts: 1333 - Karma: 62
Your point is invalid, D-structure has a shop and they can afford to do it still.
Jul 22 2011 3:14PM
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smooter
Posts: 1121 - Karma: 1,365
not true dan.. they have salomon nordica and volkl too
Jul 22 2011 3:32PM
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TheHuggyBear
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 313
Too me most of these fucking skis are just about the same at my level of skiing, so fuck it I support my local shop. The guys know a lot more than the description online and many have ridden the product they are selling me. And the more they see your face the more they like the fact of what you are doing and give you discounts and keep an eye out for you on the slopes. I get killer deals and have not paid retail for anything in the while cuz of the bond with my shop. ooo and you get cred at your local mountain usually.

Sparknotes. buying from shops helps out in the long run
Jul 22 2011 3:47PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
I buy from both usually.
Jul 22 2011 3:52PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,658
To me most of these fucking skis are just about the same at my level of skiing, so I try to find the cheapest ones on NS. Gear talk knows a lot more about the skis than what the description says online and the seller has ridden the product they are selling me. and the more they see your username the more they will like you and hook you up, as well as give you good feedback. i get killer deals on hardly used products and have not paid CLOSE to retail for anything in the while cuz of the bond with all of the NS'ers. ooo and you get cred at your local mountain for the stickers that come on the skis sometimes.

sparknotes: this can work both ways.
Jul 22 2011 3:52PM
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TheHuggyBear
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 313
lol touche
Jul 22 2011 3:56PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,545
Well played, sir.
Jul 22 2011 3:58PM
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snowswinger
Posts: 261 - Karma: 25
craigslist and eBay dont sponsor skiers or support local events, so I try to support local shops or at least ski sites that give back to the community
Jul 22 2011 4:15PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
You are THAT guy.
Jul 22 2011 4:29PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
That's such a dick move.  If you get proper boot fitter he is going to make sure you get a right fit but expects you to buy from the shop.  Kind of a disrespectful thing to do.
Jul 22 2011 4:35PM
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youngdtay
Posts: 3122 - Karma: -112
Yeah but its not like its his obligation to buy their product. Id do the same thing 'cause the only store in my town that sells full tilt is sold out of much of their product that fits me.
Jul 22 2011 4:46PM
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lukewalnuts
Posts: 2730 - Karma: 152
my local shop usually doesn't carry the brands i support but if they have the brand and the product i want i would buy from the shop just to support them
Jul 22 2011 4:56PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,168
That's just stupid, buying used park skis is just plain dumb in my opinion.
Jul 22 2011 5:03PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,168
That is for real true. I worked in a shop this year and none of our "regular" customers pay full retail and they get tunes and all the service shit for free.

Support local ski shops because they really appreciate it.
Jul 22 2011 5:05PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,658
hardly used. basically it's like trading a week of use for 300 dollars off.
Jul 22 2011 5:20PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,861
quite honestly I know more about the skis than the salesman and would rather do it all myself then deal with them. and my local is a huge chain and selling one less pair of skis is not a big deal.
Jul 22 2011 5:28PM
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ironic
Posts: 735 - Karma: 104
I think it's more of selection to be honest. Around here no one carries Armada or Line skis- mostly because there's a tone of older skiers that support brands like K2 and Atomic (no disrespect whatsoever.) And there's also brands that most ski shops don't carry like Fat-ypus and Liberty skis- really good skis that aren't available here.. but truly- if any local place carried those brands I would buy from them. Support local business.
Jul 22 2011 5:39PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
At my local shop we have Line and K2 and that's it.  They're having trouble getting something to attract park riders.  I really want to try and get Liberty's in the shop and maybe Armada's too.  We should have a poll of what company skis people would want in a local shop
Jul 22 2011 5:46PM
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skia4life89
Posts: 2400 - Karma: 172
its hard to support your shops when they have skis listed for $899 and you can get the same ones online for $350.
Jul 22 2011 5:47PM
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Get.Kronk
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 226
If my shop had stuff I liked for prices I liked I would by from them. Simple as that.
Jul 22 2011 5:52PM
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JaayLaay
Posts: 939 - Karma: 89
this is pretty true. I just try to support the shops when i can.
Jul 22 2011 5:54PM
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That_One_Dude
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 760
I've pretty grown up with my shop. My dad has been taking me there and buying things ever since I started skiing. Even before I skied he used to go there. Now that I can go in by myself and buy things I have some cred and know many of the workers very well. They also have a good park section and sponsor all of the local comps. Because of that I feel like shopping there helps to make my own skiing experience better. On top of that it's convenient, you get discounts the more you go in, and the shop is 15 minutes from my house. On top of that, there is a branch shop at my home mountain. I support them and always tell people to go in there.
Sparknotes: Local shops are better in the long run, If they are legit then they'll give a little back for your time and money spent there.
Jul 22 2011 6:12PM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
BE A YOKEL, BUY LOCAL
Jul 22 2011 6:52PM
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SickStickz
Posts: 396 - Karma: 137
The shops that seem to be very successful really try and reach out to their customer base and build a community within/around the shop. Hosting small parties to release new gear and having free beer, drinks etc. is one great way, sponsoring comps, just getting involved in the scene. If people respect you and like what you are doing, then they will want to come in and support your shop.
Jul 22 2011 6:57PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
I don't have a
Jul 22 2011 9:33PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
Legit shop near my house. The only one is at my hone mountain but they sell everything at retail price so like the cheapest skis are $400 and they only have racing boots and no freeski outerwear like orage or oakley. It's all snowboard
Jul 22 2011 9:36PM
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Kratotalaga
Posts: 347 - Karma: 22
Last time I ever went into a shop was 2 years ago..... saw t-hall pro model i forgot what year prly 2-3 years ago... and they were $699 (no bindings) , havent been to a shop since
Jul 22 2011 9:46PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
Always buy from shop:
-boots
-poles

50/50 shop/ online:
-goggles
-helmet
-outerwear

5/95 shop/ online
-skis
-bindings


Shops are ridiculously expensive. And their whole marketing tactic by saying "msrp $500, now $379!" for every product is stupid. I'm not retarded, I know that $379 is msrp for abangs. Plus I often buy leftovers at the end of the season.

I always buy boots from the shop, same with poles. I don't mind paying full price for boots, they are the most important. For goggles helmets and outerwear, I buy what I like where ever I find it for a decent price.

So if you want more park kids to buy at a shop, lower the prices a little bit, and don't use that stupid marketing technique to try and fool us into thinking everything is on sale. Gapers will fall for this, but your average park rat is smarter than that, they are looking at all these products online all the time. That's where people read about gear, and the price is online. Sponsor events, have giveaways (lift tickets, certain % off next purchase, etc), carry good products, have staff that actually know what they are talking about, and don't be biased against brands you don't sell. Saying that Line is shitty quality just because your competitor shop carries Line but you don't isn't cool. Offer a similar product that will be similar to one you don't carry. I was trying on boots at a shop once and I overheard a staff member talking to a customer about how Line's are shitty quality and I left instantly. Don't lie about things.

Jul 22 2011 10:35PM
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tuna.
Posts: 2627 - Karma: 111
ski shops are overpriced. it makes sense, they need to make a profit, but when i can buy the same jacket cheaper either new or used online, there's no reason i would go to the shop unless the difference was so minuscule that it really didnt matter either way.

oh, and you dont have to waste gas driving down to your shop, taking time out of your day, to figure out they do/dont have something you want. look online for 5 minutes, see what you can find, boom.

in theory, i would love to support local business, but as a starving college student, ill save a decent chunk of money any chance i get.
Jul 22 2011 11:07PM
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crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
.prices, and always have what i want somewhere on the web
Jul 23 2011 12:00AM
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JustDidIt
Posts: 2194 - Karma: 160
I have two shops within an hour from me and both only carry Line and K2. Neither has very knowledgeable people. I've had a pair of boots a full size too big pushed on me before. Because of that, I only buy bindings at shops because they get mounted for free, which pretty much balances out any money I'd save online considering it costs $65 to get a pair of bindings mounted
Jul 23 2011 12:25AM
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erica
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 24,068
SHRED GLOBAL SUPPORT LOCAL.

my shop closed this spring, and luckily its reopening with new owners in a couple months. I did buy a pair of skis online because my shop didn't have what I wanted, but I got boots and bindings as well as my snowboard there, I care about the price, but that's not what makes me go to online retailers
Jul 23 2011 12:39AM
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sammy_
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 467
my shops suck from where im from and also its alot cheaper
Jul 23 2011 12:49AM
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Woodenshjips
Posts: 432 - Karma: 83
a lot more variety and a lot cheaper and you can get discounts and at most places barely any discounts or deals going on
Jul 23 2011 12:50AM
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J.Shep
Posts: 79 - Karma: 11
This, there are some things I will always buy from a shop and some I will always buy online. Boots - shop, nothing is more important than fit. Poles - shop/online, really no diff in prices. Just depends on what you want. Gloves - shop, again fit is key. Most shops have a good selection and decent prices. Bindings - shop, free mounting saves $65 and sometimes they throw in a free tune. Skis - online, seeing skis online vs. In store is hardly different. Sure you can flex the skis in store but if you do the research online you'll know more about them than if you went into a shop. Saves you a ton of money. Outerwear - online, much cheaper, more selection and sizing isn't all that difficult. Helmet - shop, helps make sure you get a good fit and you can also test fit with your goggles. Price difference isn't too big. Goggles - online, unless you've got a weird face you can tell which goggles you'll like online. You can also find a wider variety of colors and better prices.
Jul 23 2011 7:33AM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
Yea I have pretty much decided to buy everything online, it's just way cheaper. Even for like boots, sure you may not get a perfect fit, but if you do some research on what boot you want you can get some great deals, like over 50% off.

I would prefer to buy from a shop, but frankly the prices online are just way to good.
Jul 23 2011 9:26AM
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sports*creel
Posts: 400 - Karma: 389
+k, agreed, and thanks.
Jul 23 2011 10:15AM
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colleenator
Posts: 885 - Karma: 60
i look online and find a shop close to buy it. i like seeing stuff in person but sometimes i just order online if its clothes or googles. oh and i live in a shit town so like theres 2 ski shops full of generic brands that suck so i usually purchase in da states
Jul 23 2011 10:25AM
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lukewalnuts
Posts: 2730 - Karma: 152
exactly

armada is a brand i back 100% and last year the shop stop carrying it

i went in and asked why

"well they are to expensive"

i later go over to the ski rack and theres a brand new pair of hellbents i guy is buying
Jul 23 2011 10:27AM
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NEEDMOSNOW
Posts: 344 - Karma: 39
I have a nIce shop e er heard of the house
Jul 23 2011 11:15AM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
D Structure has messed up enough that using them as an example is completely invalid. Not trying to talk shit about d structure but they have had a lot of problems in the past caused by cutting corners to save money.
Jul 23 2011 10:50PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
sorry but i'm a consumer not a charity... just the way it is i'm not gonna buy the same thing for more money
Jul 24 2011 12:48AM
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