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March, 2024

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Why do ski shops want to hold my boots hostage for a week?

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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
I just need shifts mounted on some skis and they've all been kinda rude when I ask if they can mount to the BSL or use the same boot as mine off the shelf and I'll take responsibility for adjusting the bindings myself and sign whatever they want. one shop told me they do it for ski patrol and instructors but they wont do it for me unless I can prove I'm on patrol or an instructor
Jan 17 2023 12:56PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6796 - Karma: 23,547
There are plenty of places that will mount skis and mail them to you based just on the BSL and trust you to do the rest. I have a shop that will let me leave my skis with the BSL and then come back. It takes almost no time for them to set the forward pressure etc. so someone can easily do that if you bring your boot when you pick up your skis. OP your experience is pretty typical though. I have had shops give me all sorts of run around wanting to keep my skis and boots forever or trying to add on rush charges etc. when I didn't want an indefinite wait time. Talk to more ski shops and when you find someone good learn what kind of beer is their favorite
Jan 17 2023 1:20PM
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Film.
Posts: 2631 - Karma: 2,462
driftsI just need shifts mounted on some skis and they've all been kinda rude when I ask if they can mount to the BSL or use the same boot as mine off the shelf and I'll take responsibility for adjusting the bindings myself and sign whatever they want. one shop told me they do it for ski patrol and instructors but they wont do it for me unless I can prove I'm on patrol or an instructor

I won’t go to a shop that doesn’t do same day mounts. I’d recommend you do the same so this never happens again.
Jan 17 2023 1:21PM
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FaunaSkis
Posts: 592 - Karma: 6,490
Maybe ask the shop whether they would mount the bindings off of your BSL and then when you collect, at a time of their choosing (so they can pick a quieter time, if you can be flexible), bring in the boot for a quick check with your boot and they can make any fine adjustment needed?
Its not an unreasonable request from people with multiple pairs of skis to want to keep their boots to go ski on while they're mounting them.
Or that fails, give a sixer to an instructor/patroller friend to do it for you.
Jan 17 2023 1:32PM
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SurfaceIsdurable
Posts: 190 - Karma: 1,589
Film.I won’t go to a shop that doesn’t do same day mounts. I’d recommend you do the same so this never happens again.

Exactly, my shop only takes a good 10 min it’s great I’m in and out
Jan 17 2023 1:42PM
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Film.
Posts: 2631 - Karma: 2,462
SurfaceIsdurableExactly, my shop only takes a good 10 min it’s great I’m in and out

If a shop gives you more than a days wait for a mount it’s not a shop you want your skis at to begin with. Probably 2 techs back there trying to tune 100+ skis, they aren’t gonna take time to do your mount right. Slopestyle in Breck is the GOAT for this reason. Only place I’ll take my skis.
Jan 17 2023 2:33PM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
FaunaSkisMaybe ask the shop whether they would mount the bindings off of your BSL and then when you collect, at a time of their choosing (so they can pick a quieter time, if you can be flexible), bring in the boot for a quick check with your boot and they can make any fine adjustment needed?
Its not an unreasonable request from people with multiple pairs of skis to want to keep their boots to go ski on while they're mounting them.
Or that fails, give a sixer to an instructor/patroller friend to do it for you.


this is what I asked about and they told me "we only do that for ski patrol and instructors" which feels like the most bullshit thing ever, no patrol or instructor friends locally so no chance of having a friend drop them off. I'm very flexible on the time they take to do it and when I can pick them up but leaving my boots with them for a week isn't something I want to do
Jan 17 2023 3:14PM
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maaattt
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 25,735
In the past I've experienced dumb fucks giving me the wrong bsl number and then getting mad their boots don't fit. Granted not super common, but common enough that if someone looks like Jerry they are leaving me there boot or going somewhere else.

Can't trust Jerry
Jan 17 2023 3:33PM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
maaatttIn the past I've experienced dumb fucks giving me the wrong bsl number and then getting mad their boots don't fit. Granted not super common, but common enough that if someone looks like Jerry they are leaving me there boot or going somewhere else.

Can't trust Jerry


thats understandable, I'd bring my boots and show them plus they are a current model so they can just pull one off the shelf if they need it. idk maybe I look like a jerry bringing in 9 year old armadas
Jan 17 2023 3:39PM
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FaunaSkis
Posts: 592 - Karma: 6,490
driftsthis is what I asked about and they told me "we only do that for ski patrol and instructors" which feels like the most bullshit thing ever, no patrol or instructor friends locally so no chance of having a friend drop them off. I'm very flexible on the time they take to do it and when I can pick them up but leaving my boots with them for a week isn't something I want to do


Completely arbitrary policy, can't understand it. Normally I'd say support your local store and don't mess them about like this, but these ones seem belligerent.
Buy a new boot with the same BSL/the same as your boot off the shelf on a credit card (if you have one), making up an excuse as to why you want to delay getting them fitted if you need to (or say you're just replacing the shell), get your skis mounted by leaving one of them in the shop for the week, and return the boots for a refund after the bindings are mounted. Extra points if you do it in person at the rudest shop and explain the reason behind it after all is said and done.
Or get into paper mounting your own gear.
Jan 17 2023 3:40PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9210 - Karma: 5,357
driftsI'll take responsibility for adjusting the bindings myself and sign whatever they want.

This is exactly what they're afraid of, trusting you with something. There's no way for them to 100% absolve themselves of responsibility from this so they won't do it. Not sure why they trust ski patrol more than you, other than that they assume those guys need their boots to work whereas you can wait.
Jan 17 2023 6:57PM
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nilserb
Posts: 239 - Karma: 609
You gotta walk in with some crafty's or a 12pack of PBR or medium grade bottle of whiskey to establish dominance.
Jan 17 2023 8:23PM
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tomatonater
Posts: 852 - Karma: 2,770
I keep them in the pack to huff them and get high off he stench
Jan 17 2023 10:28PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 5,683
I think where you went wrong is with the shit ... I mean shift binding.
Jan 17 2023 11:09PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4607 - Karma: 15,939
Just DIY the mount if you have the space and some basic tools.
Jan 17 2023 11:51PM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
snomasterI think where you went wrong is with the shit ... I mean shift binding.


so far its held up fine, no afd walk or shit breaking at least until they ripped out of my last ski because the shop fucked the mount.
Jan 18 2023 10:21AM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
tomatonaterI keep them in the pack to huff them and get high off he stench


this is why I only give the shop my shells, dont want the ski tech huffin the fumes and fuckin up my mount
Jan 18 2023 11:04AM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
mystery3Just DIY the mount if you have the space and some basic tools.


I have everything I'd need to DIY the mount I'm just kinda nervous about my first attempt being a 3rd mount and if I fuck it up losing another pair of 2012-2015 pre 2.0 JJs. going to print the templates and think about it maybe try on some scrap wood, I found a place thats saying 48hr turn around but they are over an hour away
Jan 18 2023 11:44AM
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bigcandybar
Posts: 40 - Karma: 591
nilserbYou gotta walk in with some crafty's or a 12pack of PBR or medium grade bottle of whiskey to establish dominance.


See, usually shops ive worked at have enough beer for a small army, if you wanna truly stand out bring in a pound of thinly sliced pastrami and a loaf of bread. Thats a sure fire way to get me to drop everything im doing and get your skis mounted within the hour.
Jan 18 2023 11:51AM
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nilserb
Posts: 239 - Karma: 609
bigcandybarSee, usually shops ive worked at have enough beer for a small army, if you wanna truly stand out bring in a pound of thinly sliced pastrami and a loaf of bread. Thats a sure fire way to get me to drop everything im doing and get your skis mounted within the hour.

Damn^ now that is next level. Great intel.
Jan 18 2023 2:04PM
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JAlps
Posts: 555 - Karma: 1,934
nilserbYou gotta walk in with some crafty's or a 12pack of PBR or medium grade bottle of whiskey to establish dominance.


This right here. You don't ask about it being an option, or what the shop guys like, just bring it along for the ride and it works every time. Homie even knows the whiskey moves, just make sure to reserve that one for special cases.
Jan 18 2023 3:36PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4607 - Karma: 15,939
bigcandybarSee, usually shops ive worked at have enough beer for a small army, if you wanna truly stand out bring in a pound of thinly sliced pastrami and a loaf of bread. Thats a sure fire way to get me to drop everything im doing and get your skis mounted within the hour.

Donuts are a nice move too.
Jan 18 2023 4:20PM
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tomatonater
Posts: 852 - Karma: 2,770
driftsthis is why I only give the shop my shells, dont want the ski tech huffin the fumes and fuckin up my mount


There’s always base cleaner if ya get desperate
Jan 25 2023 10:08PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 57,207
It’s because of liability and Americans love to sue. There’s potential you have wear on your toes/heels, etc. Shops around me will write down my boot model and bsl and double check it (takes around 10 minutes) when I pick the skis up with my boot. I have point blank said “I want to ski so I need my boots” and they were like “no problem”. Granted, I had the boot in person when I dropped the skis off and picked them up. At worst, have a photo of the bsl and model.

But shops will not let you leave without teching them to your exact boot for fear of being sued. So your best bet is to find a homie to drill with no paperwork or find a jig or learn to use a paper jig. Paper jig isn’t that hard once you get the hang of it but measuring is a pain. Get a digital caliper
Jan 26 2023 1:45AM
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piss.boy
Posts: 1491 - Karma: 10,615
buy some cheap used boots with same bsl and take those to the shop
Jan 26 2023 12:14PM
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animator
Posts: 4547 - Karma: 26,205
a_pla5tic_bagThis is exactly what they're afraid of, trusting you with something. There's no way for them to 100% absolve themselves of responsibility from this so they won't do it. Not sure why they trust ski patrol more than you, other than that they assume those guys need their boots to work whereas you can wait.


BradFiAusNzCoCaIt’s because of liability and Americans love to sue. There’s potential you have wear on your toes/heels, etc. Shops around me will write down my boot model and bsl and double check it (takes around 10 minutes) when I pick the skis up with my boot. I have point blank said “I want to ski so I need my boots” and they were like “no problem”. Granted, I had the boot in person when I dropped the skis off and picked them up. At worst, have a photo of the bsl and model.

But shops will not let you leave without teching them to your exact boot for fear of being sued. So your best bet is to find a homie to drill with no paperwork or find a jig or learn to use a paper jig. Paper jig isn’t that hard once you get the hang of it but measuring is a pain. Get a digital caliper


This is precisely it. In Europe they don’t give two flying fucks because A. Everyone who skis knows that they’re assuming liability B. Everyone knows that skiing is an inherently dangerous activity and C. No one wants to sue anyone. Everything in the US ski industry is based off of liability, which is why binding adjustment forms are legal documents, any binding work has to be done with the specific boot that’s going in the binding, you have to sign liability release forms at the mountain, some places not even allowing inverts, it’s all liability. If this country wasn’t so trigger happy to take people to court the industry would be a lot more lenient.
Jan 26 2023 12:26PM
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