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September, 2024

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Need the help of NS with a big decision

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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 429
Alright heres the deal.  I currently work at New Balance in VT.  I make 13.50 an hour plus commission which comes out to being about $1000 every 2 weeks.  I also have 3 weeks vacation because i have been with the company for 5 years.  It is a specialty fit store so i have to sit down and measure peoples feet and convince them that they need to buy $140 sneakers.  Must customers are old and overweight and this is why they are having foot problems.  They usually buy shoes from Wal-mart so the idea of spending over $40 seems rediculous to most.  Its not a bad job but there are days i want to shoot myself in the face.

Now today i walked into a ski shop and ask about employment oppurtunities.  They said they could train me to become a boot fitter because i already have a lot of experince with the biomechanics of the foot.  The only problem is the pay is not nearly the same as i get at NB.  The commute would be much longer too(hour and 15mins extra each way)  but a free season pass comes with the position (i am currently a college grad and can no longer get cheap season passes)  Also i would be working in a ski shop and learning a trade that could be very valuable to me in the future. 

So i come to you NS, what should I do???  If i work part-time at each location i would lose my vacation time and health care(because i would no longer be a full-time employee)  If i leave NB i would take a huge pay cut but possibly have a much cooler job.  Or i thought about trying to work 35 hours in 4 days at NB then working 2 days at the ski shop.  35 is still full time and i could keep my benefits but i assume both places would want me on the weekends.  And finally i thought about working at the ski shop 2 days a week souly to learn how to fit ski boots kind of like an apprenticeship and asked that instead of a paycheck i get a season pass??  I need your help NS my future is in your hands.
Dec 2 2009 2:12PM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
This is a skiing site but to be completely honest there is more in life that skiing. Never know what emergency will come up you may have to pay for so between the extra commute and less pay I would stay where you are.
Dec 2 2009 2:14PM
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vomit
Posts: 227 - Karma: 10
i think that making more money would outweigh a free pass.

Dec 2 2009 2:15PM
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GORlLLA
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 45
Stay, get more moneyz.
Dec 2 2009 2:15PM
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Nicholas.
Posts: 10905 - Karma: 60
you are making good enough money at newbalance to the point where i would just say stay there and buy a pass honestly.
Dec 2 2009 2:16PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 429
yeah i know cash rules everything but i would be hanging out with other skiers shooting the shit while i fit ski boots instead of hanging out with crotchety old hags with smelly feet that dont want to spend the money even though their doctors told them to get proper fitting shoes.
Dec 2 2009 2:18PM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
Dude, I am in my third year of college and for now I live at my parents place during break so I can save for school. Now, I have been looking to get some ON3P Cease and Desist and was asking my dad if I could possibly somehow get a job at the same ski shop he works part time. I was basically told no and am now looking to work at UPS. Sure, it would be fucking awesome but at the same time with the way the economy is I think job security at NB is much better than the ski shop as well.
Dec 2 2009 2:22PM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296

you have to make the decision that is going to best suit your future. are either one of these potential career moves? im sure working in a ski shop would be an awesome job for a skier but are going to do it because its a good job or just to be dealing with skiers all the time?

what did you go to school for?

Dec 2 2009 2:27PM
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,805
I would stay at NB. You have great pay, vacation time and health care. It would be stupid to leave.
Dec 2 2009 2:28PM
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pmills
Posts: 7162 - Karma: 59
to me, a boot fitter is a profession -- something you say you've been doing for 30 years. Is it something you want to make that sort of commitment to? then i say Yes, go for it. Otherwise, stick with NB
Dec 2 2009 2:28PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 429
yeah i know its probably a bad decision but it would be a fun one.  Im gonna keep emailing them even if i can work there 1 or 2 days a week learn the trade.  I am on my way to becoming a certified pedorthist and if i can learn how to fit ski boots that would be a crucial element to my long term goals.
Dec 2 2009 2:34PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 429
Well ive been fiting sneakers for 8 years now and my buddy in Mass runs a ski shop.  If i can make the transition to a boot fitter i would try and make it a career.  The person i would be working under is already a pedorthist and there arnt any schools that teach boot fiting.

To brenone i graduated with a business degree and have always wanted to open my own shop.  whether it be a ski shop or a sneaker shop.
Dec 2 2009 2:38PM
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,805
I retract my statement.
Dec 2 2009 2:42PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
Is the shop open year round? Sounds like you should stay at NB or find a better job. If you have been there for 5 years is there any where to move up. If not why stay there even.
Dec 2 2009 2:46PM
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
You didn't consider the butt load of money you'd save through shop forms.
Dec 2 2009 2:47PM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296

i agree.

you might have to tough it out $$$ wise but if you stick with your goal of opening some sort of shop the move will benefit you in the future.

good luck.

Dec 2 2009 2:53PM
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Nicholas.
Posts: 10905 - Karma: 60
i think your idea of working a day or two a week there would be perfect.
Dec 2 2009 3:01PM
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sTr8_JiBbiN
Posts: 494 - Karma: 43

stick with the $$$$$$$$$

Dec 2 2009 3:04PM
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 429
If i enjoy the work, it isnt really work now is it?
Dec 2 2009 3:31PM
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AntiBang
Posts: 356 - Karma: 31
Stay at NB unless the ski shop holds a future for you, like if u think you could go there and eventually move up in rank and make more cash money
Dec 2 2009 5:24PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
id stay with the first job.
Dec 2 2009 5:28PM
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Motes
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 90

thats the pule side of it

if the pay is that mutch lower that you cant afford what you would at the shoe store than no

Dec 2 2009 5:31PM
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t-roy
Posts: 4041 - Karma: 52
i know some of my friends that have graduated from college and have worse jobs than your NB position.

in the current economy, it would be a good call to stay at NB for the benefits and I like the idea of trying to work at the ski shop 1-2 days a week and see how it goes.
Dec 2 2009 5:33PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
You have to take into consideration that extra distance which will add up in fuel, plus less pay...

I'd stick with NB
Dec 2 2009 5:36PM
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nasSKIIER
Posts: 748 - Karma: 15
stay were the money is
Dec 2 2009 5:46PM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
I'd stick with NB, make some money, and then after you've made a fair amount of money, then maybe switch to another job.
Dec 2 2009 5:59PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
This is the first I've heard about ON3P changing the name of the Great Scott!! And it's brilliant.
Dec 2 2009 6:03PM
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Chris.S
Posts: 881 - Karma: 30
NB sounds like the right place to be for now at least. Working at the shop 1-2 days a week could be fun for you, but it will decrease ski time even more.
Dec 2 2009 6:09PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7812 - Karma: 1,489
Stick with NB. You will get just as many bitchy people as a boot fitter as you do in the shoe store. If you have a dream of opening a shop, the more money you have, the better. You will make much more with NB. Choice seems obvious to me.
Dec 2 2009 6:22PM
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inactive
Posts: 4772 - Karma: 97
NB
Dec 2 2009 6:30PM
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