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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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C.L
Posts: 365 - Karma: 37
thats like pretending to give a dog a treat, then swiftly taking away
Jul 24 2011 3:01AM
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cappitano
Posts: 83 - Karma: 25
buy from a site that has good warrantees and has a legit policy on returning stuff even if you hit rails or rocks.
Jul 24 2011 3:04AM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
You Get what you pay for...it's not about charity...
Jul 24 2011 3:13AM
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Static
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 4,089
your points are horrible, the kid said he gets free bindings and deals unmatched by brick and mortar ski shops. Seems like he's getting A LOT more than he would have paid for at a retail location....
Jul 24 2011 4:28AM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
for me it all depends on the gear. Skis- i really dont have a problem buying skis online, especially if you can flex them in a shop and feel them out etc then order them for 200 bucks cheaper. ( now if i had a good small town shop that sold the brands i like and didnt have douchebags working and decent prices id buy there) Boot- this is one thing i will not buy of the internet, i must have a boot fitter and be able to try on and walk around in my boots. Bindings- BUY THEM OFFLINE, almost guaranteed your guna save some cash if ya do that, ihave every year.
Jul 24 2011 9:23AM
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AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
I WOULD RATHER GO TO A SKI SHOP, BUT WE DON'T HAVE AN ACTUALLY SKI SHOP WHERE I LIVE JUST A SPORTS SHOP WITH A FLOOR FOR SKIINGS STUFF.

I LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT IM BUYING/TRY IT ON. THE STORE ONLY CARRIES USED TO ONLY CARRY SALOMON AND K2, BUT LAST YEAR THEY PICKED UP FULL TILT AND LINE.

I ALSO PREFER BUYING FROM SHOPS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD. I HATE GOING "MAAAAAAAAM CAN I BORROW YOUR CREDIT CARD?"
-FOR WHAT DEAR?
-I WANNA BUY A SHIRT
-WHAT KIND OF SHIRT?
-NEWSCHOOLERS
-WHATS THAT? A BAND?

AND IT GOES ON LIKE THAT
Jul 24 2011 10:27AM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
no its not. if theyre lightly used, whats the difference? i beat the shit out of everything i ride so buying used saves me moneys and guilt or wrecking new stuff
Jul 24 2011 7:40PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
if i go into a shop and they don't know what they are talking about, I won't support them.

which is a lot of shops it seems
Jul 24 2011 7:42PM
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Vino
Posts: 2939 - Karma: 1,117
exaaact, I hate to get in shop and then someone comes to you and ask you if you need something, then you find out how you know much more than him, which happens everytime.
Jul 24 2011 9:28PM
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Thug**
Posts: 511 - Karma: 87
online is much cheaper, i dont have to leave my house. but what i like about buying from a store, say skis if anything goes wrong with them you can take them there and they will take care of it, but online it is not as easy.
Jul 24 2011 9:53PM
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
give your shop an online store? but i buy from shops because i know the people and they're usually very honest about the products they sell. If you're a cool dude and not a pain in the ass the more you buy from them they might even throw a small discount your way. I like to support local business
Jul 24 2011 10:01PM
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rach
Posts: 917 - Karma: 507
I think its a matter of selection and being able to hunt for a lower price. Usually websites have more ski & boot sizes available than a given shop would, and may offer online dicounts/shipping deals. The fewer hands touch a product, the cheaper it is. Offer some kind of price match if you want more in-store business, most customers don't take advantage of those type of things so you don't end up losing much profit. I persoanlly like having a good relationship with my local shop, and would much rather make an appearance there than have my stuff shipped from an unidentified warehouse somewhere.
Jul 25 2011 12:25AM
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t-h[uTAH]ff
Posts: 332 - Karma: 48
i hate to say it but a lot of shops don't care for park kids. if you think about it, the majority of park skiers are anywhere from 13-25 we'll say, that is a difficult target because money is more than likely an issue. I have worked at a retail ski shop and can tell you that most people are going to buy on the internet no matter what, (myself and the other employees could talk about the product for a fair amount of time, knowing dimensions, the construction, why it fits your skiing ability, and so on...) so it isn't always fair to say you don't buy because you know more than the person trying to sell to you. park skiers don't think about free tunes or friendly service as an added benefit, instead saving money is the first thing that comes to mind. in the end it saves room in the shop for the gear that you know will sell through.
Jul 25 2011 1:47AM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
Sometimes cheaper and way more selection on the internet
Jul 25 2011 1:52AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,531
I used to be an internet guy, then I stepped up to the plate last season and really helped out my local shop. Bought $1500 of gear locally. I like seeing the shop being involved in my home mountain. They sponsor comps, do a parking lot rail jam every November just before the season starts, and has a pretty nice staff, but they don't have a damn clue when it comes to freestyle, so I do all of my own ski research. Shop involvement is key, as is a friendly, helpful staff.
Jul 25 2011 1:57AM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
Theres not any worthy shops to support in denver when i can get skis from here or somewhere on the internet for $200-$400 cheaper.
Jul 25 2011 3:28PM
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dilla_says_go
Posts: 5333 - Karma: 168
fucking asshole.

you're wasting the time of a shop employee that could be making a sale to a paying customer.


if you give two shits about your local ski community, buying from a local shop is the best thing that you can do. here's why:

+if your local shop is noticing increased sales in twintips, XXL outerwear, tall tees blah blah blah... guess what they're going to invest in when they make their purchase for the next season...
+shops with a core following of newschoolers will often give back by way of rail jams, comps, movie premieres and other events.
+keeps money within your community. supporting your local ski shop is also supporting your favorite local sandwich shop, dive bar, weed dealer, coffee shop, skate shop... not to mention the local tax pool.
Jul 25 2011 7:58PM
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dilla_says_go
Posts: 5333 - Karma: 168
and if your local shop doesn't carry the brands you're looking for, go in there and ask for them. it will help take the guess work out of their buy for the coming season.
Jul 25 2011 8:00PM
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rach
Posts: 917 - Karma: 507
I somewhat agree with this...I don't mind if someone goes elsewhere after I have tried to fit them. Sometimes you don't have the boot for 'em. But if they find the boot they want through you and then just go home and swipe them off the web, it is a waste of time. Unless of course they buy from the shop's website...However I do think that finding the right boot is a learning experience, and different boot fitters will push you in different directions. When put in perspective, most of us aren't loaded. Maybe some of your parents are, but if not I think the obvious choice would be to figure out what you need and get it for cheaper online, whether its morally correct or not. Like I said, PRICE MATCH.
Jul 25 2011 11:01PM
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