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Ski Tech RANT!

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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
I have to just vent, I've been a tech for 7+ years now, I ski park, big mountain and even snowboard. Why are some customers and/or skiers so retarded?

Example 1. Im adjusting boots for a kid. He hands me a size 11.5 ski boot. I ask him what his shoe size is and he says 9. His mother says "he'll grow into it". WTF really? 2.5 sizes in 1 season? not to mention his actual boot size is probably a 8 because his sneakers are already big for him. RETARD

example 2. I just had to adjust a 151 salomon threat for a 13 year old. He weighs 130lbs and has a soul of 307mm. He should be roughly a 4.5 at intermediate. He is marked as an intermediate skier on the paperwork too. What is his old Din setting? 10! he set his own din to 10.

Then these people try to argue with me that they know better and they need high dins. guess what lady your kid can get hit by a mac ~truck at 80mph and his ski isnt coming off. Is that how safe you want it?

This happens all the time, boots 3 sizes too big for kids, and park skiers that think they need an 12-16din binding when their markings as an expert are a 7.

GRAR! anger, hostility towards the opposition... AKA Stupid Skiers

Oct 27 2011 12:28PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
time for a new career?
Oct 27 2011 12:30PM
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j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
Every single time I get a recommended DIN rating my skis release too early on stupid shit.

I ALWAYS crank mine up after the shitty tech tells me I need to ski a 10.

Cry some more? Retail is stupid in every industry, people are stupid.
Oct 27 2011 12:33PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
i talk to people on the phone all day about their ski stuff. people that know what theyre talking about arent going to call in or go to a shop and ask questions. thats why it seems like everyone is a moron.
Oct 27 2011 12:35PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
yeah, well its different when a 130lb intermediate skier who THINKS he needs 5 din difference does that. I ride a higher din too but some people are just plain ignorant. Dont even get me started on the proper sock argument, "oh his boot is 2 sizes too big? i'll just have him wear 3 pairs of cotton sox".

I love the industry and I love what I do. but some people are just morons

Oct 27 2011 12:36PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
yeah, well its different when a 130lb intermediate skier who THINKS he needs 5 din difference does that. I ride a higher din too but some people are just plain ignorant. Dont even get me started on the proper sock argument, "oh his boot is 2 sizes too big? i'll just have him wear 3 pairs of cotton sox".

I love the industry and I love what I do. but some people are just morons

Oct 27 2011 12:36PM
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mehregan15
Posts: 780 - Karma: 753
this, it's not just the ski industry. There will always be a disconnect between an "expect" and the consumer, which i think has a lot to do with different personalities and goals for a seller vs buyer.
Oct 27 2011 12:38PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
Just to add. Im not a seller. I'm just a tech. I quit sales 7 years ago in a ski shop. I love working with skis, not people. They are much easier to control mwauhauha

Oct 27 2011 12:41PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
i can see this thread going places.
Oct 27 2011 12:51PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145
The correct answer in scenario 1 is "I will not sell you that boot. Go find another retailer if you want to injure your kid." DIN is a little tougher. While your situation is extreme, a lot of people want their DINs 1-2 above where it technically should be set. Realistically, basically no one needs FKS 185s or even 155s for that matter. For that stuff, imo, if someone wants a certain setting just make them sign off on it.
Oct 27 2011 12:57PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
that is what i do. I guess it just bothers me knowing people live like this. You want a 16 din? go for it. your ACL.

Its just bothers me. but hey thats just me. I just needed to vent and show other people what idiots are out there with this stuff haha
Oct 27 2011 1:01PM
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doGelyst
Posts: 2492 - Karma: 509
Idiots are often arrogant too.

Just made sure your are covered liability wise, and let the idiots injure themselves. They gotta learn somehow :P
Oct 27 2011 1:02PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
Yaaaa buddy!. I retake certifications every year even though they last 2.

Oct 27 2011 1:06PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
haha sooo true, threads for my storys
Oct 27 2011 1:27PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
Never asked a shop to go above the recommended DIN setting as I know I didn't need it, but if I wanted to can you tell them to set it somewhere and sign off on it? Not about to fuck up my DINs by on my own. Sorry if its a dumb question but I've been confused on this matter.
Oct 27 2011 1:51PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
Yes, you can ask them for specific settings, and sign off on it. If you PM me your information I can send you what you should be and what you could be, but I would not be liable in anyway

Oct 27 2011 1:52PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
jut google for a din chart.

that is what most shops go by.
Oct 27 2011 2:11PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
there are slightly different charts for tyrolla salomon and marker. but I'm helping him now


Oct 27 2011 2:12PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
BINGO. Fuck techs who think they know everything! if i say my din should be at 14 i want my fucking din at 14. ive popped out before so i fucking know what i want.
Oct 27 2011 2:14PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
all most all techs.
Oct 27 2011 2:17PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
ive got one old dude whos been doing it for years that i always go to, he knows his shit and doesn't fuck me around at all.
Oct 27 2011 2:18PM
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174
im not saying this is the case here, but i find techs and sales men think they know fuckkkking everythinggggg there is to know.

i also find that alot of people with newschoolers accounts think they know fuckkkking everythinggggg.

so when the two come together, boom. you get a big ego gangbang.

if i dont know fuck all about something, i listen. if i do know fuck all about something, i ignore. makes sense doughnut?
Oct 27 2011 2:35PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51954 - Karma: 166,131
Click for larger image


Fight the power!
Oct 27 2011 2:39PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51954 - Karma: 166,131
lol wut i need to go to bed
Oct 27 2011 2:39PM
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Peppy
Posts: 346 - Karma: 341
ive been a tech since last season and i just find it funny sometimes.. you just have to let them go and say hey if you want to break your leg with such a high din setting then go for it. you are doing this to yourself man. haha i rarely see anyone smart or experienced enough to have a high din setting.
Oct 27 2011 3:22PM
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miketheskier88
Posts: 749 - Karma: 66
Fuck bro! Chill out... it's only bindings...
Oct 27 2011 3:27PM
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xoxxooxo
Posts: 462 - Karma: 31
Oct 27 2011 3:30PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
i have had sales people that no absolutely nothing about freestyle skis try to sell me them...

-this one kid who is about 2 yrs older then me tried to sell me afterbangs, and claimed they were stiff and that you need a really stiff ski for park.

-and 2 years ago, after going to another shop then the one mentioned above, i picked out some fischer addicts, i told the tech i wanted it dead center, he then went on a rant about how its impossible to mount a non-semitrical ski ski at center and it would be almost impossible to ski on, and since my dad was paying for my shit back then, he listened to that crap.

-and while getting fitted for boots at the shop mentioned in my first story, the kid who was fitting me, was a year older and sucked. he was a racer and was biased as fuck. i told him i prefered a softer boot for park, then he told me tahts a terrible idea and that i need a high preformance (stiff) boot, then he brought out some and didnt even try fitting my foot in the shell alone! he had me just throw my foot in there and walk around, which does nothing for seeing if it fits right!

my theory is that the shops around my are (western NY) expect most of their customers to ski about twice a year down groomers and dont think it will matter if they have shit skis and boots...

fuck ski company and SNOW
Oct 27 2011 3:34PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
first rule of economics people are stupid
Oct 27 2011 3:36PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
going off that im a 9.5, if i skied a 9.5 id pop out snowplowing down the bunny hill.
Oct 27 2011 3:37PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7225 - Karma: 18,139
^ if you would pop out at 9 on a bunny hill you need your bindings setting up correctly. I say this all the time forward presure is so much more inportant then Din.

Other things in this thread, you just have to sit down with the customers and explain fully why what they are doing is a bad idea. If you know what your doing its easy to get customers in the right equipment, you just have to show them the benifits and also teh dangers of what there doing. Its easy if you know your stuff. I have people all the time come in and ask for a huge boot. I just sit them down and mearsure there feet and show them there size. Its easy to get people in teh correct products if you know what your doing, just dont get stressed by it.
Oct 27 2011 4:12PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
do you weigh a thousand pounds?
Oct 27 2011 4:21PM
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
This
Oct 27 2011 4:27PM
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The_Big_LePowSki
Posts: 214 - Karma: 10
I am very impressed that you were able to measure his soul. You must be really good at what you do.
Oct 27 2011 4:32PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
he wasnt ginger its possible
Oct 27 2011 4:50PM
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closeyetfar11
Posts: 387 - Karma: 1,079
So much derp in here.


Forward. Pressure.      don't know what it means? don't adjust your own goddamned skis.

5 bucks to your friendly shop guy is a helluva lot cheaper than your knee/leg turned to spaghetti, and an ambulance ride to the hospital of your choice.  
Oct 27 2011 7:57PM
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ORDEAL
Posts: 6386 - Karma: 75
Im an advanced skier and ski park so it pisses me off when a tech sets my din at like 4 or basically as low as it can go
Oct 27 2011 8:02PM
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stickerman
Posts: 2043 - Karma: 147
I went with my friend when he got fitted for boots. Me and my buddy walked out after the fitter couldn't figure out how to do up top buckle on the full tilt, THAN she suggested to move up a size in the boot because he is an advanced skier wtf?

Also overheard a tech comparing afterbangs to suspects.
Oct 27 2011 8:05PM
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Dr.Newschoolers
Posts: 1357 - Karma: 508
Nah just a jimmy dean breakfast
Oct 27 2011 8:17PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
very good point.
Oct 27 2011 8:33PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
REVERSE RANT...

I just got my skis mounted at a local credible shop. Brand new obsethed and wanted them mounted +3... I personally drew the line so any idiot could figure it out. I would mount my own skis but unfortunately don't have the correct jig. Get a call 4 days later and they tell me they mismounted them and are buying me new skis. GREAT good customer service, but if you mount skis for a living take your time and do it right. Unfortunately he wouldn't tell me what happened. But I feel like a lot of shop guys are idiots too.


Oct 27 2011 9:29PM
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-PowAir-
Posts: 646 - Karma: 30
I feel like bindings are something everyone should learn, i've been mounting and adjusting my own since i was 15.  Spend some time with some homies in a shop and educate yourselves. They're pretty simple little devices... Good boots + Correct Forward Pressure + Correct Din = Release!
Oct 27 2011 11:05PM
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LAME.
Posts: 5795 - Karma: 2,446
I'm 130lbs and mine are set at 10, and they still eject me on some landings.
Oct 27 2011 11:13PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
i got my skis mounted +5 from true center once.
I was like what the fuck!

but then they gave me 4 free mounts and some other free shit and they dont make lizzys anymore and i got them for 100 bucks so i was down
Oct 27 2011 11:37PM
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B.Lyfe
Posts: 624 - Karma: 116
If you guys PM me and are from CT I'll personally mount your skis any way you want. 100% of the time i make it 100% perfect
Oct 27 2011 11:44PM
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015

same....some ski techs are dum though lol...this one guy fitted my friend who doesnt know to mcuh about ski boots or skis(even though hes a pretty good park skier) in to some race style technica boots....and he bought them lol....i was like u are a retard!! my friend also was fitted a pare of booters and then dropkicks for him (hes 5'11 160 lbs) and he skis 0% park and is a realy aggresive big mounten skier.....(same tech/bootfitter)

i loled

Oct 27 2011 11:47PM
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FM3
Posts: 207 - Karma: 19
One word: forwardpressure
Oct 27 2011 11:49PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
i'm loling at you

"if the boot fits wear it"
Oct 27 2011 11:51PM
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015

um yes this applies if they actauly meet to what type of skiing u do.( some might disagree with this)

i know i can fit in to a dynafit touring boot, but i realy would not want to take them into the park at all...

Oct 28 2011 12:04AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
i doubt he tried to put you in a touring boot.

there is no such thing as a "park boot" a full tilt is really just a soft boot, which can suit someone who cant get into a regular boot, and/or doesnt need a super stiff boot since they can not move the boot.

im pretty sure jossi rocks one of atomics high end boots. something you would call a "race boot"
Oct 28 2011 12:12AM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
jossi rides the volt. basically a race boot with some freeski bits thrown in (shock absorbtion dadada) It looks pretty awesome.
Oct 28 2011 12:19AM
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