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October, 2024

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Ski Shop Pros & Cons

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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
Its about 78 degrees and sunny on this beautiful August Sunday. Which means no one will be coming in the store today haha. We're bored, and when we get bored, we start discussing things we can change both in ourselves, attitudes, and the store physically.

So we wanna know... what do you guys love about your local shop/shops you've been to? Anything cool they have/do? What dont you like about those shops?

We love hearing NS's input, and really value your opinions. Keep ya tips up!

- Danny
Aug 4 2013 1:29PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1805 - Karma: 7,642
I like that they're generally locally owned.
and you're an idiot if you just buy your boots online. You gotta go in to a store and try them on.
and being able to try on the clothes.
Skis you could just buy online though. There's enough technical specs out there you have a pretty good idea what you're getting when you order them online

When I worked at a ski shop, I proformed a pair of skis, snowpants, a jacket and boots. The snowpants and skis were great, but the boots and jacket didn't fit perfectly so well so even for the cheap price I paid for them I would have been better off buying something that was in stock in the store that I could try on

Aug 4 2013 1:35PM
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Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 849
I like being able to talk to the staff about skiing in general. Most of my close friends know little to nothing so its always refreshing talking to someone that knows their stuff
Aug 4 2013 1:38PM
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srekem
Posts: 42 - Karma: 1,133
The service, having helpful people who know what they're doing. ESPECIALLY for boots. I went in to my local shop looking for 29.5's, turned out after sizing my feet, helping me try on a few pairs, I was only 27.5. They fitted my boots with in soles (at a discount with the boots), and they even sold me the boots for about 10-20% less than they had them posted for.

It may cost a little bit more than buying stuff online, but you pay for the service and help you receive, both of which are well worth it for me.
Aug 4 2013 1:40PM
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Wolfgang.
Posts: 807 - Karma: 866
This is probably not the case with most ski shops, but my local one is infested with morons, who don't anything about anything. Fortunately there is the occasional guy who knows his stuff. Other than that, I always love the vibe I get whenever I walk into a ski shop, just a nice positive and relatively chill vibe.
Aug 4 2013 1:52PM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
This guy pretty much nailed it. A shop having staff that really know what they are talking about and can have an educated discussion about different skis, boots, ect. I find to be super helpful and appealing
Aug 4 2013 2:26PM
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George.Foreman
Posts: 71 - Karma: 442
I like how my local shop wont sell online. There slogan is no shops no service
Aug 4 2013 2:41PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
Begins and ends with boot fitting. For me, if you don't have great boofitting, the shop as a whole can never be great.
Aug 4 2013 2:42PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
Here's what I value in a shop:

-A friendly atmosphere that is warm and welcoming

-An staff that remembers my name and setup.

-The ability for employees to say "I dont know" rather than trying to blow smoke.

-A recognition that educating customers is just as important as selling them product.
Aug 4 2013 2:54PM
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1kewldewd
Posts: 796 - Karma: 1,147
One cool thing my local shop does is having no good selection and being really overpriced!
Aug 4 2013 3:18PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
this x10. My local shop is super friendly and outgoing. The tech there would bend over backwards for you and givve u the shirt off his back. The bad side of this is that ppl take advantage of people that are naturally outgoing.

On the flipside, the worst thing in my mind, is when you can tell an employee is feeding you a line of bullshit and/or trying to take advantage of you(especially if they fucked up to begin with). At that point, i've lost trust in their ability to give me legit feedback on somehing, and most likely lost interest in pumping any kind of money into the shop. Just tell me you don't know



P.S. Bonus points to a shop that can get you spare FKS/Look brakes right on the spot!!!
Aug 4 2013 3:19PM
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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
This is surprising. we've seen such a huge surge of products coming in from online, to get serviced over the past few years. seems more and more people are demanding some sort of online purchasing ability from retailers. we do not sell online, but have looked into setting it up. we definitely want to stay true to our core, i like that slogan your shop uses. we just printed new shop t's that say "corporate shops suck" on the back haha


Aug 4 2013 3:27PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7143 - Karma: 17,444
Get good at boot fitting and it will drive all other aspects of business. If your the shop for miles around that people come to for boots you will end up making big sale increases in all other areas. Make sure you have at least one fitter with good podiatry knowledge. Good custom footbeds will really set you apart so defiantly make sure you have that side covered. My old shop for example became the shop to buy boots because of the staff we had. We opened in2002 and by 2005 we were doing over 3000 boots a season. Obviously this meant out outerwear, ski and board sales followed along with te growth on boot sales.
Aug 4 2013 3:33PM
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GrahamGould
Posts: 713 - Karma: 2,439
Gravity works in telluride has this sick climbing wall, and its pretty cheap to get on it. I think it would be cool to see more shops do stuff like that (if your ceiling is high enough)
Aug 4 2013 3:42PM
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jordy19
Posts: 2550 - Karma: 427
I like walking into my shop with a 10X tee on and them directing me to the freeski department!

Aug 4 2013 4:10PM
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tcurle
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 5,269
I hate a lot of shops because they have no idea what they are talking about. I've been to slopestyle in breck snd that place was tits, everybody there is awesome.
Aug 4 2013 4:10PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
I like being able to talk to people about skiing. One of my local stores in owned by this dude who is probably in his fifties. It is cool because it is a small store and he knows me by name. We see him skiing at the mountain a whole bunch and are able to say hi. This store is in a small town, and it is a small store, so obviosly it is easier to know peoples names, but that really makes it seem like a cool place.
Aug 4 2013 4:39PM
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ElMexicano
Posts: 639 - Karma: 400
my local shops return policy is something I hate, it's hard to beat online places like backcountry's etc.
Aug 4 2013 4:42PM
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BigDog
Posts: 711 - Karma: 814
I have yet to find a shop near me or where I ski that the staff know about park skiing. I usually end up doing lots of online research myself and then buying in locally owned stores.
Aug 4 2013 4:48PM
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JBlend
Posts: 299 - Karma: 499
Some shops have an aura to them when you walk in and it's like "wow I'm definitely not cool enough to be in here" so I leave and buy my shit at Walmart. So either teach me how to be cool or be more inviting would be my advise, I guess.
Aug 4 2013 5:23PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
I wish there was a ski shop near me like the ones some of you guys have. The "freestyle shops" tend to have guys/girls who don't really know what they're talking about. There's a couple cool people, seems to mainly be the bootfitters who know their stuff about ski gear for some reason, I guess the other people just want to try and sell you whatever, which usually results in me deliberately not buying from them, and just going online.

A lot of cool people at the "touring shops", don't go in often unless I'm after tuning gear, but they're always incredibly helpful, friendly, and they don't try to push a sale, which results in me buying from them haha.
Aug 4 2013 6:23PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5234 - Karma: 20,701
Pros:
-My dad used to run a XC shop in town so he knows everybody
-Cheap as hell
-Never crowded

Cons:
-Most of their stock is Race skis

Still a nice place for outerwear and stuff though



Aug 4 2013 6:34PM
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Brule.
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 6,206
The local shop that I go to provides a lot of options on what you are specifically looking for in a ski along with corresponding one's height and weight because hey, you don't want skis to break on you easily. Also with boots, they give you lots of options on what your skiing ability is, then they measure the length and width of your feet, along with determining the flex you need. Also they appreciate feedback on the boots you're trying on and the skis you're specifically looking at. Also, they have lots of employees that specify at your type of sport, whether it be backcountry, park, racing, recreational, nordic, and snowboarding, too.
Aug 4 2013 6:54PM
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CheifQueef
Posts: 110 - Karma: 170
My shop has couches and shit and they play ski/ skate movies and people can chill. It's neat, and the people are cool.
Aug 4 2013 8:39PM
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
They always rip you off for tunes and binding remounts
Aug 4 2013 8:46PM
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JustForYou
Posts: 275 - Karma: 2,143
The single best thing you can do to compete with larger ski companies is to keep constantly improving customer service.
Aug 4 2013 9:04PM
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jnols
Posts: 440 - Karma: 612
my local ski shop sucks hahaha they have no idea what there doing for freeskiing that is, and they dont support local skiers which is kinda annoying. its in Long island NY btw
Aug 5 2013 1:56AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
haha do they carry Armada skis at Walmart?

I have worked at my local shop for the last 4 years, and it has been great. My favorite part is selling new powder skis to old people who only know about straight skinny skis. they always come back and say "These are AMAZING!" There's a 55 year old guy I know who now swears by the Line Opuses I put him on. He even started to ride switch!

The one gripe customers have with our shop is the lack of professional bootfitting experience I and my co-workers have. there is another ski shop (a racing pro shop) near the mountain that does legit bootfitting, so all we really do is sell full tilts and Atomics, heat mold them, and sell people insoles if they want. Id really like to learn proper bootfitting, because its such a critical piece of gear for this sport.

if you ever visit Hood River, OR, come by Second Wind Sports in downtown. I'll hook it up with some stickers, and possibly a deal on some gear if you seem legit.




Aug 5 2013 3:30AM
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TheBredward
Posts: 186 - Karma: 36
It's the best when you can tell that the guys who work there just genuinely love skiing. You can have a chill conversation with them, maybe learn something, and even if you're not planning on buying anything they'll get your business sometime later
Aug 5 2013 4:41AM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
All the shops around me in Central NH seem to be pretty much geared to either the family experience or racing. Luckily my mountain tuning shop has one guy who is a park rat and gets freeskiing but all of the shops around do not seem to understand what a center mount is, and why in the world I would possibly want one. On top of that I get the weirdest fucking looks when I come in mid-July asking for something ski related (They are also a bike shop). They make me feel like a god damn wierdo and I am simply trying to get something for my summer jib. Pretty much around me the only time I support my local shops is when either there is a huge sale (pre or post season), or when I am getting a pro-discount for being a ski-instructor. Everything else I buy is online pretty much.
Aug 5 2013 4:43AM
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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
a lot of good feedback, thanks guys!
Aug 6 2013 11:55AM
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snocompton
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 268
Infrared waxers are truly the most amazing things on the planet
Aug 6 2013 12:01PM
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werd.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 4,330
One of the things I like about my local ski shop is the photo board. Customers can send in their photots and some of the sick ones get put up on a wall
Aug 6 2013 12:09PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13082 - Karma: 18,718
Shops have the stuff I need when it can't wait. Sometimes you can meet a rep that will be willing to supply you.
But everything costs so god damn much. If I can wait, I order online.
Aug 6 2013 12:40PM
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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
we like this idea. we've been talkin about doing a community board and posting stuff like this!
Aug 6 2013 12:43PM
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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
THIS! we get the same response from some of our long time customers haha... hilarious to see their reaction.
Aug 6 2013 12:45PM
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Noddard
Posts: 2652 - Karma: 3,831
Service Service Service.  I'd rather spend the extra 10 bucks or whatever it is then go to a shop with bad service.  I don't like shopping online because the service is usually terrible.  I think that you'll find loyalty in customers if you build relationships and place value within that customer.  Other than that try and reward returning customers with appreciation, such as a free wax or something.  If you want more input let me know thanks.
Aug 6 2013 1:56PM
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Nate.Dog
Posts: 1672 - Karma: 2,098
2nd wind is the shit, I get basically all my gear there. Except those really tasty online deals you just cant pass up.
Aug 6 2013 11:31PM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
Love it when local shops carry small brands. Makes everything have a better atmosphere that might just be me but local+local/small= sweet
Aug 7 2013 12:51AM
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ThundaKilla
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 3,781
My shop sucks. Absolutely no clue about fitting boots. It's a really small shop but they feel the need to pack all the stock they can on the floor. Overpriced and their end of the season sales finally bring the prices down so they're actually competitive. Only outerwear they have is Burton and Armada. They really try and cater to the serious racer, but come on we are a suburb of NYC biggest hill near us is like 500 feet absolute max. Only freestyle skis they sold out of last year were JJs...
Aug 7 2013 1:22AM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
Which shop is it that is known for boot fitting of you don't mind me asking? And I'll stop by next time I'm over at post canyon
Aug 7 2013 1:26AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
It's called Alpine Racing Center, and it's right by the mount hood country store on highway 35. It's owned by Bob Olsen.

I had him mold my intuition liners, and he does custom boot grinding for racers all the time. its a true racer shop. He's the Volkl and HEAD skis dealer too.

Here is the webpage:

Aug 8 2013 6:57PM
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MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298
Guys who know what the fuck they are talking about. I hate walking into a store, ask someone who is working there for a very specific ski set up.....and they have no idea what I'm talking about. I don't want to be shown a carving ski, I don't want those old scratches you have too much stock of, and the Salomon Z series binding is one of the worst designs ever made so don't pull it out.

I want you to know about ski flex, side cut, camber, rocker, and demensions. How you fit a ski properly by my height, weight, and ability. How skis are made, and where. What DIN means, and to read it. Not only that I want you to love it. Make it seem like you could talk about bamboo cores and a new epoxy makes the core stiffer all day. Let me know you love gear, and skiing.

Also carry ski companies that give a fuck about the sport.....when I walk into a shop and I see moment, surface, armada, 4frnt.... then I know I found the spot. I can get Rossi, Salomon, and K2 ANYWARE, but I will keep coming back to your shop if you have those brands.

Also if I work in the industry, and I can prove it.....make me a deal or get me a pro deal. Because I work with lots of people who wear out lots of skis quick, and if u have a buddy who can get them a sick price on some boards...well that means your gonna have a lot of business.
Aug 8 2013 7:45PM
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SterlingArcher
Posts: 2200 - Karma: 2,456
The free stickers. lawl
Aug 8 2013 7:46PM
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SteezyMagee
Posts: 382 - Karma: 828
Piche's?
Aug 9 2013 11:13AM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
That obvious huh?
Aug 9 2013 1:05PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,085
It's more likely their contracts prohibit them from online sales.
Aug 9 2013 1:09PM
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sports*creel
Posts: 400 - Karma: 389
No online sales for us either, we don't even have a website. Not for any contractual reason, but why jump into a world full of places selling gear left from last season online when, as a small, family owned ski shop, we can operate the way we have offline and still stay competitive.

I completely understand the convenience of online shopping, but I guess our hope is that by providing access to quality brands, top notch shop service, boot-fitting expertise, and a pleasant enjoyable vibe to any who come in to browse OR buy, we can remain more of a destination to visit in person, rather than by clicking through images on a website.

Want local support? Support local.
Aug 9 2013 2:02PM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
Not having any kind of website at all is a huge loss in advertising and branding for your company. Even if you dont sell anything every business needs a website that shows what you have (brands, types of equipment ect...), what services you offer, prices for those services, some nice pics of your shop and your hours of operation and contact info. Personally if I google say, ski shops in (location) and I get a hit of a shop in town, but cant find any info other than the google maps listing, I will never go there. I want to know what kind of shop you are, and I am not going to drive out of my way to find out. This seems especially important for a ski shop because most people do not live close to one, its a pretty big time investment to drive a ways to get to one, and thats not something I am willing to bet a few hours drive time that your a decent shop. I would bet most people feel this way as well. You should do yourself a favor and set yourselves up a good, non sales website. A small website like that is extremely cheap and will definitely drive more people through your doors.
Aug 9 2013 2:38PM
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RJ_Res
Posts: 628 - Karma: 292
I read this and I was like "Holy shit, I had the exact same experience when I got my new boots!" Then I clicked on your profile and was pretty shocked that you're from Nova Scotia too. You get them at Aerobics First?
Aug 9 2013 4:02PM
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Kretzschmar
Posts: 6706 - Karma: 98,266
i work at the local shop so I might be a little biased but nonetheless

Pros:

I like that we have people who specialize in at least aspect of the store, whether that is bootfitting, skis (especially race skis), snowboards, clothing (tech specs for them) but nearly everyone can do a good job no matter what.

Our tech is amazing, pretty much the heart of the shop, he handles all tunes, mounts, repairs of the skis. He really knows his shit. That is one thing that is great because customers know he can get the job done right the first time.

Compliments on friendliness and good service happen a lot which is key because they will continue to comeback because of it so that makes me proud.

Cons

We need a wider selection of park skis. Our all-mountain selection is really good. Park is only Line, K2, Volkl.

We only carry Full tilts for park boots, as people know, those don't fit everyones foot, I wish we would bring in Nordica or Dalbello.

I know I'm bitching about the park/freestyle side of things but more freestyle oriented outerwear would be awesome for business and more importantly the customers. Park skiing in WI is really taking off at my mountain, especially with all the little kids. I swear every kid had a saga hoodie or coat last year. We really cater to the older crowd with Volkl, Spyder, and TNF which isnt bad since they are the majority of sales. The only other options are O'Neill, Burton, or Nomis for the most part.

Aug 9 2013 4:31PM
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