What Online Shop Do You Guys Go To?

whatsamonad

whatsamonad

Member
Just wondering what online shops you guys go to. I'm looking for a place that has a good selection of skis and outerwear mostly because my local shops don't have shit XD.
 
I like to use amazon.com for most of my stuff. They may not have everything, but you can usually find good deals on the stuff you find.
 
D-STRUCTURE![/u]

I deal with them because they're located in Canada, so I can pretty much order on Monday, and have my gear by Friday. Super quick, good customer service, shit's all packaged up nicely. I love em.
 
They have a lifetime full money back guarantee on all of their gear. So even if you beat the crap out of your stuff you can still return it.
 
I hate it when people say this, especially because most local shops are way over priced and the employees have no clue what they are talking about. Id rather buy on line thanks.
 
Exactly, my local shop is a general outdoor shop with a terrible selection for park skis and equipment, and the techs don't know squat about anything never mind park skis. I hate when people answer threads like this with "your local ski shop" because I obviously want an online shop not that answer, and I specifically mentioned that I had already considered my local ship. -_-
 
A) Companies set a MAP (minimum advertised price) for all of their gear, which most shops base their prices off of. So, unless you buy of an individual, the online prices for the current years gear will most likely be the same as in the shop, and if it isn't, either the shop will match it because they dont price things at MAP, or the online retailer is breaking their contract with the company by pricing things too cheap, and the shop/retailer can get in big trouble for this.

B) Shop employees having no clue what they are talking about is completely false.. Just because you want the newest Tom Wallisch gear with FKS 18's doesn't mean its the correct setup for you. You may not agree with their opinion but they typically worry about making sure you have a good time rather than upselling you to something you don't really need. Whats the big deal with having a conversation with a fellow skier? The employee may not be right about everything, but neither are you, and that's why it's good to talk to people and get other opinions.
 
I agree with some of part B but I would point out that I went to 3 different shops when buying boots and they all gave me a different suggestion on the size of the exact same boot. I only bought from the store that let me try on every suggested size. However I was pretty disgusted that a shop would try to sell me something that didn't fit because they had it in stock.
 
I shop primarily through REI and Backcountry.com

Both have big selections, deep inventory, and helpful staff. The online chat option at backcountry.com is awesome. I've logged some time talking about fabrics, fit, brands, durability, general skiing stoke. A lot of those chatters are helpful and pretty knowledgeable. This year is the first year in a while I've dumped money into a new setup and outerwear so I've been working with both retailers.

As an REI member you get an awesome return policy. Bought a jacket, wore it for a while, realized it didn't factor into my layering system as well as I wanted, returned it without a hassle. Plus, you get money back at the end of the year depending on how much you purchase throughout the year.

Backcountry.com also has an awesome return service, very similar to REI with no questions asked.



But, if there is a quality local shop near you. GO THERE! And keep going there, building a good relationship with a good shop is unbeatable. Over time you can end up getting better/cheaper tune jobs, inside looks at gear, some bro-deals, plus it's a good way to network as well.
 
Hahaha yeah now I feel like I'm missing something and retarded :P I know their in Canada so that's why it's in French but how do you shop there?
 
Most Canadians speak French, therefore they can understand the site.. Also browsers like chrome have the option to translate the page from French to whatever language you want
 
Click 'online store', and then there will be a tiny red-coloured font, italicized of course, in the upper right hand corner that says 'English' click that one.

Don't worry, it took me awhile to find it to but navigating it in french isn't a problem for me so I wasn't really worried.
 
I was on board until this. Shops will sell stupid people the most expensive shit. I couldnt tell you how many gapers i see with dukes and barons. they dont need that shit, they dont even know what its for
 
Shit, I also forgot to mention that they delivered way ahead of time once again. I was quoted for my new Nelson vest to arive on Friday, got it today. WOOT! Seriously, those guys are the shit.
 
Hey thanks man! I had the Google Chrome translate thing but not all of it was translated :P I got it now though so thanks a bunch :D
 
No problem. Ha, I tried out chrome's translate awhile back for shits and gigs, and it would be so annoying because it would translate actual brand names; like Orage would become 'Storm' and shit like that. So bad...
 
Rode the lift with a guy that was telling me all about how his dukes were so he could switch between telemark and regular skiing. The other person on the lift was an actual telemarker and face-palmed for pretty much the whole ride
 
coloradoskishop.com

You are supporting a local shop from in mass. I live in PA and I would much rather order from them than go to my completely overpriced local shops. Colorado ski shop has great prices, gewat customer service, and ship quickly. Highly reccomend!
 
you wouldn't believe the people that come in asking for at shit because they read it in a magazine that I have to expllain that you need skins to climb. Some people are just Fucking retarted and buy shit they don't need/know nothing about because somebody or a review told them it was cool. "A fool and his money will soon be seperated"
 
Like I said earlier, the vast majority of shops use MAP pricing, not MSRP, so even though MSRP is 880, you can get them for 700 at lots of shops
 
This is very true. The shops that sell gear at full MSRP are either clueless or in an area where they are open for only part of the year and need to sell things for more because they aren't open year round (some resort-only shops are like this). Even then, tell them you found it for cheaper. They would rather sell it to you at MAP than not sell it all.

If you do have a local shop that doesn't sell what you want, tell them. Ask to speak to a manager and let them know you want to see something different. Shops want your business and any shop that won't listen to you is retarded. The more you demand something, the more you will see it being offered. If you stay quiet, you will never see cool gear in your local shop. Your local shop wants to know what you want and would much rather have you spend your money with them than online- every time. So, speak up and let them know.

If you live in an area that does not have a shop, well then I understand that you have to shop when/where you can (online).
 
No local shops in the entire province of Saskatchewan (that I've been to) carry park skis longer than 179 or pow skis longer than mid 180s. As someone who purchases skis maybe once every 5 years and who is 6'4" and solid, no shops carry skis that fit my needs. I'll get all my service done at them, but if I find a good deal on skis online when I finally decide to get them, I'm not hesitating.

Boots are another story.
 
This would be a perfect example- shop(s) didn't have what you want so you bought it online and continue to go to that shop for service. Next time you bring your skis in for a tune/wax/mount, just let the shop tech know that you like coming to the store but they don't carry what you want. I guarantee you that shop tech will let his/her manager know.
 
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