Usually the idea of bright and shiny and "mine, all mine" is very appealing in purchases. But in talking to a guy in the rental section of the ski shop I now frequent, I found out all their demos will go on sale in March at big big savings. The idea of maybe getting a couple of pair of skis (now that I actually know what a quiver is) instead of just one is very tempting. But should I? Experiences, anyone? Warnings or what to look for in assessing a ski?
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Are demos a good buy....or goodbye?!
- Thread starter SkiBaby
- Start date
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
So far we've had very good experiences buying both off e-bay and from demo fleets, but I've heard horror stories. Understand when your buying demos that they've probably had at least one year of very hard use and the tops will probably look like crap.
However, they're usually sold at 1/2 price and it gaurantees that you're buying "the exact ski" that you demoed.
Here's what to look for:
Tug on the bindings and make sure they haven't worked loose.
Step in and out and make sure they're functioning correctly.
Check for camber by holding the brakes back and putting the skis together base-to-base...make sure there's at least 1-2 finger width of space between them in the middle.
Check to be sure they've been freshly tuned with sharp edges and smooth (or textured), shiny bases.
If the bases and edges look as crappy as the tops, insist on a tune before you take them home.
However, they're usually sold at 1/2 price and it gaurantees that you're buying "the exact ski" that you demoed.Here's what to look for:
Tug on the bindings and make sure they haven't worked loose.
Step in and out and make sure they're functioning correctly.
Check for camber by holding the brakes back and putting the skis together base-to-base...make sure there's at least 1-2 finger width of space between them in the middle.
Check to be sure they've been freshly tuned with sharp edges and smooth (or textured), shiny bases.
If the bases and edges look as crappy as the tops, insist on a tune before you take them home.
Lori_K
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I bought my Pocket Rockets as demos, sight unseen actually. I had demo'd them at another ski hill, and then later after I got home I decided I wanted to buy a pair. Bought them from another shop that was selling off all their demo stuff online. Worked out pretty well.
Since the Pocket Rockets were not so popular out East, these didn't get a lot of use. They looked nearly brand new when I got them, so I was pretty happy.
Come to think of it, the hubby got his PRs from a demo shop as well. But he had used these particular skis, and knew exactly what shape they were in.
So, if you're looking for a ski that is very popular in your area, it's more likely to have a lot of use on it. Then again, if you pick a less popular ski, it may be like new. And the price is usually very good!
Since the Pocket Rockets were not so popular out East, these didn't get a lot of use. They looked nearly brand new when I got them, so I was pretty happy.
Come to think of it, the hubby got his PRs from a demo shop as well. But he had used these particular skis, and knew exactly what shape they were in.
So, if you're looking for a ski that is very popular in your area, it's more likely to have a lot of use on it. Then again, if you pick a less popular ski, it may be like new. And the price is usually very good!
dloveski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Yes, demos can be a good buy if the price is right. My ski rep friends tell me this is especially so for women's skiis, since most women who do rent skiis are not the most aggressive of skiers and weigh less than men---one told me it was unusual to see women's rental skiis with internal structural breakdown. I've gotten some great deals, especially about March when the rental shops are looking to dump their inventory.
