did we pay too much?

[cyn]

Last summer, my husband and I got great deals on skis and bindings at a sale at REI. Yesterday, we brought them in so the bindings could be mounted.

In my experience, if you have skis mounted at the place where you bought them, there's usually no charge. In cases where I've had bindings mounted on skis bought elsewhere, I've paid $30 - $35.

This time, though, the REI guy told us that because we had bought our skis ON SALE, the charge to mount the bindings would be $40 - which I consider to be a bit steep, especially since we bought everything there and we are REI members.

Am I being unrealistic?

 

[Jilly]

What kind of skis did you buy?? If they have a rail system, then yah - anything over $20 is too much. It depends on what is involved for the shop. If there isn't a rail system, then $40 is not too much. The shop may or may not have a jig to know where the holes need to go and may have to "eye ball it". All that said, I agree with you about buying everything there, it should be free! Did you speak to someone in charge? When you go to pick up ask for somebody in charge and bring your receipts from the summer.

 

[cyn]

The skis are Head iM82s and K2 Public Enemys. Bindings are both Marker piston 11s. I did bring the receipts and I spoke with the man in charge of the ski shop, to no avail.
I just hope they do a decent job for what they're charging.

 

[abc]

REI/EMS are a bit of "in between" kind of shop. They're not really "ski shops" but not "mass market" store either. I'm guessing it depends.

If I were to pay out of pocket for it, I don't think I would get it done at REI.

 

[Jilly]

If that's the case, do they do the work there, or is it "sent out". Our local shop is doing all the work for the local "box store" as they don't have a certified tech yet. So they would be charging more, as its delivered to the ski shop from the Mall. Could you see them working on skis??

 

[sibhusky]

It would tick me off. I think the right rejoinder is "So really the price was not as low as advertised, it was actually $40 more. I'll keep that in mind for your future sales."

 

[SnowHot]

If I were you, I'd go through every paper and sticker on the skis and bindings when you bought them and see if there is anything stated that they mount the bindings for skis they sell.
I'd also look on their web site, or even call them anonymously, asking them if they include mounting with all ski purchases. If they say, "yes" then you nail them.

 

[cyn]

Actually, I did call anonymously before I brought them in, and I was quoted the same rates. I thought that maybe I could change their minds if I was at the store in person. I also noticed they had the rates posted on the wall behind the counter, so it was tough to argue that.

BTW the techs do the work there, themselves.

I wasn't crazy about getting them mounted there, but our favorite ski shop (Northern Ski Works) is several hours away. There's one at Wachusett, but we've had major problems with their tuning and mounting before, so I won't have any work done there.

I just wanted our new stuff to be ready for when we need it, and that could be as soon as next weekend.I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the skis will be fine when we get them back.