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How do they do it?
- Thread starter Swamp Dog
- Start date
I'm a business person, so skis cost X amount of $$ to a retailer. So I'm retailer A with a store, payroll, taxes, payroll taxes, lights, heat, rent etc. My overhead is ? I need to sell product J at $650.00. Now I'm internet retailer Y. I have a website, use the internet to promote my products, sell them through the internet. I do have warehouse - its my garage! So my overhead is lower, maybe no employees, paypal is looking after my sales, not my bank and me. So I can sell the same product at less - $ 330.00. And you pay shipping and handling.
I'm a big proponent of "buy locally own!" These are the people that support your local economy. They are the people that give money to sport teams, charities, and support the local hospital etc. If I have problem with my skis, my TV or my Fridge - I'm gonna be in your face Mr. Store owner. As I expect my customers to be in mine.
Maybe because we don't have the internet order sites or the mail order sites here in Canada that the States seems to have, things are different. Or maybe because I'm a touchy, feely kinda of gal. I've only ordered things over the net from trusted sources and that is only Chapters (books) and the CSIA, our ski instructors site. I really don't trust eBay.ca or Kijiji.ca. Maybe I'm wrong in my thinking, but??
I'm a big proponent of "buy locally own!" These are the people that support your local economy. They are the people that give money to sport teams, charities, and support the local hospital etc. If I have problem with my skis, my TV or my Fridge - I'm gonna be in your face Mr. Store owner. As I expect my customers to be in mine.
Maybe because we don't have the internet order sites or the mail order sites here in Canada that the States seems to have, things are different. Or maybe because I'm a touchy, feely kinda of gal. I've only ordered things over the net from trusted sources and that is only Chapters (books) and the CSIA, our ski instructors site. I really don't trust eBay.ca or Kijiji.ca. Maybe I'm wrong in my thinking, but??
Swamp Dog
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
yes, I understand the difference between brick and mortar sales and web stores, but this is a HUGE price difference. And I am in total agreement about supporting the local guy. They are the people in our community and they need to make ends meet too. We bought all our tuning and wax supplies from the local shop and spent quite a bit more than if purchased online.
If they could even come close to the internet price I'd be thrilled to buy from them again. They have the boots I want too. My husband is the wheeler and dealer, so one of these days I'll send him in to ask about putting together a package for me, boots, bindings, and skis. I just need to convince him that I NEED to have these!
If they could even come close to the internet price I'd be thrilled to buy from them again. They have the boots I want too. My husband is the wheeler and dealer, so one of these days I'll send him in to ask about putting together a package for me, boots, bindings, and skis. I just need to convince him that I NEED to have these!
And again your local guy should recognize you as a "supporter" and continuing buyer. So deals should be had! Our local guy does just that. He doesn't have the "beginner's package deal" hanging on the wall. He builds that package, just for you. And if you're looking at boots for you, skis for him and a suit for son or daughter that should all figure into the equation. He'll makes the deal because he doesn't have to answer to a head office like the box stores. All in all he wants your $$, your support, word of mouth for the store and ultimately to get rid of his inventory. And possibly you get to walk home with your purchase and ski it tomorrow!
Swamp Dog
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I bet I'll do ok with them when I'm ready to buy. We had a nice relationship with the local bike shop where we lived in MA so now we just need to take the time to build a relationship with this shop too. I'd much rather just stop and run in for a block of wax or something than wait for it to be delivered.
Anyhow, I know they don't have the skis I want in stock. After I demoed them they said to come in and they would order them. They'll probably have to order the boots as there was only one pair in the right size. Luckily I have easy feet. I tried on the boots and it was as if they were custom made for me. Just Heaven!
Anyhow, I know they don't have the skis I want in stock. After I demoed them they said to come in and they would order them. They'll probably have to order the boots as there was only one pair in the right size. Luckily I have easy feet. I tried on the boots and it was as if they were custom made for me. Just Heaven!
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Ummmm....the mark up on skis is huge. A long time ago (the prices should give that away 
) I ordered a pair of skis and did some research. Retail was $320, wholesale was $160, and cost was $80. In most cases retailers buy for wholesale and sell for retail or some part of retail. If they can get a special buy or bulk discount, they can buy for some bit over the $80, sell them for wholesale and still make some money on them.
) I ordered a pair of skis and did some research. Retail was $320, wholesale was $160, and cost was $80. In most cases retailers buy for wholesale and sell for retail or some part of retail. If they can get a special buy or bulk discount, they can buy for some bit over the $80, sell them for wholesale and still make some money on them.
Keep in mind that some folks selling on Ebay have acquired their product from questionable sources.
A few years ago I purchased some of "next years" skis from a guy on Ebay and got a phenomenal deal. Later, when I had warranty issues, the mfgr wouldn't touch them because they were a "lost serial #" which means that I bought them from a Grey Market Seller.
Not cool!
A few years ago I purchased some of "next years" skis from a guy on Ebay and got a phenomenal deal. Later, when I had warranty issues, the mfgr wouldn't touch them because they were a "lost serial #" which means that I bought them from a Grey Market Seller.
Not cool!
skihub
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I like to give my business to our local ski shop as well. My family has bought a lot of equipment and gear there over the years. My recent problem was that they did not have the equipment I wanted in stock, so I bought my Fuegos through an e-bay store. I called my local shop and explained my situation. They would have ordered me Fuegos for twice the price or sold me their in stock Burnin Luv's for about the same price as my e-bay Fuegos. I almost got the Burnin Luv's but I really had my heart set on the Fuegos.... hopefully my next purchase can come from my shop. I think it becomes more difficult to be faithful to your shop when you decide on the ski you want, and you know their are many options to get it significantly and safely cheaper. Also, understandably the shop wants to sell you what they have in stock and as you advance and get more particular in your sport, that doesn't always work. My husband has this issue with mountain bikes, and I seem to have it with skis.
Bottom line for me is that I am willing to pay a higher price to support my local shop, but not such a high price that it blows out our ski budget, and reduces trips! And once I decide what ski I want, I really want that one!!!!
Bottom line for me is that I am willing to pay a higher price to support my local shop, but not such a high price that it blows out our ski budget, and reduces trips! And once I decide what ski I want, I really want that one!!!!
oragejuice
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I bought my Auras on Backcountry.com, simply because I got them wayyyy cheaper than my shop could get them for me. $800+s/h or $600? I explained the price difference, and they guys understood, ended up getting bindings from them, because I love the shop. I hate buying online when I "could" buy local, but on a college student budget... I can't do it.
C
CMCM
Guest
I've actually gotten better deals locally than anything I've seen online. I would be a bit nervous buying from ebay etc. from some unknown person. And there's always a worry about skis being a grey market item, too!
I bought my Nordica skis locally several years ago. I got them at 35% off in early February, and most of the other places weren't that low for a long long time after that. Then I had a warranty issue with the bindings, and this shop handled it perfectly for me.
I bought my Nordica skis locally several years ago. I got them at 35% off in early February, and most of the other places weren't that low for a long long time after that. Then I had a warranty issue with the bindings, and this shop handled it perfectly for me.
