How do you feel about buying last year's models?

[ski diva]

There's a lot of hype around for the new gear. But there's still lots of inventory in the stores from last year, too -- and at great prices. Whether or not you're in the market for new equipment, how do you feel -- or would you feel -- about buying stuff that's a model year or two old? Or would you feel like you were being left behind by the new stuff?

 

[ISki]

Gotta love a bargain.

 

[Jilly]

No problem unless it's been discontinued or is old technology. Colour and graphics aren't really a problem with me. So if this years is blue and last years was red, I'll take the price cut for the red guy!! I just bought last year's Rossi jacket. Its brown and black. That colour combination is not out this year, but the jacket design is. Long as I can find pants to match, which I did, I dont' care.

 

[Lynn]

last years stuff

I pretty much buy all my ski gear at the end of season sales or even later. I am very happy with the Head iC160 skis I got mid season in '04. If I improve enough to warrant another ski, then I will investigate the next pair.

Ski jackets and pants are usualy bought in the summer sales or from sierratradingpost.com. However, this strategy has lead me to be the owner of a Columbia ski jacket, originally $225 and bought for $70, the only drawback it's being WHITE! (has some gray inserts). I just couldn't walk away.
Boots seem to be the hardest to get deals on.

 

[Marigee]

I don't have a problem buying last year's models if the price is right. I usually hit end of season sales, closeouts, etc anyway to buy equipement and clothes. I really hate to pay top dollar for anything, particularly since I know that if I am patient, I can get it for less in a few months.

 

[SnowHot]

I really wanted the 07 Burnin Luvs because I LUV the new graphix a lot better, but Phil found a pair of 05 burnin luvs for less than half the money and I couldn't resist.
I'll put up with the flowers for the savings:o

 

[dburdenbates]

As much as I drool over the latest and greatest, it's such a better deal to get last season's goodies. My "new" Volkl Attiva AC2s are last year's and a pretty great price compared with this year's model. I just can't easily justify the extra money (at least I was able to justify a new pair versus a demo-ed pair). It's kinda like buying a 2006 vehicle when all the 2007's are hitting the lots. The dealers need to get those 2006 cars outta there and are willing to give you a great deal.

And with outerwear and stuff like that, I can't imagine buying the latest and greatest stuff. We only get to use our jackets when we're skiing because it just doesn't get that cold here in Texas. At least when we lived in Tennessee, we could get a bit more use out of them.

 

[ski diva]

Thought I'd bump this up for some new comments. Any thoughts?

 

[sibhusky]

It's the only sensible way to buy ski equipment, IMO. Why pay a grand when you can wait a few months and pick it up for $400 or less? It's not like it "went bad" or something.

 

[vickie]

Discounts are great ... if you can find 'em.

I thought Elan Gold Magic (which I could never find to demo) might be a great transition ski (beginner to intermediate) for me. Regularly $459. Found them online for $269 w/ free shipping. Good deal. Called local (Wash DC) ski shops and learned that they charge about $100 for mounting if skis were not bought at their shop ... "even if we only have to install one screw".

20% savings for last year's equipment that I expected to use for maybe 1 year? Naw.

I'll be hard-pressed to demo skis this season and wait until next year to buy them on sale when I need the upgrade now. So, full price ... here I come. <sigh>

 

[sdskiqueen]

I would like to say that I always buy during the sales and most of the time I do. However, some times I can't always resist - especially clothes! But equipment is another matter. Can definitely buy last year's equipment because the prices are so markedly reduced. After all, that doesn't necessarily mean the technology is out-dated.

 

[m185]

My husband & I - trawled the sales - without the chance to demo...I ended up with skis at about 60% off (2008 Rossi) and he ended up with skis that were 75% off (2009 Rossi skis)!!! Gotta love a bargain - he definately got a brilliant deal.

He is in love with his skis - I like mine...easy to carve...but I have yet to put them through there paces so I remain happy but not yet thrilled - but they are better than the rentals I used to ski!

We had the bindings done here on our ski trip as no one in Hong Kong seems to to bindings for less than an arm & a leg - dropped them off at 7pm and got them back at 9am delivered to our door - talk about fab service (I love Browns - did my boot fittings there last year too)! It cost NZD 105 for both pairs to be mounted.

My daughter will soon outgrow her snowboard and we've been trying to convince her that the benefit of the savings outweighs having the coolest new patterns on the board...however shes not 100% convinced yet (she's 11) but she getting there LOL

 

[sibhusky]

Discounts are great ... if you can find 'em.

I thought Elan Gold Magic (which I could never find to demo) might be a great transition ski (beginner to intermediate) for me. Regularly $459. Found them online for $269 w/ free shipping. Good deal. Called local (Wash DC) ski shops and learned that they charge about $100 for mounting if skis were not bought at their shop ... "even if we only have to install one screw".

20% savings for last year's equipment that I expected to use for maybe 1 year? Naw.

I'll be hard-pressed to demo skis this season and wait until next year to buy them on sale when I need the upgrade now. So, full price ... here I come. <sigh>

Maybe it's because I usually buy the bindings and boots locally or at least patronize the local shop for something, but I've never paid more than $35 for a mount. NEVER.

 

[abc]

Do it in resort.

I ran into the same dilema 2 years ago when I bought skis online. I brought my skis and bindings to the resort and got them mounted for $20 or $25.

It's a fairly easy operation for a ski shop. All I needed was a shop that does it a lot. So I figure it's better to have it done in the resort than in the city. Turned out to be a lot less expensive too.

 

[volklgirl]

I can't remember the last time I bought a current year ski. Of course, we really buy any brand new anyway, since we can buy 2-3 pair used for the price of 1 pair new.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I love new/old stock. Sounds like an oxymoron? Hey, sometimes it's just graphics, no change whatsoever to the ski characteristics otherwise. Have a couple of pair of new/old currently awaiting winter 09-10, they are 06-07 models, and that's fine w/me!

Our local shop charges $20 to mount. Such a deal. They are awesome.

 

[num]

Not in the market for new skis at the moment, but I'm a big fan of buying last year's (or the year before's or sometimes the one before that's) new stock. Great bargains, and there are tons of comprehensive user reviews by the time I'm buying the skis. I like to read the pre release reviews and info, and drool over the skis while reading user reviews as they come around, and keep drooling until they're cheap and eventually mine :D

 

[JoySki]

I always buy last year's, being a student on a student budget. If I like this year's, I wait until they become 'last year's' and buy them then :D

As long as the skis are right for me, it doesn't matter to me if they're a new or old model!

 

[SnowDancer]

I have no problem buying "leftover" skis! As a few divas have already said, often the only difference between last year's and the current year's are graphics. If I demo a ski, really love it - and then decide that I "need" new skis, I always look to buy that model after the season is over.

Getting great skis at a great price? Why not?

 

[abc]

How do you feel about buying last year's models?

Proud.

It's NEW equipment to me!

would you feel like you were being left behind by the new stuff?

If I were "left behind" on the hill, I have a ready excuse with my "left behind" equipment. If I have the "up to date" equipment, I would have exposed my lack of ability!