Buying vs Demo'ing

[SKIQUATTRO]

Been having this discussion with my buddy...due to other winter obligations he has, he really only gets out 2-4 times a season...he's hell-bent on buying new skis/bindings....

my argument is that instead of dropping $1000 on new gear, just demo...he doesnt get out enough to really 'tune into' his gear, just demo for $40/day..thats 25 days of demoing for what a new setup would cost..and at the rate hes skiing, that about 6 years worth......

discuss amongst yerselves....

[drjeff]

Agree! A few time a year skier should just demo. Then if they REALLY fall in love with a pair, buy that demo pair at the end of the season from the shop, and they'll more than likely still have a few hundred of that grand that you refernced left over!

[snoseek]

I would want to have my own boots though.

[SKIQUATTRO]

He's got them, although he is due for an upgrade on those too.....

[WakeboardMom]

What about the PITA factor? When you did your calculations, did you add in the time spent in the shop? I guess if it's only 4 or so times a season, it might not be a big deal, but it's definitely something I would consider.

[gmcunni]

demo, no question. i did it for a season and it was fun trying out new stuff all the time.

[snoseek]

He's got them, although he is due for an upgrade on those too.....

Well if its just the ski then 1000 is a hefty price tag. I have never once in my life spent over 400 dollars on a pair of skis. Add bindings and a mount it can get done for 5-600 no problem.

Demo is a great idea to get used to different models however or if you're on vacation and don't want to pay baggage. I feel like sheling out that kind of cash would make me not want to ski as often.

[deadheadskier]

If he's hellbent on owning his own gear and only skis a handful of days per season, perhaps a lightly used set up is the best direction to consider.

From an economics standpoint, I agree that demoing makes more sense than buying new. I'd imagine it's both the pain in the ass factor of picking up the skis every time you go and the perceived cost increase per day on the slope. Even though the cost per day is higher with owned gear for someone who skis that infrequently, it's a perception thing. They're paid for. I don't mentally amortize my new Fischers everyday I go out, but I would think more about cost of demoning on top of lift tickets, especially if conditions aren't prime.

[abc]

He's got them, although he is due for an upgrade on those too.....

Upgrade boots first, if he feels like dropping some coin.

If he's got money to burn, get some season-end sale skis. That can be had from $300-500, give or take. It's getting into the a more reasonable range compare to demo'ing. There's something to be said about skiing the same ski every time.

[speden]

One problem with demo'ing is that some mountains have a really lousy selection of demo skis.