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$50 to mount a binding?? Is it excessive?

speden

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I bought some skis a month or so ago and since they had integrated bindings I just mounted them myself. I suppose for liability reasons the ski companies don't want to encourage that, so the instructions that came with the binding were really lame. But it wasn't too hard to figure it out since there were numbered slots for the boot sole length.

The only thing that was tricky was setting the forward toe pressure. The instructions made no reference to it so I had to look it up on the internet. My binding has the type where when the boot is snapped in, the forward pressure screw should become flush with the housing. Piece of cake. Then it was just a matter of setting the DIN values to what I wanted. I suppose most people prefer to leave that to a shop to set, but I prefer to set and test that myself.
 

Geoff

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I can't remember the last time I paid to have bindings mounted. Everything I own has integral binding systems so it's not like I need a jig for the binding. I mount them myself. It takes 5 minutes. I haven't worked in a shop since college but nothing has changed in adjusting a ski binding in decades. It's not like you need anything special other than a Posidriv #3 and a plastic card to adjust toe height. I pull bindings off for trips so I can fit extra skis in my ski bag.
 

severine

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I bought some skis a month or so ago and since they had integrated bindings I just mounted them myself. I suppose for liability reasons the ski companies don't want to encourage that, so the instructions that came with the binding were really lame. But it wasn't too hard to figure it out since there were numbered slots for the boot sole length.

The only thing that was tricky was setting the forward toe pressure. The instructions made no reference to it so I had to look it up on the internet. My binding has the type where when the boot is snapped in, the forward pressure screw should become flush with the housing. Piece of cake. Then it was just a matter of setting the DIN values to what I wanted. I suppose most people prefer to leave that to a shop to set, but I prefer to set and test that myself.
That's what we did with the Joyriders. Integrated bindings that Brian put on and adjusted for me. Full instructions came with them.

$50 is the going rate anytime I checked. Here's a thought, next time mount them yourself and then just take them into the shop to have them adjusted, should be $25 for that.
Sounds good to me!

I paid $50 to have Tramdock bindings put on tent sale skis this past fall. The year prior, I paid $35 to have ebay bindings put on ebay skis (different shop). Both these involved a full mounting; they were not integrated systems. But really, a store is likely to rape you for not buying the equipment in their shop. Since it is a system, if you're concerned about the shop checking them, then I would do what Andy said: mount yourself and bring them in for an adjustment. :D
 
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Hawkshot99

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Aug 16, 2006
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I bought some skis a month or so ago and since they had integrated bindings I just mounted them myself. I suppose for liability reasons the ski companies don't want to encourage that, so the instructions that came with the binding were really lame. But it wasn't too hard to figure it out since there were numbered slots for the boot sole length.

The companies do not include directions, because the shops all have very extensive directions in their possession.

All of the shops that I have been to include the mounting of the bindings if you purchase from them. If you shop around to buy elsewhere, why should they help you?
There is liability for the place that mounts the bindings. A person hurts themselves, they go and sue anybody that they can.
 

riverc0il

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I would expect $40 or so for a binding installation and test. If the binding system was a slide on job, I'd say you got taken but that was your call on having someone else do it rather than you. If you want the security and piece of mind that it was done right and tested, you gotta pay the piper. I have put M1200 bindings on a Volkl ski with the motion rail system and it was a piece of cake, hard for even someone with little knowledge about equipment to even screw it up. Though I would not recommend doing so unless you are comfortable with doing so, know what a BSL is, and are 100% confident in your knowledge and understanding of setting your own DIN.
 

gorgonzola

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Sep 13, 2007
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Bleu Mt PA
our local pa shops charge $50 whether or not its system/rail or flat. butts a little sore after that especially if its a railflex or something but a small price to pay for some peace of mind - i do my own but have the wife and kids stuff shop mounted. most around now charge $20 mounting even if you bought the ski & binding from them, THAT"s a ripoff!
 

BigJay

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Mar 9, 2006
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I totally agree w/ 75$ being charge from skis bought "somewhere else" aka Onlinestore and Ebay...

Skis don't generate much profit... small margin like bikes but they don't cost much... so in terms of revenue, you have to sell a lot of them!

In-store installation from skis bought at the shop is generally 20-25$... now w/ ski systems, i've seen stores that charge only 10-15$...

So the independant ski sales person needs to pay for their staff... If you can, get your online store to install the bindings... you'll understand why they can go and charge less... no overhead... no store front... no specialist... just a few clicks is all you need!
 

tekweezle

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Feb 8, 2005
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the brick and mortar shops are probably hurting in this economy so you have to excuse them if they try to extract as much money as they can. they have overhead to pay for.

if you trust your own handywork, then go ahead and do it yourself and save the money. if you want service, then I guess the going rate is whatever they are charging.
 

dropKickMurphy

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Jan 5, 2006
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I think $50 is excessive for a system binding.

If the tech had to drill any holes, I can see the price being justified. Even the most experienced and careful tech is going to have an occasional mistake. The cost of the install has to cover the fact that once in a great while, they may be replacing a pair of skis.

I've bought 3 pairs of new skis for myself, 1 pair for my daughter, online in the past year. Here are some ways to avoid getting soaked on the mounting:

* Become a member of REI and use their ski shop services.

* If you buy the skis online, check your local shop for the bindings; they just might be able to give you a lower total price for the bindings+mounting.

* There are a handful of online dealers that seem to consistently have the best selection and prices. A couple of them happen to be located in New England. I've gotten some of my best online deals from proctorjones.com (Ken Jones Ski Mart in Nashua, NH) and raceskis.com (Ski Depot in Jay, ME). Call them and let them know you'll be picking the skis up at the shop; set a time where you can have the bindings mounted when you come in to pick them up. You'll be saving them the cost of the "free" shipping. And, with a new pair of skis in your car, you might as well continue on to Cannon or Sugarloaf to try them out right away.
 
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