Best time for sales

[tcharron]

To go along with the thread about new skis, what is the best time to get gear cheap? I noticed Killington was having a mad sale at the Killington Outfitters last weekend, and I remember some other really nice sales at Zimmermans in November.

When do the clearouts happen with the best deals? Fall, or now?

 

[Hawkshot99]

You may get a better deal in the fall, but people may have already bought what you were looking for. It comes down to possibly better prices in the fall....or make sure you get them now.

 

[billski]

Pick your poison.

You may get a better deal in the fall, but people may have already bought what you were looking for. It comes down to possibly better prices in the fall....or make sure you get them now.

1. 2nd lowest prices of the year: now, best selection.
2. Lowest prices of the year: August (inventory clearout), limited selection (but not as bad selection as the fall; prices will be similar to August.)

3. If you're really lucky, troll ebay in July, you can snare something good when everyone is on the beach and nobody is looking/

Choose your poison. I choose #1

 

[millerm277]

Number 3 is a great option if you've got some free time, you will be able to find pretty much any type of ski equipment you want there, pretty cheap. Hell, I got a replacement set of heels for my boots, which are 20-something years old.

 

[Rushski]

Another option is to hit the Boston Snowsports show in November. Yeah, it's getting close to ski season and may not get exactly what you want, but the dealers do bring in a lot of previous year's surplus and have Ski Market sell it off... A couple dealers were actually trying to work even better deals with me and then they would talk to SM.

 

[ccskier]

Personally I think that Ski Market is an absolute waste of time. I don't even consider it a ski shop. It has been discussed plenty of times before. They are good if you are in a jam and need something quick. If you want to go shopping, head north to actual ski-towns, look at the racks outside that they all have this time of year. Go to Lincoln, NH Lahouts, all 6 of them are always a great stop.

The best deals are online. Try:
www.sierratradingpost.com
www.rei-outlet.com

You can also sometimes randomly find stuff on Overstock.com

Ebay is by far the best. I bought a pair of 07 Atomic Snoop Daddy's mid season for under $400. Most shops were about $700 and it was from an authorized dealer. Soft goods are also pretty good on there.

 

[Terry]

I just bought a pair of Rossignol z9s at the end of season sale at our local ski shop. Paid just slightly more than other shops wanted for their demos that had been beat on all year. These z9s are brand new. Thought my season was done, but I have to go this weekend to try them out if my back is up to it! :beer:

 

[Ski Diva]

Just bought a pair of Nordica boots for 40% off, Fischer Vision 73 skis for 50% off, and a pair of new Volkl Queen Attivas for waaaay low (private sale).

Problem with the end of season sales is that they make me spend too much money. I think I better stop now.

 

[billski]

Here here!

Personally I think that Ski Market is an absolute waste of time. I don't even consider it a ski shop. It has been discussed plenty of times before. They are good if you are in a jam and need something quick. If you want to go shopping, head north to actual ski-towns, look at the racks outside that they all have this time of year. Go to Lincoln, NH Lahouts, all 6 of them are always a great stop.

The best deals are online. Try:
www.sierratradingpost.com
www.rei-outlet.com

You can also sometimes randomly find stuff on Overstock.com

Ebay is by far the best. I bought a pair of 07 Atomic Snoop Daddy's mid season for under $400. Most shops were about $700 and it was from an authorized dealer. Soft goods are also pretty good on there.

ccskier is dead on right. Ski Market sells to people who are looking for "value" (not quality). You see a lot of ski market stuff under christmas trees bought by a clueless parent getting it because it was "convenient". It's no wonder so many people never progress when they get junky stuff and stick with it. Many people who buy, ski a couple times a year. I've been in there many times and equally as bad are the salespeople who are quite uninformed, try to make everyone fit into a formula. Staff turnover is huge. That said, there is always a couple oddball pair of very fine ski on the racks, perhaps just for marketing since I don't think anyone would know how to sell them properly.

The general rule of thumb: closer to a metro area, the worse the ski shop knowledge and equipment is (although their large adds lead you to think otherwise), and as ccskier says, closer to ski resorts the more knowledgeable and honest they will be. The staff of near-resort shops stick around for years and usually ski more days than any of us dream of and ski on all the gear they sell. Much better advice than reading out of a sales manual. My best experience was a shop down the road from Squaw Valley, the shops in Stowe and Lahouts (with their fancy new building).

 

[billski]

whither summer?

I just bought a pair of Rossignol z9s at the end of season sale at our local ski shop. Paid just slightly more than other shops wanted for their demos that had been beat on all year. These z9s are brand new. Thought my season was done, but I have to go this weekend to try them out if my back is up to it! :beer:

I did that 2 seasons ago. The worst part is that you'll spend all your time waiting for summer to end :wink:

 

[Rushski]

Ski Market does have it's issues. Ran through a month ago and they had absolute crap and the prices weren't coming down like the other shops were.

My previous point was that at the ski show they are pretty much just dumping anything that the reps bring, so it is an option. But, no I am not a fan of their shops. Only ski chains I like are the truly local ones...

 

[andyzee]

Not sure about buying skis, but I do buy all clothes about now. Stores are selling @ 50% off and the selection is still decent.