Don't Red Laser me man!!

[bobbutts]

Maybe it's just me....I'm finding that online deals aren't as great as they used to be. In 2008, I picked up a set of 2007 twintips online for $130...brand new. Now, you're just not seeing that. I find that the leftover skis or end of season sales at the stores are pretty much in-line with what they're selling online. My theory (and it is just a theory) is that with the economy, makers aren't producing as much and shops aren't buying as much. At the end of the year, there's not much leftovers that need to be unloaded for cheap.

That deal on the PE's was the best

The trend in other places like Best Buy is to encourage people to scan, but not to check prices, but gain rewards
http://shopkick.com
Seems like one way to sidetrack people from comparison shopping

 

[riverc0il]

I don;t think the shop should have thrown the kid out but its their store and their perogative. Of course its also their customers' perogative to shop elsewhere.

Stores need to develop a business model that works for them. are they going to be a discount retailer or are they going to be a service oriented retailer? If its the former, they should welcome the scanning and if they are the latter it shoudln't bother them as they aren't trying to compete based on price.

This. We have had customers read through stuff in our store and then leave without paying never to come back. My associates sometimes get a little annoyed. I say who cares? Let em'. They aren't going to buy from us at this point any ways. Kicking someone out of a store only soils feelings and you loose a customer for life. Perhaps many customers if the person kicks out tells their friends. Then you get the media involved and you look pretty bad. For what? If a customer comes into my store to check prices, get info, or read for a bit... that means they feel welcome in my store. They will eventually buy something down the road likely. And if not, it ain't worth destroying a relationship over them getting info that they will just get somewhere else instead any ways. Absolutely no benefit to hassling customers for trying to get product at the cheapest price if they don't need it right away and don't need service with their purchase.

 

[riverc0il]

Maybe it's just me....I'm finding that online deals aren't as great as they used to be. In 2008, I picked up a set of 2007 twintips online for $130...brand new. Now, you're just not seeing that. I find that the leftover skis or end of season sales at the stores are pretty much in-line with what they're selling online. My theory (and it is just a theory) is that with the economy, makers aren't producing as much and shops aren't buying as much. At the end of the year, there's not much leftovers that need to be unloaded for cheap.

If consumers were not buying as much ski gear, then there would be surplus at the end of the season. I think it has more to do with manufacturers getting smart. A few years ago, they were making tons of product. And that product never goes back to the manufacturer, so money in the bank--right? Well, shops discounted and of season, stuff went to liquidation, the market got flooded, new AND used prices online decreased, etc. The market got saturated with product and supply exceeded demand.

The marketplace responded to the increased supply with more demand, more skis were bought, quivers were built up, etc. But eventually, consumers were saturated with great product already in their closet and not even cheap end of season sales would tempt them. Prices fell through the floor and especially in the used market. Technology was not getting better... suddenly, there was no reason to buy new. Just buy used or wait for the end of season sale.

Now the manufacturer has a problem. Retailers getting burned on marking down too much stuff late and getting pinched due to fewer sales. Retailers cut back on orders, doh. Time to invent some new tech (rocker) and produce fewer skis. Something new for people, end of season clearance and liquidations decreased, used prices stabilized, and now there is a demand for new skis that are being produced in the right quantities to meet demand. I think the manufacturers smartened up. The used market is really good on six year old skis right now, that ain't going away. That is my take at least.

 

[Hawkshot99]

This is rude behavior, but you don't have the flexibility to move closer to the discount price? Or are they not even bothering to negotiate with you?

In my case no I do not have the flexibility. I may be the manager, but I am not the owner. I work at a resort store, as the only shop for a 15 minute drive. Our prices are not cheap, but they are fair. I have had many customers come in and tell me we should be charging more for certain items.

In the ski industry the manufactures have what is called Minimum Advertised Price, or M.A.P. This is essentially "retain" in the ski business. I have only ever been in a few shops in my life that sell for more than that. A retailer can sell for less than that amount, but they can not advertise a item for less than that.

So you go into a ski shop right now and are looking at say a 10-11 Volkl AC50 on the wall. The MAP on that ski is $999.00, with a retail of $1175. If you scan the bar code on that ski, and do the look-up thing, you should not see ANY of them on your phone for less than the $999, or that is against the rules of the manufacturer. (Now this goes out the winter after a certain time when skis are on closeout, or leftovers.)

 

[skidmarks]

Results are in

Thanks for the survey results and comments.

Sounds like most everyone agrees that it's kosher to scan/price check product pricing to make sure things are in line before you open the wallet. You don't mind spending a little more (very little) for great service, just don't rip me off.


As a Ski Retailer I appreciate when customers give me the opportunity of their business instead of just shopping on-line. Since we also play on the Internet, it's also helped us to broaden our product selection and reach out to ski specialty niches like Mogul, Powder, Race, Backcountry, etc. I think in the end it's made us a much better shop.

 

[puckoach]

Interesting discussion. Part of what makes this a great forum !

Personally, I pay quite a bit of attention to the forums for my activites/toys. Usually checking posts "in season", on a daily basis. I pay occasional attention to some other product forums, such as for my Toyota 4Runner.

Gear, Equipment, Parts, make up a good portion of the discussions. So, whenever a purchase is contemplated, I have looked over the Forum, and the online outlets/pricing.

That said, I do purchase predominantly from brick and motar, and in many cases value the opinions of people that work at them.

Quite often, I have ended up with a different product then the one I walked in to buy. In almost every case, I ended up with a better product.

Knowing the "reasonable" price, and discussing it has not been a problem. Matches, or very close, have been the rule.

In the case of ski equipment, my bride has foot issues. She was not really happy skiing anymore because of it, and was not going to the mountains. After 9 or ten shops, we ended up at Rogers in Lincoln NH. Luck of the draw, Pete recognized the problem and solution. Picked out two boots that were both the best she had tried on. After some adjustments, she had her pair of "slippers".

She followed that up with new Skis and bindings. All day, over the next three days, she gushed at how great it was !

Prompted me the following year, to stop in and see Pete about new skis for me, after doing hours on the internet researching, to develop my list.

After listening, he suggested that "x" would be the best for me. But, he suggested that I demo three skis, including one from my list. With the Demo price coming off the purchase price. Of course, the ski on my the list, after the demos, finished third. The one Pete had identified, was awesome.

Went back the next day, and took out two others, to go along with ski "X". Again, X was the one. Drove home that night, researched the next morning. Called Pete, and settled on a binding and ski price within spitting distance of the best online price.

In fact, I hope to be visiting Pete this year for some boots....

I have had similar experiences with knowledgable people at many a birck and motar. IMHO, do some research, listen, have an honest price discussion, and give them a chance. Just scanning/snapping a picture is occasionally not in your best interests.