I was the tent sale in North Conway this weekend (run by Frosty's / Ski and Snowboard Liquidators) and was not impressed. Most of their prices were barely marked down from retail.
I spent some time trying on boots and found a pair that fit really well (Lange RX 120). They promised that if I bought there, they would guarantee the fit at Frosty's so I was ready to make a purchase knowing that the tent sale was backed by a local shop. I noted that several pairs had discounted prices of about $350 which is what I expected for a summer tent sale. When I asked about a price on the RX 120s I was told "$600 which is marked down from $700". The bootfitter claimed that $700 was MAP, which is false. The $600 "discount" tent sale price was MAP. After I made it clear that was a nonstarter he walked away all car salesman like and came back and told me since I was twisting his arm he could do $500. Most shops would do that price in the middle of the season if you push.
I was personally insulted that they would try to pitch me full MAP on a summer "clearance" tent sale. I am increasingly convinced that there are no deals to be had on gear in the Mount Washington Valley. Stan and Dan's rarely gives a deal, but they have excellent service that nearly makes up for it. This was just a shock to my system that they would try to pass off these prices as a "deal".
I spent some time trying on boots and found a pair that fit really well (Lange RX 120). They promised that if I bought there, they would guarantee the fit at Frosty's so I was ready to make a purchase knowing that the tent sale was backed by a local shop. I noted that several pairs had discounted prices of about $350 which is what I expected for a summer tent sale. When I asked about a price on the RX 120s I was told "$600 which is marked down from $700". The bootfitter claimed that $700 was MAP, which is false. The $600 "discount" tent sale price was MAP. After I made it clear that was a nonstarter he walked away all car salesman like and came back and told me since I was twisting his arm he could do $500. Most shops would do that price in the middle of the season if you push.
I was personally insulted that they would try to pitch me full MAP on a summer "clearance" tent sale. I am increasingly convinced that there are no deals to be had on gear in the Mount Washington Valley. Stan and Dan's rarely gives a deal, but they have excellent service that nearly makes up for it. This was just a shock to my system that they would try to pass off these prices as a "deal".
