Where does everyone buy their equipment?

[GrizzlyFD]

I try to go out and demo as much as I can and then find a deal on ebay or online somewhere...Where does everyone else buy their stuff? Any recommendations for online or local stores?

I would like to support the local mountain shops, but as a grad student I just don't have the cash to spend there. I can find the same equipment on ebay for a lot cheaper...:lol:

 

[Birdman829]

www.untracked.com , www.skiessentials.com , and www.ski-depot.com (just bought a pair of brand new Fischer RX9's for 600 bucks there) are all good and are located in New England.

skiessentials is Pinnacle Ski and Sports at both Stowe and Smuggler's Notch.

untracked is Al's Ski Barn in Freeport, ME.

ski-depot is Ski Depot in Jay, ME.

 

[Vortex]

I buy everything I use at ski fanatics in Campton Nh off Exit 28 on 93. Skiers and riders who get it. Bought bikes and a Canoe there also. Best deal and great understanding of the sport and families also. Can't say enough good things. Trade in deals on kids gear. This has been talked about before a little bit, but presented a little different this time.

 

[Zand]

I buy most of my stuff at the Mountainside store at Wachusett.

 

[ga2ski]

I buy everything I use at ski fanatics in Campton Nh off Exit 28 on 93. Skiers and riders who get it. Bought bikes and a Canoe there also. Best deal and great understanding of the sport and families also. Can't say enough good things. Trade in deals on kids gear. This has been talked about before a little bit, but presented a little different this time.

Ski fanatics is a great shop.

Since I tele now i buy all my gear from www.telemarkdown.com. The gear is shipped from New Boston, NH and Eric the owner lets me go over to his house and try on boots and pick up my new gear.

 

[skijay]

I purchased my skis from Ski Butternut's ski shop last April.

All of my Snowblades came from Competitive Edge on Rt 5 in Holyoke, MA.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Where I Buy?

I buy my gear at either "Ski Stop" in Plainview,LI or at "Sno-Haus" in Huntington, LI. I also try to keep my eyes open for a "deal" whenever it pops up. For example, I had demoed some Volant FX-2's at Jiminy Peak some years ago and really liked everything about them except the price. A couple of months later I happened to pass by Pico on a beautiful warm spring day and noticed that there were still some skiers using the main front trail. I convinced my wife to let me stop in for "just a few minutes" and then noticed a sign at the ski shop: "Last Day" I had to take a peak. He had a pair of FX-2 boards and wanted $300 for them. On a whim I offered him $200 .....cash... now. He took it, I paid him, and got out of there fast!

 

[teachski]

I buy most of my stuff at the Mountainside store at Wachusett.

You like paying top dollar? Most of their stuff can be purchased elsewhere for 10-30%less. Check out some other shops. I only buy there if I forget something (gloves, poles, etc.) rather than driving home for them.

 

[riverc0il]

who ever has the gear the cheapest gets my dollar i factor in some sway in that regard towards convenience, i won't drive 2 hours to save $20 for example. i have bought online and through local shops. for online, ebay and backcountry are both excellent, especially when you find a great price on new gear. physical shops, i have landed numerous good deals at ski haus in salem, NH throughout the last two years. last year, their early season ski sale was excellent with all new gear around 20% off or so, sweet.

 

[Marc]

I buy most of my stuff at the Mountainside store at Wachusett.

You like paying top dollar? Most of their stuff can be purchased elsewhere for 10-30%less. Check out some other shops. I only buy there if I forget something (gloves, poles, etc.) rather than driving home for them.

I agree for the new merchandise sold during peak season.

However their Labor Day and Columbus Day sales/swaps offer up some great deals...

They also have very reasonable prices on one to three year old new stuff. I bought my Volkl P50 F1's there one year old, never had a binding mounted to them for $300. That's about as good a deal as you'll see anywhere.

Other than that I go to eBay or Reliable Racing.

 

[Sky]

Zand/Teachski...I bought my Volkls @ Wa at the end of last season. I saw them on Ebay for a bit cheaper...but not including shipping, no binding adjustment...no warranty.

I was @ Wa skiing the new boards, ownership was cruising with us that night. They checked out the skis before I stepped in. Saw a minor burr on an edge, told me to drop them off on the way home...no charge.

Bought my daughter's junior atomics there a few years back. Again, checked e-bay for like or similar. Same thing...close but not quite on price...plus no binding mount, no warranty.

Something I learned when I was a fishing nut...buying stuff via catalog. There was no place local I could buy decent tackle. Not patronizing the local vendor has a consequence.

I'm not advocating paying top dollar by any stretch. That's just not good capitalism. BUt having a local vendor you trust, who tosses in a hand warmer when you drop some decent cake, that goes the extra distance for your business...I'm a sucker for it.

I also patronize Strands in Worcester. They take your gear in trade. I got $50 for my 4-yr old size 14 Alpinas toward my new Dalbellos. Paid $230 cash. They had three boots in my size (and skier level). Love the boots. Me and TrailBoss have the same ones. And oh ya...Strands tossed in a heel-cup/arch support just for fun.

Also keep tabs on SkiSHop Plus over the border in RI...and Andy's in ...Fitchburg?

Ski Outlet in Westborough doesn't seem to carry the quantity of gear they used to...I don't swing by there anymore.

And lastly....I'm all done with Skimarket. Never again....ever.

Snowboard stuff...I like the guys @ Eastern Border. The shop in Worcester has done me good over the kids purchases.

 

[Marc]

Sky... I've heard some horror stories with Strand's rentals... I'd go for new only there.

That being said, this is the shop I trust to tune up my planks... they haven't f'ed them up yet and they always give me the bevel and wax I want so I won't complain.

And how do you know the Crowley's? That's pretty cool. I always like knowing folks in high up places... even if I get nothing out of it besides some cool company.

 

[Tyrolean_skier]

I like to demo skis before I buy and the shops on the mountain deduct the rental fee for the demos from the buying price. The last pair of skis I bought at the Basin Ski Shop. The previous pair I had bought from Peak Performance. My boots I bought from Peak Performance and got custom foot beds there as well. Both those shops are at Killington. I buy ski clothes and ski accessories at Ski Stop in LI. I also just bought from http://www.steepandcheap.com a camelback and a fleece jacket for my son.

We also rent the boots for my kids at Peak Performance.

 

[andyzee]

Last 2 pairs of skis were purchased on eBay.

Ski clothes purchased just about anywhere at the end of season for half price.

Boots, mine purchased at Aspen East, wife's at Peak Performance. Both in Killington.

 

[Vortex]

I'm kind of old school you develope a realtionship and stick with it. I don't buy equiptment on the net. If I need service I want to talk to the person who sold it to me and get actual face to face conversation and interation. I still close deals with a hand shake. I buy from people who do the same. Again if your in NH try Ski Fanatics.

 

[riverc0il]

I'm not advocating paying top dollar by any stretch. That's just not good capitalism. BUt having a local vendor you trust, who tosses in a hand warmer when you drop some decent cake, that goes the extra distance for your business...I'm a sucker for it.

the problem is finding a quality local vendor that you trust. i would love to have a local vendor that treats me so well as a customer i wouldn't mind paying 10-20% more for their great service. it is a very rare thing in the ski industry as far as i am concerned.

closest thing i've see is wilderness house in boston. while i was in the area, they received all my boot purchase and adjustments and mounting work (especially since they carried backcountry gear and had highly knowledge sales and maintenence folks). the problem is, the better skier you are and more knowledgable about the sport you are, you end up knowing more than a lot of punk sales kids at some of these shops. that and some sales folks get so used to the typical skiing joey that comes into a shop not knowing anything about the gear, they don't know what to do when someone comes in with a clue. with wilderness house though i always felt i was responded to with understanding of what i needed and was going for which is why i enjoyed shopping their despite their prices being higher than average.

long story short, i don't mind paying more for a great shopping experience, knowledgable associates who treat me right, and the service aspect of shopping. i just don't find a lot of places do it very well unless you fit their stereotypical low needs/demands shopper that doesn't have much knowledge of the sport and it's equipment.

 

[hammer]

So far I've been getting most of my equipment from Ken Jones in Nashua. Their prices on the stuff I've bought there seem reasonable, and they also have a 50% buyback on junior equipment.

I did get a used junior ski package from Ski Market last year, though...couldn't beat the price.

As far as clothing is concerned, I get it wherever the price is right. Have to get out soon to pick up early season deals...

 

[Vortex]

Ken Jones opened August 1st. I have in the past purchase from them. I think they do a good job. Not to mention Nashua is a great place to spend your money.

 

[stomachdoc]

Ski fanatics in Campton, NH. I'll echo what was said above, these guys (and gals) know skiing and riding, are easy going and take their time with you. They give great service..can't say enough good things!

 

[ctenidae]

I usually go to Ski Haus in Wilmington, MA. The Salem NH store is prety good, too, but farther away. Their prices are good, adn the sales staff is nce and knowledgeable. Biggest advantage witih them is there are usually a million ski guys in the store at one time, adn if oyu ask one a wuestion, they'll usually bounce it around everyone, so you get 7 opinions, all from slightly different angles,so you can go witiht he one that fits yourprofile best. If they ever do agree on something, it's a lock- like me buying the Head iM-75's. I told them what I had, what I didn't like about them, what I'd demoed, and what I liked about them. Unanimous recommendation on teh Heads (they all own a set themselves, too). Plus, the price ended up about half the best price I could find on the web for the same setup.