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goudgey

Have I been ripped off? New skate advice

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A simple question for you guys, but with a long explanation so please bare with me.

I've just started playing rec league hockey in Australia and decided a new pair of skates were in order given that my old skates were bought in the mid 90's.

Went to a local guy who imports gear from Canada and sells both locally via his home and on line via Internet and does a reasonable trade and bought a pair of skates from him.

He had a few different Bauer and Easton skates in stock in my size and I settled upon a pair of Nike Bauer One55's, the fit of which was better than the other skates I tried on. I paid my $375 Australian for them and was very happy that I'd gotten a pair of good skates that would see me through the next few years of rec league hockey.

I'm not at all familiar with the different models of Bauer skates but knew that these weren't the current model year skates. It was only when I did a bit of research after buying that I realised these skates were first released in 2009! A lot older than I thought at the time.

So, given what I paid, given that my options were very limited (by default this is the case being in Australia) and given that I found the skates to be immeasurably better than my old Tacks 852's when I played in them yesterday (1s game back in over 14 years and scored a goal too!) have I been ripped off and should I be looking for some money back?!

Cheers,

Mark

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According to a handy online currency converter, I see that that is about $370 Cdn.

Supply and demand is everything obviously, but here in Canada (where hockey skates are sold at gas stations) that is a very steep price for skates that old.

If you're comfortable in those skates, then you will likely be comfortable in most supreme skates that are below the top tier, which tend to fit different from the rest of the line up (less volume). If you're really concerned, see if you can source some newer skates over the interwebs. I'm sure you can get a newer, higher end model for that price.

Of course, I have no idea what Australian duties and other import taxes might be, so what do I know? (hint: nothing) Maybe the premium you paid is just what it costs to bring in hockey gear to Oz. You might look into that before doing anything drastic.

Good Luck

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That was perhaps a little steep. But I will tell you that they were and remain a very solid skate, it was actually the number 3 skate in the Supreme line at the time it was released. My experience and what I generally understand is that they were a lot closer to a 180 or a 170 than a 160 and I went out of my way to buy a second pair for my son even when they were 3 years out of production because he had done so well with them. If they fit, then it is all in the trade off. I would perhaps take a little time to evaluate any future purchases to look for a similar issue.

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I don't think you got ripped off. The guy buys stuff from Canada which already has inflated wholesale prices and that's if he's getting them wholesale, he likely is buying from a middle man who is making a cut as well..Then he has to pay shipping to AU which is one of the most expensive places in the world to ship. I send steel runners there all the time, less than 1 lb is $30 or more. I can't imagine what a 6 lb pair of skates would cost him to get. Plus since hockey is not big in AU, he's taking a risk stocking skates which aren't exactly flying off the shelves, so it is perfectly normal for him to have new old stock. I'd say if they fit well, don't worry. Honestly there have been mostly cosmetic changes over the years, so your 2009 boot is not that much different than today's models.

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Thanks for the feedback everyone, greatly appreciated. Of course the additional mark ups and cuts of importing to Australia all make sense and I'm encouraged to hear that the skates were/are of good quality.

Importantly for me they so far fit well and I could immediately see and feel an improvement in my skating. I also think they look pretty good too...dare I say it better than the current Supreme models!

I'm heading to the U.S. In March next year so perhaps I'll invest in a pair of Makos or Tacks when I'm there?

Cheers

Mark

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That was perhaps a little steep. But I will tell you that they were and remain a very solid skate, it was actually the number 3 skate in the Supreme line at the time it was released. My experience and what I generally understand is that they were a lot closer to a 180 or a 170 than a 160 and I went out of my way to buy a second pair for my son even when they were 3 years out of production because he had done so well with them. If they fit, then it is all in the trade off. I would perhaps take a little time to evaluate any future purchases to look for a similar issue.

maybe between a 160 and 170. Look @ icewarehouse's heritage for those skates. The 180 is a better skate and IMO skates from 2013 to 2014 might not be a drastic difference but from 2009 to 2014...theres definitely features and updates that make the newer skates more valuable than skates from 5 years ago. The bulk of the skate is there but theres little things that will make it obvious its a more modern skate.

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Actually he buys all his stuff from a shop outside of LA. I know the man well having worked with him a couple times. He has been cut off from that store now but not sure where he is getting his stock. There is a Bauer direct supplier and he just goes around that. As for the price it's a little steep but you had really only one other option and not sure what SN has in used skates so I guess you are kinda stuck, unless of course you happen to be coming on holiday.

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Actually he buys all his stuff from a shop outside of LA. I know the man well having worked with him a couple times. He has been cut off from that store now but not sure where he is getting his stock. There is a Bauer direct supplier and he just goes around that. As for the price it's a little steep but you had really only one other option and not sure what SN has in used skates so I guess you are kinda stuck, unless of course you happen to be coming on holiday.

Are we talking about the same guy? He told me he travels to Canada three or so times a year and I assumed that his contacts and suppliers are primarily based in Canada. Either way you're right in saying that I have very few options locally. Only one other place in town that I can actually try on skates as far as I'm aware and pricing is similar. The skates I've got are new old stock! Not used and I'm very happy with them so far.

I am coming to America for a holiday early next year and may look to get another pair of skates then, although it'll be hard to justify if the One55's are still going strong!

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Of course, I have no idea what Australian duties and other import taxes might be, so what do I know? (hint: nothing) Maybe the premium you paid is just what it costs to bring in hockey gear to Oz. You might look into that before doing anything drastic.

Good Luck

That's exactly why looking at a currency converter is pointless.

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