Online store in Canada

[grnmtnvt 18]

Why is it that there are so few quality online hockey stores in Canada beyond pro hockey life? Is it purely a cost of shipping issue? Or, the assumption that everyone shops at their LHS which is quite definitely not true- Sports Chek, Source for Sports, Sports Excellence- etc, has hampered their growth?

[RickDC 24]

I have http://thehockeyshop.com not too far away from me here, I've shopped online and instore and they've always been great.

I had an issue with my Mako 1's, hand them for a good while and had huge problems with ankle rubbing and internal padding degradation. They brought in the Easton rep and worked with me to replace them with the 2's. They've always been super helpful with any returns and advice.

(I'm not associated with them other than a happy customer).

[Seano 4]

http://hockeysupremacy.com/en/ is another good option.

[mickz 107]

Why is it that there are so few quality online hockey stores in Canada beyond pro hockey life? Is it purely a cost of shipping issue? Or, the assumption that everyone shops at their LHS which is quite definitely not true- Sports Chek, Source for Sports, Sports Excellence- etc, has hampered their growth?

In Canada there are many manufacturer-imposed restrictions on what can be shipped. Anything top end Bauer cannot be shipped for example. Most LHS will be on the smaller side as well. They're not set up to handle a large scale online operation. Just keeping track of inventory is a challenge on its own.

[lachlan 3]

I've had nothing but good experience with hockeysupremacy.com ( I've ordered online 4 times and each was easy and correct). They have free shipping for orders over $150 and often have sales around different holidays that are 20% off.

[grnmtnvt 18]

In Canada there are many manufacturer-imposed restrictions on what can be shipped. Anything top end Bauer cannot be shipped for example. Most LHS will be on the smaller side as well. They're not set up to handle a large scale online operation. Just keeping track of inventory is a challenge on its own.

So, only in Canada Bauer will not allow their top-end products to be shipped? What's the reasoning behind the restrictions?

[mickz 107]

So, only in Canada Bauer will not allow their top-end products to be shipped? What's the reasoning behind the restrictions?

Yes. Stores cannot ship "Elite" level Bauer products within Canada. That's why you'll see "In-Store Only" written on dealers' websites. This is done to protect local retailers.

[grnmtnvt 18]

Interesting. Why do those restrictions not apply in the US? Too many differences in states laws...?

And what benefit does Bauer gain from this strategy?

[mickz 107]

I'm not familiar with US hockey retail so perhaps someone who is can answer that. If I had to venture a guess it would have to do with equipment not being widely available in US compared to Canada where it is almost a convenience good... unless you're living in a rural part of Canada.

When I make trips down to WA I can count the number of shops I can buy hockey gear from on one hand. I'd consider WA a legitimate hockey market as well with all the WHL presence and rumors of the NHL going to Seattle.

[JR Boucicaut 3759]

Exactly - there's bound to be a hockey store in pretty much any decent-sized town.

[grnmtnvt 18]

The scarcity of stores in the US makes sense with regards to why online stores have flourished.

But, there are LOTS of rural communities in this country, who don't necessarily have access to a full spectrum of equipment- living in one that wouldn't be considered impoverished in that sense by North American standards, it is still tough to track certain things down that aren't a mainstream CCM or Bauer product, which is where the online option would fill the gap. And, I'm surprised that hasn't been filled. Or, maybe there just isn't the demand. I thought there might have been a legislative or logistical issue at play.

[mickz 107]

The majority of sales will be mid or entry level equipment which can be shipped so those types of customers have nothing to worry about. People living in rural areas who want Elite level gear will find a way to get it whether it be making a trip out to the store or having friends/family ship it.

My LHS in Vancouver deals with a number of visitors from Washington State, Yukon and even Hong Kong because they can't get what they want back home.

[Eesh 5]

I cannot say enough good things about hockeysupremacy.com they they always have good sales... site wide without restrictions. With every purchase you make you get money towards future purchases... free shipping... excellent customer service. I'd support the local guys where I live, but when I save the money I do shopping online at hockey supremacy (which is 2500kms away from where I live) I can't afford not to. Their regular prices alone blow the local guys out of the water.

[mickz 107]

I cannot say enough good things about hockeysupremacy.com they they always have good sales... site wide without restrictions. With every purchase you make you get money towards future purchases... free shipping... excellent customer service. I'd support the local guys where I live, but when I save the money I do shopping online at hockey supremacy (which is 2500kms away from where I live) I can't afford not to. Their regular prices alone blow the local guys out of the water.

Will your local guys price match on current product?

[grnmtnvt 18]

Can't speak from him, but couldn't in my case. I just picked up something from them that I couldn't get locally. Free shipping and it went from Candiac, QC to my place in southern Ontario in 48 hours from purchase to drop-off and that was definitely not Canada Post, haha. They must have reached some favourable deal with Fedex, although I doubt the shipping is always that fast- especially for MB, SK, AB, and BC. Pretty impressed with the customer service- good followup email and quick response for questions. Although, I know Fedex doesn't ship to many smaller communities in Canada, so it might be limited- hard to know at first.

Will your local guys price match on current product?