natbat

I understand he does not make the shoe last. My Doctor charges 350.00 for a mold. It would be easier and cheaper just to find a good Skate fitter when ordering customs.

My understanding from his tech is that they cast my foot and then pour a liquid into the casting. The liquid sets and then I have an exact mold. I am not sure what kind of liquid or the cost. All I know is that if you cannot find a good skate fitter, the custom process could be a disaster (that is why he recommended the molds). I am happy with my one80's so for me, its just conversation at this point. I did find out that one of my feet is larger then the other and that is why I have issues with my left foot.

Great video. I seen the foot molds my doctor was talking about in the video. He said if I ever wanted custom skates he could make both the right and left mold to give to a skate fitter. I have a question. When you purchase custom skates from Bauer, do they keep all your foot information? Thanks!

That's good to know. I contacted B&R sports here in MI. I was going to get customs before my 8090's broke and I was forced to purchase skates asap.

Doesn't a Bauer rep do it? That's what I was told in the states.

Sounds like you have a great shop! The customer doesn't always know what is best for their kids or themselves. True professionals in their indusrty will find a balance when dealing with the general public. I played Hockey my entire life and still don't know anything about skate and stick technologies...I just know what works for me.

Yep, I have exactly the same problem...every time I take of my skates, the pain is awful. I found with my CCM U 10's my feet feel much better. The skates fit me better then my 8090's. I also have a low arch and have added a Dr approved orthotic insert.. Now that I have aligned my foot with the boot, I should not have to shim my holders later...only time will tell. It just sucks taking off a set of brand new E pro holders with steel and paying for new LS2 holders and steel....Great combo! The boot and holders feel great together.

LMAO

As much as I agree with you, minimum wage tells an employee, "I would pay you less if I could". I am sure there is some good guys getting minimum wage, but in my experience they could care less and show it. If you are a owner of a business, you want a good employee. He isn't going to last long if he cant afford to raise a family or pay his bills.

This is the best answer. The customer pays the bills. If you go out of your way to show them you are proficient in skate sharpening you will have a customer for life.

I do like your opinion. I want to add that yes, it would be insulating to ask, "are you good at your job"? I ask in different ways. I'll walk in and say, "can you sharpen my skates at 1/2"? Most of the time they will respond, "yes", or "that is our standard set-up". I have had grown men tell me 1/2" what? or a 1/2" won't work for you. I like when the guy notices the customizations that have been done to my skate. I feel more comfortable with him. I'll finish with this, I once got my skates sharpened in Troy, MI, all they do is sharpen skates, and they messed up my blades so bad. If you live in Metro-Detroit you now the business I am talking about. I now drive half hour each way to get my skates sharpened.

My friends shop has a very unique setup. Not every stick he has in stock is on display. He actually has only one or two top end sticks on the floor. If you want to buy one, he will walk to the back room and hand you one in plastic. I don't mention the name of the shop because currently my friend is buying out his partner. My friend started asking customers , "what is your biggest concern or problem with LHS's in the area? Most of them responded, Equipment is getting so expensive...I want to try before I buy". Second, I feel I cant touch anything or I am wasting their time. Third, uneducated and rude sales associates. I love reading this forum because he is trying to put together a store that is so customer friendly the extra money he spends, he will make up. He is currently talking with a foot doctor, a skate, goalie, and stick coach to assist him with helping customers purchase products. He is asking these people to help him have one of the best Hockey shops in Metro Detroit. It sound like you guys would love to go to a Hockey shop and talk with knowledgeable people and try out expensive equipment..... And when a pair of skates are $800.00 and a stick is $250.00 the ONLY people selling it should be knowledgeable people......So if I want to flex a 250.00 dollar stick before I buy it, then there needs to be demos. I don't want to find out that a 250.00 stick doesn't work for me on the ice, after I purchased it.

Say's it all!!

You are dealing with the general public, simple as that.

That's a great question. A lot of LHS hire kids and pay them minimum wage. I have had a LHS mess up my skates. If there where standards in the skate sharpening industry, or who was allowed to sharpen skates then that may be a bad question. There are doctors that go to school for eight years and are bad doctors.