Salming Gear Reviews

[hockechamp14 0]

salmingusa, are you the owner of the US division of salming? Not that I have a buisness proposition, but I was just curious. :lol:

[Jason Harris 31]

salmingusa, are you the owner of the US division of salming? Not that I have a buisness proposition, but I was just curious. :lol:

Technically, I own the rights to distribute Salming's hockey, teamwear, bags and Essential Street line. Another gentleman owns the rights to distribute the floorball equipment, which makes sense since I don't really know the game and the floorball distributor played professionally in Europe.

Of course, as I tell everyone, if this doesn't work out, all it means is I'll get a new zip code in a few years......

[ultraman7k 0]

any online hockey shops sell the salming stuff?

[whbd18 0]

salmingUSA,if i asked my lhs if theyd consider selling the products,how would they reach you

[jimmy 194]

Even better idea, let the retail stores stock your products with no commitment.  If it doesn't sell, you take it back.  From my experience, new brands can be flops and we can get stuck losing a lot of money, e.g., .....care to buy some Flite gloves and skates at way less than cost.

Jimmy

To some extent I agree with you. It's better to have the product sitting in someone's store than my storage.

However, I'd want commitment from the retailer that they'll "sell" the product; i.e., they'll explain the features to their customers. I've had some retailers that never include my products in the ones they show to players, whereas other retailers have explained the benefits of the products to prospective buyers. It's easy to guess which stores have had better sales of our products.

However, as I type this, I realize the difference between the two sets of retailers is, "Who's used the products?" The retailers who have used the product have been able to present the product in good conscience, whereas those who haven't used it can't tout it in good conscience, because they really don't know.

Of course, this leads to an obvious suggestion. I just don' think I could afford that solution!

The thing is, I can try to sell the equipment all day, but if they have their mind set on Bauer or CCM, they won't even look at your brand. So to me, it is very risky to take a chance on no-names. I've been burnt too many times. It is incumbent on the manufacturer to advertise and promote their product. Why should the retailer take all the risk. You have nothing to loose, we end up with the stuff gathering dust. You make toyr money, we lose.

Hefter wanted us to do the same. Except they had ridiclous minimums. I declined. If you want us to stock your new products, you have to give us some incentive. Low risk is a good one.

For example, I stocked Pacrow blades and sticks, only after they offered a take back policy. I now sell lots of them.

[Jason Harris 31]

any online hockey shops sell the salming stuff?

I'm working with one. They may come online shortly.

[Jason Harris 31]

salmingUSA,if i asked my lhs if theyd consider selling the products,how would they reach you

Probably the best method would be to email info@salmingusa.com.

If I have a rep in the area I would have them contact your store; otherwise, I would call them myself.

[Jason Harris 31]

The thing is, I can try to sell the equipment all day, but if they have their mind set on Bauer or CCM, they won't even look at your brand. So to me, it is very risky to take a chance on no-names. I've been burnt too many times. It is incumbent on the manufacturer to advertise and promote their product. Why should the retailer take all the risk. You have nothing to loose, we end up with the stuff gathering dust. You make toyr money, we lose.

Hefter wanted us to do the same. Except they had ridiclous minimums. I declined. If you want us to stock your new products, you have to give us some incentive. Low risk is a good one.

For example, I stocked Pacrow blades and sticks, only after they offered a take back policy. I now sell lots of them.

Jimmy,

Now we're in 99% agreement!

I understand what you mean that someone set on buying CCM won't consider new names.

And I agree completely that the manufacturer has to protect his retailers by advertising. I've begun advertising in two magazines (Hockey Business News and IceHockey World). I'd like to add Hockey News to the mix, and possibly USA Hockey, but their ad rates are beyond my sales rates right now. I've also become involved with some tournaments to increase awareness, as well as begun sponsoring teams throughout the country. Last, we're the Official Equipment Supplier to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I won't lie. All this is meant to increase my business. But it's meant to increase my business by increasing your business. I'm well aware that all my retailers are in the same predicament as me -- not turning your inventory is a killer. It's why I don't have any minimums (which is probably why I haven't considered buybacks.) You can buy one pair of socks from me, it doesn't matter. Having said that, there are two reasons to consider buying more: your shipping charges are spread over the entire order, and the product looks more legitimate when you have an entire run of sticks, say, rather than one or two. Again, though, there is no minimum.

I'd certainly consider a stock buyback if it helped incent retailers to carry the product. Are there any qualifications to the policy beyond a time limit? I'd be interested in knowing.

Regards,

Jason

[jimmy 194]

Jason,

Yes we are on the same page. Hockey equip is a strange retail nightmare. Since the margins are so low, if you get a slow/dead moving product, you have to mark it below cost to get rid of it. Unlike say, the store next to me in my strip mall who has a 300% mark up on their items, they can have a closeout and still make money or break even.

I've seen the fruits of your advertising efforts. Even two guys on my team showed up sunday with demos given to them. They were showing them off around the locker room so for sure the exposure is working. Good luck, it's working. Now all you will have to do it break the paragdym that only major manufacturers can make sticks.

As far as requirements for buybacks, the companies I have worked with haven't had any. In fact, I ended up either selling all they left on consignment, and or just paying for the remaining stock after I saw that it was selling. You could do a 90 day Jul-Sept, store pays return shipping. That would be a fair agreement.

[Jason Harris 31]

I've seen the fruits of your advertising efforts. Even two guys on my team showed up sunday with demos given to them. They were showing them off around the locker room so for sure the exposure is working.

Where are you located Jimmy?

[chippa13 1844]

You might want to check into the New England Hockey Journal for advertising. They are available free in most of the pro shops around here.

[Chadd 916]

Back on topic, I reffed a game in the skates the other night because neither of the refs showed up. I had to scrounge gear to wear and skated without elbow pads, shin pads or a cup. Having the skates in the shop was a good thing.

The boot is very comfy and works quite well for reffing. There was no fatigue or pain after spending 90 minutes in them. I also skated for a little while during some dead ice time today and used both sticks. I was firing wristers just under the crossbar(mostly) with them. They're both goodt sticks and react a little differently, so it takes a couple shots to adjust between them.

[jimmy 194]

Back on topic, I reffed a game in the skates the other night because neither of the refs showed up. I had to scrounge gear to wear and skated without elbow pads, shin pads or a cup. Having the skates in the shop was a good thing.

The boot is very comfy and works quite well for reffing. There was no fatigue or pain after spending 90 minutes in them. I also skated for a little while during some dead ice time today and used both sticks. I was firing wristers just under the crossbar(mostly) with them. They're both goodt sticks and react a little differently, so it takes a couple shots to adjust between them.

Which curve were you using 21 or 11? What are they similar to, Recchi/Lindros?

BTW, what's the significance of aiming for under the crossbar? You should be aiming for the low corners at a 13-14" height, much easier to beat a goalie there than up high. :D

[Chadd 916]

Which curve were you using 21 or 11? What are they similar to, Recchi/Lindros?

BTW, what's the significance of aiming for under the crossbar? You should be aiming for the low corners at a 13-14" height, much easier to beat a goalie there than up high. :D

Usually They're over the crossbar. I have the Modano on the G1 and the Sundin on the TF. My catalog seems to have grown legs so I can't tell you what curve each one is.

[Jason Harris 31]

Which curve were you using 21 or 11?  What are they similar to, Recchi/Lindros?

BTW, what's the significance of aiming for under the crossbar? You should be aiming for the low corners at a 13-14" height, much easier to beat a goalie there than up high. :D

Usually They're over the crossbar. I have the Modano on the G1 and the Sundin on the TF. My catalog seems to have grown legs so I can't tell you what curve each one is.

Chadd has the Modano curve on the 2004 G1 (actually, it's the Pro 7 curve) and the Sundin on the 2004 TF1 (again, it's actually the Pro 6).

No changes were made to the sticks between 2004 and 2005 other than paint and curve numbers. The G1 will have the 11 (Sakic) and 21 (Modano), while the TF1 will have the 11 (Sakic), 41 (Sundin) and 51 (Lidstrom).

As I mentioned in a previous post, Sweden introduced a lighter stick a few weeks ago. It's going to be call the TF Evolution, weigh 435 grams, and have a Roenick pattern initially.

[Jason Harris 31]

You might want to check into the New England Hockey Journal for advertising. They are available free in most of the pro shops around here.

Thanks, I'll look into what their rates are, and whether we can afford it at this time.

[Chadd 916]

Had a hat trick with the G1 last night, evidently it's working well for me. It's holding up to the abuse very well with only minimal evidence of damage.

[Hipster 5]

I've been using the G10 shaft with the R9 (Sakic) curve and I'm very happy with the performance. There's a review if anyone is looking for more detailed impressions.

I'll bet I could sell a few of these if I was on the shop floor.

I'm glad MSH has so many reviews and posts about sticks because its such an important personal piece of equipment. With the cost of gear, I can't afford to just try too many things without some information.

Chadd, how would you compare the boot width on the F1 relative to CCM Tacks?

[2048 0]

And I agree completely that the manufacturer has to protect his retailers by advertising. I've begun advertising in two magazines (Hockey Business News and IceHockey World). I'd like to add Hockey News to the mix, and possibly USA Hockey, but their ad rates are beyond my sales rates right now. I've also become involved with some tournaments to increase awareness, as well as begun sponsoring teams throughout the country. Last, we're the Official Equipment Supplier to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I'd certainly consider a stock buyback if it helped incent retailers to carry the product. Are there any qualifications to the policy beyond a time limit? I'd be interested in knowing.

Regards,

Jason

You should also look into USA Junior Hockey Magazine and Hockey magazine east. The company you'd want to contact is hockey media. NEHJ is available, but I haven't seen it outside New England. USAJHM is available in many more rinks because it covers junior hockey everywhere, east, west, central, etc.

[Jason Harris 31]

You should also look into USA Junior Hockey Magazine and Hockey magazine east. The company you'd want to contact is hockey media. NEHJ is available, but I haven't seen it outside New England. USAJHM is available in many more rinks because it covers junior hockey everywhere, east, west, central, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions. It really is difficult to know which advertising vehicles bring the most bang for the buck, but just finding out they exist is a start!

[Chadd 916]

I've been using the G10 shaft with the R9 (Sakic) curve and I'm very happy with the performance. There's a review if anyone is looking for more detailed impressions.

I'll bet I could sell a few of these if I was on the shop floor.

I'm glad MSH has so many reviews and posts about sticks because its such an important personal piece of equipment. With the cost of gear, I can't afford to just try too many things without some information.

Chadd, how would you compare the boot width on the F1 relative to CCM Tacks?

You should wait until you use it for a lot longer before writing a full review for the review section, that's why durability is one of the criteria. That's why I'm keeping this running account here. I won't write a review until I've used a product for 30 days or so. That helps the "new toy" excitement wear off.

The boot is similar to the CCMs over the last few years in terms of width, but they are a bit larger in terms of overall volume. I would guess they are slightly larger in terms of lenght than CCMs as well. I haven't tried on a CCM in a couple years so I can't say for sure.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Wait, Hipster hasn't used it for long? Ah...not good. We require 30 days...sorry...

[jrhky36 1]

you should check out Michigan Hockey News. check them out on hte web. covers every level in michigan. will perani's carry your gear. i'm close to 3 of his stores and would like to get a hands on.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Eww...Peranis...wait til I get to town :)

[Chadd 916]

Hey Peranis is great if you like paying full price on new gear or products that are several years old for low prices. Great staff knowledge too. At least in the shop I've been in.