The Things Customers Do

[Darkbyte 0]

Here is another Australian example for why so much is brought online:

Mission BSX skates. Online $99 USD ($145 AUD), price at the rink $450 AUD. It costs around $99 USD to ship a pair of skates to Australia, therefore, the final bill for some BSX online from the US is $290 AUD as compared to $450 AUD from a rink's hockey store.

I dont mind paying an extra $50-100 to help support the local stores (depending on the item), however, there are some items that it doesnt make sense to buy, as per the above example, I brought my skates online (Assassin, which according to another player, you cant even get here even if you ordered. Being a size 5.5 means I didnt have many options, basically Assassin Jr or Boss Jr).

The big problem here, is the importers from which the stores buy from. It costs the LHS an arm and a leg to get the gear to start with, before they add their profit to it. Even then, the importers dont bring everything into the country to start with.

Its no wonder the rink based store in the example will no longer be carrying hockey equipment and our LHS has more field hockey and floor ball gear than it does ice and inline hockey gear. Its not their fault, it just doesnt pay them to keep a large stock hoping someone will buy something at the already inflated prices, not to mention the high end stuff would be more than most people would be willing to spend. For example, I found a pair of Mission Wicked 1s at an Australian store. $1200 AUD (and this was an already discounted price ie old model run out price). Would you pay that much for a pair of stock standard skates?

Its a sad state of affairs, but like I said, its not the fault of the LHS, they are great blokes and very helpful.

Much love to our LHS for not throwing in the towel.

Edited January 29, 2009 by Darkbyte

[fatwabbit 93]

I reinforce Darkbyte's statements... I was intending to try out the 'local' branded OPS, but found out they cost $350 per... not exactly the cheapest, and I wont say the best either.

I've resorted to buying from other members, or from ebay.

[AHF 1]

How 'bout this conversation, which took place today...

Weird guy : "So, how's business?"

Me: "Good. The holiday season was great."

Weird guy : "You've heard about Jesus, right?"

*ackward pause*

Me : "Ummm...yeah...I'm not interested Sir."

:lol:

[JoeQ 0]

I have spent a couple hours over a few sittings reading this thread and I wanted to add my praise for MY GUY at the LHS. I live in the GTA and LHS's are as common as convenience stores and gas stations. I have 4 kids in hockey at various levels including both boy's and girls. Having grown up playing the game myself when my first child came along she was naturally bundled up and spent many a night in the winter months watching daddy play. I guess that combined with the backyard rink for many years helped all of them develop not only their skating but their love of the game itself. Over the years I have shopped at every store offering equipment for the game and depending on the level of play and their obvious gender differences, what could be passed down or recycled was due to the rising costs involved with 4 kids in the game. I have developed relationships with store staff, but they all move on and some altogether leave the field. Recently a fellow hockey dad was talking about a new store that opened in our area, and all they sold was hockey equipment and products. I made not of the name but missed the location. Well I stumbled on the store purely by accident oneday while taking a client to lunch. After we said our goodbyes I darted for the store and spent 90 minutes perusing up and down the aisles of products. I was interested in all they had displayed and offered. The staff seemed friendly and offered assistance on several occasions during my original tour through the store. I returned a few days later to the store to try out the shop. I had mine and 2 of my son's skates sharpened there, and this was what has me returning week after week. The man who greeted me at the shop counter was great, he asked all the right questions, which hollow I wanted, he explained differences from one to the other, he examined the skates for damage, and structural integrity as well as the holders and the steel itself. His explanation of the hollows got me thinking and the more questions I asked the more information, and examples he offered. I was hesitant to change the status quo for my one son, but the explanation I received made the decision easy, and he guaranteed to redo the sharpening free if I the results weren't favorable. I learned from him that day and continue to learn from him everytime we talk. This man has become almost a part of my family, he isnot just an equipment professional, he is a professional trainer. He has experience at all levels of hockey and it shows. He has assisted my family on many fronts, from training exerecises with pictures printed from his computer at home, to injury prevention and rehabilitation methods. He even made a phone call to a respected orthopedic specialist on our behalf which expedited the appointment process. I have however made one mistake in all this, I shared my new found wealth with other parents. I think he is generally very busy now when he arrives at the store, I call ahead to find out when he works as he doesn't work a regular shift just a few days a week. This has become far too long a story at this stage but, I understand how many LHS's hire mostly young people who treat their positions as a ways to make money, this man loves what he does and it shows. If he doesn't think the expense is warranted he tells you, and for that I am thankful to have found such an honest respectable, and knowledgeable source for a large portion of my disposeable income.

[fatwabbit 93]

maybe its the old guy Hans from the movie!

[JoeQ 0]

maybe its the old guy Hans from the movie!

LOL no he's not that old I guestimate him mid 40's.

[adam14 182]

this store is in the GTA? oh man, ive been missing out. could you PM me the name of the store please, if its not too far off base, maybe i can check it out in february when im in canada for a week..

[ArcArsenal 0]

I would also appreciate a PM of the store and location. I am pretty happy with the place I go to now....but could always check out options.

Thanks!

[JoeQ 0]

The store is called Hockey Experts and it's in scarborough at kennedy rd and hwy 401 right near the Casey's restaurant. The retail centre is called kennedy commons. If you are going to go specifically to talk to my guy call first, his name is Doug. The rest of the shop is capable I am sure but he is the only guy who I will deal with.

[gelowitz 0]

Nevermind, I should read. Scarborough is a little far for me, though.

Edited January 15, 2009 by gelowitz

[-knowlzey- 0]

I've been to the Hockey Experts off by Mavis and was very intrigued at their service. We were going to buy off them, but they didn't have the correct specifications so I had to buy off of a nearby store. This nearby store didn't have good service at all, but I still generally buy from them because I know they have the stick I want and I know if I break my stick they just give me on right back without having to send it in. I wish I could support some local stores, or better service stores, but when they don't always have what I want, then there's nothing much I can do. It's really unfortunate.

[VakarLajos 5]

Heard a good line today.

"My daughter is Cambodian and has a wide foot by our Caucasian standards."

[adam14 182]

I've been to the Hockey Experts off by Mavis and was very intrigued at their service. We were going to buy off them, but they didn't have the correct specifications so I had to buy off of a nearby store. This nearby store didn't have good service at all, but I still generally buy from them because I know they have the stick I want and I know if I break my stick they just give me on right back without having to send it in. I wish I could support some local stores, or better service stores, but when they don't always have what I want, then there's nothing much I can do. It's really unfortunate.

is that the one down the street basically from the pro hockey life?

[mgoblue 0]

Heard a good line today.

"My daughter is Cambodian and has a wide foot by our Caucasian standards."

I just laughed aloud in class. Not sure why, but I found that hilarious.

[eric42434224 1]

Heard a good line today.

"My daughter is Cambodian and has a wide foot by our Caucasian standards."

Yes this sounds odd....but do we know that it isnt completely true and valid?

;)

Edited January 22, 2009 by eric42434224

[mwerth 5]

Regardless of whether it's true or not, I found it funny just because it's definitely something you don't hear at the rink every day...

[mgoblue 0]

I actually assumed that it was indeed true. Funny nonetheless.

[-knowlzey- 0]

I've been to the Hockey Experts off by Mavis and was very intrigued at their service. We were going to buy off them, but they didn't have the correct specifications so I had to buy off of a nearby store. This nearby store didn't have good service at all, but I still generally buy from them because I know they have the stick I want and I know if I break my stick they just give me on right back without having to send it in. I wish I could support some local stores, or better service stores, but when they don't always have what I want, then there's nothing much I can do. It's really unfortunate.

is that the one down the street basically from the pro hockey life?

3 minute drive :P

[VakarLajos 5]

Heard a good line today.

"My daughter is Cambodian and has a wide foot by our Caucasian standards."

Yes this sounds odd....but do we know that it isnt completely true and valid?

;)

haha. it could be.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...19eda1ce1a8c1d8

It was found that Caucasian and Maori subjects had a relatively wider forefoot than the Pacific Island subjects; however the Pacific Islanders' foot was found to be wider than both these ethnicities in absolute terms. While Caucasian subjects loaded the toes to a much greater extent than the Maori and Pacific Island subjects, the latter demonstrated a greater loading of the mid and forefoot regions. Pacific Island subjects revealed a significantly more pronounced hallux valgus angle as compared to the Caucasian and Maori subjects. The results of this study may be relevant for/should be taken into consideration in footwear design issues, where allowances need to be made during the design process for anatomical differences between ethnicities. However these observations cannot be generalised to whole ethnic populations, and further research is required on non-athletes to build on the current research findings.

That's what came up when I googled "caucasian foot width". I tried "Cambodian foot width" and got nothing. "Asian foot width" gave me a bunch of porn. lol

[ntwusc 62]

It makes sense; I've read that Nike makes a special line of shoes for Native Americans because their feet tend to not fit in Nike's regular sizes.

Nike Native N7

Edited January 23, 2009 by ntwusc

[VakarLajos 5]

It makes sense; I've read that Nike makes a special line of shoes for Native Americans because their feet tend to not fit in Nike's regular sizes.

Nike Native N7

Native Americans would be Graf 735s, I guess.

[Too Old 1]

Just as Oakley has Asian-fit eyewear.

[dalebert 8]

How bout the things your boss does. My boss/owner orders steel [LS2.1] for a customer thinking it will fit in the Blue/Clear Holder of the one90's. My boss leaves for the day and the customer comes in and I say I am fairly certain that steel will not fit and if it is put in can do some damage. I tell him I would rather not work on the skate for fear of me forcing a round peg into a square hole. He isn't mad or anything [good customer also wasn't ready to take the steel that day anyway] So the next day he comes back, I am off and my boss is working. I get a call from the other person working saying my boss put the steel into the holder. I saw well good for him I just hope it doesn't break. The next day I pick the phone up and who is it? Our buddy with the one90's his holders have cracked. I hand the phone right to my boss and smiled.

[domifan28 0]

We should make one of these for stupid people working at these stores. Nothing against you guys you know your stuff, because you care about the quality of your service. The only sports store in Cape Breton is a Source for Sports 2 hours from where I live. You walk into the place, everything is marked up about 15% compared to retail price. they know they have no competition (except from another store in the same area they also own) and usually aren't very helpful with anything and most of them don't even know what they're talking about.

I was in there one day, actually the last time I shopped there and I was looking at the OPS. So I saw a bauer stick that looked really good and was around 125 dollars, but I could only find a left blade. So I ask the guy, do you have any of these in lefts and he says "No they only make this model for right handed use"

I've never been back, I much prefer the service on the mainland which is about the same distance away, their staff are very, very good in the hockey department.

Anyway, back on topic, I know if I owned a sports store the only thing that would bother me is a person who would ask to try on like 5 + pairs of skates and in the end say, "That was great now I know what sizes to get of Ebay"

[AHF 1]

Question for the more experienced retail folks...

How do you deal with one of your regulars that constantly asks for discounts?

This one guy...comes in once a week for a sharpening, and he will ask me for a discount on something EVERY SINGLE TIME!

I take some of the blame for that, as I made the mistake of giving him a discount once, and now he constantly asks for it. He's a nice guy, but it has come to the point where I dread seeing him walk through the doors, because I know the question is coming.

I went as far as telling him that I can't discount stuff, as I get shit from the owner every time I do so, but that didn't faze him...

What should I do/say to rid me of this rather annoying problem?