OPS Prices Out Of Control?

[gtoddh 0]

Was in my LHS the other day, they had the CCM Vector 10.0 for $239. I know there are people who will no doubt pay it, especially for the Ovechkin curve that that stick was, but to me it's a bit ridiculous. Thoughts?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

As long as people keep on buying, they will keep on making them.

[Chadd 916]

It's not just sticks.

[gtoddh 0]

It's not just sticks.

Agreed, however, besides tape and skate sharpening, sticks are the next most often replaced item.

It's always going to be a shaft/blade combo for me, unless someone gives me a OPS. The heartbreak would be too much if I were to snap a $150+ OPS.

[BK 0]

Just keep your eyes open for good sales. Thats what I do.

Honestly, I agree though. Some prices are just ludacris.. thats probably why etailers are doing so well now a days.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

luda?

[mack 44]

This is another reason why I favour pro stocks, other than the curve/flex options. A pro stock SL just ran me $80 per, then I was at PIAS and they were going for $199. I wouldn't say it's ludacris like Badkitty, it's more like Flav.

[shnuggs 0]

I a big fan of supporting my LHS-- But theres just to much of a price difference -- especially on stics and blades.

Can find SL's on EBAY for 100. u.s plus 15$ shipping . Here in toronto there 249.99-269.99 plus 15% tax.

All my sticks, blades, visors, helmets on ebay - preety much half price.

Feel bad buy what can i do.

[jimmy 194]

That price seems pretty high. Stores can sell them for whatever they want, based on their specific market. I sell them for way less than $200.00 and that's in line with other high end sticks and only slightly higer than the "monkey" web sites. I only have one ops higher than $200, most high ends are around $189, that seems to be the upper limit customers will pay in my area.

[Havok19 0]

Same here.I have 2 kids and trust me when i paid my last stealth 299$ cnd my wife was pretttttttttttttttttttttty piss.So i try to find them here or on ebay.

[kayhat12 0]

No offense you you pro shop owners, but this is why online shops are taking all of your business......Its a scientific fact that if you dont want to spend an arm and a leg, you have to go to online stores to get good deals on sticks and skates and whatever else that floats your boat. But like I said, I dont want to piss anyone off

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Not all stores are like that.

[jimmy 194]

No offense you you pro shop owners, but this is why online shops are taking all of your business......Its a scientific fact that if you dont want to spend an arm and a leg, you have to go to online stores to get good deals on sticks and skates and whatever else that floats your boat. But like I said, I dont want to piss anyone off

No offense taken. We all try to scrimp and save when we can. Many don't understand that Online stores can sell cheaper because their operating expenses are cheaper. We've discussed this at length before. But selling ops for $1 over invoice does not pay the bills. If you're going to buy a stick online, please don't go to your LHS to look, touch, feel, and flex it. Unlike the online stores, it cost the LHS money to display that stick, that's why their prices are higher.

[DarkStar50 679]

If you think retail price is ridiculous, imagine what LHS pays at wholesale. As for this topic, no offence, but this is really beating a dead horse. This is a case of something(retail price/ wholesale cost) that is out of the hands of the LHS. The LHS cannot just give away product pennies above cost. The LHS has to cover many fixed expenses, as jimmy says, says in order to be a LHS! As a pro shop in a rink, its a matter of convienence shopping at times. The OPS is in stock and the player either just broke his or can't find this particular OPS anywhere else. Like everything else in life, it will probably get worse before it gets better.

[TBLfan 25]

but one good thing is that in a few years we can buy some stealths or whatever for pretty cheap when something 20 grams lighter comes out.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Another big factor in prices are warranties. Consumer fraud plus the warranties from the factory to the mfgr (if they outsource).

[Sven 1]

Was in my LHS the other day, they had the CCM Vector 10.0 for $239. I know there are people who will no doubt pay it, especially for the Ovechkin curve that that stick was, but to me it's a bit ridiculous. Thoughts?

Guess it doesnt make you happier, but a 10.0 is worth that cash ;)

[mew1838 0]

Was in my LHS the other day, they had the CCM Vector 10.0 for $239.  I know there are people who will no doubt pay it, especially for the Ovechkin curve that that stick was, but to me it's a bit ridiculous.  Thoughts?

Guess it doesnt make you happier, but a 10.0 is worth that cash ;)

I disagree with you, IMO, no OPS is worth the price. We think that getting a stealth for $120 or XXX at $99 is just because our frames of refrence for them is around $200. For example, early this year gas was only $1.90 a gallon, it then rocketed and everyday we said its so expensive. It has been dropping for the past few weeks but the price is still around $2.70, $1.10 higher than the $1.90 and we are already calling gas "cheap now".

[hyprlte 0]

even now if you go to national sports or sports check here in toronto, they are starting to put a lot of 1 piece sticks from last year on sale.. eg. $129 for a ST and a lot of the TPS sticks are on sale eg. $99 for a response rubber.

[gtoddh 0]

Hopefully OPS's will top out soon. I know it's not really feasible, but wouldn't it be nice if you could now get an '04 model Synergy for like $80 brand new? Instead they make the newer/better crazy priced top-end sticks, but the "price point" sticks aren't as good as the best ones from a couple years ago that were the same price then.

EDIT: I don't mean last year's models as sale priced closeouts, I mean regular stock of older model top-of-the-line sticks, rather than the "price point" sticks

[DavisP 0]

but one good thing is that in a few years we can buy some stealths or whatever for pretty cheap when something 20 grams lighter comes out.

By the time stealths get that cheap there's a horrible selection for curves and flexes. Just look at practically all of last year's eastons and the only curves offered is usually gaborik or lindstrom. Both are hooks. It is pretty sweet when you find a closeout w/ your curve and flex though. :D

[TBLfan 25]

but one good thing is that in a few years we can buy some stealths or whatever for pretty cheap when something 20 grams lighter comes out.

By the time stealths get that cheap there's a horrible selection for curves and flexes. Just look at practically all of last year's eastons and the only curves offered is usually gaborik or lindstrom. Both are hooks. It is pretty sweet when you find a closeout w/ your curve and flex though. :D

agreed... which is another reason why I like shaft/blade combos over OPS.

[Ogie 0]

Here is a thought: how much better would everyone be at playing hockey if they simply took the 200+ dollars they were going to spend on a stick, and bought 20 sessions of stick and puck, or put that money into a couple of power skating sessions?

[jon93 0]

Here is a thought: how much better would everyone be at playing hockey if they simply took the 200+ dollars they were going to spend on a stick, and bought 20 sessions of stick and puck, or put that money into a couple of power skating sessions?

i try to go to open hockey as much as i can but my rink is 20 and 30 min away

its not like minnesota and canada where theres a rink every 5 miles

[Sven 1]

Was in my LHS the other day, they had the CCM Vector 10.0 for $239.  I know there are people who will no doubt pay it, especially for the Ovechkin curve that that stick was, but to me it's a bit ridiculous.  Thoughts?

Guess it doesnt make you happier, but a 10.0 is worth that cash ;)

I disagree with you, IMO, no OPS is worth the price. We think that getting a stealth for $120 or XXX at $99 is just because our frames of refrence for them is around $200. For example, early this year gas was only $1.90 a gallon, it then rocketed and everyday we said its so expensive. It has been dropping for the past few weeks but the price is still around $2.70, $1.10 higher than the $1.90 and we are already calling gas "cheap now".

Have you noticed the little friend after my words?

Of course, no OPS is worth the price.