Buy skates at LHS VS. Buying Online

[shuweiyu16 0]

I'm looking to buy new skates again and possbily steering away from CCM & RBK, would you guys recommend that I buy at LHS which may be more pricy but with better service or take my chances online?

[akhockey 0]

go to your LHS. It may cost more but you will get to try on different skates and see which fits bests.

[Guest OSTOR]

Theres Quite A Few Topics Allready On This

[jbyun04 7]

ONLINE:

-No support for LHS

-Maybe cheaper

-No service

-Shipping fees and duties if you live in Canada

LHS:

-Try on skates

-Support LHS

-Free sharpening and whatever else you need to get done

-No shipping fees

-Customer service

-Heat molding

-Better idea of what you may really want to get in case you change your mind.

[gman 0]

No question, go to the local shop if you can. I really do not have one, so I think you should take full advantage of yours.

[Dante2004 0]

If you are going to try a new model/brand, I think it is a no brainer...go with the LHS. You can try on several dif skates. Then make your decision based on FIT, not logo or which athelete endorses the product, or what skate is "Hot" at the moment.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

The actual price difference is not that much. I would say go to your LHS. Without them where do you go for service, advice and help. And you also get to try on skates to see whats good for you.

Hockey Monkey - http://www.hockeymonkey.com/nbh-hssupreme30sr.html

Bauer Supreme 30 skates, $139.99

For items between $100 and $149.99, there is a $4.99 handling charge, and $11.99 shipping charge. That brings your total to $156.97 (they do have free shipping if you spend $150, but that means spending more, and they still charge you $4.99 handling, so its still $154.99 at best).

Then you have to take them to get sharpened. First sharpen can cost anything from $7 to $20

If you want them molded, to get it done in a shop where you didn't buy them it's another charge (locally here it's $60, I don't know if thats standard, but lets call it half that for economic comparison) $30.

So, you have spent $154.99 at hockey monkey, $30 for molding, $7 for sharpening, meaning you spent $191.99 on a pair of hockey skates to get them ready, and never having tried them on.

Thats your online total.

I went to my local hockey shop, For Sports MD, at the gardens Ice House in Laurel.

Skates, including taxes were $162.74 (just looked at my amex receipt).

That included sizing, first sharpening and heat molding. He also gave me a pair of waxed laces for free, as he said he didn't like the laces that came with the skates. A pair of laces may seem insignifigant, but it's part of the service, it was a more experienced opinion, and it made me decide to return there.

I used the supreme 30 as an example because that's what I got myself.

I ended up saving money by going local.

Also, I was just back home in Ireland for the last 2 weeks. Before I left I needed a big bag, and hockey bags are strong, so was picking up one.

I went into the shop again, asked for a cheap hockey bag. While he was looking for some old clearance ones, he asked me "how are the skates working out for you?"

Now, I bought low end skates, was only there for 30 minutes about 2 months ago, and he remembered, and asked me about it.

Thats service worth paying for, go local, if you have a good LHS, its completely worth it

[Roach 0]

LHS hands down. And everyone that has access to one is very, very lucky.

[chikinpotpie 137]

There is really no question. Go to the LHS. When you help out your local businesses, you get more than a pair of skates. You get alot of input that you might not get anywhere else. You also can't beat being able to try on skates, get them molded and sharpened, and then being able to take them home and wear them while you watch tv. It also beats the feeling of wondering if they are going to be what you want while you are waiting for them to be shipped.

[mew1838 0]

But you guys can't deny that not all LHS are good, some are overpriced and have service worse than monkey. Some even have sharpening worse than giant. The main reason why I would want to buy in a LHS is just for the damn baking process. $30 for baking is totally a rip-off.

[KYHockey3 0]

i would definately say go try them on and see the prices. if you decide to buy online,maybe tip the guy who sized you, or atleast buy something. i wouldnt pay over 40$ more for things at the lhs vs. a shop, unless if they offer free baking and sharpening.

i have no local shop, so i frequently buy online.

i plan on buying new pants at the lhs 90 minutes away in a couple of weeks.

[shute 4]

for skates i would go to LHS but for just about everything else i would go online.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

But you guys can't deny that not all LHS are good, some are overpriced and have service worse than monkey. Some even have sharpening worse than giant. The main reason why I would want to buy in a LHS is just for the damn baking process. $30 for baking is totally a rip-off.

I certainly have had a bad experience with my old LHS. When I was new to skating, and I mean, new, moved here from Ireland, never skated before, the guy put a pair of tacks on me, said how do they feel, I said fine. He never asked how far my toes went, if they were tight across the top, which they were, but I had assumed it would be the break in process would remove that issue, it didn't.

When I found my new LHS, the difference was immediate in terms of service and attention. I had been fitted in skates 1 1/2 sizes too big for me previously, because I knew nothing and he never helped.

[blueliner27 12]

I've seen many people bought skates from online stores like HockeyMonkey. My friend bought Syngergy 1500 but returned because It was a bit narrow for him. Obviously, since he got already sharpened, he couldn't returned it. He eventually sold it to other buddy with 25% discount from what he actually paid.

But I'd say if you are 100% sure what size you wear, it wouldn't matter that much.

[Alias81 0]

I just bought some new rollers for $600 at my kinda LHS over buying them clearence online for maybe $180 and now my pockets really feeling it although I can't denie knowing I have been fitted right and there is not nearly as much hassle if I have problems with them is great.

Alot of the times I buy online is because I don't have time to travel to my LHS (seriously I don't) or I have already contacted them and they don't deal with a certain manufacturer or if I'm skint and it's a noticible difference I'll buy the odd thing online.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

I'm all for going to the LHS and trying on stuff to get the right fit then buying them online if they're a lot cheaper. But it's getting harder to do that. Periani's (SP?) charges you $40 right off the bat to get fitted. Which is total bullshit.

[kosydar 0]

Do they refund it if you buy the skates?

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

Why waste your time there when I'm in town? I mean, really.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

Do they refund it if you buy the skates?

Yea they apply it to the skates if you buy some.

Why waste your time there when I'm in town? I mean, really.

Good point. I'd like to pick up a pair of XXXs once the XXXXs drop.

[TBLfan 25]

do they also refund if they don't have something that fits you?

Anyway, I say go to your LHS unless you find an amazing deal. I bought my last skates online because I knew what I wanted and my LHS didn't have them and the only thing comparable was roughly $300 more than what I paid online. If you've never tried the skates your considering I HIGHLY recommend going to your LHS if not to just try them on... BUT if you do that, be honest and let them know that you can find them for cheaper online and that you're willing to tip them for their time. They might even make you a deal. Just don't take advantage of them, it's not fair to them, other customers and you might even pay the price when you come in and need their help. What goes around comes around.

[repus 0]

I have done both. I must say that I prefer LHS mostly because skates require additional post sales support compared to almost all other equipment.

The extra 10%-20% you end up paying in fees up front, you get back from additional support later. This is definitely dependent who you deal with.

I am fortunate to have EWH close by and they stand behind their skates which is awesome. They also offer a discount program for sharpenings so even if you don't need rivets being replaced etc, you gain it back through cheaper service.

-dave

[mew1838 0]

i would definately say go try them on and see the prices. if you decide to buy online,maybe tip the guy who sized you, or atleast buy something. i wouldnt pay over 40$ more for things at the lhs vs. a shop, unless if they offer free baking and sharpening.

i have no local shop, so i frequently buy online.

i plan on buying new pants at the lhs 90 minutes away in a couple of weeks.

90 minutes away is no longer a LHS.

[KYHockey3 0]

well thats the closest hockey store to me.

its my lhs

[DarkStar50 679]

I had the parents and the 14 year old in the shop last week-end looking at Vapor XXX. I heard the dad the say try them on and then we'll order online. They stood around waiting for help. I asked and they said they wanted to try on skates, Vapor XXX. I asked if they were ready to buy today. "Oh maybe." That is the part where the customer lies to the shop guy. I ask him what skates is he wearing. "Easton 500." Hmm, quite a jump to Vapor XXX. I measure his foot and go check stock. I'll let you decide whether or not I had his size in stock and let him try them on.

[SickLife 2]

i went to my LHS just to try on skates & figured i would order online. but it ended up being the same price, or just a few bucks more, so i had them order my size. always better to support a good LHS. not the overpriced ones.