Online stores

[raygunpk 0]

Online stores like hockeymonkey and hockeygiant sell their products for really cheap, and even have ground shipping if you're over a certain price... how do they do this?

How do they keep their prices so low? And why doesn't everybody shop online as it seems like its way cheaper?

Sorry for the dumb question I just found my skates $100 cheaper and wondering if I got ripped off or not.

[Maka 0]

These companies have way smaller overheads than most LHS because they can cut down on a lot of the hands-on service and can also order in ridiculous quantities from the original manufacturer. While most things are cheaper online, for some things it is definitely more beneficial to go to your LHS. The best example of this which springs to mind for everyone I'm sure is purchasing skates. In an LHS, you'll get the individual attention you need and hopefully expert advice as to finding the perfect fit. Online, you'll get a shoe-size conversion chart that barely serves any purpose at all. So yes, while these retailers online are significantly cheaper, they can't take the place of your good 'ol local hockey store.

[raygunpk 0]

Well I could have tried them on in the store to find my right skate, and then found an online US store to purchase it for a lower price. But you are right about the individual attention you get.

But other things like sticks for example are all so much cheaper, even including costs to ship to Canada.

[tomh7 2]

Well I could have tried them on in the store to find my right skate, and then found an online US store to purchase it for a lower price. But you are right about the individual attention you get.

But other things like sticks for example are all so much cheaper, even including costs to ship to Canada.

You are probably aware of this but just in case you are not I will say that going to your LHS and taking advantage of their personalized service and then going somewhere else to buy because you save $10-$20 is highly frowned upon around here as it should be. My rule of thumb is if it is in stock at the LHS within 10-15% of online pricing, I will keep my hard earned money local.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Well I could have tried them on in the store to find my right skate, and then found an online US store to purchase it for a lower price. But you are right about the individual attention you get.

But other things like sticks for example are all so much cheaper, even including costs to ship to Canada.

You are probably aware of this but just in case you are not I will say that going to your LHS and taking advantage of their personalized service and then going somewhere else to buy because you save $10-$20 is highly frowned upon around here as it should be. My rule of thumb is if it is in stock at the LHS within 10-15% of online pricing, I will keep my hard earned money local.

Beyond that.....the next time that you go in there with your new skates that you got online, DO NOT EXPECT the same level of service that you had gotten before. You are taking money out of their pockets, so don't expect them to help you out going forward.

[Super Star 0]

one more thing is when you buy online you might save 40$ but you still need to bake your skates so you will be paying 40 or so to get them baked at your LHS so in the end it all evens out.

[fastbrother7 0]

Well I could have tried them on in the store to find my right skate, and then found an online US store to purchase it for a lower price. But you are right about the individual attention you get.

But other things like sticks for example are all so much cheaper, even including costs to ship to Canada.

You are probably aware of this but just in case you are not I will say that going to your LHS and taking advantage of their personalized service and then going somewhere else to buy because you save $10-$20 is highly frowned upon around here as it should be. My rule of thumb is if it is in stock at the LHS within 10-15% of online pricing, I will keep my hard earned money local.

Beyond that.....the next time that you go in there with your new skates that you got online, DO NOT EXPECT the same level of service that you had gotten before. You are taking money out of their pockets, so don't expect them to help you out going forward.

For the most part, I whoelfully agree with you on this, however, I've found that if purchase a few things per year from my local store, if I come in for some advice on a product that I didnt get from them, they are pretty cool about helping me out. They dispise online retailers just as much as the any other LHS, but they also understand total customer service as well. They may not get 100% of my business, but they will get a good portion of it. I certainly wouldnt expect them to bake my skates on an assumption, but as I stated before, they would much rather sacrifice the $40 they charge for a non-local-purchase bake, than the approximate $500 a season I spend in thier store.

[oggy_3 0]

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...showtopic=33145

LHS VS CONSUMER

[Chadd 916]

Well I could have tried them on in the store to find my right skate, and then found an online US store to purchase it for a lower price. But you are right about the individual attention you get.

But other things like sticks for example are all so much cheaper, even including costs to ship to Canada.

If some store is shipping across the border they are (most likely) violating their dealer agreement. You should be paying duties on the products as well. If not, they are falsifying the value when shipping the product and mail fraud is a federal offense.