Wolves are at your door

[DarkStar50 679]

"Dire Wolf"

Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia

In the timbers of Fennario

the wolves are running round

The winter was so hard and cold

froze ten feet neath the ground

Don't murder me

I beg of you don't murder me

Please

don't murder me

The Dire Wolf has seen things you cannot imagine. He has heard words spoken you would think could never be said. There is a howling at full moons that is getting louder every time you go online for gear. The Dire Wolf doesn't mean to speak in terms of bad things but this path in front of him could make Middle Earth wars seem tame. There are forces in this industry ready to change it forever.

I sat down to my supper

T'was a bottle of red whiskey

I said my prayers and went to bed

That's the last they saw of me

Don't murder me

I beg of you don't murder me

Please

don't murder me

It is not the vendors you have to worry about. It is those on the other side. It is the online sites. They are gathering forces to change the landscape forever. The Dire Wolf knows they offer you price but what else do they offer you? Nothing. Vendors speak of the passion for the game. That passion drives RD & D to make better and more innovative gear. There is no passion for the game at the online site. The Dire Wolf has listened to them howl at the moon in the night in their pack. They do not see a game, a sport, a lifestyle. They see only a business, a dollar sign, a profit and loss statement. For them, it is just another sale, another sold SKU. It is not about the product for them, no matter how well it is engineered. It is simply moving units, more than yesterday, more than last week, more than last month, more than last year.

When I awoke, the Dire Wolf

Six hundred pounds of sin

Was grinnin at my window

All I said was "come on in"

Don't murder me

I beg of you don't murder me

Please

don't murder me

There is no torch carrier for the game of hockey at the online site. Think about why their customer service can be so poor and why their ability to take a return and solve your problem with the product you bought from them is so weak. The reason is simple. They have no passion for the game. They have no interest in making the game you love better for you. They only live for their next sale, their next push on the vein that supplies their high, their rush. These places are part of the landscape now . The Dire Wolf knows that. They are not going away soon or ever. We know which ones they are.

The wolf came in, I got my cards

We sat down for a game

I cut my deck to the Queen of Spades

but the cards were all the same

Don't murder me

I beg of you don't murder me

Please

don't murder me

The place that has the passion for the game, the place that is there to carry the torch of the game is the one at the highest risk now. That place is your LHS and your rink pro shop. These places are run by real people who live and breathe the game. They are not perfect and make mistakes. But they are there everyday to try and make it better for you, the player, than the last time. They sharpen your skates, they sell you the gear that fits right the first time, and they have the passion for the game that no ecommerce site can touch you with. Consider all this the next time you go in for a bogus skate fitting to buy online. Consider this while waiting to get your skates sharpened. Don't wait to think about this passion for the game and who truly has it. Then it will be to late. The LHS will be gone. These ecommerce sites want to change your lifestyle experience in hockey forever. You will never know it happened until it's too late. Beware the wolves are at your door. They are howling at the moon tonight.

In the backwash of Fennario

The black and bloody mire

The Dire Wolf collects his due

while the boys sing round the fire

Don't murder me

I beg of you don't murder me

Please

don't murder me

[RadioGaGa 162]

Whoa...DS...you get into the GOOD stash tonight?

[DarkStar50 679]

Straight as an arrow, my friend!

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

A little Tolkienesque...

[lb33knight 0]

Straight as an arrow, my friend!

Preach it brother! ;)

[DarkStar50 679]

Brandon,

Those who know what I'm talking about will know exactly what I'm talking about.

[sabre09923 0]

As soon as I saw "Jerry Garcia" at the top of the page, I knew we were in for some trouble.

But yeah, I, at least, know what you're talking about...

[DarkStar50 679]

Garcia writes the music. Robert Hunter is the man who writes the lyrics. Hunter is the one to pay attention to.

[PMurphy17 25]

I can read between the lines.

But aren't the consumers saying, we don't want to pay the price. The consumers are making a statement they want more for less.

Aren't the suppliers saying something by offering online sites better prices or offering them major closeouts a prices they wouldn't offer to the LHS?

Look at it backwards, is it only the online sites fault or do the suppliers deserve to share the blame. Their annual over production of weak product and short product life cycles feed those online stores. where is their partnership with the LHS. Coupled with the fact that they have a bottom line to respect, suppliers are choosing bottom line over relationship.

[wetwilly17 6]

I agree somewhat with PMurphy17. The consumers are choosing what they want.

Also consider that trips to the LHS are frequently less than pleasant. Half the time you want your skates sharpened, you get an 18 year old kid that roles his eyes and then does a shitty job. I've considered switching to T-blades because of this. Ofcourse there are skilled professionals also, but they are not always available when I need a sharpening. There are also plenty of rude, know-it-all owners that don't really know as much as they think. I hate dealing with these types. There is also a lot of things that you don't need to try on to purchase. Many people would rather save the money and the time/gas and just order online. For instance, I always use a modano/forsberg/federov curve. I don't need to view it before I buy a new stick, nor do I want to. I support the LHS when I can, but I am not going to waste my money to do so.

Also, there are plenty of people at online companies that have just as much passion for the game and plenty of LHS workers who don't really give a crap (about hockey or customer service). I think this opinion of yours is rediculous. The online companies are owned and operated by real people also, whether it is a corporation or not.

[ag12 0]

I agree somewhat with PMurphy17. The consumers are choosing what they want.

Also consider that trips to the LHS are frequently less than pleasant. Half the time you want your skates sharpened, you get an 18 year old kid that roles his eyes and then does a shitty job. I've considered switching to T-blades because of this. Ofcourse there are skilled professionals also, but they are not always available when I need a sharpening. There are also plenty of rude, know-it-all owners that don't really know as much as they think. I hate dealing with these types. There is also a lot of things that you don't need to try on to purchase. Many people would rather save the money and the time/gas and just order online. For instance, I always use a modano/forsberg/federov curve. I don't need to view it before I buy a new stick, nor do I want to. I support the LHS when I can, but I am not going to waste my money to do so.

Also, there are plenty of people at online companies that have just as much passion for the game and plenty of LHS workers who don't really give a crap (about hockey or customer service). I think this opinion of yours is rediculous. The online companies are owned and operated by real people also, whether it is a corporation or not.

I agree with your assessment. I've had my fair share of bad experiences at LHS's so I've stop going to them. If an online retailer has what I want I purchase it from them, I don't feel bad. Customer service is poor in most places now anyway. It's funny though to be airing a complaint on the internet of all places about the internet......

[LkptTiger 1]

Half the time you want your skates sharpened, you get an 18 year old kid that roles his eyes and then does a shitty job. I've considered switching to T-blades because of this.

As a young LHS employee, I have to resent that statement... ;)

I did, awhile back, (begrudgingly) make the switch to t'Blades - more for blade consistency on the road than anything else. When you travel to play in a different city just about every single week(end), it's impossible to find a shop you can really trust with your edges. My skates were fudged too many times - either they were cut too deep or they were crooked or the sharpener completely missed entire edges. The swap to t'Blades eliminated the human element; I always kept two or three extra pair handy for use in the event that I'd lose an edge during a tournament or something.

I'm back to conventional holders now - Pitch 3's. I do them myself and keep an extra pair of (sharpened) steel in my bag when I travel.

[wetwilly17 6]

Half the time you want your skates sharpened, you get an 18 year old kid that roles his eyes and then does a shitty job. I've considered switching to T-blades because of this.

As a young LHS employee, I have to resent that statement... ;)

I did, awhile back, (begrudgingly) make the switch to t'Blades - more for blade consistency on the road than anything else. When you travel to play in a different city just about every single week(end), it's impossible to find a shop you can really trust with your edges. My skates were fudged too many times - either they were cut too deep or they were crooked or the sharpener completely missed entire edges. The swap to t'Blades eliminated the human element; I always kept two or three extra pair handy for use in the event that I'd lose an edge during a tournament or something.

I'm back to conventional holders now - Pitch 3's. I do them myself and keep an extra pair of (sharpened) steel in my bag when I travel.

ok, half the time was a bit of an exaggeration. but it is frequent, at least where i live. i've thought about getting a budget sharpener so i can do it myself but i'm not sure if it would be worth it.

[LkptTiger 1]

If you don't have to travel to play, then I would think that it would probably just be easiest to look around your area and find someone good and stick with him. If it's in your budget, a home sharpener would be a good alternative - being able to do your own skates in your garage or basement or whatever would be nice...it would be convenient and it would give you more control over what is (along with the helmet) the most important piece(s) of equipment you own.

[Patrick67 1]

How much does a basic home sharpener cost?

[Griff 2]

I understand people want to save money, hockey is expensive and any savings help. All I ask is that you consider what you are really saving, who helps fit the first year mini-mite whose parents didn't play hockey and have no clue what all they need? Where do you run to when you've broken both of your sticks during the first game of a tournament? Where do you go to find the pair of skates that fit your foot best? The LHS is the best and easiest answer to all of these questions 99% of the time. 45 mins to the north of me is a city with a hockey community 5 times the size of mine, all their lhs's are gone and several times a week I get a phone call to see if I have steel because Jonny broke his and he's got a game tomarrow or skates that need rivets, or shinpads...ect Every person says the same thing "I can't believe we don't have a hockey store anymore." Well folks if you had supported one they'd still be there. The amount of SERVICES any halfway competent lhs provides the online whorehouses will never be able to match. Sorry for the rant but all the smaller/independent stores are getting bent over.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend

[santiclaws 0]

Half the time you want your skates sharpened, you get an 18 year old kid that roles his eyes and then does a shitty job. I've considered switching to T-blades because of this.

Half the time? You're lucky. I hardly ever got a consistant sharpening, which is precisely why I switched to t-blades.

[wetwilly17 6]

I understand people want to save money, hockey is expensive and any savings help. All I ask is that you consider what you are really saving, who helps fit the first year mini-mite whose parents didn't play hockey and have no clue what all they need? Where do you run to when you've broken both of your sticks during the first game of a tournament? Where do you go to find the pair of skates that fit your foot best? The LHS is the best and easiest answer to all of these questions 99% of the time. 45 mins to the north of me is a city with a hockey community 5 times the size of mine, all their lhs's are gone and several times a week I get a phone call to see if I have steel because Jonny broke his and he's got a game tomarrow or skates that need rivets, or shinpads...ect Every person says the same thing "I can't believe we don't have a hockey store anymore." Well folks if you had supported one they'd still be there. The amount of SERVICES any halfway competent lhs provides the online whorehouses will never be able to match. Sorry for the rant but all the smaller/independent stores are getting bent over.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend

I understand, which is why I use LHS and online companies. But remember, its all supply and demand. If there is a big enough demand for more LHS's, then someone will be willing to open another LHS. If there isn't a big enough demand, then they won't. Its all about what the consumers want.

[Griff 2]

Believe me I understand the supply/demand issue. However I think there is more to it than that if people would just think past saving $10 on a stick. Most LHS that I've been to including mine are very close to most internet prices on all new stuff, that said hockey tends to be a very close knit community in most places, it certainly is here in the midwest, and it comes down to taking care of your own for the same reasons some people choose to buy from a local business than from wal-mart. Your LHS is far more likely to give back to your hockey community that hockeygiant is. I'm not saying don't buy anything online, there are great deals to be had for sure but when it comes down to it if you don't support your LHS eventually you won't have a choice and then all the little things that go with LHS are gone.

[Patrick67 1]

Around here the stores are no where near online retailers in terms of price.

If it's close enough, everybody would support the LHS's but when you can buy the same stuff online and save 25-30% it adds up to alot of $$$

[DarkStar50 679]

Does the Home Depot still have the same great lowest price now as when they started and moved into your neighborhood? They did have the lowest price when the mom and pop hardware store was still around. Once they killed the mom and pop hardware store, up went the prices at Home Depot. Once the onlines kill the LHS with price, how do you know the onlines won't decide to start raising prices? They will have killed off their competition. That is the business model certain online hockey sites are using.

[lb33knight 0]

Does the Home Depot still have the same great lowest price now as when they started and moved into your neighborhood? They did have the lowest price when the mom and pop hardware store was still around. Once they killed the mom and pop hardware store, up went the prices at Home Depot. Once the onlines kill the LHS with price, how do you know the onlines won't decide to start raising prices? They will have killed off their competition. That is the business model certain online hockey sites are using.

This may not happen overnight but anyone that thinks that this isn't going to happen in the end if things keep on the same track cerainly have the wool pulled over there eyes. As stated before SO many times - it's gonna be real funny when the online shopper has an emergency and has nowhere to go to get help except a phone number or an email address.

[McCracken 0]

I'm with Dark Star, I always try and contribute to the local guys. The small bookstore instead of B&N, the tiny deli with great sandwhiches made in front of you instead of pre prepped stuff at a Gas station/convenience store. I did shop at the local hardware store until the "big box" did him in. The big boxes have absolutely no personality, and realistically...no knowledge or service in the long run. This is actually a business where good service & good skate sharpenings can take away from the "monkeys".....have you ever seen a "monkey" sharpen skates????? Or How about a "giant".......

[DarkStar50 679]

lb,

You are right, it won't happen overnight. It is a gradual process that has already begun. The one guy already gave the example right here. I was swimming with the sharks this past week. It was easy to see their strategy and where it is headed.

For everyone who wants to save $10 or $100 online, hey, that's what a free market system is all about. I understand completely why guys do it. I am addressing the changing dynamic of the hockey marketplace. Saving money right now has something to do with it but in the end it is about creating a stranglehold on the marketplace.

What will be will be.

[lb33knight 0]

lb,

You are right, it won't happen overnight. It is a gradual process that has already begun. The one guy already gave the example right here. I was swimming with the sharks this past week. It was easy to see their strategy and where it is headed.

For everyone who wants to save $10 or $100 online, hey, that's what a free market system is all about. I understand completely why guys do it. I am addressing the changing dynamic of the hockey marketplace. Saving money right now has something to do with it but in the end it is about creating a stranglehold on the marketplace.

What will be will be.

Think we should start an LHSPA? Some kind of union for the brick and mortars? :lol: