Dallas lhs

[jestrs 0]

I am looking for a lhs in the Dallas area to order custom skates. I am thinking about the One90, Vapor XXXX, or a Graf. I am favoring the XXXX.

I tried on the XXXX in 8.5EE. It is the only wide skate in my size I have found in the area. I have been to Frisco Starcenter, Players Bench, and The Hockey Shop.

I liked how the XXXX fit except I need a deeper fit and a narrower heel. I was considering the Graf because they have several models that fit differently, but after reading about the problems with CS I am worried about ordering Grafs. The problems with the One90 and the upcoming release of the One95 have me thinking about getting the XXXX.

If anyone knows of the best place to go to get custom skates in Dallas, I would appreciate it very much. I think anyone with a NBH account could do this, but I would like someone with experience in measuring for custom skates.

Sorry for the long post but I would like to get a skate that finally fits. I cannot find a retail skate that fits. I have tried on everything that these stores offer.

[Drewhunz 3]

GOOD LUCK

The Hockey Shop in Lewisville is your best bet for anything that requires a brain.

[jestrs 0]

Thank you Drewhunz for the response.

The Hockey Shop seemed like a nice place just not alot of selection. I was looking for a Bauer XXV stick when I was in there and they did not have any Bauers.

[Drewhunz 3]

Quality over quantity.

[jestrs 0]

Thank you. I will go by there this weekend.

[donkey87 0]

If your looking for off the shelf selection then the Hockey Shop isn't the best place(Perani's usually has the best selection). However, if your want to order an item or get something done custom the Hockey Shop is the way to go. I'll agree with Drewhunz that they have the best quality of staff in the DFW area.

[DEATHTRON 19]

You need to know the right people....but they are right about the hockey shop. For ordering something custom, like skates, you need to go talk to Jason, and Jason only, at players bench in richardson/plano. Explain to him what you need and what you are thinking. Dont bother calling in advance to try and set up an appointment because he will dog you out, instead, just find out when he is working and show up and give him your story and your thoughts on things. For custom skates, I think that is your best bet besides getting someone on the forum that runs a shop to help you.

Zach

[Drewhunz 3]

Zach, you know what I think about Jason.

[DEATHTRON 19]

I do? (why do I always forget everything people tell me?) Its probably along the same lines I think about Jason....I personally am not a fan of him...but he has the utilities to get the job done. Weather he wants to help you is another story....but he MIGHT be your best bet.

The service at hockeyshop lewisville is awesome, those guys are "In it, to win it"

Zach

[CannonBall 0]

what's up with Jason?

[Krev 86]

I personally am not a fan of him...but he has the utilities to get the job done. Weather he wants to help you is another story....but he MIGHT be your best bet.

That's what's up with Jason. ;)

[jestrs 0]

Thank you guys for the responses. I just moved to the area in July, so I do not know anyone. I have put on about 20 lbs since I last played so nothing fits.

I went to The Players Bench in Richardson and it was hard to get any help with skates. There were two guys working one was taping his stick and the other helped me with shoulder and elbow pads.

Then I started looking at skates and he told me they were on the floor. I had to search through the inventory and try to find the right size. I could see if they were busy, but I was the only one in the shop. They were too busy shooting the sh** and watching MNF. Finally about time to close the one taping his stick came from the back to help me or to get rid of me.

I was in there to spend about $700-$800 and received very little service. I bought the shoulder and elbow pads and a stick. I am thinking about returning the pads and going somewhere they value their customers.

People wonder why online stores do so well. It is not the prices, it is the way I have been treated in the lhs. I have no problem spending my money locally until I cannot find any helpful service.

Sorry for ranting but it is frustrating. I am not a kid in the store touching everything with no intention to buy. I am 30 with a need for some new gear.

[Jim A 4]

Yeah, DFW shops are nothing great, and a different experience every time you are in one. However, its the same most places across the US as I have found here in CO recently... ($80 for a NBH 4500!!)

Are you going semi-custom on your order, or full custom? For either you might consider finding a 5Star NBH dealer and contacting them directly, essentially if you are happy with that choice (XXXX) and have tried it on, you just need to submit your measurements...

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

You'd be surprised. Quite a few FLDs don't even know what's up.

Your best bet is if you can't find a person who is competent, have the store manager bring in the mfgr sales rep to fit you.

[GLUhipfan 0]

I only go into Player's Bench when I know exactly what I'm looking for. A couple of guys on the staff are OK, but most of them are jerks (especially Jason). I usually just want to get in and out.

I usually don't shop elsewhere because of location or limited selection.

If you can make a trek to North Richland Hills, The Hockey Shop opened a store in the rink there. From the pictures I saw, it looks better laid out than their Lewisville store, can't say anything about selection though. I think Van, who was working at the Lewisville shop when I started 5 or 6 years ago, is at that location now.

[jestrs 0]

Thank you Jim A. I have tried on the XXXX and pretty confident in the fit. I just need a deeper fit and narrower heel.

Did you mean a First Line NBH dealer? If so The Players Bench in Richardson is a First Line Dealer as well as a couple of others in the area. What do you mean by semi or full custom?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Semi-custom = changing components, like tongues and crap like that.

[big ben 0]

Players Bench down right sucks, bought a pair of skates there, they sharpened them and it all but killed me trying to skate on them. Super wobbly.

[jestrs 0]

Thank you JR. I really appreciate your help. Thank you for running this site out of your love for the game.

Have you thought about moving to DFW and opening a shop? You would make a killing. I also have two boys, one may start playing next year, you would have three lifelong customers.

And thank you to the rest of the members for the responses. I am suprised so many want to help someone they do not know.

[Marrick66 0]

If you do find some satisfaction here, I'd love to hear about it. I've been in the same situation here in big D. Unfortunately, I have weird, small feet. Lengthwise, I fit into 5.5EE Vapor 10's, but as they're juniors, they're not deep enough. I've tried getting help at each of the places you mentioned, and same result.

[Drewhunz 3]

Thanks for the name refresher Geoff. Van is the shit as far as the Hockey Shop employee I was referring to. Jason was probably the one tapping the stick, and Bouce DOES need to move to Dallas.

[jestrs 0]

Drewhunz would it be worth it to drive out to North Richland Hills to work with Van?

[Drewhunz 3]

If you're serious about ordering them and getting them done right, there is no better option in Texas.

[jestrs 0]

Thank you.

[wetwilly17 6]

Thank you JR. I really appreciate your help. Thank you for running this site out of your love for the game.

Have you thought about moving to DFW and opening a shop? You would make a killing. I also have two boys, one may start playing next year, you would have three lifelong customers.

And thank you to the rest of the members for the responses. I am suprised so many want to help someone they do not know.

seriously! i went to peranis and players bench and noone even knew what a heel lift was. and it is so hard to get a good sharpening around here. we need a good lhs with knowledgeable and caring staff. there are so many rich parents around dfw that would spend big bucks for a good store, especially since the players bench in colleyville shut down. i'm fully convinced they shut down because of horrible service and not lack of market. the kids that worked there would just jack around and not even help the customers.