Amazon and the big online hockey shops

[DarkStar50 679]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/opinion/amazons-jungle-logic.html?pagewanted=all%3Fsrc%3Dtp&smid=fb-share

“There is no point in fighting them or explaining to them that we should be able to coexist civilly in the marketplace,” she wrote me. “I don’t think they care. I do think it’s worthwhile explaining to customers that the lowest price point does not always represent the best deal. If you like going to a bookstore then it’s up to you to support it. If you like seeing the people in your community employed, if you think your city needs a tax base, if you want to buy books from a person who reads, don’t use Amazon.”

Substitute the word "bookstore" for LHS.

[pelikano 1]

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[number21 3]

Good article. Something for people to think about, especially this time of year.

[jbss71 1]

Amazon ships to my house atleast three times a week, but not for hockey stuff.

my LHS are very, very cliquey. making it hard to get info/help

[Chadd 916]

We have a culture where people really don't care about anyone else. As long as they get to buy cheap, they really don't care if other people (they don't know) lose their jobs, homes and/or lifestyles.

[Lee-Bro 1]

We have a culture where people really don't care about anyone else. As long as they get to buy cheap, they really don't care if other people (they don't know) lose their jobs, homes and/or lifestyles.

I'll step into this minefield.

I agree w/ the Chadd's statement. Those of us who do care and are willing to pay the extra (I call it investing in community) at the local shops are a small minority.

If you want to see Chadd's statement in hypocritical-action, drive through a Wal-Mart parking lot and look for bumper stickers about a local union or eating your import car.

[goaliemanshark 6]

If my Local stores didn't fail miserably and actually stocked the stuff I want I would buy from them more often.

And the larger Amazon and other retailers grow the more people they will employ. I think there will always be retail stores, way too many impulse buyers for there not to be.

[Axxion89 32]

I support local stores but I will not support any store that has poor service or jacks their prices beyond reasonable levels.

[DarkStar50 679]

I understand the frustration when a local business cannot meet even a minimum level of service, no matter what the business may be. I'm just wondering, though, is it better to have some kind of shop that at least is in the community even if they perform poorly, than to have no business at all in the community? If the choice is something or nothing....... Once a shop is gone, it is likely never coming back.

[BoDangles 0]

Try to support local when ever possible. Really lucky in this area to have so many great local stores and eateries.

As for LHS, the closes one you are not able to get to by bus, which limits the times I can get there. Try to get out there when possible for new gear. Great service, willing to negotiate price wise, and take trade in's.

[wrangler 157]

I understand the frustration when a local business cannot meet even a minimum level of service, no matter what the business may be. I'm just wondering, though, is it better to have some kind of shop that at least is in the community even if they perform poorly, than to have no business at all in the community? If the choice is something or nothing....... Once a shop is gone, it is likely never coming back.

An interesting question. To support a business that doesn't take care of its customers, so that it can pay employees and owners for doing a bad job, or to let them reap what they sow. How does rewarding their behavior, which they may pass on to their progeny and friends, ultimately benefit society?

Alternatively, if there is a customer base, it could be an opportunity for a good business.

[number21 3]

I have never been to a local store small business where they aren't interested in helping you and having you leave happy.

I see the crappy service at the local chain stores (Target, Home Depot, Sports Authority, bigger grocery stores) but never at the little shops. Maybe I am in the minority, or have a different threshold.

[DarkStar50 679]

I have two "big box" hockey stores that have opened in the last year in the area. The toy store effect of all the gear in one place is not to be denied. Our prices are still the same as theirs but consumers are too blind to recognize it. Down the road: one or two vendors(Bauer and RBK or Easton) and maybe 4 big box/online dealers? Won't that be a different marketplace to buy hockey gear?!

[Goonsquad 209]

I have two "big box" hockey stores that have opened in the last year in the area. The toy store effect of all the gear in one place is not to be denied. Our prices are still the same as theirs but consumers are too blind to recognize it. Down the road: one or two vendors(Bauer and RBK or Easton) and maybe 4 big box/online dealers? Won't that be a different marketplace to buy hockey gear?!

its the illusion of choice and good prices at the bigger stores that grabs people. When i went to the one of those stores after summerJam, the choices were great! The prices were as DarkStar described. some items piqued my interest but I was not in the market to buy.

[Dazed 0]

I understand the frustration when a local business cannot meet even a minimum level of service, no matter what the business may be. I'm just wondering, though, is it better to have some kind of shop that at least is in the community even if they perform poorly, than to have no business at all in the community? If the choice is something or nothing....... Once a shop is gone, it is likely never coming back.

I would take something.

I live in Pelham, Al and would rather go to a hockey shop here that had knowledge of how a skate should fit even if they had bad people skills as long as I didn't have to play with skates that hurt all season.

I started playing hockey in Huntsville, Al when I was seven and stopped when I went to college. I never had a skate that didn't hurt the whole season and we bought them at the rink. Did they punch out and stretch skates in the 70's and 80's? I am 44 and just found out in the last couple of years (from reading this board) all the things you can have done to help a skate fit properly. I lucked out reading on this board about Kor Shift II and bought a pair on close out and the fit has been incredible. The first time I had a skate with no hot spots and the laces don't get wide in the middle of the boot.

My four year old son is learning to skate and wants to play hockey next year. It would be nice if I could get him skates that fit. Huntsville has a decent shop now, but it is a 2 hour drive. My family has a cabin on North Long Lake in Brainerd, MN that we drive to every other summer. So I guess we could get his skates and pads somewhere along the way for those seasons.

[pizzakid13 5]

i use amazon for as much as i can. love the delivery to my doorstep. not for hockey gear though. sometimes i use online hockey stores but almost only when they have a "free shipping" event.

other than that, what stores other than hockey rink pro shops in your area are not corporations? they all are. everything in our lives is corporate now. we can't excape it now. they have taken over.

the supermarket is corporate not local. even all natural, organic stores like whole foods or trader joes etc are huge corporations.

the clothing stores are corporate.

the restaurants are mostly corporate.

the local hardware store is likely an ACE hardware which is corporate.

anything else?

[Chadd 916]

I rarely go to chain restaurants. Unless I'm on the road and don't have much choice, I almost always pick a locally owned restaurant because the food is usually better. As for even the chains, many are actually franchises and not corporate owned as well. Same goes for Ace hardware, it's usually locally owned and they pay for the right to use the Ace name. Farmers markets are a great choice for fresh and local food for those that have the option. There are also family owned Asian grocers in many towns, there are three within 20 minutes of my house and I don't live in a huge city. I can name a dozen clothing stores with five miles of my house that have three or fewer locations. Sure, it's a corporation for tax purposes, but it's not even remotely close to the corporate behemoth that is Amazon or walmart.

It's not hard to find options if you want to. It simply takes a little bit of effort.

[skyscrape 5]

If my Local stores didn't fail miserably and actually stocked the stuff I want I would buy from them more often.

And the larger Amazon and other retailers grow the more people they will employ. I think there will always be retail stores, way too many impulse buyers for there not to be.

You are not happy with Xsport? I have almost always found the things I need there.

I do my best to drive 110 miles to a store in Oakland to support those guys. Occasionally I have caved and buy online, but even then it is one location online store based on the Central Coast.

[lurkndestroy 1]

i am constantly disappointed in my local hockey shop. horrendous service and lack of basic products keep me shopping online.

[goaliemanshark 6]

You are not happy with Xsport? I have almost always found the things I need there.

I do my best to drive 110 miles to a store in Oakland to support those guys. Occasionally I have caved and buy online, but even then it is one location online store based on the Central Coast.

When your local store doesn't carry the only skate brand that fits your feet well (Easton), then I don't support them. Plus they give horrendous customer service, and terrible sharpenings.

Plus they aren't the closest store to me.

You really drive 110 miles when you could order online? Good for you!

Agreed, when i do buy online, always from Ice Warehouse!

[twolinepass 0]

You are not happy with Xsport? I have almost always found the things I need there.

I do my best to drive 110 miles to a store in Oakland to support those guys. Occasionally I have caved and buy online, but even then it is one location online store based on the Central Coast.

I love X-port but I'm jinxed with that store.. EVERY freaking time I go there is an accident on the way home and it takes forever to get back.

[skyscrape 5]

When your local store doesn't carry the only skate brand that fits your feet well (Easton), then I don't support them. Plus they give horrendous customer service, and terrible sharpenings.

Plus they aren't the closest store to me.

You really drive 110 miles when you could order online? Good for you!

Agreed, when i do buy online, always from Ice Warehouse!

You are right! The customer service is typically lacking and I would not shop their either if I was an Easton skate guy. All very valid reasons! And yes they are inconsistent when it comes to sharpening! I would go to San Jose Sharpening for that if I lived down in the area. I have to make the drive, at my size ordering online can get really pricey unless I know exactly what I need size wise. What is your closest store?

I live X-port but I'm jinxed with that store.. EVERY freaking time I go there is an accident on the way home and it takes forever to get back.

I can spend hours in there!!!

[Axxion89 32]

I understand the frustration when a local business cannot meet even a minimum level of service, no matter what the business may be. I'm just wondering, though, is it better to have some kind of shop that at least is in the community even if they perform poorly, than to have no business at all in the community? If the choice is something or nothing....... Once a shop is gone, it is likely never coming back.

As long as the store offers something that a big box or chain does not offer or cannot offer then sure. For me personally, the way I look at big box stores is that they were small businesses at one point and did all the right things to get to where they are. If a small business offers a unique trait (most of the time customer service or expertise in a subject) then they SHOULD stay in business and do well.

The one thing I do hate is when people go to small stores for the service and then go to big box for the 20 cents savings, that ticks me off.

PS - I do the opposite, especially for hockey gear, try on the gear and order from the LHS if possible

[Guitarmy 0]

I got excited for a minute there thinking Amazon was going to start selling hockey gear, lol.

I order the majority of my gear from IW, I get my stuff on my doorstep the next day, which is way more convenient than driving an hour to Xsport from SJ. Lower prices and 10% off all orders doesn't hurt.

I order most of my electronics and home stuff from Amazon. As a Prime subscriber, I get my stuff in 1-2 days which is awesome.

When I go out to eat though, I tend to avoid chain restaurants and support local eateries. Not because of some moral obligation but because the local restaurants are just better.

I will support whatever place that gives me greater value (to me it is cost, service and convenience). I'm not going to support a place that has high prices and poor service just because they are local.

[jbss71 1]

I got excited for a minute there thinking Amazon was going to start selling hockey gear, lol.

I order the majority of my gear from IW, I get my stuff on my doorstep the next day, which is way more convenient than driving an hour to Xsport from SJ. Lower prices and 10% off all orders doesn't hurt.

I order most of my electronics and home stuff from Amazon. As a Prime subscriber, I get my stuff in 1-2 days which is awesome.

When I go out to eat though, I tend to avoid chain restaurants and support local eateries. Not because of some moral obligation but because the local restaurants are just better.

I will support whatever place that gives me greater value (to me it is cost, service and convenience). I'm not going to support a place that has high prices and poor service just because they are local.

i had a thread that ties into this debate, seems most are watching pennies.

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/59026-are-you-loyal-to-a-lhs/