Purchase Hockey Skates Online?

[kukks_99 0]

So here's the deal. I'm looking to buy some new skates. I've tried on some different models and am 90% settled on Vector 6.0s. (also like the mission s400s) I also am pretty comfotable ordering the proper size.

The best prices are available online, but does it make sense to buy from a brick and mortar store where I can get the CCM custom fit process? I know I can still bring the online skates to a local store and get the fit done there, but runs about $50. Is this fit process that beneficial?

I also have an option of picking up some slightly used vector 6.0s around $120, but the guy already had them baked.

Thoughts? At this point I'm leaning towards going to the LHS.

Thanks in advance,

Kukks

[jimmy 194]

Not that I'm biased, but almost every day I have some customer come in with internet purchased skates. After the $10 for first skate sharpening, the $15 heat molding, the $15 pressure point release, and other adjustments, they usually spend more total than if the bought skates from me directly. When I sell a pair of skates it comes with free sharepening, free heat molding, free lifetime adjustments, including, pressure point release, blade straightening, blade tightening, and discounts on repairs like replacing eyelets, riviets, etc for free. Many don't consider this when they think they got a good deal from some web site.

[Chadd 916]

I agree with Jimmy, We even kick in the first five sharpenings to sweeten the deal.

[jimmy 194]

I agree with Jimmy, We even kick in the first five sharpenings to sweeten the deal.

I actually laugh to myself when these "savy" internet shoppers finally figure out that it's actually CHEAPER to buy skates at the LHS. They never think in advance about skate sharpening, heat molding, etc. Granted some deals on the net are too good (closeouts), but most in the long run will end up costing more. I sell Vector 6.0's for $199. Internet sites, $179. Add a sharpening and heat molding and the internet deal is already over $200. Oh you say you have a spot that hurts. Ok, that'll be $15 to puch that out for you. Oh, you say your blade is bent, OK, $10 please to straighten it.

Oh, you got a skate that didn't fit from skatesforless.com. So sorry. Flush that $179 down the toilet.

[stickler012 0]

If you get a good enough deal, then try on the SAME EXACT skate in your LHS, then if you want, buy it over the internet.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

If you get a good enough deal, then try on the SAME EXACT skate in your LHS, then if you want, buy it over the internet.

Stickler - now tell me if it is right to waste a salesman's time by going in there and trying on his stock, then ordering elsewhere.

That is why some stores have fitting fees. A knowledgeable tech will be able to assess what skate is right for the skater by taking their foot type into consideration.

[stickler012 0]

If you get a good enough deal, then try on the SAME EXACT skate in your LHS, then if you want, buy it over the internet.

Stickler - now tell me if it is right to waste a salesman's time by going in there and trying on his stock, then ordering elsewhere.

That is why some stores have fitting fees. A knowledgeable tech will be able to assess what skate is right for the skater by taking their foot type into consideration.

The shops around here, all of the skates are sitting out for you to try on as you wish- sorry if it's not the same at ur shop, i just kind of infered it.

[Chadd 916]

A knowledgeable tech will be able to assess what skate is right for the skater by taking their foot type into consideration.

You know as well as I do that a lot of people make up their mind about the brand and model and will buy it no matter how badly it fits. Those people deserve whatever pain they get.

[Neo5370 132]

Trust me, I am a BIG fan of the LHS.

But thing is, you're assuming everyone gets the freebies like first five sharpenings free, or even punching/stretching w/ purchase.

Another is that, (mine in particular) have not so great a selection on skates AND they don't have half the knowledge of most members on this board.

I've been told by employees that vapors are cut for wide feet.

Case in point, I brought my 703's in for a sharpening and the guy asked where I got them, I told him online and he said I coulda come to him. I saw not one Graf skate in his store, he told me he would've ordered them for me.

[Chadd 916]

Trust me, I am a BIG fan of the LHS.

But thing is, you're assuming everyone gets the freebies like first five sharpenings free, or even punching/stretching w/ purchase.

Another is that, (mine in particular) have not so great a selection on skates AND they don't have half the knowledge of most members on this board.

I've been told by employees that vapors are cut for wide feet.

Case in point, I brought my 703's in for a sharpening and the guy asked where I got them, I told him online and he said I coulda come to him. I saw not one Graf skate in his store, he told me he would've ordered them for me.

Always ask. There are a number of wholesalers that enable small shops to carry some products from different manufacturers. The cost to the dealer is higher so it's not worth stocking them regularly but they may be willing to get them for you.

[Eazy_b97 1]

and often fairly cheaply as well. There isn't the pressure of a "wall price" and they know in order to sell skates at all they'll have to give something that they can't get elsewhere. At least thats how our place is.

[gee2626 0]

go with the LHS.... at the shop you'll know if the skate will fit right or not.. plus the customer service is quite valuable... i've bought skates off the internet, and it's not worth it

[Sven 1]

Well there are people like me (ok, im not can/us) who dont have good hockey stores, so i guess thats why they choose the wrong way.

i did the same mistake twice (fitting probs) so i bought them in a store like 45mins away from me and now im fine (i guess :P)

[clboy 0]

Most of my gear I get from my LHS, however the skates I bought online at closeout were $150 vs $500 + taxes at the local bigbox (sportcheck) (Horible prices). Didn't have any problems with fitting or sharpening. However if the price difference was less than $50 I would definately get them at the LHS as those guys have been great over the years.

[XeF4 0]

If you are set out on buying hockey skates over the internet, I'd reccomend going to your local hockey store and trying on the model that your going to buy online to make sure you find the right fit. Once you buy skates off the internet and they dont fit you have to pay more shipping costs to send it back and restocking fees they have set. I'd probably tell the people at the store that your going to buy them online so you don't piss anybody off and make them waste their time thinking they are about to close a sale. There are different advantages and disadvantages from buying from your local hockey store, so I would make sure you know what route saves you the most money in the long run.

hope this helps.

[jimmy 194]

Trust me, I am a BIG fan of the LHS.

But thing is, you're assuming everyone gets the freebies like first five sharpenings free, or even punching/stretching w/ purchase.

Another is that, (mine in particular) have not so great a selection on skates AND they don't have half the knowledge of most members on this board.

I've been told by employees that vapors are cut for wide feet.

Case in point, I brought my 703's in for a sharpening and the guy asked where I got them, I told him online and he said I coulda come to him.  I saw not one Graf skate in his store, he told me he would've ordered them for me.

Always ask. There are a number of wholesalers that enable small shops to carry some products from different manufacturers. The cost to the dealer is higher so it's not worth stocking them regularly but they may be willing to get them for you.

Exactly. For example, I use to stock Grafs, but they just don't sell. So instead of having thousands of dollars sitting on the shelf not making me any money, I'd rather just order them for the one out of a thousand customer who wants a Graf. This way, I can use my money to stock other stuff that sells. I always offer the customer who is willing to special order a good deal on price. That goes for any item, not just skates.

BTW, the customers who waste our time fitting skates, and later return with the same pair bought elsewhere, will end up paying more in the end, you know, down the road when their blade has a bend, yup, you guessed it, I'll charge them. However, loyal customers get that for free.

[Megamandan 0]

Skates are about the only thing I buy from my LHS because they are probably most important. Like others said, they do everything in their power to help you get the best deal for your buck (if they know what they are doing). I buy a lot of things off line but if I need skates or something really urgent then I'll go with the LHS, the costomer service and extra freebee's are deffinately worth the $20 more you pay.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I'd probably tell the people at the store that your going to buy them online so you don't piss anybody off and make them waste their time thinking they are about to close a sale.

Oh, those are always the best...the ones who just don't care and are being blatant about it. Those get the least amount of service...you just hand them the skates and don't say a word.

I do the same thing Jimmy does. Certain items are special order only. He is right too...loyalty goes a long way, a bent blade, a rivet or two...

I have two stories...one skate-related and one not...

Guy comes into the store, was one of the blatant ones, shopped me for some Vapor XXs...comes in a few wks later boasting about his great deal that he got somewhere up north...the skates were seconds, (they were marked) and not cosmetic either...one blade looked like a banana...and the "free" sharpening was a joke, in fact, I think I have a pic of it...I laughed and said to myself, "He'll be back..."

Steel snapped. I just "happened" to be out of stock on that size runner...

The other one I have is much funnier.

Woman wants to buy shoulder pads for her kid, looking at 8000 LightSpeed. I have her size in stock, I think they were liek $79 or so. SHe sees them for like $60 on HockeyGiant. She asks us to match. We say no. She buys them from HG. Somehow, the shoulder cap material got shredded (probably a box cutter) and she gets the shoulder pads and they are cut. Then she comes to US and asks us if we would process a R/A for the cut pads, and in the meantime, she could take our store stock and we'll get the returned pads in return. I laughed at her and told her she was nuts. My pushover boss offered her another alternative, return it to HG, take ours, we'll take their return ones. She did this to save about $8 after shipping, which she then lost by buying online. I refuse to deal with her - she always goes to my boss.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Take care of the store and we'll take care of you. It's very simple...

Here's another story...

There's a kid at the rink who's this hotshot bantam. His dad is a dick. He never buys anything in our store, he has his own sharpener, I evn think he buys tape in bulk. About a year ago he bought some 705s for his kid from Canada, and we were cheaper, and he even mentioned it. Anyway, about a month ago he bought another pair from the SAME store. Never even asked me if I had them in stock. He wants them baked. I go "did you buy them here?" He says no. I tell him $15. He says "Oh yeah, I did." I said, "No, you didn't." I bake them anyway, because I know where this is going.

Now here is where the story gets interesting.

After the baking session is over, he sees my Quick Square. He goes "Wow, you have a quick square?" in a really demeaning manner, too, as in "nobody can sharpen skates anyway, it's a pro shop." Keep in mind he has never had me sharpen his kid's skates, so what would he know? When it is time to pay, he goes "I left my wallet in the car. I'll go get it." He goes WITH THE SKATES and doesn't come back in the store. Did I go after him? No. You know why? Because I KNOW that there's gonna be a time he's gonna need me, and I'm not going to be there for him.

[stix04 0]

Wow, that guys a dick.

[notquitedeadyet 13]

I don't think "dick" sufficiently describes this person.

I wish I had your tolerance for people, I'd do something stupid & regret the consequences. Your revenge will be sweeter.

[mik3 1]

JR will get his revenge, because the underrated aspect of the LHS is it's ability to help you out with little problems. You can go buy a pair of skates or a roll of tape anywhere. But if you need a rivet fixed, or a blade changed between periods and you only have like 10mins, you can't go to epuck for that. This guy will have steel crack or something along those lines and just in more words get shown the door.

[Neo5370 132]

These disaster stories make me mad.

Whenever I go in to my LHS's for a little problem, I always always offer to pay even if they don't ask.

I just ask, how much do I owe for the service even if it's a shaft/blade change or emergency helmet tightening.

And I never even like to browse a store w/o at least buying a roll of tape.

In the case of my 703's, I went into the shop asked if he had any, told me no. But he offered to fit me for free in some other skates. Very very helpful. I'll never forget a favor.

EDIT: Though now I realize I should've just asked the store to order them for me.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I understand that some people don't have full-service pro shops where they live, but that's where MSH comes into play; ask, read up on the product. If a certain skate sounds like it will be ideal for you and your LHS doesn't carry it, go in there and explain your situation. Say something like "I have a thick, wide foot, and it looks like I might need Graf 705s. Can you get them or recommend something that might fit similarly?"

Chances are, he might have an account with said mfgr if they don't carry it in stock, or can get it from a distributor. The worst that might happen is that it might motivate the store clerk to carry them so that he can complete the sale.

But, make your decision on fit, not on price, because in the end, you get what you pay for, in more ways than one. I know a bunch of people who have bought skates sight unseen and they are now sitting in their garage, because they tried to make it work instead of returning them.

[Chadd 916]

My favorite is the guy who asked if I would give him my old wheels from our sharpener so he could use them on his machine at home. He then tells me he sharpens skates for some of the other kids on his son's team. I told him that I'd let him know when we had some. I usually just give them to a ref in the area who does his own skates and doesn't solicit more business.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago the guy comes back in the shop and asks why we grind the skate in the same direction the wheel is spining.