Reebok stuff at Hockey Giant

[Chadd 916]

haha I have relatives in pittsburgh, my aunt used to live down the street from that peranis and I went there every year. Everything in that city (pittsburgh) sucks, so that doesnt count ;). Yeah I think they have a pretty small staff that has no hockey knowledge and is incredibly unhelpful. Although if you give those online hockey shops that open LHS's a few years Im sure they'll find some half decent employees.

why would they? they well on price, not service. Perani's has been open several years with no improvement.

[mik3 1]

When Ocean started doing better business online their staff got cut in half, and the people who were left didn't know a whole lot.

[MNdgame 0]

haha I have relatives in pittsburgh, my aunt used to live down the street from that peranis and I went there every year.  Everything in that city (pittsburgh) sucks, so that doesnt count ;).  Yeah I think they have a pretty small staff that has no hockey knowledge and is incredibly unhelpful.  Although if you give those online hockey shops that open LHS's a few years Im sure they'll find some half decent employees.

why would they? they well on price, not service. Perani's has been open several years with no improvement.

Everytime I go there they have the same guy working(I think hes the manager), hes an idiot. I've been there every year the past 3-4 years I think. There is one person there that knows what he was talking about though, hes younger and actually knew a general guess of the flex and lie of a stick I asked. Thats just one store though, the hockey giant by me has a couple guys that know what they are talking about, and they have some decent deals like if you buy skates from them you get free sharpenings on those skates forever and you can keep breaking OPS and returning with them 20 days usually because the employees are pretty nice.

[MNdgame 0]

Its not like it even matters if the guy knows his stuff or not. Most kids now a days come in and say I want vapor XXX's and a synergy SL curve or flex doesnt matter.

[Chadd 916]

Its not like it even matters if the guy knows his stuff or not. Most kids now a days come in and say I want vapor XXX's and a synergy SL curve or flex doesnt matter.

Yeah, because kids always know what flex, lie or skate size is best for them. I don't believe in having the best marketing department making decisions for kids.

[MNdgame 0]

Its not like it even matters if the guy knows his stuff or not.  Most kids now a days come in and say I want vapor XXX's and a synergy SL curve or flex doesnt matter.

Yeah, because kids always know what flex, lie or skate size is best for them. I don't believe in having the best marketing department making decisions for kids.

Im just saying thats how it goes now. Kids see a blue stick and want it...

[mik3 1]

I'm quite proud of the fact that a bunch of the LHS in my area have strong enough footing that they won't just sell a stealth to a 10 year old to make a buck.

I know that's not the case everywhere, 'cause it is a business. But there's an honest chance you can totally eff yourself up at ten years old using a cut in half senior stick.

[Chadd 916]

Its not like it even matters if the guy knows his stuff or not.  Most kids now a days come in and say I want vapor XXX's and a synergy SL curve or flex doesnt matter.

Yeah, because kids always know what flex, lie or skate size is best for them. I don't believe in having the best marketing department making decisions for kids.

Im just saying thats how it goes now. Kids see a blue stick and want it...

and you have to try and guide them into the one that is going to work best for them. Just taking their money and not telling them little Jimmy the peewee shouldn't be using a 100 flex Carter M1.

[Chadd 916]

I'm quite proud of the fact that a bunch of the LHS in my area have strong enough footing that they won't just sell a stealth to a 10 year old to make a buck.

I know that's not the case everywhere, 'cause it is a business. But there's an honest chance you can totally eff yourself up at ten years old using a cut in half senior stick.

I try to steer them into the right stick, but I've had to give in a couple times and just sell a stick. If they want to piss away their money, despite my objections, they might as well piss it away with me.

[mik3 1]

I try to steer them into the right stick, but I've had to give in a couple times and just sell a stick. If they want to piss away their money, despite my objections, they might as well piss it away with me.

Yep, you can lead a horse to water....

You're there to help them, but in the end you're not the deciding factor in their purchase.

Whether it's clothing, electronics, or hockey equipment, a lot of people will have their mind made up before they step foot in the door.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Although if you give those online hockey shops that open LHS's a few years Im sure they'll find some half decent employees.

Anyone who has a clue is heading for the hills...why do you think I quit?

[sherwood21 0]

and you have to try and guide them into the one that is going to work best for them. Just taking their money and not telling them little Jimmy the peewee shouldn't be using a 100 flex Carter M1.

Lol, I know a 6'2" 190 pound Pee-Wee, does he qualify :lol:

BTW, I tried on a pair of 14" 8k's today, quite comfy. I don't see the 6K tapered shaft selling well considering it's weight compared to others, if sales are following their trends today.

[jimmy 194]

I'm quite proud of the fact that a bunch of the LHS in my area have strong enough footing that they won't just sell a stealth to a 10 year old to make a buck.

I know that's not the case everywhere, 'cause it is a business. But there's an honest chance you can totally eff yourself up at ten years old using a cut in half senior stick.

I try to steer them into the right stick, but I've had to give in a couple times and just sell a stick. If they want to piss away their money, despite my objections, they might as well piss it away with me.

Ditto's. I can't tell you how many I tried in vain to convince them not to buy. But they did anyway. Like you said, rather have them buy from me, at least in good conscience we tried to help.

[stickler012 0]

What hapened to the Reebok shoulders? They aren't at hockeymonkey either.

[jimmy 194]

What hapened to the Reebok shoulders? They aren't at hockeymonkey either.

Hal eh lu ya! Finally got some Reebok stuuf today. Only about 1/3 of my order but progress nevertheless. Seems like they are 'rationing' due to limited supply. I only got 4 Prongers and two Amontes. Of the 300 RBK7 sticks I ordered, only got 38 total sticks. I did get the RBK shoulders, the Sr 8k skates, helmets, and gloves.

I have to say the Helmet is sweet. Wore one around the store for an hour. Nice. I think it will be a best seller. Only got 13 of the 50 I ordered. Man I hope THC gets their sh1t together and gets the stuff from Tailand quick.

On a side note, got the new Pro Tack Gloves. Much more comfortable than the Vap XX, and the 8k for that matter.

[thenextone 0]

the internet shops should be able to live in harmony with the LHSs

I for one will never buy anything from an internet shop unless two things happen:

1. The internet price is at least 10-15% cheaper (to cover shipping and other charges)

2. Ive been able to physically see the product in person at an LHS to determine if i like it.

About 4-5 years ago when internet shops werent as prevelant, Cyclone Taylor had inflated prices on all their products, mostly what we attributed to the fact that it was a small "family" store that served the entire city of Vancouver.

Now, their prices are more in line with the market and I will generally buy everything I possibly can from them unless there is a clear price advantage to buy online.

So what you are saying is that LHS's exhist for you to come over and spy out a product so you can buy it over the internet. LHS's are not SHOWROOMS for internet sites!

Part of the reason internet sites can sell stuff cheaper is that they have little overhead. Those store fixtures my gloves and shins are hanging on cost quite a bit of money. Heating or cooling the space so customers are comfortable costs a lot of money. Carpet cleaning costs a lot; employess cost a lot, etc, etc. It cost a lot to put something on display, unlike internet garages.

IMO, when you spy a product at a LHS, you are essentially stealing from that shop.

You didn't even read my entire post

The amount of business i give my LHS is generally quite high.

I would say 99% of my hockey purchases are through my LHS, and on average, $500 a year at the very least.

So if that one time i find a helmet for $50 online when its $150 at my LHS, i will damn sure go to my LHS to try it on before i buy it online.

I've even mentioned it to the guys there and they said they had no problem with me doing it because they would not be able to match the price I was getting.

Boy am i lucky you aren't running my LHS

[JCYC5 0]

I bought my skates (Easton Z-Air Comp SE) from my local store even though I knew it was over $100+ more than what I could get it for online.

I still got it because the sales assistant was just too damn nice and friendly. I walked into the shop and was set on just checking out skates and not wasting any sales rep's time. Ended up buying a pair of skates of them, not because of the great after-sales package they offered me (Sharpings, contourings, etc etc, all for free) but because of the pure friendliness and the amount of effort he put it. Heck, I'm in Hong Kong and all those extra perks mean nothing to me.

That is the difference between online stores and your LHS. I cannot justify not helping out a store I know is struggling due to online stores.

[jimmy 194]

the internet shops should be able to live in harmony with the LHSs

I for one will never buy anything from an internet shop unless two things happen:

1. The internet price is at least 10-15% cheaper (to cover shipping and other charges)

2. Ive been able to physically see the product in person at an LHS to determine if i like it.

About 4-5 years ago when internet shops werent as prevelant, Cyclone Taylor had inflated prices on all their products, mostly what we attributed to the fact that it was a small "family" store that served the entire city of Vancouver.

Now, their prices are more in line with the market and I will generally buy everything I possibly can from them unless there is a clear price advantage to buy online.

So what you are saying is that LHS's exhist for you to come over and spy out a product so you can buy it over the internet. LHS's are not SHOWROOMS for internet sites!

Part of the reason internet sites can sell stuff cheaper is that they have little overhead. Those store fixtures my gloves and shins are hanging on cost quite a bit of money. Heating or cooling the space so customers are comfortable costs a lot of money. Carpet cleaning costs a lot; employess cost a lot, etc, etc. It cost a lot to put something on display, unlike internet garages.

IMO, when you spy a product at a LHS, you are essentially stealing from that shop.

You didn't even read my entire post

The amount of business i give my LHS is generally quite high.

I would say 99% of my hockey purchases are through my LHS, and on average, $500 a year at the very least.

So if that one time i find a helmet for $50 online when its $150 at my LHS, i will damn sure go to my LHS to try it on before i buy it online.

I've even mentioned it to the guys there and they said they had no problem with me doing it because they would not be able to match the price I was getting.

Boy am i lucky you aren't running my LHS

I did read your post. Obviously you never worked at a LHS and have had your time and effort wasted. Regardless of how much you spend at your LHS, the fact that you go in to try stuff on with intent to buy on-line is dishonest. As I said before we are not showrooms for the web sites. Just because you spend some money at your LHS doesn't give you the right to abuse the store owner or employees. Now, if you go in and ask store owner if he is willing to match internet prices, then I don't have any problem with that. I do this all the time with honest customers. In fact if the dishonest ones were more upfront, they'd find they in many cases they could get the equipment cheaper from me than from on-line, especially considering the inflated shipping charges most on-line places charge.

I recently had a customer buy some Mission replacement steel from one of the BIG on-line sites and have them shipped to me for radiusing. Not only did they charge him more for the steel, the shipping/handling was $9, about $6 more than actual shipping costs.

[wristshot19 0]

My LHS in Brandon, FL just got a small amount of RBK stuff in but not a lot. Actually the most interesting thing or things they got were a bunch of Pro Stock 6K OPS's. I almost bought a lefty to try it out but I wasn't too big on the curve. It was more of a Nike Legwand or M-1 Refalski curve and I have a Nike Legwand already (great stick).

BTW, the LHS route is the only way to go. I know you save money on taxes and some other things but like it was stated before, that extra money you are spending goes back in to your local economy. When your kids go to school don't forget where the money comes from to pay for their teachers, books, and materials. Conglomo.com is defintely not making any contributions.

I would gladly pay more money for the extra service that a LHS gives me over just being order #12093259-834098 any day.

[whbd18 0]

my lhs is awesome and i get like 10% off my purchases but sometimes they dont have what i want so i have to resort to the internet..my local shop got some 5k junior and 6k ops in like january i got a 6k but all they had was the datsyuk retail curve they were listed as $160 but they gave it to me for only $145, great stick by the way still strong after my high school season very durable

[LetsGoWings13 0]

I have only bought one thing ever online and that was a m-2 shaft. I support my lhs even if there prices are 10 dollars more.

[blues_91 0]

I've never bought online but I do buy at 4 different pro shops(sticks at one, protective at another and so on). Funny that none out of 4 have any high end mission skates. Oh and besides the 4 I mentioned,I always sharpen my skates and buy my tape at the rinkside shop, I've even bought a few sticks at odd times.

[jimmy 194]

I've never bought online but I do buy at 4 different pro shops(sticks at one, protective at another and so on). Funny that none out of 4 have any high end mission skates. Oh and besides the 4 I mentioned,I always sharpen my skates and buy my tape at the rinkside shop, I've even bought a few sticks at odd times.

Thanks for supporting your LHSs. The main reason most shops don't have high end Mission is that simply Mission is not a popular brand. Yea, I know some like Mission and it is a good product but face it, for skates, if it aint Bauer or CCM the other models just don't sell fast or quick, and they make little money for the store owner. I use to stock the Mission but got tired of loosing my a$$ at the end of the year stuck with all those skates that no one wanted and having to mark them down below cost just to get rid of them. Now if Mission would buy back any skates left at the end of the year, I'd fill my store with them. They would't be so quick discontinuing models either.

[predshockey17 0]

I have bought online once. And that was for ABS blades. Cause no one carries ABS blades where I live. Other then that my LHS gets all my business.

[Chadd 916]

I've never bought online but I do buy at 4 different pro shops(sticks at one, protective at another and so on). Funny that none out of 4 have any high end mission skates. Oh and besides the 4 I mentioned,I always sharpen my skates and buy my tape at the rinkside shop, I've even bought a few sticks at odd times.

Thanks for supporting your LHSs. The main reason most shops don't have high end Mission is that simply Mission is not a popular brand. Yea, I know some like Mission and it is a good product but face it, for skates, if it aint Bauer or CCM the other models just don't sell fast or quick, and they make little money for the store owner. I use to stock the Mission but got tired of loosing my a$$ at the end of the year stuck with all those skates that no one wanted and having to mark them down below cost just to get rid of them. Now if Mission would buy back any skates left at the end of the year, I'd fill my store with them. They would't be so quick discontinuing models either.

I've had no problem selling my Mission stock. Partly because I believe in the product and partly because people are having so many issues with other brands.