Ed’s Ski & Cycle of York closed last Spring, leaving a gracious farewell on their Web site. (Note as of 1/10/10 web site was taken down STW)
If you take a moment to read their farewell, it illustrates how local sports specialty shop has a hard time competing the big box stores, with their seeming deep discounts. Unfortunately for the consumer, and especially a ski and boarding customer, the noise big chains create from saturation advertising is less likely to result in a positive experience for the customer, as they rarely are organized or equipped with the technical training, expertise and years of experience that local ski shops offer. An inaccurately adjusted binding, an incorrectly specified ski length or a poorly fitted boot can put skiers and boarders at higher risk of injury, all in the name of saving a few percent of the customer’s purchase price.
My brother and I have skied for over 50 years each. And for several years, I have been a senior member of the National Ski Patrol, spending winters slope-side with skiers of all levels. We and other experienced skiers know you cannot place a dollar value on the service your local ski shop offers. Local operations are staffed with enthusiasts well equipped to match your needs accurately to the right gear. Moreover, they tend to keep up on the technical training needed to properly serve the local store’s customers base.
More than once, I have been waited on by seasonal college students at local stores and watched as the business owners were always there to step in to help when called for. Customers who comparison shop find the local shop can typically compete well on price, but it’s superior service that distinguishes them, helping customers toward a more rewarding and arguably safer skiing experience.
I hope you will agree, and keep our small local ski shops [like those mentioned my post titled "Ski Swaps & Big Tents mean Ski Season is Right Around the Corner" ] alive and healthy by patronizing them.
Sincerely,
Scott Woodruff
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