 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
I was wondering what the general feeling is on the level of equipment hired and paid for in advance. Typically if there's a Gold, Silver, Bronze type set up I would book Silver but on a couple of occasions a tight pal of mine who would book 'Coal' if it were available would ask for and get the same skis as me having booked Bronze. Do the shops pay a great amount of attention to what you've originally selected if you know enough to be selecting the brand/model that you want?
Thanks,
Bendy
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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50/50, we've had the same experience, but also seen sizeable differences in other stores. The problem with 'coal' ime is that if you don't like the pre-selected set and want to change them for something else it is always a very expensive "upgrade". With silver and gold you tend to be able to insist they issue something reasonable from the middle shelves 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| a.j. wrote: |
| 50/50, we've had the same experience, but also seen sizeable differences in other stores. The problem with 'coal' ime is that if you don't like the pre-selected set and want to change them for something else it is always a very expensive "upgrade". With silver and gold you tend to be able to insist they issue something reasonable from the middle shelves |
Yeah, makes sense. Personally I've never had a complaint with the gear I got on Silver so if it's not broken.....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Unfortunately I think it's all very fluid and largely dependent on what they have in and whether they like the cut of your jib but generally choice and quality increases with price paid. I hate hiring because I always get the "he can't ski" look, and then often have to work hard to get something appropriate. If I can get some other discount I prefer not to prepay so they feel obliged to work at selling it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Yep I am the same always go for one up on th basics, so normally called silver. We only hire skis anyway and I have never had a problem with skiing on what ever I have been given.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ben Dover, you may find that the difference between say, silver and bronze, is also age and use of the ski, not just model and brand.
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Good points, I have my own boots so it's always only skis I get. I keep thinking of buying skis but they seem such a hassle to transport plus the cost of transport is almost the same as hiring!
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We have never pre-booked and usually wander round seeing what all the shops have available. They generally work very hard to get your business and offer a good discount.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ski transport costs and hire costs of decent quality gear are in no way comparable................
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| Quote: |
Ski transport costs and hire costs of decent quality gear are in no way comparable................
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so does that say hire or better to buy?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I feel the same as the OP, one site I looked at for example had about five ski hire packages with about six ski options in each package, anyway can anyone tell me what is the differance between a Rossignal pursuit SMU and a Rossignal Experience 78x as i need to hire something for next week. It would be nice to have a sticky where fellow snowheads could give their opinions on hire skis, how they handle ect as it is difficult to find reviews of hire ski's.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ymh, it doesn't matter what you pick online in my experience 
Caravanskier - I have very rarely managed to match a pre-booked discount in France, mostly I struggle to even get 20% instore. Do you speak good french? Go to smaller resorts? Or know some handy tricks I can steal?
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Last year I was booked the cheapest ski deal online from a shop in VT (long story.... there were a few of us) After day two I went back to the shop and asked iof I could exchange my skis for some slightly longer and fatter. They said "Oui, dim probs." So I left with a lovely pair of all mountain skis for no extra charge. They would have cost considerably more if I had booked them in the first place. Result.
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You know it makes sense.
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a.j., you could try saying you tried to book online but the site/transaction/credit card didn't work, so can they please try and get as close as possible to the internet discount etc etc. The sites are normally run by some third party and so the shop won't be insulted.
Or offer them cash payment and be quite clear that you will not need a receipt.
Obviously, any pleading/negotiating will be more effective in January then at the height of the school holidays.
As for the difference in packages, I agree with under a new name - there's a good chance that a 'blue' pair of skis is just a 'red' pair that has done two seasons. Most of the networks have rules on how many seasons a pair of skis can do in their class, so after that they get bumped down a rank (or more). A few years ago the top market shops could happily declare that all skis would be replaced every season, but that's becoming rarer and rarer in these times of crisis.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Maersk wrote: |
| Ski transport costs and hire costs of decent quality gear are in no way comparable................ |
Transport = €60, hire = €80.... Pretty comparable in my book. That doesn't take into consideration, hassle, depreciation, upkeep etc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
Maersk wrote:
Ski transport costs and hire costs of decent quality gear are in no way comparable................
Transport = €60, hire = €80.... Pretty comparable in my book. That doesn't take into consideration, hassle, depreciation, upkeep etc.
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I always hire and really cant see me ever buying. I always book online and opt for the highest level although i do some research before i go to establish which shops have the range of ski's i want. By having top models they are usually this seasons ski's and the shop will almost always allow you to change ski's and leave overnight for a free wax and edge if needed.
Just had a week in lesarc and had Movement Jam's (cost £600ish with Griffin bindings) for a week and took back midweek for overnight edge and wax for £80.92 - Looked like they had only had 2 hours use when i picked them up. Other half had a brand new pair of Atomic GS race ski's for 2 days and then changed for Movement Tattoo and these were also brand new for £80.92.
Just cant see the logic in buying ski's when you can get that type of service. Although i may have a different view if shop has cruddy ski's and limited choice(like i did encounter some years ago with intersport in Ischgl  )
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