Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..
Flyingcab, I knew you had a big mouth, but I didn't know you had no sense of comraderie, but then again I am not surprised from a gossip muncher like you.
Majority Rules... unfortunately for you that means I'm more accepted than you within the seabreeze community.
Hey mate that's great news.Elliot at KP Sydney is top guy and very good customer service.Not many shop managers if any wished you a speedy recovery from my operation. Thanks Again KP crew much appreciated.
Select to expand quoteSugarQube said..
My mate in Berlin owns one of the largest shops in Europe, he doesnt actually sell so much latest model new stuff onlline or over the counter.
But he and all the Euro shops has access to massive amounts of ex display stock, run out models, trade fair kites , seconds from production runs etc, offerd to them by factories and distributers. Shops buy up this gear which gets sold of as packages and massive discounted "last season " gear, the distributers are the ones doing the discounting under pressure to get boards and kites out often at prices less than production costs. Its turning into a cut throaght market for manufacturers.
Most Australian shops wouldnt be able to get these sort of bargains. while locals are also able to buy this gear from overseas. The local Euro kiter actually has aboat 18% GST to pay. The shops take this off when exporting, which also makes it cheaper overseas online sales.
So its not about the lastest model kite or board, which isnt realy that much cheaper anywhere, but the massive amount of gear that doesnt get sold in the first year after production pulling the market down.
My mate is alot of pressure too, he makes the sale for often for 2 or 3 euros differance to the competion, punters will shop around for hours to save this sort of money.
And then there is actual forum abuse if he didnt give the cheapest price around.
How many imes would a customer walk into a local shop and look at the prices for the latest gear and then the old second hand stuff, when online he can buy last years model or ex demo model at 50% discount.
I think this is fairly representative of what happens in many industries.
Also the more experience you have as a consumer for that product the less help you need from a shop. If you know exactly what you want it simply comes down to a transaction of price/ availability and convenience.
Select to expand quoteflyingcab said..Loftywinds said..
Flyingcab, I knew you had a big mouth, but I didn't know you had no sense of comraderie, but then again I am not surprised from a gossip muncher like you.
Majority Rules... unfortunately for you that means I'm more accepted than you within the seabreeze community.
LOL.. You sure about that sunshine? 
Select to expand quotePlummet said..SugarQube said..
My mate in Berlin owns one of the largest shops in Europe, he doesnt actually sell so much latest model new stuff onlline or over the counter.
But he and all the Euro shops has access to massive amounts of ex display stock, run out models, trade fair kites , seconds from production runs etc, offerd to them by factories and distributers. Shops buy up this gear which gets sold of as packages and massive discounted "last season " gear, the distributers are the ones doing the discounting under pressure to get boards and kites out often at prices less than production costs. Its turning into a cut throaght market for manufacturers.
Most Australian shops wouldnt be able to get these sort of bargains. while locals are also able to buy this gear from overseas. The local Euro kiter actually has aboat 18% GST to pay. The shops take this off when exporting, which also makes it cheaper overseas online sales.
So its not about the lastest model kite or board, which isnt realy that much cheaper anywhere, but the massive amount of gear that doesnt get sold in the first year after production pulling the market down.
My mate is alot of pressure too, he makes the sale for often for 2 or 3 euros differance to the competion, punters will shop around for hours to save this sort of money.
And then there is actual forum abuse if he didnt give the cheapest price around.
How many imes would a customer walk into a local shop and look at the prices for the latest gear and then the old second hand stuff, when online he can buy last years model or ex demo model at 50% discount.
I think this is fairly representative of what happens in many industries.
Also the more experience you have as a consumer for that product the less help you need from a shop. If you know exactly what you want it simply comes down to a transaction of price/ availability and convenience.
But online shopping vs local shopping is not the real threat according to some I've spoken to that work in any sports related industry. It's the local guy down the road that buys in bulk online and sells them locally for less, and still make a profit. You might ask yourself, well why don't all shops do that to each other? Contractual sale agreements with vendors, suppliers and manufacturers. That's why the bigger sports stores like Almart, Anaconda, etc can survive due to sheer size and numbers.
I think you have to be unique in the industry to build reputation, loyalty and appreciation from the public to keep em coming back. Just selling kites is not going to cut the mustard. I think getting into demo days, bbq days, clothes and sales, plus maybe a coffee shop on the side might make all the difference.
If flyingcab is loftywinds is lotsofwind is gwako is.....
Are we all simply enabling a (mild) psychosis
Since they all seem to live in Townsville this might help wipe a few cobwebs from what has been a very dull few months 
PS. Adrenaline Rush in Mackay do the van at the beach thing - good people
Select to expand quoteRails said..
If flyingcab is loftywinds is lotsofwind is gwako is.....
Are we all simply enabling a (mild) psychosis
Since they all seem to live in Townsville this might help wipe a few cobwebs from what has been a very dull few months
PS. Adrenaline Rush in Mackay do the van at the beach thing - good people
Hi Rails,
I am not Lofty winds (Fernando) and i am not linked to any of his several accounts that include gwako and elfkin something rather. I live in tassie however will be moving to NSW sometime soon as i went on a massive trip before easter and found NSW to be really nice and offered everything i need.
Regards Rob.
Select to expand quoteflyingcab said..Loftywinds said..flyingcab said..Loftywinds said..
Flyingcab, I knew you had a big mouth, but I didn't know you had no sense of comraderie, but then again I am not surprised from a gossip muncher like you.
Majority Rules... unfortunately for you that means I'm more accepted than you within the seabreeze community.
LOL.. You sure about that sunshine?
Judging by how many red thumbs i got, I would say you have about 8 accounts. Seriously Fernando just get a grip.
LOL... Believe what ever you wish cabby... Dream On.
Select to expand quoteXanthian said..
Personally, I think kite demos are the greatest value a local store can provide. And if I hadn't bought my quiver used off a local based on nothing more than appearance, that would have been the prime reason driving me to purchase local.
And lessons. Lessons and possibly repairs are very lucrative as compared to sales alone.
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said...
I think getting into demo days, bbq days, clothes and sales, plus maybe a coffee shop on the side might make all the difference.
Kitepower Queensland did all of this things (minus the coffe maybe) and that didn't help them survive...
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..Xanthian said..
Personally, I think kite demos are the greatest value a local store can provide. And if I hadn't bought my quiver used off a local based on nothing more than appearance, that would have been the prime reason driving me to purchase local.
And lessons. Lessons and possibly repairs are very lucrative as compared to sales alone.
It's my experience that majority of stores are interested in doing lessons only so far as it gets you into the shop and the clutches of the sales man.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..Loftywinds said..Xanthian said..
Personally, I think kite demos are the greatest value a local store can provide. And if I hadn't bought my quiver used off a local based on nothing more than appearance, that would have been the prime reason driving me to purchase local.
And lessons. Lessons and possibly repairs are very lucrative as compared to sales alone.
It's my experience that majority of stores are interested in doing lessons only so far as it gets you into the shop and the clutches of the sales man.
Exactly. Patience pays dividends. Someone has to buy the gear first up before they sell it second hand later on!
*rubs hands with glee*
Select to expand quoteHappyG said..
The problem with our market is that we are just to small.
in a nutshell.
Love the advice - think laterally - start up a coffee shop to subsidise your losses of adding kiting gear into the mix.
Why not just stick to the coffee and pocket the extra income!
"Certainly sir - I'll just take an hour or 2 to serve this customer wanting a kite then Ill get around to your coffee."
Hey Rails,wife & I are doing a Mexican and doing our usual Alva beach van stay may drop in on the way past for a kite late June.Let us know 0488563137 if you're able to will hook up.Think I sold you a Rpm 9 m 6 mths back?Cheers L&B
Select to expand quoteLeighMajor said..
Hey Rails,wife & I are doing a Mexican and doing our usual Alva beach van stay may drop in on the way past for a kite late June.Let us know 0488563137 if you're able to will hook up.Think I sold you a Rpm 9 m 6 mths back?Cheers L&B
Are you really the 6 million dollar Man?
