now whilst I'm on my high horse I can recall sometime ago I called a WA windsurf retailer (who will remain nameless) who I had purchased through on no less than 3 occassions. I queried whether they could send some photos of a proto type second hand sail they had advertised.
The guy I spoke to intimated in no uncertain terms that it was too much of a hassle and to look at said sail manufacturer's website if I wanted to see a photo. Now it goes without saying I have never bought anything again from them and when I read this www.27bslash6.com/f4s.html from David Thorne it reminded me of them.
u can still get good prices over here
i picked up a new dakine harness, a couple of months ago, from a smaller WA windsurf shop, that seems to be having a year round 50% sale 
still haven't used it yet, 'kin 'ell 
Yaaaaawwn !
Yes, everyone knows that stuff appears to be cheaper overseas, please get over it, as discussed many many times here there are pros and cons associated with buying mail order, but works for some doesn't for others yadda yadda yadda ....
Just do it, or don't its up to you, but I for one am sick to death of this topic which has been thrashed to death.
For the same reasons as above I am no longer going to speak English. There are over 250,000 distinct words in English but only 340 in Taki Taki.
Now that is a big difference and I don't know how English speakers justify the riducously inflated vocabulary.
Why should I put up with listening to Australians banging on in an increadible number of words when I can go phone Taki Taki land and listen to only 340.
Sorry, but the difference it too great. World communication is changing and I am going to change with it.
Kuneti
"Sailing gear from US"
Its a bloody long way to sail gear from the USA !
thats up there with
"us ships head to somalia"
and
"police cant stop gambling"
Interesting thread guys, Being a shop owner you could say I am Bias, I too think that the RRP in Australia are too high, these are set my the importers who bump it up to try and "trick" the shops into the fact they we will make more money so therefore buy more of them. Personally next year I will be making a large change and not following these so called retail prices.
The main problem we have is winter, my business turn over after Easter drops by 80 % !!!!! until September so I loose money big time for 5 months
So this year I thought I would offer 40% off all items in stock , advertised this with the local club , made up vouchers . Sold One naish Hoodie !!!!!!!!
Select to expand quote
I can buy 3 - 2011 race sails online delivered to my door for $2587, buying the same amount of sails(same sizes well known brand) from a shop it would cost me $5,816 + delivery,
Anyway enough of this crap
Exactly, you are obviously quoting extremes here.
That sort of comparison is just pointless.
Most brands & shops have comparative prices, even to the on-line stores.
Compare apples with apples.
I was discussing this last weekend on the beach with a retailer whilst actually trying a sail before deciding whether to buy it or not.
Seeing if it rigs right on my existing mast etc.
I also got to try 3 new 2012 boards, not for 5 minutes either, I had them all weekend.
Now there's a new concept, DEMO GEAR, feel it, touch it, try it, get shown how to rig it correctly.
How would that work with on-line shopping?
Oh yeah that's that risky bit again
Select to expand quote
Simon at least your proactive! I thought you imported your own stock in from overseas?
Only boards and more stuff but now expanded to starboard servene, I just feel that you have to be competitiive and I do not believe any board is worth $3000 or any sail $2000 !!!! It looks like next year will be interesting
Select to expand quotePaul Kelf said...
I can buy 3 - 2011 race sails online delivered to my door for $2587, buying the same amount of sails(same sizes well known brand) from a shop it would cost me $5,816 + delivery,
Anyway enough of this crap
Exactly, you are obviously quoting extremes here.
That sort of comparison is just pointless.
Most brands & shops have comparative prices, even to the on-line stores.
Compare apples with apples.
I was discussing this last weekend on the beach with a retailer whilst actually trying a sail before deciding whether to buy it or not.
Seeing if it rigs right on my existing mast etc.
I also got to try 3 new 2012 boards, not for 5 minutes either, I had them all weekend.
Now there's a new concept, DEMO GEAR, feel it, touch it, try it, get shown how to rig it correctly.
How would that work with on-line shopping?
Oh yeah that's that risky bit again
You guys are loyal to your local shops which is great hope the thrive for years to come and if I had 5+ stores to shop around with in easy driving distance I'll be visiting them as well to see if they can match what I can buy on line.
Simon has seen what is happening in the market and by the sounds will be using a more competitive business model other than the antiquated style of doing business in windsurfing.
As for race sails not quoting extremes but merely pointing out the gear which I use, freeride/wave don't know about so can't comment.
Thats great about trying new gear, any shop feel free to send me the lastest boards to try, slalom/speed range! Barmera, South Australia 5345,Remi at the Windsurfing shed had no problem sending me out demo boards to test...try weeks!
as for rigging plenty of info on the net, direct from the designers/developers
It seems prices are on the rise my guess is there may be as much as a 30% rise in the price of windsurfing gear over the next 6 months.
Hey Choco, when you're finished demo'ing them send the gear onto Yeppoon and I'll give a test run as well.
Paul,
I would love to be able to demo gear but unfortunately I have to buy all my gear on (peer and industry) reviews and recommendations alone. Seabreeze is a perfect medium to be able to do this too.
As mentioned in another thread I was speaking to Paul from 2nd wind the 100 rrd quad cult will be $2450 for 2012! prices will be less this year due to the good US dollar, the limited construction rrds will be $2150.
I don't think you could get a decent 2012 board from the US inc postage in one piece for that price.
