skybytch 273 #26 December 21, 2003 Thanks guys. Some detail - customer is 200+ out the door, 185 or so body weight, less than 50 jumps. Has been discussing buying a 190 main and 176 reserve with me. We've been having a hell of a time finding a container, new or used, that will fit him and that he can have in hand before he leaves the US in three more weeks. He found a used rig witha 160 reserve. The harness will fit him. He has to pay with a credit card and can't do so to purchase this used rig if I don't get involved in the sale (ie I charge his card and send a check to the seller). The seller of this rig is asking $3600; the all new gear I found for him would cost about $5200. We've had repeated and lengthy discussions about reserve sizing. He's done a canopy control course and has been jumping a 190 main since the course with no problems. Yesterday they put him on a 170. While I'm not ecstatic about the thought of him on a 170 I'm not going to argue that - he landed it fine on two jumps in light winds yesterday and he and the instuctors here feel confident that he can handle it. My theory on reserve sizing is get something you can walk away from the landing under regardless of where you have to land. I don't feel that he'll be able to safely land a 1.3 loaded 7 cell in the parking lot at WalMart at sunset, so therefore I refuse to get involved in him purchasing the used rig. He's being told by those who handed him the 170 main to jump that he'll be just fine under a 160 reserve. One of those people contacted the seller of the used rig and had it shipped here so he can check it out. One of the container manufacturers (props to Kim at Mirage) found an incoming stock container that would fit 176/190, had a harness that could be sized for him and would be done two days before he has to leave the US. We spoke yesterday morning, he decided to go for it and I emailed the measurements to the manufacturer (who had someone working in the back on a Saturday). AFAIK, at this point the harness has been sized to his measurements. I'm not too worried about the Mirage; if I do get stuck buying it I know I can sell it reasonably quickly because it will hold a 190 main... and I could insist that the customer buy it based on his verbal agreement and he probably would (he's not a jerk). I didn't get his money before sending the measurements off because he was in the middle of his jump day and I knew he'd be back in the store to complete the deal before the end of the day. Well, he did come back to the store, but with one of the instructors in tow to discuss the 160 reserve again... Let's just say there's a fundamental difference of opinion on reserve sizing for novices between me and the instructor. While I respect his opinion, he's not the one who has to be responsible for any possible legal action should the worst happen to the customer... Someone remind me again how cool it is to be a business owner instead of just an employee... cuz right about now I'm wishing I was back at my old job where I knew I'd get a paycheck whether I sold a customer a rig or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #27 December 21, 2003 Question is - If this bloke went in under his 160 reserve how would you feel about it? Try to pursuade him that the larger reserve is the better option but you must go with your conscience. A dealer close to me had the same dilema and refused to sell a smaller rig as they knew their repuation would suffer when he went in.I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #28 December 21, 2003 1st, Lisa, kudos for taking a stand, again. OK, here's what I would do.... Do you know the maker of the 160 reserve? Can you get a demo of one? Since you mentioned a 176, I'm assuming the new one would be a PD. I KNOW you can get a demo of that. See if you can talk one of his instructors into getting a couple of reserve demos. Preferably in the brands he has a choice of, but at least in something close to those sizes. If his instructor raises a stink about demoing a 160 Sq Ft F111 7 cell.....well, you know.... If he will demo them, make sure he has objectives, mainly a very tight landing area. Even if he lands both reasonably well, it might be enough to open his eyes. Then again, it might open your eyes too, as we both know that each and every person is different. Seriously, Demo a few reserves with him. It might save his life someday.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
