beckrj 0 #1 November 20, 2001 We all know how expensive buying a new rig is and don't really want to sell my car so here is my question:What do you all think of buying a complete rig from somewhere other than your home DZ's gear store. Mine is Lake Elsinore and the gear store there is great but I have found prices that are much better at SkyKat for example. Should I go for the much lower price or stick with dealing with someone who I know and respect. I have heard great things about SkyKat though. Advice is needed and appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merrick 0 #2 November 20, 2001 I know that there something to be said for loyalty to your DZ & the people that you know there.... but there's also a lot to be said for saving a bunch of $$$$ too..... I say buy online! I've found some amazing deals online (on rigs, altimeters, dytters, Porn.. you name it). Rigs-N-Things seems to be about the cheepest for new stuff, but if you're buying used, check the used gear sites & classifieds, you can get completely fitted with some cool stuff really cheap! "Pammi's Hemp/Skydiving Jewelry" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 November 20, 2001 Well considering where I work you'd probably think I'd say buy from someone other than your dz regardless but actually there could be good reasons to buy from your local dealer. In exchange for a higher price than you'll pay from where I work or from other "online" or mail/phone order dealers, some dz's/local dealers will offer things like free gear rental while you're waiting for your custom stuff, free assembly and pack of your new rig, not having to pay for shipping, etc. You'd also be supporting your home dz with your purchase, which may not be important if you jump at a large DZ but could be real important if you jump at a small one - that is if you really want the dz to be around for you to jump at in the future... Having sold gear to many novices from small dz's I've heard that some dzo's will give you the cold shoulder if you buy your gear from someone other than them; that may not be right, but it's the way it is.Personally, when I no longer work in the industry (it could happen, I am going to college after all...) I'm not going to go looking for the "best price" for any of my skydiving equipment. I'd rather pay more and buy my gear from people I know at a company that gives back to skydiving and offers great customer service. By giving back to skydiving I mean things like employing only or primarily skydivers and paying them enough to live on and still jump, sponsoring and/or organizing skydiving events, sponsoring teams and individual jumpers, etc. By great customer service I mean things like doing whatever it takes to make the customer happy, having knowledgable and experienced sales staff available to answer questions (which is less important to those who already know exactly what they want, but can be real important to someone who has no clue), good relationships with manufacturers (which can sometimes translate into a slightly better delivery time), etc. Yes, I buy my toilet paper and dog food at WalMart and my books and video games from Amazon primarily because the prices are low, but skydiving equipment ain't toilet paper or video games. Another problem with some of the "deep discounters" (not pointing fingers at SkyKat; they're good people there), besides a lack of product knowledge, poor customer service and/or lack of support for our sport, is that you have no idea if they'll still be around 10 weeks from now when your gear is done. Ask anyone who's been in the sport for a few years how many trunk-of-the-car/out-of-their-garage gear dealers they've seen go out of business and leave customers hanging... Companies that have invested in their own stock (canopies, containers, Cypres, etc) instead of being able to sell you only items that are in the manufacturer's stock, those who've been around for a few years and have actual gear stores on dz's instead of just a website, etc, are more likely to be around when your custom order is done. pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #4 November 20, 2001 Alls I know is that I bought my rig from my DZ and he (the DZO) saved me 1250$ (yes that is correct) on it. Brand new Talon2, New reserve and a used main. I got them all for at cost. jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merrick 0 #5 November 20, 2001 Quote"he (the DZO) saved me 1250$ (yes that is correct) on it."Yeah, that's a good point.... a lot of times if you can get your orders in when the DZ is ordering Staff rigs or simply get a bunch of people together to put orders in at the same time & save you a ton of $$$ if that's your initial goal. I know Kris saved an insane amount on his brand new Mirage this summer."Pammi's Hemp/Skydiving Jewelry" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #6 November 21, 2001 Quote I know Kris saved an insane amount on his brand new Mirage this summer. Heh. Between the Mirage, the Stiletto & the Tempo I saved $1000 easy. I knew being a staff monkey would come in handy some day... Seriously though, Mike the DZO has always taken care of the staff very well when it comes to gear.Kris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
