fpritchett64

I'm not whining about this, what I'm asking is, by me shopping around to get the best price, am I going to be making a bad name for myself. We all know that skydiving is a small world. I don't want to be known as the one who shopped around, kept the distributors "honest" and got the best price, so don't do business with him, don't jump with him, don't talk to him..whatever, because he's an asshole and is cheap...or whatever. If what I'm doing is not ethical in the eyes of fellow skydivers, then I want to know. I've been in the sales business for several years now, and shopping around is what I'm used to, by me, and my customers, but this is a different industry, and I want to know if what I'm used to doing is right here.

Ok, So, I'm planning to buy my first rig soon and I have been doing some price shopping. Trying to get the best price for a complete setup. Most distributors advertise having the best price and that they'll match any price...guaranteed. Well, apparently, one of these distributors (very well known in the skydiving industry) doesn't match, and I pissed someone off when asking if they could do any better on the price. They were only $460.00 higher than the best price quoted. I'm not going to name any names, as I'm not here to point fingers. I also understand that distributors are here to make money, and I don't expect anyone to sell me anything at or below cost, but $460.00 higher is quite a bit and I'm sure the person that gave me the lowest quote so far is still making money (just not trying to get rich off one person) and their level of customer service would be at least equal considering their response time was at least 24 hours sooner. My question is: Is it frowned upon to shop around and get the best price, compare, and offer distributors the chance to match or beat others prices (I want to keep them honest) or, should I just take the best price and go with it without asking for price matches, etc. Sometime distributors don't realize how far off they really are, this doesn't only apply to the skydiving industry. Again, I'm not trying to break anyone, but as we all know, this is expensive stuff we're talking about, my money that I'm spending, and I'd like the best price possible. At the same time, I don't want to be doing things that aren't customary and pissing people off along the way. Give me some input, you have all been here, what have you done, or what would you do?

Do you charge additional for someone to watch you service their rig? Just curious if it's common practice to charge extra for the owner of a rig to watch you service their rig and or ask any questions about the service you're providing?

Container will either be an Infinity or Wings.

Send me the link that answers all the questions I just asked and we wont have the go there again. Would that be easier for ya'? Guess I should have just started a whole new thread on this subject right??

Ok, did the search and found several pages of threads pertaining to this subject. Since I am going to be buying a new rig hopefully within 6-8 months that will have an AAD, I wanted to find out how things are today regarding the several AADs out there. Right now, I am leaning toward the Vigil 2, but have also heard about some bugs in the past regarding this AAD and was curious as to whether they have been worked out now. Right now, this AAD seems to be cheaper all the way around, purchase price, maintenance, and lifespan. What are your thoughts on this?

Hey, I didn't realize that was available, I'll have to check in to it definately. It's not really the money for jumps and gear rental that is killing me, it's the drive, although it's only about 80 miles one way, we all know how gas prices have gotten, so I can't make the trip as often. I usually pack enough while I'm out to offset the cost of gear rental, and the jump, it's just that due to my fiance's work schedule (only have one vehicle), I usually don't have enough time to pack enough to offset the cost of the drive...if that makes sense. I guess I could always get rid of her, throw up a tent Friday night, and hang out until Sunday afternoon jumping and packing my ass off...theres a plan!!

Not massively current either then? You're right, money has been tight lately and I've been staying current according to USPA's standards, making a jump or 2 every month or so, but I'd feel much better if I could jump a little more often.

Hey, thanks a lot to the both of you for the great information. Looks like it would be a little dangerous to attempt right now. I think if I do get a chance to jump this weekend, I'll just rent some gear and jump something I know I can handle. Thanks again, your information was very useful

Hi I am planning a trip to Alabama over Mem day weekend to my hometown, Elberta, AL, home of ECSC, by coincidence, they happen to be hosting the Memorial Day Beach Boogie. If I get to make any jumps while I'm down, it will have to be at the dz and not at the beach....no B license yet. I don't have my own gear yet, and have been jumping a Tri190 at a wingloading of 1.08 for quite some time now with great landings, no problems whatsoever. Since I don't have a rig yet, a friend of mine has offered to let me jump his rig with a Sabre1 170, if I feel comfortable jumping it. I am familiar with the dropzone, just not familiar with the 170 as I've never jumped it and just curious as to whether it would be too dangerous yet to attempt if I'm opening high, say 5 grand and using a very conservative straight in final approach. Is losing 20 sq feet and going from a 1.08 wingloading on a 7 cell to a 1.21 wingloading for 2 jumps max on a 9 cell too radical for my experience level? Would this be too big of a difference in speed for me to mess with if say the flare and timing aren't exactly perfect? I'm only asking because I've never jumped this canopy and not sure what to expect and I'm sure some of you experienced guys have the knowlege to share with me. I'm asking because I wnat my jumps to be safe, and if you guys don't feel it would be safe, then I'll definately take that advice. I haven't noticed any big differences in speed so far downsizing, but this could be the one, so I need to know before I get in the air with it. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

I know I'm just one person, but I will never watch American Idol again, and will turn the channel everytime David 'Baby Face' Archuletta, comes on the radio if he wins. Can't he sing anything other than ballads, hes just so boring!! Damn...this is irritating!!

Ok, well looks like I'll be going with the Sabre2 and I'm sure it'll be a fun canopy to fly at my experience level with a lot to learn. Thanks everyone for everything you had to say!! I really appreciate it.

N/A

The SabreII is actually my other option, how much difference are there in the two, good, bad...I have read the flight characteristics of the two on PD's website, and that is one of the things that had me leaning more toward the Stiletto, mainly because of the flaring power, flat glide, etc.

Hi I've been contemplating asking this question because I'm sure I'll get flamed, and might even deserve it, so if you're bothered by this question, please feel free to post your input. A little history about my jumping and downsizing AFF1-3 PD260 AFF4 Manta 288...due to the PD260 being chopped on AFF3, the Manta was the only thing available. AFF5-jump 40 or so, PD210 Jump41-present Tri 190. I have jumped a few other canopies in there including a skymaster 230, falcon 230, and a Spectre 230. I will soon be buying my own gear, hopefully in the next 6 months or so and have a question about the Stiletto 190. I know this is an elliptical canopy and can be very dangerous and unforgiving with mistakes. My question is, would it be a bad decision to have a Stiletto 190 this soon, lets say, 100 jumps or less, even if I have absolutely no intentions whatsoever of swooping or attempting swooping. I would like to get into swooping, later on though, 500+ jumps. All of my landings on the Tri 190 have been great with nearly all stand-up. My current exit weight is 205 and if anything will go down as I am trying to lose some weight. Please give me your advice, good, bad, everything. Im here to listen, unlike some people out there that already have their minds made up and will not reconsider. Thanks in advance for the great info!!

My fiance's last 2 are 20 also and she got hers direct deposited Wednesday. I've got a friend with last 2 being 16 and he hasn't received his yet...should be direct deposit as well.

Isn't it strange how the women always seem to claim that they don't fart. Shoot, my fiance is worse than me, and stinks...holy shit, it's the closest thing to shit!!

I knew that, just wanted to see if anyone else is as smart as me

100 times thicker than it was originally?

Man, I've really got the farts today and was just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat as me? Must be those hotdogs from last night!!

Hey..what does a 75 yr old woman have between her boobs that a 25 yr old woman doesn't?...... Her belly button

I just tried again, not folding in half, more of a roll type fold each time, but got 9 that way...guess it doesn't count since it's not really a crease in each fold

On any size sheet of paper. Anybody ever tried it. Got bored at work and tried again. Just can't get past that 7th fold.

Procrastination is like masterbation, they're both great until you realize you just screwed yourself!!

Man, if you were to go the EMT or any medical route, you would be doing your AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. I'm sure you would have a blast there as the female to male ratio is like 12:1...lol. All joking aside though, good luck with it, I hope you do well. Edit to add: YOu mentioned possible deployment in 2010. I just completed my 6 year enlistment with the National Guard, and still have 2 years left of IRR. Our unit is scheduled to go over for their second tour around Dec or Jan of next year. First, they have to take a transition course and qualification at probably Ft. Hood, TX. They're in the middle of transitioning from the Alpha model to the Delta model Longbow Apache. Anyway, don't forget, we're getting a new president in November, and chances are, it will be a Democrat...I'll try to keep this off that subject, because I know this thread isn't about politics, but lets just say that I don't see anyone going anywhere but home in 2010. So, hopefully you'll be safe from that.