Come on Aus shops price match. King of Watersports, Kitemana and a few in the states.
Cheaper to buy pay import duties especially when worldwide shipping is free sometimes.
Than from a shop in Aus.
Or you are all out of business in 3-4 yrs.
As everything will be online. Already nearly is. Getting to demo something is becoming a thing of the past.
Time for a warehouse discount shop in Aus with bulk buying power selling all brands under one roof.
We get screwed here. And blah blah buy local as warranty. Doesn't matter where you buy from warranty is valid.

My pump was a bit tired. I knew I'd be paying a little extra to buy local but I went to the shop anyway, I got it the day I wanted it, I got a guarantee that the fitting will fit my kite, and the convenience of a local return if there was a problem.
I'll buy from a local shop for similar reasons everytime, they cost more and they're worth more. Not bagging online shopping, it's great to have both options.

Ppl whined here last season about price of new kites.
well into the mid $2000's was it? Almost $3K maybe

I responded with a shop here in Perth selling new RRD at $1800

not one person followed up with the shop.
warranty is somewhat valid concern as many countries don't have the same consumer protection that we enjoy, so if you have a problem their default position is nope. So you need to fight over email and wait ages for replacement

still, yes $$$ talks

Actually, without comparing anything from overseas, I've been seeing some pretty good deals advertised at times from Aussie shops... Have to keep reminding myself I don't need another kite!
Realistically, we can't expect any "warehouse discount shop" to be able to offer demos on a broad range of gear as well as discount prices (as OP wishes) due to high costs incurred in making gear available for demo.
And any one shop that deals in huge volumes of gear will not be offering the type of personal service and advice either, as you might have in a local shop (if you have one).
If you have the luxury of a local shop, make the most of it while it lasts and hope that it flourishes for many years. They might even negotiate on prices if you ask nicely?

I think we are extremely lucky to have local shops with great support, Not easy these days so let's give them our support I say.

When a kiteshop makes more money selling fat tyred e-bikes from their shop , desparation is creeping in that selling kite gear alone can't be sustained .

Yes sandee and ste
Loyalty to local shop gives you demo, free little repairs, all sorts

discount warehouse gives you nothing. Nil. Even worse if you are sending your bucks overseas - and don't whinge that you can't get a small crucial part in the middle of a windy season

Agreed, local shops very important.

Temu seems to send things very quick !!
A friend got a t shirt and I got a car battery jump pack and a couple of other things in four days ..

Maybe they can be encouraged to stock&sell duotone at Marty's price .that would be awesome ..

With perhaps back to the original thicker/heavier bladders again so that they don't pop so often.....

Most of us are happy to do deals for kites and boards and other stuff, and most will match prices . within reason! We generally won't go backwards on a deal, why would we?

Some of us who have been working in kite stores for the last 20 odd years have a massive wealth of knowledge and connections. We've forgotten more than most people know about kiting and foiling.
Ask us about parts, old spares, bits and pieces from old models, brands and stuff, repair methods and cheap work arounds. We've seen it, done it, many times over, and often have engineered better options to help out customers with old gear often for free to good customers.
We love doing it, we are problem solvers at heart and enjoy making people happy. We live for froth and have the enviable position to bring you the latest toys and experience to help you choose correctly.

Thank you to everyone who supports local shops, we can't do it without you. Despite how difficult it is at times, we still love it. Support local if you can ??

DM ??