We are indeed in tough times with cash tight . More than ever now you need to support your local shop . You will see sales popping up but this is a double edged sword for the shops , everything they let go now at little or no profit to survive will mean if they do get through this new stock will probably be 20 to 30% more as our dollar has crashed and they won't have the money to put up front to buy.

So if you are thinking of buying anything , now is the time but please don't try and screw the shops down , same goes for any small items you might buy on line , keep it local and support them as much as you can otherwise when the dust settles the days of walking in for a chat and trade your old gear for new will all be gone , along with the demo days and gear reviews . Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Note also that a lot of local shops (surf and others "non essential" ones) here in France offer to go deliver the goods personally close to them. The cannot open the shop normally, and you cannot travel to them, as you are not allowed to go out for non-vital shopping, and most post offices here refuse to accept to carry non-vital parcels, but as professionals shops can still home deliver.

Just phone your local shop, you may find out that they have devised some way to still do business. The Gong physical shop for instance has organized a system where you register for an appointment (they ensure 15mn between each customer so they never have 2 at the same time) and they put the gear on the parking lot (in view of them :-) for you to pick up. But I am sure quite a lot of local shops are also being creative now.

That's all good Colas but you can still go in a surf shop in Aus and this is really about supporting Australian stores .

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Piros said..
We are indeed in tough times with cash tight . More than ever now you need to support your local shop . You will see sales popping up but this is a double edged sword for the shops , everything they let go now at little or no profit to survive will mean if they do get through this new stock will probably be 20 to 30% more as our dollar has crashed and they won't have the money to put up front to buy.

So if you are thinking of buying anything , now is the time but please don't try and screw the shops down , same goes for any small items you might buy on line , keep it local and support them as much as you can otherwise when the dust settles the days of walking in for a chat and trade your old gear for new will all be gone , along with the demo days and gear reviews . Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Yep!!

Hundred per cent Piros.
I just bought a new paddle from the Nth Freo Stand Up Surf crew. And at full price.
Not only is it important to support the locals but also spread the love ($) where you can.
I try to get as much gear as I can from different stores across the country.
Don't squib and try to haggle - front up and go hard.

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Piros said..
That's all good Colas but you can still go in a surf shop in Aus and this is really about supporting Australian stores .

Yes, but don't forget I am a time traveller from the future :-)

(or at least one of a possible futures)