to your shaper I've been doing this for a few years now and always ordered my customs with my local store to help keep it local.
Since my go to store closed I ordered a custom via Board Culture but also spoke to the factory to make sure all the boxes were ticked,my issue is I would always receive a great trade for my not so old boards,we had a great relationship over many years.

The reason for this topic/post was Chrispy's chat today with Billy.

had many a chat with bill another good bloke who knows his shiz

Or you can get one off the rack if its close enough to what you want.

Mac what point are you actually making pls ?

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billboard said...

Mac what point are you actually making pls ?

Well reading Chrispy's post that made me think of my relationship with Dukes which was 10+ year deal.We knew each other well respected both sides of the coin.
They looked after me and I the same.Hell I could have gone direct but keeping it local.
BB I guess what I am saying is if local stores looked after local people the wheel would keep turning for both parties.That's about as nice as I can be or say on the topic.

It's never done me much good

Over the years I've had Rabbidge, O'Donnell, Latta plus a couple of other lesser luminaries shape boards specifically for me and they just never worked. Most because they had too little foam.

I never lied about my weight (I'd even throw a few kilos on for good measure) and I never lied about my ability, I really went to a lot of trouble to make sure they knew I was crap.

But they still never worked for me.

And I snapped 3 of them.

That's why I only ride Tuffys, I found something that I can catch a wave on so I'm sticking to it.

You've just got to do what you've got to do.

interesting topic. i've generally gone mac's way.

however sometimes you can end up being taken for granted a bit. a few subtle hints about some other board usually does the trick.

i don't argue price, but i do say if i think i've been stitched, its see you later.

cheers

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laceys lane said...


i don't argue price, but i do say if i think i've been stitched, its see you later.

cheers

well said mate

obct,
How do you find the volume of the Brewer?
It's the biggest volume malibu I own. I like it though.
I could imagine you would love the same board just scaled up a fraction.
But as I said, it is a very high volume board anyway. Probably the biggest volume 9'6 I've seen. (?).

The Brewer has just enough volume for me, but only just.

It seems to be the width that hurts the most, at 23, it's on my absolute minimum, I'm much happier at 24 inches.

Yeah, you'd love a slightly a slightly blown version of the same board.
9'10 x 24 x 3"3/8

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Simondo said...

Yeah, you'd love a slightly a slightly blown version of the same board.
9'10 x 24 x 3"3/8

Those dims are very close to the Isac Fields model I've been considering as my replacement nose rider.

They prefer to do them with a 9'10 blanks because they don't need to cut and shut 2 blanks to make the shorter ones because the wide point is so far back.

Just a general question here. Lacey you say if you have been stitched, Mac you allude to a discount I guess.

What is the generally accepted or desired discount level for a regular customer at retail? How much do people expect to get a good deal? There's normally about $160 margin for a retailer on a shortboard, at a guess I'd say 250-300 on a Mal. That's if it's sold at full price.

Not poking at anyone but i've always been curious as to what kind of prices people expect?

eg i've noticed Mctavish boards retail for the same price in all shops so i suppose its up to the shop owner as to how much discount he gives or how much profit he wants out of the sale.

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asea said...

eg i've noticed Mctavish boards retail for the same price in all shops so i suppose its up to the shop owner as to how much discount he gives or how much profit he wants out of the sale.

Glad you said that asea - there doesn't seem any differences australia-wide price wise , well that I've seen anyway.

I get longboards off a guy that also stocks shops but I just go down the coast and he shapes them in his yard then they go off to get glassed. It's cheaper going to him direct instead of going through a shop. I'm happier doing that. The other bonus is a day trip to mostly uncrowned waves when I go and pick it up.

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CMC said...

Just a general question here. Lacey you say if you have been stitched, Mac you allude to a discount I guess.

What is the generally accepted or desired discount level for a regular customer at retail? How much do people expect to get a good deal? There's normally about $160 margin for a retailer on a shortboard, at a guess I'd say 250-300 on a Mal. That's if it's sold at full price.

Not poking at anyone but i've always been curious as to what kind of prices people expect?

Well as an X manufacturer to the biggest retailers in OZ now a retailer I think I know the margin game in my field.
My take is a simple one.Lets say I'm buying a new board at 1395 which is the going rate around town and I'm trading a newish board same brand unmarked.I'm thinking paying full retail 1395 for my new the store is making 200 or 300 on the deal plus what they can make off my traded board.I could get a great trade on my boards go back next week and its sold,which is great,mind you my boards are not average as in condition,design and artwork they sell fast.If I'm buying and trading boards every couple of months or so I'm a VIP that's how I treat my customers daily.Make a bucket load out of one sale or repeat the customer as in less margin higher volume,that's how I see it and that's why my old LB store and I did deals.

One time I got stung by the same store and a week later I rocked in and told them so,it never happened again.Never after a discount just a fair deal and as a repeat customer I expect that at the least.
Lacey I take is similar to me in the sup thing'y always looking for the next big thing,its about the relationship you strike up.

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asea said...

eg i've noticed Mctavish boards retail for the same price in all shops so i suppose its up to the shop owner as to how much discount he gives or how much profit he wants out of the sale.

In all my time 1395 rrp not moving so its all about the trade imo,no I don't need another board bag fk or leggie or cake of wax.stick it and do a deal.

cmc, i'm seeing local boards go for $500 to $550 and other places they are wanting no much short of $900.

so is it $160 or $500 margin. with trade ins on well kept boards they do alright.

overheads isn't the customers concern.

the squeeze is on the surfboard game, but hey i've watch the housing small builder market go completely down the drain for the last 20 years.nothing was done about by any government or association. big end companies going broke and another two to replace them is the norm now



its all about whether the customer feels the 'difference' is enough to pay the extra to higher price surfboard market

I was kind of worried when I posted that people might feel that I was taking pot shots. I honestly wasn't. The post followed from a conversation I had with my wife about peoples expectations when buying boards at retail.

They have taken a different approach to most and are now focusing upon brands that have firm policies in place on direct sales to the public and also stocking price points. Eg, if you don't want to pay $800 for the Al Merrick than you should be looking at the less expensive brands.

As Lacey said, the squeeze is on, for both retailers and manufacturers. This is a complex relationship stressed and eroded by wholesale to the public sales and on the other side of the coin slow paying retailers. Retailers are moving towards brands that do not sell direct or if they do hold prices high, offer better terms and have strong marketing programs.

As I said, no pot shots taken I am always just interested in consumer behavior and
was more interested in what was considered a good deal from the customers perspective. This changes in all different markets also.

Funny thing about merrick boards is that they are mass produced ghost shaped boards. Im not saying they are bad boards but the construction would be the same as a 7s. At the end of the day its a label and thats what alot, not all, people generally buy.
What Im getting at is a Merrick (proven shape) is it worth more than a 7s (proven shape) in the same size? If Ke11y didnt ride them would they be worth that much?

I really dont give a rats whos boards I ride as long as they are well made suit my style and dont cost the earth

Thats simple no

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doggie said...

Funny thing about merrick boards is that they are mass produced ghost shaped boards. Im not saying they are bad boards but the construction would be the same as a 7s. At the end of the day its a label and thats what alot, not all, people generally buy.
What Im getting at is a Merrick (proven shape) is it worth more than a 7s (proven shape) in the same size? If Ke11y didnt ride them would they be worth that much?

Im keen to get in on this BUT will formulate a safe response and jump on tonight

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billboard said...

Im keen to get in on this BUT will formulate a safe response and jump on tonight

This will be interesting

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CMC said...

billboard said...

Im keen to get in on this BUT will formulate a safe response and jump on tonight

This will be interesting

I was hoping for one of BBs classic rants

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doggie said...

CMC said...

billboard said...

Im keen to get in on this BUT will formulate a safe response and jump on tonight

This will be interesting

I was hoping for one of BBs classic rants

I've got a feeling it's coming...... Hahaha. Don't let us down BB!

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asea said...

eg i've noticed Mctavish boards retail for the same price in all shops so i suppose its up to the shop owner as to how much discount he gives or how much profit he wants out of the sale.

I've never received a discount which is fine,its all about the trade in value for me.
Tell me if I'm wrong here guy's but my thinking goes like this,as a loyal customer to the same store for over 10 years,I never received a discount off the RRP fair no dramas but I must admit they looked after me with the trade value.So they are making full money on the sale and if my board was traded for 700 800 900 1100 which were some of my trades,they sold them for and extra 100 or 200.

Brand new tint redline 1600 new, someone walks in the shop and seeing my trade ( as new ) and walks out spending 1200 or 1300 is this good or not

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62mac said...

asea said...

eg i've noticed Mctavish boards retail for the same price in all shops so i suppose its up to the shop owner as to how much discount he gives or how much profit he wants out of the sale.

I've never received a discount which is fine,its all about the trade in value for me.
Tell me if I'm wrong here guy's but my thinking goes like this,as a loyal customer to the same store for over 10 years,I never received a discount off the RRP fair no dramas but I must admit they looked after me with the trade value.So they are making full money on the sale and if my board was traded for 700 800 900 1100 which were some of my trades,they sold them for and extra 100 or 200.

Brand new tint redline 1600 new, someone walks in the shop and seeing my trade ( as new ) and walks out spending 1200 or 1300 is this good or not

Mac, nobody can argue with reason like that. As you said as a manufacturer and retailer you know the game. Look after someone and you will be (should be) looked after. Great business really, obviously McT's hold their value.

There are many less reasonable people out there.

A particular example for me may be retailing a certain very big name brand board for $695, people coming into the shop and calling me a rip off scab for being so expensive when they can go to the factory around the corner and get the same thing for $450 (less than my wholesale) cash. The bloke was a fool, if he was lucky enough to get a great deal like that keep he should have kept it to himself. BUT NO! Here on the Goldy more than anywhere else it seems people draw a direct correlation to the price they pay and their own ability. If a shaper gives you a deal he must want you on his boards, therefore you must rip. It's close to being sponsored........

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billboard said...

Im keen to get in on this BUT will formulate a safe response and jump on tonight

Hey have a few beers before you rip into it mate,cant wait not too late mate I'm buggered

Thing is mac you allways buy customs. If you went fussy you could also walk in and buy a good second hand board.

So $1600 new Mct

2nd hand lets say $900-$12-1300 range.

Do you think you are paying too much? Does anyone get a discount on new Mcts?

The boards you get are the top of the range as far as price goes as tints etc make up the rest of that $1600.

So at a retail level buying a second hand Mct will save me $300+ on a new one.

jeez that was a lot of dribble..............