I’m getting back into windsurfing after a considerable layoff. I went for a sail today and the wind was very light so I drove around the corner to the local windsurfing shop to look at some new and second-hand boards. The proprietor and I had an amicable chat and then another customer came in so I wandered around checking out the modern equipment. I pick up a second hand mast base and am inspecting it wondering if it would work with my gear. The proprietor walks over and takes it out of my hand and puts it back on the chair. I asked, “Is there a problem?” He replies, “Yes that’s mine, I use it when taking classes.” I replied, “Ok, I’ll be shopping somewhere else.” and walk out. He remarks along the lines of “Good luck with that.” The funny thing is, not only do I need a heap of new gear, my wife and I were thinking of going on one of his tropical island windsurfing trips! There’s no way I would want to spend 14 days trapped on a small island with someone with such poor people skills.

Sure I know who you were dealing with!

So his personal gear was not for sale and you took exception to it?
That seems to be where it started. Seems if you said "oh sorry" but I am looking for a secondhand extension.... then you'd have been helped, rather than immediately saying that you were going elsewhere - of course that will get his back up

I've had nothing but exceptional service from all the WA shops.

Seems to be a mountain coming from a molehill of a misunderstanding (both ways)

You've virtually name and shamed over what's surely a misunderstanding?
All the shops seem very friendly places to me.
Were you wearing a balaclava?

Wow man, nice way to get yourself blacklisted from most of the windsurfing shops and service providers in Perth in one careless move.
I'd suggest you go back there and apologise and let us all know how that goes. I hope it goes well for you. The Cocos trips look awesome

His precious personal extension was sitting on a chair next to a shelf of new extensions and a bin of new universals. So why wouldn't I pick one up and inspect how the new components go together?

Do people seriously thing shops would not want my money?

I'm old, I have lots of money.

It sounds like a few more words from the proprietor such as "I'm sorry, that one is not for sale, it's mine"
and a few more words from you such as "I'm sorry I didn't realise, but I am wondering if a mast base like that would work with my gear?" might have defused the situation.

Posting your story on here does not help the situation. You probably still have time to delete it before it causes a whole lot more damage - mostly to your reputation.

The store you were in has a very good reputation, including with competing stores (not always the case). They have a good range of both new and second hand gear and their prices are very reasonable. I wouldn't write them off because of a small misunderstanding. Not all windsurfing shop owners have great communication skills. What is more important is good advice, a good range of stock and good prices.

If the proprietor had said "I'm sorry, that one is not for sale, it's mine", I probably wouldn't have left his shop immediately. But then I would have thought it odd that a fellow windsurfer, with almost us much experience as me, would be so protective over his mast extension. What did he think I would do? Bend it? Ejaculate on it? I was just looking around his products.

Since when have the customers been kowtowing to the shops? Hasn't anyone else heard of Gumtree? You guys need to grow a pair.

I've never had a bad experience at any of the windsurfing shops in WA.
Some are very willing to assist
Some let you browse and ask questions in your own time
Some you could probably pick up a board and walk out of without them noticing

Maybe you should try kiting

Select to expand quote

Agrid said..
If the proprietor had said "I'm sorry, that one is not for sale, it's mine", I probably wouldn't have left his shop immediately. But then I would have thought it odd that a fellow windsurfer, with almost us much experience as me, would be so protective over his mast extension. What did he think I would do? Bend it? Ejaculate on it? I was just looking around his products.

Since when have the customers been kowtowing to the shops? Hasn't anyone else heard of Gumtree? You guys need to grow a pair.

I really don't get it. TBH I am not seeing the issue....?

Your first post implies he may have been a little short with you, but surely he was not abusive and yelling at you to put it down?
So why the "I'll go shop elsewhere..." ?

BTW what is with the he has "almost as much experience as me..." comment? Sounds like a wind-up and gives some insight here, it really does...

Perhaps this post should be retitled "Extremely poor customer"

Pretty sure theres a massive misunderstanding mate. He's a top bloke. He also happens to have a lot of good deals, especially 2nd hand so I'd give it another shot.

Windsurf retailers should all be nominated on Queens Birthday Honours list for a 'Public Service Medal'.

Select to expand quote

Agrid said...

Do people seriously thing shops would not want my money?

I'm old, I have lots of money.

Wow.. what a douche!

Just another troll looking for attention. He got some - his motives are questionable, but not worth questioning - we can all see what a dickhead it is - nothing to see here folks, move along

Is this a real thread?

is Agrid portly and aggressive?

Select to expand quote

Agrid said..

The proprietor walks over and takes it out of my hand and puts it back on the chair.

You see, that's the rude bit right there. ^^^

Unfortunately rudeness is contagious and spreads like a disease.

I would have been a bit shocked too if some shopguy snatched the article from my hand ...

but then I would have laughed at the fool.

No-one is going to win here!

The experienced posters should leave Agrid to work it out himself.

Allowing the shop & customer have a second chance would be the common sense approach and then if its the same experience then walk away quietly, no song & dance posting or anything else.

Move on to the next shop having learnt from that experience.

We as a sailing group/community is small enough lets not aggravate it where not necessary.

Don't we want to carry on about it for a few more pages?

This is a major incident.

Hopefully someone from Queensland will post soon, and then Ireland.

I wanna know if it was a Severne extension and if so what is the rope threading order when I use it upside down.

Sounds like this one has played itself out so back to the joys of windsurfing: This is what Khalil Gibran wrote about windsurfing in his book The Prophet =

When the windsurfer beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his winds enfold you yield to him,
Though the sharp fin hitting your shin may wound you.
And when he gybes around you believe in him,
Though his alpha may shatter your dreams
as the south west wind lays waste the garden.

For even as the windsurfer crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he jumps his board to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your fins and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like any addiction he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you obsessed.
He sifts you to free you from your gps.
He grinds your to fin on limestone reefs.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for wind's sacred feast.

All these things shall the windsurfer do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only windsurfings peace and sailing pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of windsurfings threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Windsurfing gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Windsurfing possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For Windsurfing is sufficient unto Windsurfing.

When you Windsurf you should not say, "The wind is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of the wind."
And think not you can direct the course of Wind, for Wind, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Windsurfing has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you Windsurf and you must have good gear, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness in your calloused hands.
To be wounded by your own fin;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully when you stack at speed.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of windsurfing;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate windsurfings ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the windsurfing in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Select to expand quote

AUS1111 said...
.............Hopefully someone from Queensland will post soon, and then Ireland.

There you go Chris. I went into a shop once and I've been to Ireland too.

Select to expand quote

Agrid said..

I'm old, I have lots of money.

Donald Trump also made such claims. But I believe you more, Agrid. May be you should buy your own shop and not have to put up with rude amigo?

Select to expand quote

Agrid said.. There’s no way I would want to spend 14 days trapped on a small island with someone with such poor people skills.

I reckon there's good chance that he might feel the same way.

Select to expand quote

sausage said..

AUS1111 said...
.............Hopefully someone from Queensland will post soon, and then Ireland.

There you go Chris. I went into a shop once and I've been to Ireland too.

Thank you Brian. It's good to get some comments from the Sunshine State in situations like this.

Have we got any kiter input yet? Although I'm not Irish, nor from Queensland?

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said...
I wanna know if it was a Severne extension and if so what is the rope threading order when I use it upside down.

That's the second post you have said EXTENSION.
It was a mast base!

You sound a bit precious to me. The first act of war is defence. Retailer's have to deal with a lot of knobs and over the years get very good at reading people. How very satisfying and empowering for the retailer, to not be owned by you and all your money you want today give to him. His shop his rules. I second that you take up kiting.

Select to expand quote

Greenroom said...

Mark _australia said...
I wanna know if it was a Severne extension and if so what is the rope threading order when I use it upside down.

That's the second post you have said EXTENSION.
It was a mast base!

I think someone's a bit over tired or hungry.

He needs a snickers!

Select to expand quote

Greenroom said..

Mark _australia said...
I wanna know if it was a Severne extension and if so what is the rope threading order when I use it upside down.

That's the second post you have said EXTENSION.
It was a mast base!

Is their a diference? I am only knew to this sport, I came ovr from kitting