Love your Local Skate Shop

Australians will tell you openly that they are an exceptionally patriotic lot - oi oi oi. On Australia Day we don the clobber, drape ourselves in the Aussie flag, get out and about around the harbour and chuck the mandatory cut of lamb on the Barbie and blow the froth off a cold beer or two. On every other day it seems we are infatuated with the internet and our ability to buy cheap goods online but, as it often happens these days we are buying directly from overseas. This bypasses the Australian retailer and the Australian e-tailer. Google have a part to play but that's another story. It seems that we don't care where goods come from because we are getting something cheap and after all....it is all about us, right?

Dick Smith is abundantly aware of the fact that some of us are in flagrant disregard of local products and businesses in favour of those from overseas. He has leapt into action and and has spearheaded a campaign to buy Australian. Buying Australian means investing in Australia.

People can certainly buy cheap online but they need to be very wary. The old adage applies here that if it looks too good to be true, then it generally is. Geography is also a major problem which needs to be factored in. We are on the other side of the world and for some e-tailers we could be considered to be their lawful prey. Unscrupulous online e-tailers regularly pass off 'seconds' as the real deal; or having lesser quality components in their assembly or even omitting components. What is your comeback? Who do you complain to?

So what's up here? The situation is that the skateboard industry has had the worst Christmas period on record with little recovery evident at this stage. Sales were very low but as it appears, plenty of skateboard products were purchased....but from where? Clearly these products have been bought online and from overseas. 

In cycling, the Australian mountain biking and racing retail scene has all but collapsed as a result of the biking community failing to support their local bike shop and proceeding to buy online. In the past the retailers would organise bike racing events, set tracks, marquis, mechanical services and parts to the riders...they would sponsor these events and also inject prizemoney. As a result of the failure of riders to support the retailers there are much fewer events and there is no longer any retail support. The overseas e-tailers don't organise or sponsor events nor will they be trackside. 

The BMX industry is fighting to try and stay relevant to their community. Posts like this from RevolutionMTB are now preparing their community for what is in store.  

Online purchasing is not going to go away, in fact a Price Waterhouse Coopers (a bloody big Global Accounting Firm) aka PWC, study shows that it is set to increase. PWC also outline the factors driving this growth. 

So what to do? 

First is Awakening....wakey wakey, hands of snakey. Seriously wake the fcuk up guys. You skateboarders need to realise that without supporting your local skateboard shop there will be no retailers or skate emporiums left to hang out, buy gear, get tips, get advice on setups and see what is new. There will not be any events, prizemoney or any sponsorship opportunities. The overseas skateshops won't be putting money into our local events....it is all about simple redistribution....redistribution of your money to their account. Nothing more.

Second is Awareness...comparisons show that which is cheaper overseas is, upon closer scrutiny, not always cheaper. Let me explain. A Loaded Dervish purchased overseas made it's way with the owner to a local skateshop and the following observations were made. 

1. The bolts were the wrong size and the nuts had barely 2 revolutions onto the bolt to secure the trucks to the board. 
2. There were no bearing spacers.
3. There were no speed rings.
4. The bearings were 'no name' and of questionable quality.

So what happens if you buy a helmet, slide gloves or other apparel from their sizing chart which on arrival happens to be the wrong fit for you? What happens if you have a warranty issue, who pays the return freight? That's right - you do.

Third is Action....it is important to check prices online, who doesn't. However, if there is a minor difference in price BUY LOCALLY. You get it NOW, not in 2 weeks. You can return items easily for replacement if there is a warrranty issue or if you have made an error....trust me it is not so easy shipping overseas; once again timing is an issue. If the price locally is way higher than overseas then talk to the local skate shop to see if you are comparing the same thing, at least you will be reassured of why it is more expensive or they may cut you a deal.

In the world of skateboarding we all want to go to the shop, soak up the atmosphere, experience the products first hand and in some cases ride the shop mini ramp. If we do not continue to support the local skateboard shops they will disappear. 

To illustrate a point, I am going to screw around with a quote from my favourite movie, Cool Runnings - "If we look Australian, act Australian and skate Australian then we sure as hell better buy Australian". 

I will always support my local skateshop, because they support me.