The family and I are heading to San Diego for a week long vacation. We’re gonna hit Legoland, the zoo, and a few other kid hot-spots. While I’m in the area, I going to try and go wetsuit shopping at a few stores.
I have the DeSoto Outlet, Nytro, and the Xterra outlet on the list. Are there any other large tri stores I should check out? I’d like to find a store that carries a bunch of suits. I’d also like to try on the Profile Designs Bionik.
So far I’ve only been able to try on the Zoot and Blue Seventy Energie in my size, medium. Of the two, the BS fit the best.
Why dont you just visit those shops, try on various suits, then buy online someplace…you will probably find the wet suit of your choice alot cheaper!
Because if people start doing what you suggest then soon there will not be any shops for them to try on the suits.
Because when you visit a shop the ‘extra’ cost you pay (vs. the cheapest online site) is the price to have someone personally help you get the suit that is best for you in terms of fit, function, etc. I don’t know about other stores, but at B&L Bike and Sports the employees are NOT on commission. They are motivated to help b/c it is their job and they enjoy seeing the results when customers are pleased. If you go into the shop knowing that you are going to purchase online you are essentially ‘stealing’ from the shop.
Because local shops contribute a lot back to the triathlon community. They sponsor races, support youth programs, help recycle gear, provide quick service in a crunch, etc. These are things that I believe are worth supporting, even if it costs a few extra dollars when I buy in the store.
I believe there is a more rewarding way to live life than just trying to find the cheapest way to get what you want without considering the bigger picture.
Alot of the online stores do the same. Am I wrong for trying to save a buck? I think not. I for one do most of my shopping for items on-line and not just for tri/bike stuff.
Recently I bought a suit on line and it was 50 bucks cheaper than any local store.
Alot of the online stores do the same. Am I wrong for trying to save a buck? I think not. I for one do most of my shopping for items on-line and not just for tri/bike stuff.
Recently I bought a suit on line and it was 50 bucks cheaper than any local store.
No, I do not think you’re wrong for trying to save a buck. I think you’re wrong for going into a store to try products that you know you will be purchasing elsewhere. It costs money to stock and house those products and it costs money to have salespeople help you pick out what you need. When you do what you’re suggesting you are in a very real sense ‘stealing’ from the store. There is a big difference between coming in to shop and deciding to not purchase, and coming into a shop KNOWING you will not purchase but intending to use the store’s inventory and labor.
If you’re going to try on wetsuits and then buy online to save a few dollars you should just order a bunch of different sizes and then return the ones you don’t want. At least you won’t be wasting the time of a store employee who could actually be helping people who intend to make a purchase due to the service they provide.
