Surf Shop Experiences

I haven't been in a surf shop to buy anything in about 5yrs...and in that time I've purchased two new CI boards, 3 sets of fins, 5 suits, 4 pair of booties, 4 pair of gloves, 4 leashes, and about 2 dozen bars of wax...all online...and I saved on everything. My last board from CI this xmas was discounted w/ free shipping!...plus no sales tax...who gives a crap about a free bar of wax...buy online and avoid the aggravation, and put them out of business....

 

I've been in a lot of shops and some are chill but most of them are cliquey as **** and rude... REAL. Is a ****show I went in once and was dumbfounded by their prices and the treatment I got when I walked in. No one knew anything abd acted as if I was the hunchback of Notre dam... what is with the attitude thing in surf shops? They would move so much more product if they were just friendly.

 

The BEST surf shop experience I've had is with Kona in Wildwood. Friendly, accommodating, attentive. Complete knowledge of what an east coaster needs. And just as important, they easily under sell everyone else because it's all locally designed in house custom. I don't plug sh1t often but Kona deserves it.

 

Chavez, we are going to have to surf together one of these days

 

no dude this is standard, to cool to say hi, 'we're so core we vibe you in the shop AND the water'

honestly, if a shop isnt willing to work with me, I will just assume get the goods online, retail is digging its own grave.

Always go shaper direct for boards,

happy Saturday!

 

Though i am friends with Scott and Curtis and get boards and stuff from them, up here we have Eric at Beach House in Bay Head with Tony in Jax and COS, and they are really nice guys, really helpful and really knowledgeable and local, in Bay Head.

 

Good surf shops like existed back when I first started surfing are rare birds these days. Most are glorified hipster clothing stores with a surfing theme. If you find a real surf, shop go out of your way to support it with your dollars or they may one-day all go away.

 

100 million % correct.

 

What CJ is saying is spot on. Any retail business is struggling to exist these days thanks to the internet. Most of the time the "vibe" is put out because you are looked upon as another tire kicker and cheap skate. I agree this is wrong, however their dreams of owning a buisness and lively hood depend on every dollar that passes through that door and many times leave without it ending up in the register leaving the owners and employees jaded toward the next. It's all about the money, every penny, nickel, dime, guarter, dollar adds up to running that business, so gone are the days where shops will take a hit just to gain a customer and to make them happy. It's a struggle no doubt but we as consumers need to realize the ultimate plight of the "retail store".

For many years now I've have only surfed customs because I know what I like to ride and what works for me. Sure there are boards I would like to try but I just don't have that kind of coin to put down on an experiment that everyone claims to be the sh!t or because some pro is ripping it.

I do feel bad that you could get the new board you liked from the rack there, but find local shop, patronize the hell out of them, work with the local shaper and eventually these things won't matter.

 

That's spot on DonQ. My shop only sells boards he shapes or used boards. If there's a CI you like, he will copy it for half the price. Not to bash anyone but i feel bad for the dudes who but brand name boards. So much money and when you don't like it they sell it used still for more than a custom. Once i realized what i like in a board i went in and got it shaped. Basically had everything figured out myself but took some input from my shaper. Now i can go in and he has a file on it, so he can remake it with slight tweaks if need be. It's the way to go 100%

Around me there's not many shops only two really in my area. The two i mentioned. Seems like the shops to go to are the ones that don't have name brand boards one there racks. Just boards they shaped themselves. I used to go down to OBX to surf and visit my uncle and I'd buy my boards and suits down there since it was cheaper. So many shops. Allot of them have become hipster clothing stores. Gotta find the diamond in the ruff and support it

 

Anytime brother. Plenty of space on the local sandbar.

 

Funny when you talk about surf shops....Use to deal with doc when I was kid....I was sponsored by surf east wetsuits and he carried that line, if any you old dudes remember that suit company, and enjoyed going to his shop...even had him shape me a shortboard and may be the only shortboard he ever shaped....haven't dealt with him in years...not sure why and his shop hasn't changed a bit...may have to stop in and say hi...but our area has some really good guys that I deal with...Blair, Lee, Spike, Mark...at least for me, all have always treated me well, even when I first time walked in the door. I try to buy as much as I can from surf shops and will pay more...the brick and mortar is really going through tough times....and on top of that, they have to fight against places like marshals, tj max and those other type stores, as well as the heavy online hitters. I certainly don't want to see the surf shops go by the curb, tho I think the ones in our area are somewhat solid with regards to the economy. I don't buy everything from them, but I certainly try to spend the bulk of my surf money to the local outfits as long as iam treated well...like a simple, "Hi"

I remember sunshine house, sundancer, bb bombers, OC surf sport, clear light...all which are no more. MAN I feel OLD.

 

That's why I like Kona. Their "flagship store" carries all the clothes/flip flop/rental stuff and they have a board house where you get a more personal experience without all the touristy crap.

 

ron jon

 

i never go to a surfshop to buy new, and really don't haggle on consignment boards unless they've been there a while (+month). I do understand tho buying from the store, just to get a feel and being cautious or more eager when ordering online. I'm one that gets mines' fixed from the shop tho, unless it's minor. I've had recommendations to skip the "middleman" on rep-heirs, but i've gotten skrewed that way with shty outcums that you can't techniclly btch about cuz the dude knows the dude that recommended him in the first place - one of those awkward thngs. Anyhow, i got a board - "The Projekt" - that is serving as a constant reminder of the turrible vice to skip the middleman, just glad it happened to dat board than one i'm more highly invested in

 

Got my first new board from that shop. Tony and Mark... I think. In fact, I remember their first shop, Kona Bike and Skate? on Pacific Ave? Wow... going back a long time. Two adjacent shops right next to each other. Tony was the first guy out, and Mark carried on after they moved the shop. Got my first skateboard there, too. There was nowhere else to go! At least they surfed...

 

Bunger?

 

Unsound in LBNY is a great shop... one owner rips (Dave) and the other is one (Nelly) of the best photogs on the east coast... known them for years and never had a bad experience. Good local dudes that do right by their community

 

If youre in NJ go to Gordons. Ask for Gordon.

He does it right.







Cant say the same about a lot of other shops.