• For more information on how to avoid pop-up ads and still support SkiTalk click HERE.

Expectations of a shop for new pair of skis

nofluca1212

In the parking lot (formerly "At the base lodge")
Skier
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
9
So I finally purchased a pair of Enforcer 100s paired with Look Pivot 14s. I have been skiing bonafides (I think the 2nd year of them) for several years now. I purchased the skis from my local ski shop in Vermont even though I could have bought the skis a bit cheaper on a pro form. I bought the binding separately and needed them mounted.

I was shocked as it seems like the shop didn't even prepare the base of the ski with fresh wax. They essentially just mounted the binding. Its my fault because I literally grabbed the skis and left without checking.

I was curious as to what folks expect to be done as far as tuning on a new pair of skis and if anything actually needed to be done to brand new skis. I know some people like their tips/tails to be detuned a bit.

I would like to start learning how to at least wax my own skis and then learn more about tuning. Can you mess up waxing your skis?

Can someone recommend a good starter kit to start waxing?
 

fatbob

Not responding
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
6,288
Yeah if I was paying wall price for skis I'd expect at least them checked for true, angles checked and a hot wax. Plus probably a free mount. Less of this if they are cutting me a deal or I'm getting closeout etc.
 

Monique

bounceswoosh
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
10,561
Location
Colorado
isn't there an argument to be made that, factory tune shouldn't need wax?
 

crgildart

Gravity Slave
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
16,328
Location
The Bull City
If you had the shop do the mounting of the bindings:

A good shop will pre tune and wax them when doing the binding mount.

A mediocre shop will suggest a pre tune and add it on to the mounting service charge.

A bare bones big box or internet shop will just mount the bindings, mostly correct but do nothing regarding a pre tune or even suggest you will need it.

If you buy the skis only and don't have them mounted by the seller the seller probably won't even suggest working on the ski before the binding gets mounted elsewhere..
isn't there an argument to be made that, factory tune shouldn't need wax?
Back in the old days most skis were shipped a little base high because they came nested in stacks. Being base high prevented skis from damaging other skis under them in the stack. Not sure if they still do that these days since they also have plastic bags around each ski or most do from the factory..
 
Last edited:

trailtrimmer

Stuck in the Flatlands
Skier
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Posts
1,110
Location
Michigan
Some shops may give a deal on additional prep services if you bought the skis there, but they typically don't add services unless you ask for them.
 

fatbob

Not responding
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
6,288
Seems like a thread arguing why B+M ski retail doesn't deserve to survive - you're selling the customer a specialist item but not even doing the basic work to make it fit for purpose. ( no dis on the good stores that do check the skis for true etc without being asked etc)
 

crgildart

Gravity Slave
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
16,328
Location
The Bull City
Seems like a thread arguing why B+M ski retail doesn't deserve to survive - you're selling the customer a specialist item but not even doing the basic work to make it fit for purpose. ( no dis on the good stores that do check the skis for true etc without being asked etc)

Ya it should be the first thing a BnM shop tells new sales staff.. Pre tune, binding mounts, basic fitting included here.. Tell that to customers that appear to be showrooming only to run home and order the product online 10% cheaper..
 

Jilly

Lead Cougar
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
6,412
Location
Belleville, Ontario,/ Mont Tremblant, Quebec
I've never tuned a brand new pair of skis. Off the bench and on to the snow. Then about 10 days later, get them in for some work.

Unless.....first day things aren't right. And I've got to say that I've only ever seen that once. Not on my skis, but it was bad out of the box. It can happen.
 

oswaldr2

Getting on the lift
Skier
Joined
Jul 18, 2017
Posts
466
Location
Denver, CO
Most service menus I've checked around the Denver area are "a la carte" with their offerings. From belt wax on up to full tune up, seems nothing is free these days. I've even seen places that don't give a free mount unless you've purchased skis, bindings AND boots. C'mon, boots too? Give me a break. If I buy my skis and bindings from you, how are you not mounting them on the house?
 

cosmoliu

Making fresh tracks
Skier
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Posts
1,314
Location
Central CA Coast
I ran into a mount charge for the first time at Footloose in Mammoth about 5 years ago, though both skis and bindings were purchased at the same time. I was so flabbergasted I called around town and I guess it had become standard. A la carte charges to survive, I guess. On the other hand, @dawgcatching mounted the bindings on my AXs last year free. I guess it's who you deal with and in what context.
 

scott43

So much better than a pro
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
13,552
Location
Great White North
Not specific to skis..but bikes..good bikes, good customers, I'd strip to bare frame and redo everything, no charge. Average person, average gear, not doing it. Margins are tight, you can't give it away unfortunately. Maybe they don't survive...dunno..but..that's reality.
 

James

Out There
Instructor
Joined
Dec 2, 2015
Posts
24,453
isn't there an argument to be made that, factory tune shouldn't need wax?
Well a factory tune may need tuning.
I do think a new ski should get slathered with a little wax. Give it a once over for egregious edge problems.

@mdf is right, if you buy used demos it's likely to come with a recent tune.

I don't get this "check the skis" business. For what? The problem is, when they find your base bevel is from 1-5 degrees in spots, what are you going to say? You'll think the shop should grind it for free. Now they have to educate you and they risk you thinking they are ripping you off. Bit of a tough spot.

People who buy a race ski expect to have it ground before the bindings even go on. And that is extra. So is waxing.
 

AmyPJ

Skiing the powder
SkiTalk Tester
SkiTalk Supporter
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
7,835
Location
Ogden, UT
If you didn't ask for it, I'm not surprised. Also, you didn't buy the bindings there. Had you bought both, I could see asking for a free mount.

I like a light base structure put into mine, and the edges touched up, before I ski them. And of course, wax. I skied some brand new Sheevas today, with no base or edge done, and they didn't feel quite right. Tails got caught up several times in shallow, untracked powder, so, something's amiss.
 

KevinF

Gathermeister-New England
Team Gathermeister
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
3,345
Location
New England
I bought a pair of skis and bindings from a local shop recently... They mounted them (I don't recall if there was a fee or if mounting was included), but they didn't even remove the bar code sticker from the ski bases, let alone wax / tune them.
 

Monique

bounceswoosh
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
10,561
Location
Colorado
Well a factory tune may need tuning.
I do think a new ski should get slathered with a little wax. Give it a once over for egregious edge problems.

@mdf is right, if you buy used demos it's likely to come with a recent tune.

I don't get this "check the skis" business. For what? The problem is, when they find your base bevel is from 1-5 degrees in spots, what are you going to say? You'll think the shop should grind it for free. Now they have to educate you and they risk you thinking they are ripping you off. Bit of a tough spot.

People who buy a race ski expect to have it ground before the bindings even go on. And that is extra. So is waxing.

If you didn't ask for it, I'm not surprised. Also, you didn't buy the bindings there. Had you bought both, I could see asking for a free mount.

I like a light base structure put into mine, and the edges touched up, before I ski them. And of course, wax. I skied some brand new Sheevas today, with no base or edge done, and they didn't feel quite right. Tails got caught up several times in shallow, untracked powder, so, something's amiss.

And all of this is why I make sure @Doug Briggs gets a peek at my skis first thing. I trust him to tell me what needs to be done, and also what does not need to be done.
 

fatbob

Not responding
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
6,288
Well a factory tune may need tuning.
I do think a new ski should get slathered with a little wax. Give it a once over for egregious edge

I don't get this "check the skis" business. For what?


.

For what you've said at the start. Maybe I'm used to being coddled in European consumer rights ( though perhaps not for much longer) but there is a concept of rejecting goods that are not fit for purpose. From what you are saying it is perfectly acceptable to sell a ski shaped object without it being fit for actual skiing. At that point I feel actual antipathy to the store.
 

scott43

So much better than a pro
Skier
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
13,552
Location
Great White North
And you also have to factor in who can really tell the difference. Like, I know we all think we're WC racers..but..can we tell?? Dunno..
 

Drahtguy Kevin

Après aficionado
SkiTalk Tester
SkiTalk Supporter
Joined
Nov 9, 2015
Posts
1,817
Location
Northern Colorado
And all of this is why I make sure @Doug Briggs gets a peek at my skis first thing. I trust him to tell me what needs to be done, and also what does not need to be done.


Roger this. I take my new skis and beat-to-piss-need-professional-help skis to @Doug Briggs, and he makes them better than factory. Every time.
 

Sponsor

Staff online

Top