Mounting Fees

[Mike Thomas]

As I understand the indemnification system, part of it means that the actual release value won't be far off from the indicated release value. I'm sure people have noticed that in the rental and demo shops, employees just use a screwdriver to get it right in the little window and then send you out on your merry way without a torque test.

First, you are misinterpreting what indemnification for bindings represents, it simply means that the manufacturer still feels the binding is 'serviceable'... part of that service is a function test to determine how much the spring rate has changed. It is not at all rare to have even a new binding with 4 different indicator settings, used bindings sometimes have as much as 2 DIN varience from toe to heel.

Second, the rental shop does a LOT of work behind the scenes testing bindings. Every single ski in the fleet gets tested before the season. During the season random selections of skis are fully tested on a weekly basis. Rental bindings get tested multiple times per season, that's why the tech doesn't have to test each ski as they are rented. If the spring rate is off, the ski is designated with a +/- to let the tech adjust the setting (or that ski is removed from service).


The equipment used to test the bindings is extremely expensive and needs to be serviced regularly. Our 'Walzholz-Huber' computerized torque tester costs close to $50k, heck, the 'foot' that goes into the boot for torque testing costs $2 grand to replace. The equipment is pricey, but lawsuits cost more.

 

[Philpug]

Also take into consideration the time of the person checking in the gear, the time it takes to log everything, put the gear where it is easyly accessable for the technician. The time it takes for the tech to round up the gear. Then to do the test. At that point the technician needs to put the gear in the pick up area and put the paperwork away. When the customer comes in to pick up the gear an employee needs to round up the gear and explain the procedure to the skier. Customer pays usally by some sot of plastic which there are fees. After the customer leaves with the gear, the paper work needs to be filed and kept for 7 years. All for $25.00

 

[crgildart]

^^^And a bunch of free tunes and hot waxes each time a mount comes out 1/16th of an inch off centered..

 

[cantunamunch]

Test with waiver (old bindings) - $40
Mount and test (not purchased) - $55
'Special' mount and test - $65

 

[crgildart]

6 pack or a fattie?

 

[cantunamunch]

That's the rate for anything he doesn't have a specific jig for. In the latest instance, AT bindings. He doesn't sell NTN but mounts them at 'regular' prices.