It turns out that ski boots require point-of-sales fitting services, similar to those required to sell wedding dresses and golf clubs. But rather than using exclusivity and resale price maintenance to eliminate competition from discounters, ski and boot shops have started charging customers $25-$50 for boot fittings, but only if they end up purchasing elsewhere.
I wonder if this is enough. Boots that sell for $600 in a retail ski shop, can sell for $372 online.
HT: Jay
I wonder if this is enough. Boots that sell for $600 in a retail ski shop, can sell for $372 online.
HT: Jay
High end bicycle stores do the same thing. A fitting can cost $100-300 or so depending on the method but most shops will use all or a portion of that towards purchase of a bike. Only difference here is that a bike fit is slightly less tied to purchase - you can buy a bike without getting a proper fit, and you can get a proper fit on an old bike.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, test-riding bikes usually is free.