I just came across this and was surprised that I hadn't heard anything about in the PKF. Is it correct that Flysurfer has stopped selling through
retail stores in the USA? I know that Flysurfer has a pretty strong following on here and am surprised that no one has brought it up. It sounds like
a pretty raw deal for their former dealers to me. Let them work to build up the brand for years and then pull the rug out, "thanks for everything,
we'll take it from here".
What do the FS faithful think about this?domdino - 12-9-2008 at 01:08 PM
Yeah it does suck for their dealers, but to be honest only about 3 or 4 of the dealers here in the USA actually put any effort into flysurfer - john
included of course... everyone else say they "keep" flysurfer but never ever stock and are never interested in them, showing them to people etc. and
are the last kites they advise people to buy, i've been told by someone in cali who "stocked" flysurfers that they SINK - they'll always lean them
towards buying a cheaper inflatable... this is not necessarily the fault of the retailer, nor is it ted's fault... hopefully it will work out for the
best...Bladerunner - 12-9-2008 at 01:34 PM
HMMMMM ,
That kind of sucks. We have never had a Flysurfer rep. here in Vancouver. John was the closest. I'm not sure what I will do with my recent found brand
loyalty now ?
At a time when they are facing new competition with the Neo this doesn't exactly seem like a good move to me ?
Just one more reason I want to see a Neo up here !
What a shame. Flysurfer was just starting to get the respect it deserves !macboy - 12-9-2008 at 01:47 PM
There is a rep in Edmonton and he sells through a local shop (sadly, the only place to get FS gear and the service is horrible). I wonder if those
ties are gonna get cut too?domdino - 12-9-2008 at 02:03 PM
I'm pretty sure John is still gonna be running as usual - Ted mentioned he was gonna have flysurfer "specialists" across the country as people who
will actually give flysurfer the attention they deserve...
Macboy, the canadian market is not gonna be affected by Flysurfer-USAs choices...kiteNH - 12-9-2008 at 02:07 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by domdino
I'm pretty sure John is still gonna be running as usual - Ted mentioned he was gonna have flysurfer "specialists" across the country as people who
will actually give flysurfer the attention they deserve...
That is good to hear. I don't fly FS and I don't know John (powerzone), but I do know that he is a faithful Flysurfer dealer and FOPKF and
immediately thought of him when I read this.
Thinning out the dealer market is certainly much different than simply ending all dealer relationships across the board.dylanj423 - 12-9-2008 at 02:19 PM
Just when I'm getting reall into flysurfers.... this blows.
I nominate john with powerzone to solely represent flysurfer here. I know he'd do a great job. Hopefully he continues to have a lot of them on our
forum, as he has in the past.tridude - 12-9-2008 at 06:03 PM
sounds like economics 101................great kites/ poor economy/ weak dollar................Bladerunner - 12-9-2008 at 06:06 PM
Now you know how Ocean Rodeo has felt trying to push excellent kites and products from just over the boarder to the North for years :flaming:powerzone - 12-9-2008 at 10:31 PM
thanks you guys for all the kind words and encouragement... things will level-out eventually...
we're still going at it pretty strong... just LET ME KNOW if you want to get something and i'll arrange it.
patience
confidence
vigilance
;-)bigsteve - 13-9-2008 at 12:53 AM
~~EDIT~~
I just read what powerline had to say about this and it sucks. Sure they indicate that we get to go direct to FS now and it somewhat implied their
might even be a savings now. Great. I've never bought a "new" FS and don't know if I ever will. I've bought all my stuff used from Powerzone. With
Repairs and mods under his belt, that's a lot more than some price slashing internet business. You would think that having a few key people in the
states that are well versed with these kites and can repair, upgrade, mod these kites IN HOUSE (not overseas or direct) would be a valuable thing for
FS to have, even if they aren't a true dealer anymore. Give FS the actual sale of the kite, through them, give us the service of a local dealer/rep.
Ugh... Hopefully this doesnt dwindle down the market for FS over here even more.speleopower - 13-9-2008 at 03:10 AM
I hope another foil kite isn't lost here in the US. Personally I'm not a fan of closed cell foils and I like inflatos even less but the Flysurfers
look and fly great! There are a fair number of them flying around my area.
