Hey all,

Over the last year I have bought items/services from 3 different kite distributors. And to put it short, my experience with all of them was terrible.

I first got my lessons from Great Lakes Kiteboarding. They operated like a 15 year old working their first job.
Didn't return phone calls, set up lesson days and then no showed, and then got pissy with me when I didn't buy their two thousand dollar previous year kites.

Then I decided to buy a couple LEI kites from mackiteboarding.com/. Their service seemed ok at first. But after the purchase they didn't send me the bars and lines that came with my kite.
They told me that there is no way that I didn't receive them. I was steaming! They ended up doing an audit of their inventory and promptly send me the bars they forgot to include.
Never apologizing for calling me a liar to my face....


I then bought a few kites through the forum. Man that was the best experience buying gear I have ever had. You all were helpful and prompt!

Now lastly, I needed to buy a harness for my wife and found a nice used one on realwatersports.com in their "Used Section". It was only $50 so I decided to take the plunge.
The next day a lady called me up from their store and told me that they had already sold the harness and could only offer to "upgrade" me to a new one for an extra $80.

I'm like wtf no. So they send me one that was similar to the one I bought.

Once we got the harness we find out that it doesn't fit. I reach out to the lady and she says that they don't do returns on gear that has been used. (for the record we only tried it on. Now sure how that constitutes "using" the item)



Now I feel like I am playing a stupid game just to get them to honor the sale that they made.

Any tips?

I think I am done buying anything from the one million "I sell kites LLC" that exist out there.

Sorry for the rant... Just frustrated.

What kind of items are you looking for? What is your location? There are many Kite shops here on PKF,

East Coast Kite Sports /Rian, and Rich(that's me)
Dakitez/ Dino
Coastal Wind Sports / Angus
A wind of Change /Kent
Big Mikes Kites
Big Kid Kites / Jeff
I'm sure I'm missing someone. (not meaning to leave anyone out)

Someone on here should be able to help you get what you are looking for as well as give you good customer service

My numbers in the sig, feel free to give a shout

Vince H. from this forum has www.horizonkites.com . . . Canada based, but great internet seller . . . several purchases from him . . . all great experiences . . . all items as described, no hidden costs . . . awesome fast shipping

Some are going to be a repeat of Rich's post, but:

Andrew at www.powerlinesports.com
Angus at www.coastalwindsports.com
Chad at www.eastcoastkitesports.com
Corey at www.windpowersports.com
Dino at www.dakitez.com
Don at www.kiteplace.com
Jeff at www.pkdkitesusa.com
John at www.powerzonekitesports.com
Kent at www.awindofchange.com
Mike at www.bigmikeskites.com
Paul at www.pbkiteboarding.com

ATB,
Sam

Another great guy to deal with is Mike at LAKAWA in White Bear Lake, MN

http://www.lakawa.com
http://store.lakawa.com

I have purchased gear and lessons from him and he is first class.

Of the links that Shehates and Wolf provided, I have personally dealt with:

Angus at http://www.coastalwindsports.com
Dino at http://www.dakitez.com
Don at http://www.kiteplace.com
John at http://www.powerzonekitesports.com
Kent at http://www.awindofchange.com

(yeah...I have way too many kites and kiting stuff ;-) )

...and in each instance, I had a great experience. I am sure the others are just as good as I have heard nothing but good things about them on this forum...I just haven't had the pleasure of dealing with them yet.

OBTW, if you're in the market for used gear as well, this really is a great forum with a great bunch of people! Best I've found on the web to date!

Quote:

Originally posted by Purely Luck Now lastly, I needed to buy a harness for my wife and found a nice used one on realwatersports.com in their "Used Section". It was only $50 so I decided to take the plunge. Once we got the harness we find out that it doesn't fit. I reach out to the lady and she says that they don't do returns on gear that has been used. (for the record we only tried it on. Now sure how that constitutes "using" the item) Now I feel like I am playing a stupid game just to get them to honor the sale that they made. Any tips?

1. "in their "Used Section"...."don't do returns on gear that has been used." "only tried it on. Now sure how that constitutes "using" the item"

You bought used, there was no return, doesn't matter how long you tried it on for.

2. Notice how it went great here?

Let me add:

www.kiteboarding.com

in the UK we have a law called th distance selling law. this allows you to buy online/phone catalouge etc and if it isnt what was described then you can return it within 14 days, no questions asked. its like a cooling off period.

At the risk of pimping our own operation,

www.hardwaterkiting.com.

We carry a limited product selection at the moment. It's based on what we teach with and what is used locally but we will help you with whatever we can.

-Chris

Hey Sam, sorry for the correction, but

Chad is at www.outkastkites.com

Rich and Rian at www.eastcoastkitesports.com

Just so we can help get it right.
:D

Up here Québec, Canada...

http://www.30noeuds.com/
http://www2.waxdesign.ca/
http://www.kite-force.com/boutique/

they're all speak french & english with excellent service / experienced.

Quote:

Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies Hey Sam, sorry for the correction, but Chad is at www.outkastkites.com Rich and Rian at www.eastcoastkitesports.com Just so we can help get it right. :D

Thanks for the correction.... need to update some notes.

ATB,
Sam

My world has been forever shaken. Do I have to double check what Sam says now?

Thanks for all the links guys. This is going to be my new go to place for finding shops to do business with!

I don't think so Dave, It could be confusing, Chad used to be tied in very much with us. He still is in many ways. He also has his own little deal going. Chad is still part of the ECKS family as far as I am concerned! Hope to keep expanding our ECKS Team!

Purely lucky, I don't think you can go wrong doing so!