The reason I got into selling kites and buggies is because I want to bring my obsession to everyone. The easier it is for people to find out about our sport the easier it is for them to get involved, get addicted, and get their friends into it too.

I have a deep love of kiting in all it's forms. When I'm flying the whole world disappears along with all the stresses that go with it. Like a meditation, just me and the wind. When I see the look on someones face that just pulled off some great move for the first time, learned a new skill, or even when a child flies a simple kite, the joy, excitement, and pride are so infectious. I want to bring those feelings to as many people as possible. Bugging, snow kiting, and kiteboarding are so visually striking how can people that see it not be enthralled.

I am not here to step on anybodys toes or to hurt anyone or their businesses! I am here following my heart.

Thank you and have fun!
Eric

I'm not 100% in on these things. I'm a bit confused. I always understood that Jellis distributed Libre and Ripsession distributed Uturn ?

I turned to kiting when I was facing depression. It was just the "pill " .

Sorry in advance for the rant.

I've followed your posting from forum to forum, and I dunno what you're trying to do. On one forum you stated your the new dealer, on another forum you're the new importer, and on one forum the new distributor for U-Turn and Libre. If this is your way of advertising you're going about it wrong in the traction community. I'm posting this here because everyone needs to know.

First you signed up as: AZkitemare
Asking everyone feedback of what sizes, lines, brand they use. For the purpose of your business. learn to fly before you learn to sell ... as stated on another forum. Do you own kites? I see you listed in your profile Butan 7.5 ... if you owed one its actually a 7.8m.
I saw a post about you asking where to buy Libre, than on the same token you post that you got ripped off by Tony @ BestKites trying to buy a Peter Lynn???

Now you come back as: U-Turn North America, making post so people go to your website.
Many of us in the industry have worked hard to get the sport it is today. It was a group effort by everyone that flies traction foils. We have put time and money into this sport so everyone can enjoy it from pleasure to racing. Personally I've spent the last two years bringing U-Turn in Canada/USA attending events, and passing demos around. I've followed Ernst Strobl since the Airea days. What have you done?

Jon and I have made it clear on another forum, which got deleted today. You are just a dealer and NOT a distributor, as I was told by U-Turn / Thomas.

Lastly, I went to your website, and saw the U-Turn Promo Video, its funny how you use it. IT WAS UPLOADED BY US. do we get some royalities, and so does Koyron in Mex. Why dont you just take the Nitro pics from NABX 08 off my photobucket or my Butan video off vimeo? I'm wearing a full face helmet, you can say its YOU.

All new and old dealers should be getting U-Turn / Xxtreme Buggies @ Ripsession Kites Distributing Inc.

EDIT: commercial links and promotional text removed by admin.

rant over. lets get back to kiting and racing.

Why are you and Jon so scared of me?

I frankly don't give a #@%$#!e what you do Eric, it was the way you did it. After you emailed me so many times asking about pricing on Libre Buggy products and telling me you were so serious about purchasing a buggy. Then I hear from Libre that you want to be a US retailer. Then you post that you are a distributor for North America. Libre agreed that you could be a retailer and I wish you all the best, as I believe Libre has the best full production buggy made to date. If I can be of any assistance helping you with what Libre buggy product will best suit which riders or with upgrade ideas just let me know. I will be happy to help Libre in any way possible and if helping you helps them then I will be glad to help you.
Best Regards
Jon Ellis

I wasn't going to post because this would just go on and on and I didn't want to fuel the fire.

I'm not affraid of you and I'm more than happy to race with you at any event.
It's the way that you entered the kite industry. Did you google every single kite manufacture and draw them out of a hat? Did you contact all the manufactures until you found one that would sell direct to you?

The way it's always been is Manufacture --> Distributor --> Retailer --> Consumer

Are you just going to stop at U-Turn and Libre or do you have plans on adding more kite brands as there are a lot of good ones out there.

If you ever need help I'm always here to support my retailers!!

Jon,

When I was contacting you about a buggy I was a serious buyer. We can talk privately about why I decided not to buy from you if you wish. I understand not wanting to give up your monopoly without a fight. As I told you, I think competition is good for everyone! Especialy the consumer. I have been completely honest with you.

Ripsessions,

U-TURN (Thomas) told me I am the official U.S. importer for U-TURN kites. I have a 6.5 Butane, sorry for the typo.

Also I contacted you about buying U-TURN kites and got no responce.

My bad experiences with trying to just buy a U-TURN kite in the U.S. and trying to buy a Libre buggy from bestkites Is another reason I started selling kites and buggies. It should not be so hard for people for people to buy the products we sell! Now dakitez is selling U-TURN also, thats great, He is an awesome guy, and a credit to the kiting world.

this will never stop.

i have emails from Thomas stating otherwise.

nor have you ever contacted us, we have a staff team of 4, and canada/usa team riders. we only sell to dealers, not direct. if you have a shop, we'll sell to you. if you EVER contacted us, the ordering department WOULD HAVE sent you to one of dealers on the website.

either way, whats done is done, MOD can you LOCK this post, please.

Hey Sailors,
As a member of the kite business world for some 31 years now, I've seen lots of you guys come and go. Most trying to get their slice of the pie.
Sure looks easy, doesn't it?
We're getting paid to play with kites?

The truth is a bit different, but don't listen to me...
You'll find out soon enough.
Running a small businesses in such an obscure, small industry like kites?
Oh Yes! That sounds like a sure-fire way to riches.

This industry is largely built around bakers, not pie-eaters.
The Science of Marketing is different from the Science of Aerodynamics.
Kites sell largely based on visual appeal while kite flying is largely tactile - How it feels.

Once the pie-eaters have consumed their slice... Where do they look next?
Seems to me the ones supporting and growing the game from the beginning have been providing the banquet for the newcomers to now feast on.

And what of the customers left behind, abandoned when the easy stuff is done, and the pie-eaters have tired of the game and moved on?

What about the difference between sharing our passion for the kite sport by education, workshops and clinic and using the "passion" as a rationale for selling?
"I love kiting - Therefore I want to sell you kites"?

I expect confusion from the politicians.
Politico-babble is part of the landscape this year.
I am disappointed to hear it here.

I like keeping business separate from sport.
There is a time and place for everything.


I probably read this in a book somewhere.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Eric I am up for a little competition in service and pricing. I am honest, have fair pricing, and go out of my way to help anyone in the kiting community to make an informed decision as my phone bills will testify to. As some of you already know I turn some customers away when they are so new to the sport they have no idea what they want. I refer them to the used market so they can get their feet wet at lower costs. Then after a little time bugging it will be easier for them to decide if they want to go fast, do tricks, work the soft dunes, jump or whatever by having a little experience and firsthand knowledge. In this way the buggier can now buy products that he now knows he needs/wants and then sell his used gear to someone else that is just starting out. Besides I would rather have a lot more buggy family friends than just customers.
Honestly I speak for myself when I say good luck.
Jon Ellis

So, the part I don't understand is why U-TURN and Libre granted 2nd importer (or distributor) in existing market? I don't know anything about kite market/business but is it common practice in other countries?

:wow: WOW, I didn't expect all this :wow:

From an outsider perspective I was just looking for some clarification. You have all sorts of passion and what seems like lofty goals / expectations. If you live up to them then that's great. Like described above I was confused by how you can go from being a relative nube asking all kinds of questions and getting ripped off because you don't have a clue who to buy from to being THE North American Distributer. I don't know a lot about the business but I hope the companies give their product to folks who have a Clue about the product they sell. Exactly how many hours do you have flying Uturn and what models please ???? Hours in and models of Libre ???? How long have you been in this sport ? At what level ? Have I ever met you at an event ????

These are race kites and race buggies. What is your top speed ? How many races have you attended ? How are your freestyle moves coming along ???? What is your most used set up for racing ? Freestyle ????

Dakitze as an example has done all kinds of footwork to gain skill and knowledge in a very short time. He has gone out to the events and gotten his hands on everything he can. He makes no bones about the level of his knowledge and will pass you to someone better if need be ! HE impresses me

I think we all know the kind of work, effort and knowledge that have been passed on by Jellis and Rip'

You are head over heals about this sport. WE ALL ARE. You have that, the sky is the limit feeling right now. I'm just suggesting that you start to make claims that match your true knowledge of the product you represent.

I am scared of you because I don't think I can go to you for experienced knowledge of your product !!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by u-turn_north_america Why are you and Jon so scared of me?

I smell a"KITE FIGHT!!" sorry had to do it. But really dude don't come in OUR forum actin like your somebody your not . We don't like that, and it is not very professional . And if you don't fly or buggy /race. What makes you think your qualified to sell potentially dangerous equipment you know little about? I wouldn't and won't ever buy anything from you. It's kind of like all these so called welding services out there , they get a buzz box and think they are a welding service. Funny thing is they suk so bad , I get paid to come fix their screw ups. They won't last long and neither will you. I feel sorry for the people that buy the wrong thing from you and aren't happy w/ it or get hurt by it. JMHO Now go crawl back under the rock you came out from under!:frog:

Well put Bladerunner.

I have the greatest respect for the coreylama and he is one of the grandfathers of this sport. I also agree with his overnight wiz bang and gone tomorrow theory. (Pie eaters)

Started buggying in 1995, so I am somewhat of a newbie as compared to some. I have devoted a lot of my time and effort to the betterment of this buggy sport and I will continue to help in any way to keep our sport growing and safe.
Someone turn me over I done with this post #@%$#!e.

Guess who posted the same thing in the USKF. YOU GOT IT! almost the same dam post too!:barf:

Nuttin better than pie!!!


I like kiting too! It's so fun I can't stant it!

I think you don;t relize how small of a pie you are eating and that we all use the same fork. The kite world is a small place..............aj

WELDngod i wanna buy a buggy from you :tumble::evil:

So would I! but there is awaiting list that seems to keep getting longer. I havn't even finished my second one and I'm buildin' a third. And I got someone who wants my fourth one. Now you make five ,whew I'm gettin tired just thinkin about it.

WG, maybe its time to spend less time workin and more time with your new buggy building venture. You have a unique product for sure. Wont rust either.

Gotta have that health insurance,now more than ever.But I'm glad ya like em'. You would crap yourself, if you totaled up the price of materials for one buggy. I don't believe in cutting corners to save a dime. If I can't do it the way it should be done ,then I don't want to do it. I can weld the crack of dawn, if you can hold her still long enough! ( old shipyard welder joke)

I've been kiting since the haydays of Catch the Wind Kites. I lead the CTW kite crew for 4 years.
Having 20 plus years of kiting I still look to other kiters for advice. However, those I go to for product advice, tip/trick
advice have been doing this almost as long as I, or have more experience then I, or are just badasses at it. They don't pretend to know something they don't. They do know their kites, buggies, boards, etc.

Eric I truly hope you make ends meet with your new business.
Get to know your product (fly, ride, fly, ride)

Don't get in to a p@@@ing match with other kiters, or retailers, you will lose.
Customer service is not only something for a estore or B&M store, it's also present in a forum.

Jon treated me like an old friend the first time (only time, so far) I meet him. That goes a long way.
He made a sale that day, when I'm ready for a libre.

Rip and Jon both have done bunches not only in this forum, but I image for traction kiting in general.

Do yourself a favor, make them business partners, not enemies.
You'll stand a better chance of making it in this business

Here is a thread better handled via U2U.

Please keep in mind:
We have rules regarding commercial posts.
It is better to report a post (by clicking the 'Report' button) rather than to respond to it.

This thread is closed.