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climbfrog
Jul 11, 2004, 1:26 AM
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This question is related to anyone and everyone on the site. When you go into your local climbing shop, what is more imprtant to you, or rather what do you respect more? I understand how important it is to have somone who is behind the counter who knows what they are talking about. But, how important is it to have someone behind the counter who only climbs at really high levels, such as the 5.12 level?! Are shop people precieved to only climb at these high levels?
The bottom line is, what do you expect out of shop people when you go in to purchase your gear? If they know what they are talking about and they do climb, but not at a high level, do you think any less of them?
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chalked4dyno
Jul 11, 2004, 2:06 AM
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Well, I don't go to the gear shop for coaching, so I don't care how hard they climb. It's nice to talk to somebody who's used the equipment you're looking to buy and can give you an honest performance review.
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flying_dutchman
Jul 11, 2004, 2:43 AM
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you gauge the guy working at the desk by how well he/she climbs?
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climbfrog
Jul 11, 2004, 2:45 AM
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Definetly not! It just seems that a lot of people do stereotype. It was more of a question for a conversation anyway.
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c-money
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Jul 11, 2004, 2:45 AM
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Who cares how hard they climb as long as they can tell me about the products... I respect informed help regardless of ability. For the most part, how would I know how hard the people in the shop crank anyway? As long as they can tell me what I need to know, I really don't care what, how, why or when they climb.
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climbsomething
Jul 11, 2004, 2:50 AM
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Most of the people who work at my local shop don't climb at all. The ones who do climb aren't very strong; they're overweight, have bad technique, and by the looks of their skin tone, don't do much of anything outside, let alone climb. In the context of the store, though, I don't care. They do their thing, I do mine. I research the gear elsewhere, then give these casual climbers my money and off I go.
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dirtineye
Jul 11, 2004, 3:32 AM
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In reply to: Most of the people who work at my local shop don't climb at all. The ones who do climb aren't very strong; they're overweight, have bad technique, and by the looks of their skin tone, don't do much of anything outside, let alone climb. In the context of the store, though, I don't care. They do their thing, I do mine. I research the gear elsewhere, then give these casual climbers my money and off I go.
Your sense of sarcasm and irony is sorely mised in this post.
I prefer that the guy behind the counter be willing to give me a huge discount on whatever I buy.
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yezad
Jul 11, 2004, 3:43 AM
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I think that if the person behind the counter climbs at the same level as myself or better, then I am more likely to develope a closer, more friendly working relationship with that person...which is important to me. I'd rather give my money to the guy/girl who I've gotten to know and whom I can talk to about that gnarly 5.11 that we've both done or are working on and discuss, in detail, gear to route specs. But maybe that's just me. I mean, I guess in the end all I'm really asking for is someone who is knowledgeable about the product I'm looking for. Someone who's opinion I can trust. I just think I am more likely to find that in a retailer I can swap stories, experiences and opinions with...or maybe even get advice from.
my two cents.
peace
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overlord
Jul 12, 2004, 9:40 AM
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a) friednly and polite
b) knows what they sell and can offer accurate advice
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roughster
Jul 12, 2004, 9:46 AM
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I like to see people who are psyched on climbing and know about the local "scene". Nothing will make me go somewhere else faster than indifference. I could give a crap whether or not they are ultra bad ass Mr 5.14 / V12 climber who thinks they know everything there is to know.
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mrtristan
Jul 12, 2004, 9:54 AM
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I don't think I've ever met anyone who cared how hard the people in the gear shops climbed...
-Tristan
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punk
Jul 12, 2004, 4:42 PM
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In reply to: Most of the people who work at my local shop don't climb at all. The ones who do climb aren't very strong; they're overweight, have bad technique, and by the looks of their skin tone, don't do much of anything outside, let alone climb. In the context of the store, though, I don't care. They do their thing, I do mine. I research the gear elsewhere, then give these casual climbers my money and off I go.
How can you let those, and those, and those etc’ people make and design your gear they all pale overweight and never climb and therefore totally clueless :roll:
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far_east_climber
Jul 14, 2004, 2:33 AM
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We have a shop keeper here who runs a big store. The lady, although she knows her very well, she has never climbed in her life. Cool, eh?
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vegastradguy
Jul 14, 2004, 3:38 AM
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i would love to have a gear shop employee that is not only very experienced but excited to share their knowledge and love for the sport with others, no matter what their experience level.
the one thing i've found with gear shop employees here is that they come in pretty much two types (with a couple of exceptions, thankfully). 1) retail salespeople who are trained with a bare-minimum of knowledge about what they are selling and are usually either under 16 or over 65 and are working part time. 2) hard core sport climbers who wont talk or be nice to you unless you can prove you can crank at least 5.10.
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squeakyclimber
Jul 14, 2004, 4:12 AM
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Im 16 and i worked at REI for 6 months or so. I worked in the climbing deparment. For the most part many of the employies who worked up there with me have nothing but the basic understanding of the gear. Yet there are a few who do climb are are willing to help any one who wants to get into the sport. If the person who is helping you doesnt climb , they arent helping you make a decision about some purchase. If you want good advise go to a local shop. Odds are youll find more ecspertice (i spelled that wrong) in the area you want.
-Peace
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gman
Jul 14, 2004, 4:17 AM
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20% off........
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coylec
Jul 14, 2004, 5:43 AM
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Sales folks should know there merchaise. Would prefer that they climbed so they know how to use the gear (and make informed recommendations regarding gear selection), but I do my own research and usually know exactly what i want. That being said, they get new stuff all the time (like this strange biner with a roller on it to reduce friction) and I'd like for the employee to know about it, why it would be good and why it would be bad.
information is more important than ablity.
coylec
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reno
Jul 14, 2004, 6:36 AM
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In reply to: The bottom line is, what do you expect out of shop people when you go in to purchase your gear?
Honesty. If I ask a question about a item of gear, and they don't know, I want them to say "I don't know." Better than than trying to BS through it.
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wlderdude
Jul 15, 2004, 10:06 PM
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In reply to: Sales folks should know there merchaise. Would prefer that they climbed so they know how to use the gear (and make informed recommendations regarding gear selection), but I do my own research and usually know exactly what i want.... information is more important than ablity. coylec
I agree.
My biggest beef is with the 5. a million sport climbers who insist begginers get shoes that are too small for them. They do sell more shoes as climbers quickly lear you don't need intolerably painful shoes for moderate climbs and end up buying another pair more reasonably sized so they can enjoy climbing.
ebay is full of these stories.
Anyone interested in a pair of size 39.5 Scarpa Reflexes?
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gds
Jul 15, 2004, 10:32 PM
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In reply to: Most of the people who work at my local shop don't climb at all. The ones who do climb aren't very strong; they're overweight, have bad technique, and by the looks of their skin tone, don't do much of anything outside, let alone climb. In the context of the store, though, I don't care. They do their thing, I do mine. I research the gear elsewhere, then give these casual climbers my money and off I go.
Of course the OWNER of that shop put up some of the best and boldest trad lines in southern AZ. So, there is some expertise there.
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climbsomething
Jul 15, 2004, 10:36 PM
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Which is funny! Don't you think he'd want to hire solid climbers? Hell, don't you think he'd at least want to put "climbing" under the shop's sign, instead of "camping hiking travel" when Summit Hut was born to a climber?
A couple guys who were rad climbers used to work there (Jason, and some other dude). Pity they left.
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gds
Jul 15, 2004, 10:44 PM
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My view is that it evolved from a kid running a bedroom based climbing shop for his friends to a pretty big outdoor store in which the main product lines are for folks who want to have outdoor gear to wear to cocktail parties. Or for the bold to go see the "wild life " via the Sabino Canyon tram. Truth is that's where the money is and it's a business.
But that's not bad, it's honest and actualy does carry lots of real gear.
Hey do you think one single Hummer H2 has ever gone off road? They are the cleanest, most polished cars in town. And I bet the Hummer sales folks have all done the Baja 1000. Right!
Truth is that climbing is a tiny pastime and the companies that do just climbing are also tiny. Patagonia grew by selling to folks in the Hamptons not the Tetons.
But it is nice to know that for now we are "in fashion." :P
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atg200
Jul 15, 2004, 10:53 PM
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i don't absolute ability numbers wise matters as much as a wide range of experience and preferably people who have been around the sport for awhile. my local shop(IME in salt lake city) is terrific in this regard. even after 10 years of diverse climbing all over the world and a bunch of internet research, they still give me advice that often changes my mind because they know more about climbing then i will ever dream of knowing.
it is a rare shop that is like that though. most shops have employees that are mostly worthless. when i find a great shop, i buy as much stuff there as possible to support them, even if it costs more than mail order.
i've been to a lot of really good gear shops over the years, but the three i respect most are:
1. IME, Salt Lake City
2. Rock and Snow, New Paltz NY
3. Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder
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ricardol
Jul 15, 2004, 10:59 PM
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i wish every person that worked in a climbing shop was like that guy "ernie" that works at the yosemite valley mtn shop ..
1. always willing to help newbies
2. super friendly
3. willing to spend the time showing you the pro's con's of the equipment in the shop.
..
-- ricardo
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climbsomething
Jul 15, 2004, 11:04 PM
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In reply to: 3. Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder |
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