I’m 31 years old. Ancient in skateboarding terms where the average age is somewhere around 14. Since I’m planning on opening a skateshop (someday, ugh), I often wonder whether I’m in touch with what my buyers are going to want. I like to think of myself as being in touch, but I’m having more and more doubts.
For example, when I was a kid, Powell Peralta was the big company. I and all my sixth-grade friends loved Powell. Santa Cruz, G&S, and Schmitt Stix were other popular companies. Later companies like World, H-Street, Toy Machine, Plan B, Alien Workshop, Real, and Girl took over. These days I look at companies like Blind/World/Almost and think “Are these guys serious? Does anyone buy this stuff?” The graphics, the ads–it all seems childish to me, even if the riders are amazing. Companies like Girl, Chocolate, Zero, Workshop, Habitat, Toy Machine, Real, and Foundation seem like the legitimate contenders.
But then something in my mind speaks to me and says “Maybe Blind is to today’s kids what Powell was to you when you were 12.” Could it be? Were all the older guys looking at me with my Per Welinder deck from Powell and shaking their heads saying “What a dork”? Do the kids today even know who Rick Howard or Mike Carroll are, or is it only the older guys like me buying their stuff?
Part of the problem is that brands don’t seem to have the power they once did. I go to skateparks and I see a lot of Krew clothing, and of course it’s easy to tell what shoes someone is wearing, but as far as decks all I see are blanks. So I don’t really know what’s popular as far as deck companies go. I guess I can figure it out pretty quickly if and when I get my shop up and running, but I’d prefer not to have to learn the hard way. So what are the popular deck companies in your neck of the woods?
i’m a huge fan or zero and toy machine. They are rather large companies, and are indeed quite legit. I pay attention in business class, I understand how the economy works, so i buy the product of the team that i like. If everyone buys the cheaper blanks, to save themselves money (and who wouldn’t want to?) the larger companies that have team riders depending on those board sales get cut short. I like seeing the guys on zero and toy skate, so i buy their boards, to basicly right to their paycheck. That way i can enjoy the new videos they come out with, and know that there are plenty more on the way. So if you’ve got a favorite team, you should do them a favor and buy some of their stuff.
I was board and was browsing the internet and was like…hey i wounder how many board companies there are? when i went to an online store i was taken back by how many companies there really are these days. i am 21 and i do consider my self out of touch with what is popular in skating these days but mainly by choice. i have chosen not to pay attention to what is popular, as i have done my own thing most of the time. with all the companies these days i could see how hard it would be to open a shop, picking and choosing what to buy and what you think will sell. then on the other hand with so many choices you can give a wide variety of product.
i can tell you though that my friends and i have stuck with what work and what he like…we all ride from a variety of consolidated, flip, black label, element, zero and blanks. also have been known to pick up a real or girl board, shop boards are also pretty popular with us.
if i were you i would go talk with the people at the skateparks around where you are going to open the shop, sense that will be your crowd of customers, that is if you already havent.
Oh man, I feel your pain. I’m 36 and in the process of opening a shop. We should be open in another month or so and I’m still trying to figure it out. I agree that it seems harder now to distinguish between what’s popular and what will sell. I was a shops manager/buyer for a four store surf/skate shop chain in the late 80’s early 90’s and never seemed to have this problem. But it also may have to do with the fact that I was in my early 20’s. Was I better in tune with the youngin’s? Am I out of touch now as well? Hard to say. We put a poll up on the website and have been trying to get the locals to give their input. Slow process since we aren’t open yet, but we’ve been working on getting the word out.
I agree that there doesn’t seem to be a stand out power house of skateboarding the way Powell was. I would have to say that Element seems to be closest to becoming the new Powell. As far as skaters go they have their mainstream MTV poster boy with Bam. I would judge a company as “big” when non-skaters recognize it as a skating company and Element seems to fit the bill (it’s also number one on our site poll). And then there’s anything with Tony’s name on it or what’s in the CCS Catalog (since every young skater I know seems to use it for a guide). I’m afraid it’s going to be a learning process for me. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Down here in New Zealand there are hardly any blanks. Element is probably the biggest brand in terms or reputation here, but I’m not sure if it translates to market share. Tony Hawk is a big name, but only because of the video games. Bam is big. There are quite a few older skaters and older guys getting back in to it after years off (like me in my 30s), so there are a few more powell boards showing up at the skateparks.
Dude, im twenty seven and i hate my local skate shop. It’s run by some snotty kid with black hair all combed over in his face with some plugs and My Chemical Romance T on. He looked at me like I was from planet mars when I asked him about some Tracker 149’s with New school/Old school holes. Haveing never skated a new school board in my life, my feet have only touched Powell Peralta since 1986. I am completely out of touch with what is going on but I can say this much that Emo was the worst thing to ever happen to skateing. I hate alot of the new styles and I feel like I’m a million years old thanks to it. As for your shop, Anything with a Heartagram seems to be a sure seller. Please for the love of god be able to order old school stuff so some old geezer like me doesnt have to talk to some punk a$$ kid with an attitude problem. Bam seems like a nice enough guy but to be honest I can do with out his crap. Just not amuseing to me I guess. Id rather see Lance Mountain in action, alot funnier and alot better skater.
El Hypno, you hit it right on the mark. One of the reasons I’m opening our store is because of the crappy shops that are usually around. The shop that I would normally have to go to is the same way as the one you described. Same kind of attitude. I went in last Saturday and wanted to pick up some grip, bolts, and risers. I stood in front of the counter with the guy right in front of me and he never acknowledged my existence. He just sat there putting a board together like it was brain surgery. After about 3-4 minutes my wife got pissed and left(she’s been a retail manager for the last 10 years and has a low tolerance for poor customer service), but I really needed the stuff and couldn’t get it myself because I don’t have the vendors setup yet for my shop. Finally, another guy comes from the front to wait on me and it was like a hassle for him. Really bad vibe. I proceeded to meet with my employees the next day to tell them if they ever act that way towards any customer they would instantly be gone. I was judged by those guys simply on my age (36).
It’s not just a problem with the skate shops as my wife won’t go into bike shops either for the same reasons. She feels an intimidation or elitist vibe everytime. It’s a problem that we won’t be having at our shop. Being older, we will have the old school stuff even if I have to move it online. We are also doing a whole girls division. Basically, we want our shop to be all inclusive and encompass every aspect of skating without the usual b.s. you find in a lot of shops. While I do at least have a new school board, I still like the older stuff. Those new boards just don’t feel as good on transistions or pools. And yes, I might be out of it, but I love riding my old school Blockhead longboard.
Thank You!!! Customer service sucks in most skate shops but why does it? The skateshop that was buy me had great guys that worked in there, alway willing to help with anything from product to trick tips. I dont know if it is the whole “emo” attitude that El Hypno brought up or what. It seriously feels like in most skateshops now a days that its a burden for them to help you but i have also ran into this attitude problem at some Vans stores also. I dont know, i am only 21 so its not the whole, im the old guy thing yet. Brain i am glad there is someone out there willing to give some customer service along with the sport that i love.
i’m psyched to have found this site. i’m 28 (soon to be 29), started skating in 89… i quit about 10 years ago. why? i dunno. lost interest a bit maybe, but it didn’t help that there seemed to be a real trend of arrogance among young skaters (’m assuming this sort of hasn’t changed) and more emphasis on “tech” as opposed to style and having FUN. it bummed me out BIG TIME. anyhoo, 10 years later, i find myself missing skating more and more. i’m picking up the board again and, looking around online, observing the industry after a decade of absence and it’s mind-boggling how different things are. what the heck happened to Blind and World Industries? they’re SO goofy and childish now. they seem to really be going for middle America or something. things are SOOOO different now! ha ha… but it’s nice to see that there are still some of you guys at it. Foundation, Toy Machine, Krooked seem to be doing some great $%@#. also, it kinda blew my mind that Skull Skates is still around (actually, i was pretty stoked on that).
things change, i guess. gone are the days where it was seen as a sort of “outsider” subculture. that’s good and bad. i dunno. i’m psyched to see how many public parks there are now, etc etc… i miss the subversive qualities companies used to have. i’m glad that some of em are still aroudn, though
Hi Guys,
I kina know what your going through as ive had a few friends back in the states venture into owning skateshops. Its hard, but if done right can be very good!
Ive got a few contacts back in the states for some very cheap merch….if anyone is interested ? Skate shirts (around 5� plus shipping), last years models on all shoes (at around 10� to 20� per pair + shipping cost) and a bunch of other bits that you guys may find interesting.
boxedagency@gmail.com
or
http://www.pixelfactor.org
p.s. If you guys ever have any reviews or features you would like done please let me know and i will gladly submit it to our site or include it in our magazine if its interesting enough
cheers
You all have valid points for darn sure. I am 34 and only stopped skating for 4 years due to a skate realted injury and had to be in traction for 2 of those years. But it seems in those 4 years stuff really changed. I sorta got used to ridinf the pop sickle sticks (only the wide ones though 8.5’s to 9’s) but I am fully only skating old skool decks now. And !##$ are they hard to find with the exception of Powwell and Skull and other knock off stuff. I live in FLA and most of the shops aren’t really that bad but you still get the wannna-be emo kid behind the counter that looks at you like your his dad at Wal-Mart trying to buy your kid a deck. All I have left is one shop I finally found from many many phone calls that started carrying some SHAPED boards. I hate buying stuff of the internet I want to be able to stand on it and feel the concave and the way the board will be. Oh well I guess its up to us to teach all the younger kids how to be now and not let them turn into some skate snob. The funniest thing is going to the parks and ripping and the kids are like” man your pretty good for an old guy……..”
I mostly see shop decks at skateparks so you should probaly concentrate more on realy good graphics for your decks. but be sure to stock zero and element for all of the 14 and unders to buy.
I worked in a skate shop for about the past 6 years. At our shop we carried pretty much every company listed in these comments, Blind/World/Almost and all the other dwindle distribution companies seemed to sell really well with the little kids usually age 12 and under. Once a kid hits his teens, he is hanging out with his skate freinds and trying to do something in skating, other then look cool with his Reaper blind board, or his flambo III deck. So generally teens and up skate the more legitimate skate companies like Alien, Habitat, Black label, Girl Chocolate, etc…
Another factor is that blind and world are made in china and are really inexpensive (dare i use the word cheap?) for shops to purchase and they can make a huuuge markup on them, unlike the american made boards that cost the shops a bit more. But shops gotta do what they gotta do to stay afloat, even if it means taking juniors money for a Flamebo III deck.
Support your local shop though, your local scene, and skateboard company. Check out Convoy Skateboards.
later.
I hate to hear that 31 is “Ancient” i’m 43 and have been skating since i was 14. My nephew is a sponsored skater. I’m still having a blast, however i don’t bounce like i used to i tend to break now.
SKATE ON,
Greg Owens
elfontherox@windstream.net
ok mate if you ever open up you want to give gr8 deals sponsorship and tell them what they would be best buying for there needs
I’m 23 and I opened my skateshop in june 2006 for the same reason one of you guys did, dissatisfaction with the only shop aroud. It wasn’t because of the products they were carrying, it was simply because they were/are a chain who don’t give a $#@% about supporting the scene. The way the industry works here in Norway is as follows; there are a handfull of distributors, 3-4 chains and some independent shops here and there. Now, the chain that’s leading the charge on the online market (the same one i was unhappy with) have some of the distr. in headlock. Meaning that the mentioned distr. won’t sell me products because this chain-owner don’t like competition. So, the distributors i use are the ones who’s had enough of this riddiculous behavior. I’m missing out on Crailtap, but i’m down with Plan B and Sole-tech, and most likely dlxsf in the near future.
My hometown isn’t really big enough for two shops, I’ve got an extra job to pay the bills. But #$% it, I’m doing it out of love and hopefully someday I can quit my other job. Working 10 hours a day is ok, but it means more solo sessions at the park. I prefer to skate with my friends, allthough it’s nice to skate alone at times. I think it would be easier if had my shop in a bigger city, as my shop is a bit alternative (it’s more like a skate/record shop).
Anyways, good luck to all of you who’s starting up skateshops for the right reasons. It takes time to make it, but if you’re devoted it will work out (though you might loose your girlfriend). Support your local scene!
bueno, stereo, city
all very legit small companies that i’m sure would love to get support! plus they are pretty popular, and would definitely sell around here.
i’m sick of my local shop, i’m on the team and i hardly know the employees, they have —— product, are out of touch with skateboarding, and denied me free grip tape today. they even forget i’m on the team! it’s so wack. i really want to start a small shack with some legit product near the new skatepark. i’m not so sure how it would do in wyoming, but i would feel like a much better human being if i actually went through with this dream.
i’ve enjoyed reading this website very much, i’m only 17 but i was directed to this website by google after searching “how to start a skateshop” i plan on majoring in web design in the future, i dropped out and got my G.E.D. because i couldn’t stand highschool. i’m attending community college next semester. i’ve started on an online portfolio ( dknportfolio.com ) to help with scholarships after i finish schooling here, i really hope my future turns out well so i can be involved with skateboarding. i don’t want to be a pro skateboarder, but i would love to atleast be involved!
anyways, thanks for putting this website on the net, it’s very inspirational to me and i wish you luck with the shop.