Hi guys,
Unfortunately prices have gone up on some brands whilst others have and will stay the same.
North is a premium brand and has come out with some really great upgrades this year making it worth the coin if you are ready to upgrade your kites. Personally, I think North will have a great year this year as their gear looks truly awesome from what I have seen and heard, and some wicked new innovations!
Keep in mind, it is not necessary to upgrade your kites every year as so many do. Any good quality brand will fly and last well for at least two seasons and will keep flying reasonably well for a few more seasons after that. We seem to have it in our minds that we
need to upgrade yearly.
Kites like Core and several others are offering less expensive kites for people looking for a good kite at a cheaper price. There is something for everyone within every kiters budget in a very flooded market.
North Kites are not for every kiter, just like BMW's aren't for every driver. But most people who buy North are people who have owned them in the past and choose to stick with the brand, they often don't ask the price, pay thier money and go away and enjoy their kites and boards knowing they bought quality with strong backing from the retailer and brand here in Oz.
Although gear seems expensive, try windsurfing
or high end mountain biking
. I think Kiting is still one of the cheapest sports on a $/hr of fun basis when compared to most other extreme sports.
Many good retailers will support and offer better prices to the customers that offer them loyalty too, so maybe stick to your fave retailer if they are doing the right thing by you and they will in turn help you out too, rather than jumping brands or retailers chasing the last dollar of discount.
Just my thoughts. (Worth 2 cents, keep the change).
<Puts on fire retardant suit now>
KH
Stop blaming the retailers too.. it has been confirmed again and again that they get beer money and stuff all else.
