Well I am writing this cos I am a little annoyed. A few weeks ago I ordered a new Severne NCX through a local business.
Normally I would have shopped around a little and maybe gotten a better price etc but because the local dealer said he wants to get more windsurf equipment in stock but to do so requires a little support from local windsurfers, I thought getting it through him was a good idea.
Now I placed the order a few weeks ago, I said I didnt need it for a week or so.
I rang him the week before I wanted to pick it up, he assured me it would be in that next week.
On the wednesday - still not in. Would be in late Friday so I can pick it up this morning.
Went in this morning and paid balance in full, and was told it would be in a little later. I rang around 11... it wasnt picked up in Melbourne so it will be Tuesday before transport for it can be arranged, so it looks like at least Wed or Thur before I can pick it up.
It was only coming from WA! I have had packages coming from overseas that arrived quicker.
Now I am not annoyed at having to wait longer (well maybe a little) but its more that promises were made but not kept.
I am now not sure that I will order any new bigger items (sails, boards, masts etc) locally. At least if I order them online (from one of the Seabreeze sponsors) I can count on a more accurate delivery date. Either that or drive to Melbourne.

Anyway thats my little rant over with. Now I can get back to watching the weather forecast and looking for little green arrows

Sorry to hear your sail has been delayed OB64. I have ordered 3 sails now from WA and each arrived within a week to my front door. I live 45 min from my closest local shop so for me this works great.

Mobydisc said...


If I ever buy new gear I will buy it from the local shop. Even if I pay more for it I do not mind because I think its fair to support the local bloke. Good luck getting the new sail. I saw a Severne sail and they are really nice looking. I am sure you will be happy with your purchase.

I would prefer to buy and support local business but when I cant trust what they say (especially when I have already paid upfront) .. well I am a bit hesitant to go down that path again.

And I am really looking forward to getting the sail. The reviews all seem to be pretty good. I should also get my new Lessacher weed fin this week. I just hope the wind is up next weekend

Well, thanks for supporting my business. Hope you enjoy the sail. What size are you getting?

Ben Severne said...

Well, thanks for supporting my business. Hope you enjoy the sail. What size are you getting?

I am getting a 6.5 NCX

I think I'm spoilt .....

I support all 4 of my local shops at different times depending on what I want !!!!

Hi Mate, i think you should not be too quick to ditch local stores, i work for a windsurf store on the east coast, i know what you are going through, any thing we order from the W.A that cant fit into one of those express post bags takes no less than a week to get over this side of the country, yes i have also gotten stuff quicker from over sea's, i have had boards take almost 2 weeks to arrive. it's definately the freight company's, there is no company that does it any quicker, i have tried. The problem is your sail had to go threw prob 3 or more depots before it got to the store, and they do it air freight, could not imagine how long something would take by land. anything we order from east coast suppliers takes no more than 3 days tops. if they have it.

Not sure if it was the store being slack and not order your sail straight away,but next time you do have to order something, get them to order it when your still in the store, i do this just so the customer has peace of mind, and also if it wont be available for a while they know straight away.

I know our store would bend over backwards to help a customer get the correct gear as soon as possible, any other store would be crazy not too.

Hey OceanBlue64, heard it all before. I know the shop you mean. Had a mate a couple of years ago deal with the same guy. He got sooooo frustrated. The shop owner gave him the run around for about 1 month. That shop was once a better windsurf shop, but now owned by a yachtie, always told my mate it would be in "By the weekend" just to make the sale, but then two weeks later "oops, sorry, still in WA". Shop up here in Melbourne or online.

TonyC said...

Ben Severne said...

Ahh, TonyC - I own and run SEVERNE Sails with a partner. Haven't sold out.

Sorry Ben, I regularly check the starboard site for tuning tips etc and there are a number of threads that refer to Severne sails as being a part of Starboard.

Yes, but he didn't say who the partner was...

Yes, support your local shop whenever you can. Why would anyone think that ordering online is any fatsre then ordering from the shop.

Any online order goes to a database (or email address) of a shop somewhere, where it then is subject to the same people issues you (might) have when you deal with a shop. I have had plenty of issues buying stuff online (not windsurfing though) and none buying from my local windsurfing shop here. I understand that the shop may not have what I want in stock, and if so that there will be a delay in getting what I want. That is the nature of a low volume niche business. If more people bought from the shop they may be inclined to carry greater stock, resulting in better service times.

Shops rock, I always get a good greeting, and have had plenty of good service for free (deliveries, batten fixing, demos and lots of advice). It would be much more hassle if there were no shop locally.

PS - I have no deal or contra with any windsurfing shop, I just prefer to have the service available then save a few dollars in a false economy.

JB

OceanBlue64 said...

Sailhack said...



Stonkers are trying to get more business, not sure what sail brands they sell, but they're w/surfers & k/surfers....experience counts for alot!

Where are Stonkers? Down near Rip Curl etc?

Near cnr Baines Cres (heading in to Torquay, on right), behind shopping complex (I think Rip-Curl?!?) Went there looking for footstraps a while ago, the guy sold me kite-straps, said to try them out....they're great! They don't stock much gear, but seem keen to, if the demand calls for it. Unfortunately (for w/surfers) the kite scene is bigger there. Otherwise, the 2 Melb shops are pretty good. (Nearly local for you!) Freight from Melb to Geelong shouldn't be an issue.

P.C_simpson said...

JayBee said...


Shops rock, I always get a good greeting, and have had plenty of good service for free (deliveries, batten fixing, demos and lots of advice). It would be much more hassle if there were no shop locally.

yes so true JB, and the guys at your local store live and breath windsurfing, and are on the water when ever it's windy, so they should be very up to date with everything, and know exactly what works best in you area.. i know of one person selling cheap gear on ebay, apparenty don't even sail. but this was off the grape vine.

I know a guy who sells stuff on eBay who I've seen out sailing when I've been out. He has helped me in the past when he didn't have to.
I'd like to deal with the one Sydney shop and have done so, but it is near an hour drive one way.

Even some local stores have e-mail these days.

back to supporting your local shops i was at that shop stonkers in torquay on the weekend and picked up a second hand wave fin (power box) that i've been looking on ebay for ages, the guy there was very helpfull and seem keen on sailing had a bit of gear he sells for people on consignment, easier than waiting on ebay.

OceanBlue64 said...
Yeah I am going to go have a look on the weekend I hope.

I'll be heading there Thursday........just broke another mast today.....that's 2 in 6 months! I won't be buying 2nd hand masts again

(Chef's gonna have fun with this!)