Why is it better to shop at skateboard shops?
Tuesday July 15, 2008
All through this site, when giving shopping advice, I try to push you towards shopping at your local skateboarding shops instead of mall chain stores like Zumiez, or generic sporting good stores.
But why? Great question! I have four reasons - check them out in this new Skateboarding FAQ - Why is it Better to Shop at Skate Shops?
And these are just the main reasons I thought of. If you have anything else to add, please leave a comment below! Or, you might disagree and think that chain stores are better - feel free to comment on that side, too.
Comments
I would add - keep it in the community. Skateboarding has not always been “cool” or accepted by parents and society. Core skateshops have been and always will be here, even when the trends change and skateboarding is no longer popular. Core shops also promote events and have connections to skate companies, the more money they make they better the local events will be. And anyways, nothing makes me more mad than seeing some douchebag capitalist in a shinny shirt open a skate shop just to make money. It should be about helping other skaters and having fun doing it, not becoming rich. Don’t be a sell out, buy from your local skate shop and support the people who support you.
All that said, and where is ES going in my town? Emage, the mall shop with pretty employees that couldn’t even tick tack down the street. Sometimes I wonder if there are any big skate companies out there that still do it for the love of skating rather than the sales they can generate…Consolidated maybe?