Equipment: STICKS - Buying Guide and Advice

[Wilch]

Originally Posted by Jarick

That was quick. Covert just came out last fall.

Hockey manufacturers are really taking a page out of Taylormade's playbook.

They essentially release new clubs every 6 months.

[jsykes]

Yeah, it sucks donkey balls for the retailer.

[Jarick]

Definitely harder on retailers, who are smaller with less margin than golf stores I'd assume. And hockey players don't have as much disposable income.

[AIREAYE]

Originally Posted by jsykes

Yeah, it sucks donkey balls for the retailer.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't this cut down on the amount of clearance product that would be normally available with previous product cycles? If so, it seems that the manufacturers are hoping to boost sales of their pricepoint products while reducing the availability of clearance product that would normally cannibalize sales of their current lineup.

[leftwinger37]

Originally Posted by AIREAYE

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't this cut down on the amount of clearance product that would be normally available with previous product cycles? If so, it seems that the manufacturers are hoping to boost sales of their pricepoint products while reducing the availability of clearance product that would normally cannibalize sales of their current lineup.

Good point; they are countering consumer reaction to high price points with high price points.

Stay classy, hockey industry.

[AIREAYE]

If so, then it's just business lol.

[Jarick]

Originally Posted by AIREAYE

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't this cut down on the amount of clearance product that would be normally available with previous product cycles? If so, it seems that the manufacturers are hoping to boost sales of their pricepoint products while reducing the availability of clearance product that would normally cannibalize sales of their current lineup.

It depends on how much product is ordered. If retailers continue to order enough sticks that they have some left while the new product is launched, they will have to mark down the older models to get rid of them.

The only way to truly eliminate clearance models is to either build on demand or never update your product. Like 5030's. Nobody's marking down old 5030's, they just replenish the supply when they get low.

[mistrhanky]

Thanks Jarick. I feel like I can safely cut it an inch at first then and go to two if necessary. Good help as usual.

[Jarick]

Yeah an inch is nothing. Barely will notice it over the dramatic improvement in stickhandling, passing, and shot accuracy if you're using a stick too long.

[Splitbtw]

Finally found an e28/Kreps rh pro stock for a reasonable price. Less than 150 shipped for a mako 2 painted like an rs2 (the paint job I'd prefer between the two). Haven't gotten to try either the mako 2 or Kreps curve yet so I'm pretty excited. Flex is a little low at 80 but I'll be cutting at least an inch off which will hopefully stiffen it up a bit.

[JaeTM]

How long ago did the RBZ and the APX release? These are the two sticks I've been looking at, but I can't justify $250 on a hockey stick.

These would have to drop in price when a new model comes out, no?