bennyboost said...Why buy locally when the shops/distributors put nothing back into the industry? (WA anyway).
Hi there Bennyboost,
AKS has donated 6 brand new Ozone and Core kites to Kitestock alone over the last three years and in fact last year we gave away three kites (9m Core XR, 9m Ozone C4 and 8m Ozone Catalyst). We also donated prizes to the Kitejam, Downwinders, and give away kites to charities raising money for various groups etc etc.
AKS is no different to most other retailers (or maybe a little bit different
)who also donate gear and time to comps and events. Like Lozza says, we are just regular dudes trying to earn a living like everyone else. I don't know ANY retailers here in Perth who drive BMW's or live on the waterfront. We support the sport and community because we love to.
Don't know about everyone else, but a good portion of my stock is bought in Euro's which hasn't changed that much over the years (about 5% up over last year) and the rest was locked in many months ago before the dollar rose significantly.
If we do have an exchange rate winfall, it allows us to absorb some of the rising costs of freight (which has gone up 70% over the last two years) and also gives us some room to allow deals and discounts on gear and packages and to put on stuff like the Free Pinnaparty we throw twice a year
.
Most kite prices have remained steady over the last several years and infact have come down a bit (Thinking old Ozone Sport + 15m was $2499, now C4 15m is now $2299).
It's all good!
DM
