Ok so I'm looking to purchase my first new sup. I've been fortunate enough to never have to buy a board (my old man shapes them, a talent I didn't inherit!) so I guess what I'm wanting to know is what is a fair price to expect to pay? As in is it standard to pay retail asking price or do the shops have a bit if room for negotiation? I don't want to walk in and either insult the guys at the shop, or walkout paying to much!
Cheers 
I suspect that a sup retailer who has business premises and many overheads....but provides a certain amount of quality guarantee for his wares.....he or she probably deserves the full retail price
maybe go to ebay or fly by nighters selling shoddy goods if you want an absolute "bargain"
Hi dino137 fair Q and i would love someone to answer how they get on, and i agree if you are walking and ordering a board I dont want to be paying full retail, the board is sold and the shop only has to place an order ( not hold stock ), a board on the rack you might talk them down a little as the store has more incentive to sell it as not to hold stock.
The best buying experience is when you walk out with the product you want, you feel you paid a fair price, and the retailer made some money ( not bucket loads and not running on the bone) and offered good service so you will go and buy again from them.
With the internet these days most people know exactly what a product retails for, and what the cheapest price internet advertised is, my opinion is i wont go the cheapest IF i can get some great service and a bit off the purchase price. store gets a sale and you feel you got a deal...
I'd like to know if anyone is going to buy one of these... I'm tempted! 
www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/
I find supporting your local store might cost a little more to start with but in the long run results in great advice and service, connections with the local paddling crew and discounted prices over time on future purchases. When you find a retailer who offers good advice and service just ask them what they can do on the price and they will usually offer something. Of course you may find it cheaper elsewhere and then the decision is yours about how much you feel the relationship is worth?
Select to expand quoteGizzieNZ said..
I suspect that a sup retailer who has business premises and many overheads....but provides a certain amount of quality guarantee for his wares.....he or she probably deserves the full retail price
maybe go to ebay or fly by nighters selling shoddy goods if you want an absolute "bargain"
Totally agree GizzieNZ, I have worked in retail/sales for many years now and know the frustration of people expecting quality service, demos and advice only to then expect to pay nothing for the product! Im all for paying a premium to make sure i get the right board for me and great after sales service etc. Whenever anyone outlays $2000 on anything though I would suspect they ask for the best price , whether its a fridge or a Surfboard. Im just wondering,from people who have purchased SUP's from retailers, are they generally keen to work out a deal or package price, or should I be walking in with full retail in my wallet and not expecting a dollar off?
Select to expand quoteAir80 said..
Hi dino137 fair Q and i would love someone to answer how they get on, and i agree if you are walking and ordering a board I dont want to be paying full retail, the board is sold and the shop only has to place an order ( not hold stock ), a board on the rack you might talk them down a little as the store has more incentive to sell it as not to hold stock.
The best buying experience is when you walk out with the product you want, you feel you paid a fair price, and the retailer made some money ( not bucket loads and not running on the bone) and offered good service so you will go and buy again from them.
With the internet these days most people know exactly what a product retails for, and what the cheapest price internet advertised is, my opinion is i wont go the cheapest IF i can get some great service and a bit off the purchase price. store gets a sale and you feel you got a deal...
Couldn't agree more, Cheers 
If you want the 2014 carbon fibre model that has just landed, expect to pay the full retail price. Maybe if you're buying a board, bag, paddle, & rail tape there might be room to negotiate a package-deal.
If you're happy picking up a new last-year's model, I think the retailer would be willing to negotiate a deal as his stock would be near the end of shelf-life.
If you're not buying a new SUP every season, remember the old saying, you'll experience the quality long after you forget the price, so just get the best you can afford pretty much as soon as you can & get out there and have fun!
Select to expand quoteSSSimon said..
If you want the 2014 carbon fibre model that has just landed, expect to pay the full retail price. Maybe if you're buying a board, bag, paddle, & rail tape there might be room to negotiate a package-deal.
If you're happy picking up a new last-year's model, I think the retailer would be willing to negotiate a deal as his stock would be near the end of shelf-life.
If you're not buying a new SUP every season, remember the old saying, you'll experience the quality long after you forget the price, so just get the best you can afford pretty much as soon as you can & get out there and have fun!
Hi Mate, yeh just after the normal 2014 allwave, will prob look at getting a new paddle while im at it. I agree with you, i looked at getting something cheaper that's not quite what i want, or last years version, but I would rather get the right board first time even if it costs me abit more.
2 cents worth,
Shops I have dealt with offer demo boards, service, feedback, discussion, variety. If you have a problem you have a person to speak to and a place to go.
Web purchases, good luck and send it back! So if the shop adds value and makes the choice easier, they need to eat too!
So, talk to the guys, negotiate a price, I always do. At the least usually get the leggie, board bag and a decent set of fins as part of the package deal.
Select to expand quotemomasfolly said..
2 cents worth,
Shops I have dealt with offer demo boards, service, feedback, discussion, variety. If you have a problem you have a person to speak to and a place to go.
Web purchases, good luck and send it back! So if the shop adds value and makes the choice easier, they need to eat too!
So, talk to the guys, negotiate a price, I always do. At the least usually get the leggie, board bag and a decent set of fins as part of the package deal.
Plus your local shop is likely to organise demos, comps races etc and will always look after their customers in order to get repeat business.
Hey Dino,
I have no affiliation with Ocean Addicts at Cotton Tree other than having bought three boards from them over the years. I find Hayden and Marcel there great to deal with. Get your ass in there and just ask em. They won't mind. And if you say thanks, I'll think about it, they won't mind that either. Nice people, good advice and great follow-up service too.
Get into it. You will love it!
Cheers, Dave
Go to your local dealer and make them an offer. They should give you good advice, maybe a chance to demo and won't mind stitching together a deal eg bit of money off or a free leggie and board bag. If you don't get that, go somewhere else. Shopping local isn't a one way street. Support your local retailer and they should support you too. It's a beautiful thing.
Thanks guys yep def going to be buying local , not interested in buying this sort of purchase online or interstate etc, it's all part of the experience going into your local shop and getting a new board. Thanks for the feedback cheers will let u know how I get on.
Select to expand quotewavelength said...
Hey Dino,
I have no affiliation with Ocean Addicts at Cotton Tree other than having bought three boards from them over the years. I find Hayden and Marcel there great to deal with. Get your ass in there and just ask em. They won't mind. And if you say thanks, I'll think about it, they won't mind that either. Nice people, good advice and great follow-up service too.
Get into it. You will love it!
Cheers, Dave
Cheers Dave, yeh I went in there initially when I was first toying with the idea of a new board and they suggested the allwave as the way to go and offered a demo, so will def go see them in the next couple of weeks when I'm ready to buy. Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers dean
