Buy a Surf/Kiteboard Shop

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I buy my kites from New Wind in Hood River. They are really on top of things, and honor the 30 day cash back guarantee... I actually tried to buy Waroos from ASI last year but they didn't have the smaller sizes in stock.

I have put quite a few bucks into ASI though and GP. Bought boards at both places, bars/lines from both. A good way to support your local shop is to buy boardshorts, t-shirts, etc.. Its good profit margin in that stuff. The "Kiteboard Oregon" t-shirt from ASI is one of my favorites and an awesome design, I need some more mine is getting a little old.

One complaint I have had about ASI lately is they always seem to be out of everything. All the bar component type stuff that you really need from your local shop. Could just be a temporary problem though.

(Btw NateDogg's is a cool name.) Very Happy

JW · Since 28 Jan 2006 227 Posts portland Stoked

ASI never has stock they always have to order it and you have to put a deposit down on it . is that a real store or the internet you mean i have to wate, have stock make sale stay in biz

Woodpig · Since 17 Oct 2006 30 Posts Albany

I would have to agree with Pkh new wind was great. I expected my Kite to take a day or 2 to arrive and I received it the very next morning. Super fast service and spent alot of time educating this newbie on the phone answering dumb questions..... cant wait to take lessons with them Wink

didn't mean for this to be an advertisement but twin was right on.... Support your local shop. you never know when you have a problem and need something now not next week.

Coffee · Since 23 Jun 2006 29 Posts

Ok. So according to www.portlandmaps.com the owner of ASI purchased the building and land on March 6th 2006. So I wonder who’s making some MAD MONEY now? If he get’s the asking price of $650,000 he’ll make a sweet $295,000 in eight month!!! Oh yea, that’s a lot tee-shirt sales!!!

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Coffee: Did you search by address? What is the address...? A lot of times portlandmaps.com is not updated...but who knows... I have other engines I can search public info. on. and transaction history, etc.

I agree with all of you, I spent my share of $ at ASI, in fact I volunteered there when I moved here and had no job. Tak was way nice and I go tto meet a buch of kiters through it..and they still gave me 20% off after I got a real job( only a couple of months but still) Anyways, of course people who have been kiting for a while and who upgrade kites everyear are going to buy cheap, wherever, whoever and of course whoever has the best Customer Service. When it comes down to it..its who will take care of you when something goes wrong. A lot of it comes from a feeling too... sometimes I just got the feeling they(asi) could care less if I bought a kite, sticker, or just walked by the shop. But, ho hating here, I just hope someone takes it over, or turns it into something similar. When selling kite gear at top price, you are only goin to sell it to unfamiliar kiters, (new-kiters, or parents buying for their kids.) I bought my share of full-price kites in my day. and with how fast kiting is growing, there should be new-kiters flocking through the doors in the next few years.
All good points, so....we'll see
In the meantime, anyone got the address?

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Nov 08, 06 10:12 pm

I've spent my fair share of cash at ASI as well. Even though there prices were a bit high, like real high on some stuff. I like buying local and all that but seriously, what would you do buy a kite locally or drive ot to HR and buy it for $150 less?

It is definately nice to have a local shop for quick purchases though.

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 424 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Eddie, yeah, zillow.com is for the birds....

No, j.k. I am trying search the title history...but pkh has it..

Well, we'll see what happens. Great location though.

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 561 Posts Hood River Photographer

i think storm warning is for sale too.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

ASI - You know what that place really needs, a 42" High Definition plasma flat screen mounted on the wall - throw in a nice 8 foot leather couch - maybe a coffee table w/ some peanuts and crackers...Just a little something to spice the place up a bit...I bet day in day out, you'll get someone at least, coming in not knowing what the fuck kiting boarding really is...They just came in to buy some shorts or maybe a t-shirt - and next thing you know, you got 'em watching some kickass kiteboarding vids. After all said and done, the dude might walk out with a trainer kite and maybe a few other extras...You just never know.
One more thing - Yes, Yes and Yes...."Support your local hood..."
Even if you walk in and cann't buy a kite cause you saw it cheaper online -big deal. At least buy a sticker...I bet even the smallest chunk of change helps out...
My Girlfriend runs a small business...Let me tell you this - it's not easy...!
Takes a lot of work, committment and it's not cheap...

skydiveblake · Since 28 Jun 2006 63 Posts San Diego

Back when Mark owned ASI, it was a pretty cool vibe - this was 5 yrs ago or so. Kiting was pretty new, and they were super-stoked to be spreading the word. They tried to give everyone the impression that even the newbies would get a deal 'cause they were trying to grow the sport.

Then the New Guy bought the place. He'd swagger all over Stevenson being a freaking dickhead to the locals, claiming Stevenson was an ASI beach, even though no one had seen him there in a year. After damn near going to blows with 4-5 people, he had the audacity to proclaim himself the owner of ASI and demand some respect - I'm not surprised he lost business. What an idiot.

I don't know who owns it now, or what the crew is now, but that guy did ASI some damage, and I know several people that went to GP immediately. And I bet they stayed, too.

It's too bad, 'cause the ASI crew were good peeps.

JW · Since 28 Jan 2006 227 Posts portland Stoked

mark is the owner and has been the whole time. he is the one who drove everyone away if you know anthing. mark is the problem- ask his staff Twisted Evil

know the facts before you speak.

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

true story, things were good before that nate dog dude came. we had a couch, a TV, magazines, and babes everywhere. i was only 13 but life was good. then he came, the chicks were first to go, white chicks, black chicks, book club chicks, highschool chicks, it was unbearable. the chicks took the couch and the tv with them and i had to quit.

NateDogg · Sat Nov 11, 06 1:24 pm **That crazy guy...**

Yeah, tucker is right, that nate guy gets all the bitches. I wouldn't be too hard on him though...don't hate the player, hate the game ya know? He's just gettin his and livin the dream. I even heard he had a brass pole in his basement, and that the couch matched it perfectly. And the tv. And the bitches. Now thats an A Game

JNETTE · Since 02 Feb 2006 149 Posts PORTLAND Stoked

YEAH NATEDOGG EVEN GETS THE ONES HANGING AROUND STEVENSON.....LATE AT NIGHT.....WANTING TO SKINNY DIP......AND JUST LOOKING FOR SOME FUN!!!!

TEE HEE Very Happy

JNETTE · Since 02 Feb 2006 149 Posts PORTLAND Stoked

YEP NATEDOGG AS THE "A" GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!