Other brands

[scottso]

OK, since I just joined this forum, I might as well ask all the questions I've been wanting to . . .

I've been wondering about why you guys don't have more brands of fitness skates available. Specifically, are you guys planning to get Fila skates in? How about the Bont Alpha and Semi-race? And is there any chance you might be able to get Roces skates from Europe?

I guess most of this has to do with distributors, or lack thereof, but I know that Fila has U.S. distribution. I would love to be able to look into them and possibly order them from a great company like you guys instead of dealing with somebody else (or somebody overseas!).

[IW Staff]

Glad you asked..

Fila we've actually attempted to get. The support for this product isn't very high. So if we did get it, warranty and parts and all that would be very difficult. We like to be able to take care of the skater after their skate purchase rather than just sell a skate and then say.. see ya. Good luck finding a brake.

Bont we've been close to bringing in. They are in Australia and would drop ship which limits control over that item. Very expensive, but good stuff.

I'll revisit the Fila again and have contacted them today.

Thanks again for the post!

[scottso]

Thanks for the prompt reply!

Good to know about Fila -- if their support is lousy, then it would make me question whether I should buy from them at all. Too bad, because their skates look pretty good (especially the Nighthawk series with the steering frame). But if you could get them I bet people would be interested.

As for Bont, on their website the Alpha is listed as $235-250. For all the features and construction you get, that strikes me as a very reasonable price. (I'm hoping that that the crashing US$ doesn't make them raise their American prices!)

I think you guys should try to get as many brands as you can -- your customers will definitely appreciate the options.

Last thing -- is Reebok coming out with any more models besides the entry-level one you guys are carrying now?