Did anyone notice......

..... Kitesports new ad to the left...?

BEST brands, BEST advice, BEST service.... ?

Is Tim moving to the darkside and going to start stocking BEST Kiteboarding products....?? :shock:

If so, you can put me down for a 11m Yarga/Tempest at NZ$700 or even a 13m at NZ$750....

But somehow I can't see it happening......

Spig

Rock on Best!
There has been a lot of talk on the USA www.Kiteforum.com about the success of BEST, their new kit and their new awesome prices for 2005.
Its worth a read for sure.

This year you save an even bigger bundle of cash on your new kite.

FYI ...you can get Best direct from
www.bestkiteboarding.com

or locally from

Anabatic Kiteboarding
09-4262444

The problem with ordering direct from BEST's website is that they use Fedex for their shipping, which means a massive US$200 (NZ$280) shipping charge...!

Add the import duty of 12.5% (NZ$100 on a NZ$750 kite), and it starts to get up there....

Still an 13m Yarga (kite only) works out at about NZ$1,200, which compares favourable with similar sized kites from Slingshot which have a retail of over NZ$2,000

What are Anabatic selling 13m Yarga's for I wonder...?

I am just working through the new prices from BEST.
Looks like a new 2005 16m will sit around NZ$1125 inc GST
I will have confirmed new prices online on my web site later this week.

Check this...
New 8m $795 NZ inc GST
Not too shabby eh!

Hi there, The point I'm trying to get across in my advertising is the value of good advice, service & quality brands or products. Most people getting into this awesome sport, or who are already part of it will understand how important it is to get the right information, tuition, etc, so they can make up their own mind about where & how they spend their $.
I've been using 'BEST' in my advertising before kiteboarding was the addiction of choice for anyone, or even Mr Best had his brainwave on attacking the kiteboarding market.
It is purely a sight I set my standards on, not my surname.
In no way do I have anything to do with that brand, as it does not fit into my criteria for a product I'd sell. Neither would I buy a China kite & brand it myself.
I only sell the BEST brands, & try to give the BEST advice, all this while striving to achieve the BEST possible service.
Go to my website if you wish to find out what I consider to be the BEST brands on the market, flick me an email if you need any advice, I'll be all to happy to help.
Cheers, Tim 8)

Interesting, but the advert can be read quite differently, as it has already been pointed out.

BEST is well proven in the market.
And the BEST prices allow more kiters a much broader quiver.
BEST listened to the market that was screaming out about the prices for kites being so high. So released a quality product at an awesome price.

If you don't want to be associated with BEST because your shop doesn't sell the BEST brand, you could change your advertising to read "Quality".
or something equally as positive. It could work as well or better for you and remove the confusion you have created.

For more info on BEST in NZ kiters can talk to me directly, just ring Anabatic kiteboarding. Ph: 09-4262444

We also have several other great brands in stock as every rider has their favorite and loves a choice.

new clips just loaded...
BEST have some excellent video footage online.
For those wanting to see them go to www.bestkiteboarding.com

What ever you ride, get out on it and have some fun!

Lee

Anabatic Kiteboarding

Tim

Don't worry, I was not 'confused' by your new ad style, as I knew better than to think that the 'BEST Kiteboarding' brand would be making an appearance at Kitesports...

Your reputation for providing the BEST Service & Advice is second to none according to many members of the kitesurfing fraternity in the CHC area. Whenever I ask a question around here I am nearly always being directed to talk to you at Kitesports.

As for whether you stock the BEST Brands, surely this comes down to your own subjective opinion of what meets your self-proclaimed 'criteria' level. I for one would be very interested in understanding what the criteria are, and why BEST Kiteboarding products fall outside of them..? If a kite made in China or elsewhere in SE Asia is a criterion for not stocking a product, I think you should look at where Naish/North/Slingshot kites are manufactured.

There appears to be plenty 'objective' opinion in the major Kite Forums if you look for it regarding BEST Kiteboarding product being at least up to the quality level of the major brands, if not superior in certain area's, (customer service being one of them). Equally you can find a mass of 'subjective' opinion of why BEST product is inferior, they dont invest in R&D and how they are 'destroying' the retail kiting industry. I believe that most of this subjective opinion is from people that either have a lot to lose from cheaper kites, from an elitist sub-set of kiters that fear that change will make them look less 'alternative' or 'extreme', or simply from people that have never flown a BEST product. Being in the minority round here and having flown a BEST kite, my objective opinion of them is high, but I would naturally tell anyone that asked that they should try one before they buy... This is obviously a little difficult when the local retailer wont stock them on some ethical pretext regarding criteria & standards.

I would have expected the premier kite sports retailer in the South Island to be a little more open-minded to providing a broader range of product to an ever-increasing market. Kite associated sports are now fully mainstream, as you cannot turn on the TV these days without some advert using the 'sexy' kitesurfing/boarding image to sell product. As more and more people look to get into the sport how many of them are going to differentiate between you and other outlets, based purely on your superior advice & service, especially if it's going to cost them twice as much to buy their first kite..? Those less affluent than most of us here will have little option but to buy online or elsewhere, missing out on your valuable advice & service. Then when they have taken this alternative route to getting their first kite they may not see the value in spending $500 plus on lessons either...?

My business experience tells me that I would look to sell more reasonably priced equipment to entry-level kiters, with an eye to on-sell my superior service, advice, lessons and possibly other more expensive brands going forward.... But hey, thats me....

In respect of supplying BEST kiteboarding product I suspect that you are either being elitist or opinionated. Prove me wrong..

PS>> BTW...I sent you a nice long email before Easter looking for some advice, and as yet have had no reply... I'll PM you my professional email address and maybe I'll get a reply.

Easily the (excuse the pun) best post i've seen on this forum. An honest and unbiased look at what shops should be doing for the kite community.

PS We all know PL kites are the future
PSS China kites are a manufacturer
PSSS I think all kites are made in China anyway

Hi Lee, since we're here knee-deep in the BEST,
I'd just want to know what is your reaction as a BEST retailer when you see the mailings like "BEST slashes prices" (for those still unspammed, example: Yarga starting at 299 instead of 499, ) . Do you have to align yourself on these prices (therefore cut your profit or lose money on the kites you bought before this) or keep your prices as they are and take the risk to have all your customers go direct online... and you'll still have to cut the prices at the end of the season.
I had always understood the BEST strategy to be "let's cut the middle man" but this time it seems to me like they will even screw their faithful middle men as well.
Is it the BEST business practice ?
Cheers
Alex.

Obviously BEST kites are the cheapest kite on the market, & that has got to be good for getting more people into the sport, especially when price is the main deciding factor for getting into the sport or not. This new player is in no doubt going to stir up changes in the industry, especially when you can bypass retailers & distributors. My opinions are based on the kites I've seen, taught students with who own a Best, & used myself while teaching these same students, some things were good, like general performance, others not so good, like the user friendliness of the kite for a beginner & the lack of detailed construction was not surprising. I've talked to others who are flying these kites, & some say they like them, & good on them as any kite is better than no kite, I'm sure there's been improvements in the 05 models. This was supposed to be the season for a big shake up in the industry, but I guess some people need us retailers, & I think we'll see more changes, as it's still relatively a new sport. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing, I'll cut deals on packages, give FREE lessons to bring more people into our awesome sport, back our kite club, help organise regular events, & ride the wave of NZ kiteboarding, more kites the better.
Tim 8)

KITESPORTS do give the BEST advice, have the BEST service and stock the BEST brands.

1st: BEST advice which I use all the time!
2nd: BEST service in which they always are happy to help and more than happy to sell you things (unlike a little store on Orewa beach front that I poped into sometime around Xmas, Once I got inside the man didnt even offer service or advice ,and to top it off I was wearing a kiteboarding Tshirt that says KITESPORTS in a nearly unmisible size font across the front but still no help!)
3rd:BEST brands like slingshot, peter lynn, underground, DECAY, DaKine

Great shop and Great add Tim

Martin

PS Thats a true story!
PSS The man who worked in the shop had no customers nor looked like he was doing anything
PSSS There was a large sign on the side of the shop that made me think it was a circus!
PSSSS Is Unmisible a word?
PSSSSS Do you get a "money back guarantee" on your BEST kites from Anabatic like you will from the WAREHOUSE!

AlexB

Thats not how the business runs... In simple terms a Kite manufacturer will offer product to a national distributor, who then in turn offers it to the local retailers.... Remember each step in the process from manufacturer to customer, the sales person wants to make a margin (ie profit), on the sale. When you consider that an average margin can be somewhere in the region of 40%, things start to get expensive....

In the case of BEST Kiteboarding, they will be offering direct retailers product at somewhere between 25-40% below the quoted BEST website price, plus a nominal amount for shipping & payment terms on the cost of capital. This means that the retailer gets the kites before having to pay for them, (on 15-90 day terms), and be 'obliged' to sell them at a similar price to that of the BEST online outlet. In the BEST model, they have cut the prices recently that in effect means a lower margin to the retailer, (40% of $700 is less than 40% of $1400), but the increase in sales throughput should see the profit for the retailer improve in the longer term.... Additionally BEST appear to have a policy of crediting their retailers for existing stock when base prices decrease.

(Have a read of: www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=...9&highlight=)

In my mind the 'BAD GUY' in the current market is not the retailer but the manufacturer. It costs less than US$200 to manufacture a large-scale production run of mid-range kites in China these days, and even with the cost of R&D, patent royalties, team sponsorship, and intangibles, the US$1,400+ price tags are difficult to justify.

BEST Kiteboarding are the first manufacturer to bring down prices to a more realistic level and have gone some way to eliminating the middle man to the benefit of the end user with their online presence. Instead of fearing BEST, retailers should be falling over themselves to be able to supply recognised quality product to the new converts to the sport at a reasonable price.... It's not as if BEST is gouging the retailer of their margin, there is still plenty of profit to be made in this young industry.

I remember when you could only buy a desktop PC from IBM.....

Spig

Just to be asolutely clear on this.... I fully support Kitesports and the wealth of 'value-add' that Tim himself brings to the sport, without which I suspect there would not be such a good scene here in CHC.

I don't however support the law of economics that states that the cost of an in demand item is equal to the price that the market will bear. In the end it's my money after all....

Nuff said

Spig

Why are people moaning about cheaper kite prices? Wish my PL kites were as cheap as tubes.

Lee

Those BEST prices are really competitive....

That would make a 12m Nemesis around $1,000 (kite only) and the 14m around $1,100 (kite only). Nice...

Will you be able to match the 'Free Pulley Bar" offer that the BEST website is offering...?

And are you likely to stock the BEST Tempest for the snowkiters out there...?

Cheers

Spig

Anabatic Kiteboarding chose BEST Kiteboarding as a supplier based on their meeting ou expectations on quality, service and inovation. Their products have exceeded our expectations and riders all over NZ are enjoying the benefits of the new price model.

All our stock is purchased up front, not on terms, its then shipped to NZ by air or sea depending on the port of departure, cleared through NZ customs, Duties and GST paid, then racked up on the shop wall ready to ride.

BEST sell direct from their web site, so do we.
BEST are currently sitting on a +4 week lead time as the new prices have created huge demand for kites. So be patient if ordering direct from them.

Anabatic has a great selection of these new kites available here in store right now.

It's been a busy week but I have managed to up date the

www.anabatic.co.nz web site with all the new kite prices.

A new 14m kite starts as low as $895 inc GST.

Only one more day left on the Free Pulley bar offer as BEST have almost totally sold out of them. I only have a few pulley bars left here too.

Cheers, Lee.

no offence intended lee200 - but for someone who reportedly rants against this forum and all who use it - you don't seem to have any moral crises exploiting my good humour with your blatant advertising.

We are all posting under the header. "Bleat Rant. Have your say..."
So no moral crises here.

FYI-I don't rant against this forum and all who use it.
Thats a bit harsh mate. But then it is as they say a "FLAME"

All Forums have a tendency to slant towards negativity and thus not put forward a positive image to outsiders. FLAMING is the cause of this and is present on most all un moderated forums.
It's the potentially negative side to forums I don't like, not the people using them.

Hey, hope you got to work on time the othe day.
Glad I could help with opening your locked car door after you had locked the keys inside. Stuck at Shakers when your supposed to be at work wouldn't be all bad if it was actually windy.

L8R

thanks again for busting my car door open! signs of a misspent youth or are you just handy with number eight wire?

FYI - reputable sources do report your remarks on this site to me and some of them are not garnished with flowery aromas. i can understand this especially when anonymous goons have recently wound you (and me) up. whatever you say or think is totally cool, but (if you are seriously tweaked about it) it does seem a bit rich that you use the site when it suits you for peddling your wares.

everything has potentially positive or negative uses - even number eight wire. you are a kiter and you are welcome to use this site as you see fit, even without an appropriate advertising contribution. all i ask is you don't dis it in private and milk it in public as you might end up confused.

i'm not remotely stressed about any of this myself - just stuck at work late on friday night with no-one to argue with except a dominatrix, an unlimited supply of wine, a kickass computer and very few recent kiting memories, except the sick taranaki footage i'm cutting on imovie in stolen moments.

go lee! go anabatic! GO BEST! GO TO HELL FLAMERS! BRING ON THE WEEKEND NORTHEASTER AND STAY OUT OF MY WAY YOU @#%&*$! FUN BANNERS, TROUBLEMAKERS, P-FREAKS AND JINGOIST WOWSER MOFOS.

Fuckyaaa to you all!!!

Both Shann and our sister lee must learn to take their medicine!!!!

I too have heard our sister Lee say the most terrible things about this paradise of a forum yet he still uses it for his own ill gotten gains- It is not the BEST in the big caps. Allah does not approve of this double edge sword of an attitude.
However I thought our sister Lee shop was now just a simple surfboard hula hut and not the hardcore kite shop that he calls himself soon you will be able to buy large windsurf sails, a handy leg rope and a soy latte.

Good swell this weekend with this light winds tis time to break out the wave board. Maybe we will see you in the lumps.

I am considering a big rush off to Fiji as the cooler winds of change start to blow no doubt our sister lee will soon be giving kiting lessons in the snow planet
I picked up a wind n kite magazine in there while having coffee last week maybe he has beaten me to it!

Allah and Hazels love to you all
Brother thrasher you are an inspiration to all those who would like to dangle keep up the good workI am not mr big nose

osama - you need to get out of your cave - its friday night man!

Soy latte....?
Now thats an idea!
I could sell the BEST Soy latte in NZ.
I think I will get the Best Soy Latte name established with a super deal.
Buy Two of the Best Soy Latte & Get one free!
But would this upset the current mindset of how one should buy a Soy Latte?
Would the masses accept this new retail change.
Would this Soy Latte taste any different. How could anyone possibly sell Soy Latte at this price?
Ye Gads, its going to be the end of all Soy Latte Cafe's in New Zealand.
People could order their Soy Latte off the internet and never need to go to their Local Expert Soy Latte Cafe again.
Die hard cafe owners would cringe at the BEST Soy Latte, others might call me the Stephen Tindall of Soy Latte.
Would I become a retail god or the devil incarnate. Would I ever learn to spell. Would the South Islands BEST Soy Latte outlet sell the BEST other brand of Soy Latte but not want to be associated with the real BEST BEST Soy Latte and its evil pimp. Would the world debate the margins, invent the philosophy and masturbate over the enormous amount of cream I'm skimming off each Soy Latte into my own Soy Latte vat.
The Dr Evil of the Soy Latte trade industry.
The customers Best Soy latte friend.
The interweb would be dominated by Soy Latte dribble and much frothing at the mouth.
Would my Soy Latte taste so much sweeter.
Would anyone ever buy a different Soy Latte again or would they only buy the best from now on.
Oh my brother Osama you are indeed a great philosopher, a bearded bunion of wisdom. I will think kindly of you from now on, you have inspired me so.
The Best Soy Latte is the future. Drink from my cup, buy two and get one free.

ttp://www.revivalsoy.com/products/coffee/blend...0a2210CBF3jGm2FE85B7

indeed i miss the good old days where we could come in as guests and rant and rave.

but as with all republician right wing maniacs, the freedom to rant and flame while under a veil of guestousness has been taken away for fear of terrorism and religious fundamentalism takin charge... in spite of the religious fundamentialism of the man himself.... i'm talkin about Bush not Osama

the connection between Bush and the compulsary registration of logins has cleaned up the forum, taken away the radicials and made it very un forumlike indeed.

Brother Lee is an inspiration to us all with the blanket preachings of BEST and anabatic... a fine product and a fine kiteshop.

A rousing F$#@%k yas to the entities that follow....

Anabatic
Kiteworks
Winter Squalls
Ihumateo Rd
Christchurch Poo Pond
C Quads
Homemade plyboards
22.5m North Rhinos
20m AEROs
Naish X10s
Wettie Warmers
Chaffing
Iraqi Beheading videos
Fluffy Dice
Dirroreha
www.ogrish.com
Fat Chicks
Helium Kites
Hydrogen kites
Uranium kites
Roaring forties
BEST kites

and the Smurfs


A big f#$@$k yas OBK... please send my love to Hazel.

Allahu Akbar.

Ive noticed a direct correlation on forums that if your not willing to put your name on and stand next to what you say but rather hide under a vial anonymity the larger the pile of shite that comes out of your gob.

Please let it blow 20knots so I cant hear any of it.

Joel.

hehe BEST soy latte. BEST bit of cynical humor i've read for while. ever notice how the usual level of mindlessness ad offensiveness increases with a lack of wind???

Lee_200

ROTFLMAO..... If Kitesports in CHC does not wish to stock your 'BEST Soy latte', then I am considering getting into the market myself.... Can I have the South Island 'BEST Soy latte' franchise...?

The times they are a changin'

Spig

I agree thrasher GO C-Quads!

And Mr Spiglord who from the good old south island would want to buy your 'BEST Soy latte' from your 'BEST Soy latte' franchise...?

Martin

hhmmmmm 'BEST Soy latte'..........

I haven't had one recently, I wonder where you can get one round here..?

Spig

COFF SHUT UP! :shock: :twisted:

Geez Spiglord!?! You wouldn't know what to do with one if it was handed to you anyway, ever thought of getting some kiteboarding lessons? I know a guy...
Tim 8)

Cheers Tim, appreciate the BEST advice, (priceless) :wink:

Just let me check with my bank manager and see if I can afford your lessons or do I now qualify for mates rates if I bring my own Ozone kite?

... have I mentioned how much I love my AIRUSH kites?!!!

PS: Thrasher, fat chicks can lose weight, you however will always be stupid and ugly!

I know Shaan, i know Brad, i respect Skyrider, i have kited with Lance, Adrian Roper makes kickass boards, Kane H and Gavin B are bloody legends...

but who the F$@#K is scei!!??

there is nothing worse in my eyes than a no-body who dares summon the beast from his sleep with ridicle like that. That is soo last year dude.. READ THE DATES!!

i ONLY accept flames and ridicule from people worthy enough to dish it out... like the string gods listed above.

your role, know it. Your mouth, shut it.

Now back to soy lattes.....

Oooooh, that smarts. Someone seems a little sensitive, nail - head scenario perhaps?

1. Who gives a rats who you know.

2. The saying "that is soo last year" is 'soo last year'.

3. Yeah, I'm probably a bit late in my response, might have something to do with me having a life and only reading this forum occasionally rather than ten times a day.

4. On an open forum anyone is worthy of 'dishing it out' - you're proof of the pudding in that. I don't see why you should have dibs on the privilege.

5. You might not know me, but I have only to read the drivel you so frequently post to corroborate at least one of my statements.

6. Keep an eye out for me mate. I'm not hard to miss - I'm the fat chick riding Airush kites. Come up and say hello, I'll let you know if I got it right on both counts. :twisted: ... or ask some of the 'legends' you mentioned in your post, they'll point me out for you. :wink:

she's a six foot tall beautiful blonde with air force training and she'll tear your heart out with one punch, and that's before she starts yelling at you.