Well I am writing this cos I am a little annoyed. A few weeks ago I ordered a new Severne NCX through a local business.
Normally I would have shopped around a little and maybe gotten a better price etc but because the local dealer said he wants to get more windsurf equipment in stock but to do so requires a little support from local windsurfers, I thought getting it through him was a good idea.
Now I placed the order a few weeks ago, I said I didnt need it for a week or so.
I rang him the week before I wanted to pick it up, he assured me it would be in that next week.
On the wednesday - still not in. Would be in late Friday so I can pick it up this morning.
Went in this morning and paid balance in full, and was told it would be in a little later. I rang around 11... it wasnt picked up in Melbourne so it will be Tuesday before transport for it can be arranged, so it looks like at least Wed or Thur before I can pick it up.
It was only coming from WA! I have had packages coming from overseas that arrived quicker.
Now I am not annoyed at having to wait longer (well maybe a little) but its more that promises were made but not kept.
I am now not sure that I will order any new bigger items (sails, boards, masts etc) locally. At least if I order them online (from one of the Seabreeze sponsors) I can count on a more accurate delivery date. Either that or drive to Melbourne.
Anyway thats my little rant over with. Now I can get back to watching the weather forecast and looking for little green arrows 
OB64, I think I know the shop you are talking about, I would order online if I was you, also some shops will freight stuff anywhere in Oz for free so you don't even have to drive to Melbourne.
Sorry to hear your sail has been delayed OB64. I have ordered 3 sails now from WA and each arrived within a week to my front door. I live 45 min from my closest local shop so for me this works great.
I know it sucks when people promise and fail to deliver. The problem is it natural for people to tell you what you want to hear.
Personally, having formally owning a small business, I understand the importance of giving good service and in return knowing the importance of positive cashflow.
If I ever buy new gear I will buy it from the local shop. Even if I pay more for it I do not mind because I think its fair to support the local bloke. Good luck getting the new sail. I saw a Severne sail and they are really nice looking. I am sure you will be happy with your purchase.
OB64, maybe the shop is getting the B/S run around from the supplier 
I don't have a local shop any more, but when I did, I bought every single piece of gear from him. Service was spot on and he was a big help with warranty etc. Nearly every one else got gear from else where, but expected him to have a $30 uni joint in stock to get them out of the poo when the wind was blowing 
Support your local shop, but if the problem is with him, flick him 
Well, thanks for supporting my business. Hope you enjoy the sail. What size are you getting?
Hi Ben, please excuse my ignorance but I thought Severne sails were owned by Starboard. Did you sell the brand to them, or is it like JP etc, or am I totally wrong and you own and run it? Sorry don't mean to stir the pot (so to speak) - just interested as to how the branding works.
It could be the transport company. Actually that is most likely the problem. I doubt the shop ordered it and then requested they deliver it late. I've found stuff from WA is always a little late.
Problem with ordering it delivered to your house is that Monday-Friday there's nobody home. Plus you don't get to go to the shop with all its lovely new gear smell.
...mmm, new gear smell. The slightest whiff of surfboard wax and I'm in Hawaii.
I think I'm spoilt .....
I support all 4 of my local shops at different times depending on what I want !!!!
Wait Awhile
famous for it.
8 of us out for lunch in hillaries yesterday. 1h 05 mins in time between the first and last dish being brought out, with NO apology from the waiting staff.
Service you just cant get in Victoria 
Hi Mate, i think you should not be too quick to ditch local stores, i work for a windsurf store on the east coast, i know what you are going through, any thing we order from the W.A that cant fit into one of those express post bags takes no less than a week to get over this side of the country, yes i have also gotten stuff quicker from over sea's, i have had boards take almost 2 weeks to arrive. it's definately the freight company's, there is no company that does it any quicker, i have tried. The problem is your sail had to go threw prob 3 or more depots before it got to the store, and they do it air freight, could not imagine how long something would take by land. anything we order from east coast suppliers takes no more than 3 days tops. if they have it.
Not sure if it was the store being slack and not order your sail straight away,but next time you do have to order something, get them to order it when your still in the store, i do this just so the customer has peace of mind, and also if it wont be available for a while they know straight away.
I know our store would bend over backwards to help a customer get the correct gear as soon as possible, any other store would be crazy not too.
Hey OceanBlue64, heard it all before. I know the shop you mean. Had a mate a couple of years ago deal with the same guy. He got sooooo frustrated. The shop owner gave him the run around for about 1 month. That shop was once a better windsurf shop, but now owned by a yachtie, always told my mate it would be in "By the weekend" just to make the sale, but then two weeks later "oops, sorry, still in WA". Shop up here in Melbourne or online.
OB64,
Been in that shop, the guy was keen for a sale until I mentioned w/surfing, then lost interest fast.....I think he thought I was a yachtie!! (must've been the Bali Rolex I was wearing)
Stonkers are trying to get more business, not sure what sail brands they sell, but they're w/surfers & k/surfers....experience counts for alot! In saying that, the NCX is a great sail! You won't be dissapointed.
Yes, support your local shop whenever you can. Why would anyone think that ordering online is any fatsre then ordering from the shop.
Any online order goes to a database (or email address) of a shop somewhere, where it then is subject to the same people issues you (might) have when you deal with a shop. I have had plenty of issues buying stuff online (not windsurfing though) and none buying from my local windsurfing shop here. I understand that the shop may not have what I want in stock, and if so that there will be a delay in getting what I want. That is the nature of a low volume niche business. If more people bought from the shop they may be inclined to carry greater stock, resulting in better service times.
Shops rock, I always get a good greeting, and have had plenty of good service for free (deliveries, batten fixing, demos and lots of advice). It would be much more hassle if there were no shop locally.
PS - I have no deal or contra with any windsurfing shop, I just prefer to have the service available then save a few dollars in a false economy.
JB
Mr Nobody
You could always contact your local store by phone rather than drive 2 hours there and back ?
I do the same thing and I find service is good and they can also arrange for shipping even just across town !
many people are forgetting about the phone and always go straight to electronic means.
Most businesses still have phones... at least here in South Efrica any way
back to supporting your local shops i was at that shop stonkers in torquay on the weekend and picked up a second hand wave fin (power box) that i've been looking on ebay for ages, the guy there was very helpfull and seem keen on sailing had a bit of gear he sells for people on consignment, easier than waiting on ebay.
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