Several weeks of your local newspaper

Cash or Check

As long as it takes

2torial #0561: Learn2 Buy Used Skis "Have you seen ski prices lately!?" Shopping for used skis is a time-honored tradition. Families often can't afford to keep growing kids in new skis every year or two, and many ski bums can't afford to buy a new pair of skis at all. Fortunately, there's plenty of good, used equipment available at much more reasonable costs. Spend some time gathering and cleaning any equipment that you no longer need. Someone else may be looking for just what you have in that hall closet. Go to places that offer used skis Here are a few of the most common places to find used skis, as well as used boots and ski clothing. Ski swaps are seasonal events that are held nationwide. Generally run by church groups, local ski clubs, or even schools, they're a lot of fun and a great way to meet other skiers. Start looking in your local newspaper around mid-September for notices announcing swaps. Flyers are often posted around town, and the old word of mouth still works pretty well too. Prices are generally set by the owner of the equipment, and a small percentage of any sale is given to the organizers of the event. Don't set your prices too high or your items will seem expensive compared to everyone else's. Ski swaps work like this: A drop-off night is arranged by the organizers, usually a few nights before the sale. Technical people will inspect all equipment to make sure that it's skiable and safe, so don't bring any bear trap bindings.   A preview night is often arranged so that the most serious buyers have a chance to check out the wares and find the gems. Then they make sure to be there when the sale doors open.   Remember that the best stuff goes fast, so get there as early as possible and hold onto whatever you're certain of buying. Be nice to each other, though, as arguments over ownership are often resolved by ejecting both participants. Ski shops often have rental or leased equipment from last year sitting in a corner of the floor. It's easy to overlook these items when surrounded by bright shiny new toys, but some good equipment, especially in odd sizes, can be found amongst the battered warriors. Newspapers always have sporting goods listed in the classified section. Prices are generally a bit higher than other sources, but the equipment can be in very good shape. Bargaining is allowed, but if you annoy someone by offering half of what they posted as the selling price, they just won't sell it to you. Bring along your own boots (if possible) It's a good idea to bring along your own boots. Bindings have a limited range of adjustment, and if the seller has a foot much larger or smaller than your own you'll have to take it to a shop to be remounted. Add the extra cost into what you'll be paying for the ski. If you're in the market for a full set of gear, buy your boots first Know what to look for Fortunately, skis rarely have damage that can't be revealed by a visual inspection and a few good flexes of the ski. The following steps tell you what to look out for. Examine the bindings Many times, skis will be sold with existing bindings on them, so inspect the bindings as well, and don't count on using them if they're more than five years old, or heavily worn. Never ski on used bindings with out having a proper release check performed at a ski shop. Study the ski as a whole Take a good look at the entire length of the ski. Chips in the topskin won't affect performance, but chunks out of the sidewall allow moisture to get into the body of the ski. The camber is the (intentional) bend of the ski that provides the spring in your slide. Make sure the skis still have good camber by laying them both on a flat surface. The middle of the skis should rise from the surface to an equal height, usually from one to two inches up. Check for clues of improper storage Put the tails of both skis on the floor, and hold the tip. Flex the ski by pushing in the middle, and see whether both feel similar. Listen for crackling sounds, which indicate a ski that's been stored in too warm an area and has materials that have dried out inside. That ski will not last as long as one that has been stored properly Look for signs of repair Look along the edges of the ski, to see if any repairs have been made. If the edge was blown out, you'll see a section of metal that's been replaced, along with a section of base material. A good repair, that leaves little or no gap in the metal is not a reason to immediately reject the ski. However, this edge will never be as strong again, and the section is more likely to tear out again when caught by rocks or branches. Look closely all along the base of the ski. Every ski base gets new material patched into it, but sometimes you can see the inside of the ski through a patched area. Again, it's not a reason to summarily reject the ski, but the price should be adjusted accordingly. If you should happen to buy a ski with a repaired base or replaced edge, use the side of the repair as your outside edge when skiing. That will ease the chances of further damage because mose of the strain is placed on the inside edge of the ski. -end- Learn More!