KlingKlang 1 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Ski and snowboard rental. Always seems way expensive to me. But is it. Do the rental companies make a ton of cash, or not? Would be keen to know if they are ripping us off a bit or just about managing. Any insights? Link to post Share on other sites
ozsnowbum 9 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 most places seem pretty reasonable. best value board rental has got to be gentemstick in niseko. 2000 yen a day to rent a board worth 200 000 yen. Link to post Share on other sites
Error404 0 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 most places seem pretty reasonable. best value board rental has got to be gentemstick in niseko. 2000 yen a day to rent a board worth 200 000 yen. RENT NOW! Link to post Share on other sites
Error404 0 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 For the most part, over-priced. Sometimes outrageously so. I have actually done a rental day myself though where you can change models through the day. That was interesting to check stuff out. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I believe they make some serious money then sell the gear afterwards. I have thought about doing it in Perth for people going away. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I'd imagine the returns to be pretty profitable, some of the shit I've seen as rentals have more than paid for themselves. It's cool when the big brands do demo days....top quality gear that's usually pretty cheap....last year my brother did that with RIDE at Kagura. Was able to swap boards throughout if he wanted as well Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I would like to do that it would be good to try different boards on the one day Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 He didn't have to go back to base to swap did he? (At Kagura) Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 A good at-mountain shop with a variety of high-end demo gear where you can swap out a couple of times in a day -- good deal for trying out a few models to see if they're what you want. Typical low/mid-range gear where it would be a PITA to swap, not worth it IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Very expensive for shitty outdated equipment which they later sell on. Manufacturers have a hire line. The shit stuff they produce specifically for the hire market are leased to hire shops. There was a pic a member took a while back with stacks of hire stuff ready to be shipped off to second hand stores or something similar. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 He didn't have to go back to base to swap did he? (At Kagura) yeah he did.....but he didn't, due to the fact it was so far.....but the board he was riding was gnarly anyway Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 One of my personal dislikes about Kagura. It's just takes so long to get to. I've said that before, I know. I must go this season though, I haven't been for a bit. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Perhaps these pics http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/21654-old-skis Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 I suspect cheap, low end rental is more lucrative than expensive, high-end rental. As with many things, it can be completely wrong to assume the cheapest option is the best value. If its swappable, someone coming from o/s could rent pow skis on pow days and super g on others without having to buy two sets or carry them on the plane or store them in a tiny flat in Singapore. I buy s/h gear myself and I sometimes wonder how much use people actually get off their gear or how much the average gear cost per day is for them. I reckon loads of Japanese people will change skis with less than twenty five full days total on them, which at 60000 for skis and bindings is getting on for 2500 yen a time just for their skis. Everyone laughs at the 1980s pink and purple puke suit old timers with the 2m straight skis, but if they are doing it because they are too tight to buy something new, I simply pity them for forking out during such an unfortunate era. Their refusal to buy new stuff is something I wholly respect and endorse! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Most places that I rent from nowadays (when and IF I rent) have two options - basic board and bindings/skis, poles and boots OR demo board and bindings/skis, poles and boots. IMHO the demo stuff is worth renting, but if you are renting for any considerable period of time you are better off buying it. It is worth renting for convenience (if you are holidaying and adding just a day or so on snow to an off snow holiday then it makes sense to hire and not lug your gear), or to demo different gear. Personally when I am renting I turn it into a demo week anyway - then I am not so annoyed at the prices. The basic stuff in some of the cases I have seen was a waste of money and even a beginner would be better off on a demo board. Just pick one that is forgiving. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Standard ski set for one day at Y4500 is a total rip off. Link to post Share on other sites
ozsnowbum 9 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 why is it a rip off? Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 'cos they are ripping people off. Link to post Share on other sites
ozsnowbum 9 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 anyway.... as a business owner, i can understand why these places charge whatever prices they do. rent, wages, stock etc. it all adds up and they have to make a living somehow. i really dont think anyone in the ski rental business is making bank but who knows. besides, the vast majority of users on this forum arent the target market. rentals are mostly for punters and weekend warriors who ski like 5 times a year. im very happy to rent a set of skis for $50 to go skiing that one day a year im not snowboarding. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 anyway.... as a business owner, i can understand why these places charge whatever prices they do. rent, wages, stock etc. it all adds up and they have to make a living somehow. i really dont think anyone in the ski rental business is making bank but who knows. besides, the vast majority of users on this forum arent the target market. rentals are mostly for punters and weekend warriors who ski like 5 times a year. im very happy to rent a set of skis for $50 to go skiing that one day a year im not snowboarding. Also, if you were the owner of a ski rental shop, you get 4, maybe 5 months of income, which may need to last the whole year depending on what the off season situation is for that business. If it were possible for rentals to be cheaper, then there would be some shops doing it - and others would be forced to lower there price to compete. There is quite a difference in my experience though, between renting at the resort, and renting down the road / across the road from the resort - if you can get your rentals on the way rather than at the base area then you will most likely get them cheaper. And don't forget to keep an eye out for discount vouchers. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Specifics: Alpen Niseko 1 day ski set 4,500 Tomamu Hoshino Resort 1 day ski set 5,000 Naeba Prince Resort 1 day ski hire 3,900 These are four season resorts, doing golf n other stuff outside of the ski season. Their hire equipment are also sponsored by the likes of Atomic etc. That kind of money for 4 or 5 year old rental grade stuff is a total rip off. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Agree on that, so go down the road and hire from a small business instead. A quick google search found skis and boots in Niseko for 4000 yen and I am sure I can find cheaper if I keep looking. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Well, mama and papa places have far older equipment for hire. But I'd much rather spend my money there than get ripped off by the resorts. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 I don't think he's talking about some mom & pop place. You can rent excellent skis in Niseko for a reasonable price, Hakuba also. Many other place have yet to catch on to the business model, but I'd be surprised if they don't within the next few seasons. Link to post Share on other sites
yoroshiku onegai shimasu 2 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 OK so what is the business model? And what do you maintain is "reasonable"? Link to post Share on other sites
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