24 replies to this topic

[John Barresi]

Just polling to find who your favorite kite shop(s) are, and what what's set them apart for you... I'm sure other folks can benefit from that experience.

I also think it's important to recognize the folks that are working hard for you as fliers, and identify some of the things that have made them good to work with.

Feel free to post a URL as well if you like, but anyone who owns a kite shop should sit this one out unless they're addressing a comment in good taste.

If you have any horror stories, I'd be up for reading those too, short of outright flaming.

[kiteking]

Unfortunately there is no longer a kite shop in Tucson. I am into older kites so my sources are Ebay and forums to locate kites for my collection.

My last "new" kite was a REV from Dave's shop in Huntington Beach. I also order bulk line from Corey

Dave and Corey have both been doing the kite thing for a long time, their knowledge and service are both top notch.

Some of my favorite shops I visited over the years:

Kite Country - San Diego
Catch the Wind - Oregon Coast


no longer around:
Windborne Kites - Monterey, California
Grand Bay Kites - Traverse City, Michigan

[John Barresi]

Catch the Wind is on their last legs as well, from what I've been hearing through the grapevine.

[Jeepster]

This thread bothered me for awhile. There are many good kite shops out there, why single out a few? But then, in child rearing and management, we're taught to praise in public and chastise in private. So, maybe this thread isn't so far off the mark.

When I first bought a kite, I surfed the Rev and IKE forum for comments. Then I surfed the web for all kite shops that handled Rev kites ... nearest store-front kite shop is 150 miles away. I found about a half dozen kite shops where they had Revs as a large part of their inventory. I've had dealings with four of those over the last year-and-a-half and came out with a positive feeling every time. I've also met the owners of the four shops and they are as friendly and helpful in person as over the phone or internet. Oh yes, if they don't have what you want on their website, call ... they develop their kite flying, not their web sites. These are my favorite four:

A Wind of Change ... Kent has the best web site for surfing and day dreaming ... he's also very knowledgeable about Revs and willing to share that knowledge.
Kite Connection ... Dave's web site is so-so, but he more than makes up for it in helpfulness ... also very knowledgeable about Revs.
Midwest Kites ... Lyn and Rich are very easy to work with, plus they're only 100 miles from me so if I need it fast!
Windpower Sports ... Cory is the most opinionated, talkative individual you'll ever meet ... and has been fun to deal with!!!

I've not dealt with several of the others, but from personal experience, I'd highly recommend the above four. They all have a good inventory of kites, parts and support equipment. All four shops have left me feeling positive about working with them.

Cheers,
Tom

[Guru4tru]

Changing Will Roger's quote a little, "I never knew a man I didn't like." Well, "I never did business with a kite shop I didn't like!"

So far I've ordered from and worked with: "The Kite Shoppe", "A Wind of Change", "The Kite Connection", "The Great Canadian Kite Company", "WindPower Sport", & "Into the Wind" and they are all great!

I couldn't put them in any kind of "who's best" order any more then saying who is best out of a bunch of friends that are all willing to help me!

But, I would like to see Mike at "The Great Canadian Kite Company" advertise in Kitelife, because he's a great guy and really goes out of his way to make sure everything is right and we would both benifit from it!

Keep It Up!
Duane

[John Barresi]

To clarify, one of my reasons for starting this topic was to identify the traits that are making the difference for you as customers/fliers.

And of course, those shops who are on the mark with their service and products are actually doing kiting a favor just by doing good business.

By singling out these great shops, it helps identify a standard that other shops might look at and benefit from, doing us all a favor by making more happy kitefliers.

[tonycarl60]

I have ordered a lot of my kites from Into the Wind and have always gotten prompt excellent service from them.

[Baws]

I highly recommend Flying Smiles Kites! Located in Corolla, North Carolina. Cath & Elliott are more than willing to teach you to fly, without the pressure to buy. They made me a good deal on my first Rev, and it won't be the last one I purchase from them.



http://www.flyingsmileskites.com/

[Jynx]

Best lines and NICEST person ever is Theresa at The Kite Shoppe!

A super local kite shop, and host of our Milwaukee Kite Festivals, is Scott Fisher of Gifts of Wings! He's always ready to help us out and do everything in his power to make kiting in the Milwaukee area WINDerful!

Then there's Dave at Kite Connection who puts on the BEST Kite Party in the world, Lyn and Rich from Midwest Kites who are always ready to help answer questions, and also Corey from Windpower sports.

If price is #1 consideration... I have shopped that way too BUT it's nice to support the people who have helped bring me here and have become friends as well!

[FlyinKen]

Like Jynx said, T at the Kite Shoppe is great.
Elmers here in Porland has a good selection of all kinds of kites, and everyone working inside is always so friendly and helpful.
Above it all kites is a good place to stop and shop when in Seaside or Longbeach.
Got great dealing with Midwest Kites and Windpower sports.
Only been 1 major negative report. Both Aerochick and I had poor service from 1 online place.
( JB had to edit our flaming )
If your wondering about who we were not happy with, you will have to look at some real old posts.

Ken