As you've come to expect be it text or video, here's another VERY In Depth Review!
So I REALLLLLY wanted to give Carriers Skate a 5 star review because the staff and owner were extremely helpful. Unfortunately I had a couple hiccups that wouldnt let me do that.
So let me start out with the good!
The girl who works the counter is helpful, friendly, and if she doesnt know something will check for you and follow right up, even if its not the answer you were looking for. I CANT stress enough how in the current age of people being afraid of human contact and hiding behind text message how important it is that someone follows up with you, with an answer on something your'e waiting for even if its not going to make you happy. To that I give her major MAJOR respect!
The owner is very knowledgeable and also skates. Mentioned giving skating instructions so he's clearly passionate. Also he was very very helpful when we came at him with a ton of questions!
When it finally came down to ordering, it was easy, painless. I ordered BEFORE they opened thru their website, and being the very hands on individual that I am, fully intended to call them as soon as they opened to confirm the order. You can imagine my surprise when 30min BEFORE they opened I got a call from the owner! I requested during our conversation that he do his best to send out the skates that same day so I could get them ASAP. And he did just that! I even requested UPS instead of FedEX because in my area FedEX drops the ball pretty hard. And he came through on that too! Over all the person to person interaction is a 5 STAR thru n thru!
Here's where I had a few issues. On my "notes" section online, I requested a few extra spacers to be thrown in, which I did not get. On the phone I requested "Original Packaging". Being someone that is BIG on the unboxing experience, this is something that I also did not get. The box was badly damaged, and wrapped in tape like a mummy. I cant remember the last time I got a package where the item box was also used as the shipping box, and for a good reason. For anyone who's ever wondered why Amazon ships, box in a box and even sometimes a box, in a box, in a box lol... the picture included is exactly why.
On top of that they have a 48hr return policy. Which just isnt long enough. In an age where 30 day, 60 day, and holiday 90 and 120 day returns are a thing, 2 days... just doesnt cut it. I can think of at least a dozen reasons why you may not have time to check out what came in the mail within 2 days, not to mention put it through it's paces to make sure its going to work for you. In a world with Amazon and other on line retailers, mom and pop shops cant pretend they dont exist. You dont have to BEAT Amazon and friends, but you cant pretend they dont exist.
The box I got wasnt just beat up but it seems it was a returned item as well. Powerslides ship with a "seal" much like things you buy in the grocery store. Mine were both broken though one was attempted to be placed into position. One of my boots were missing the protective sleeve that comes with it as well. The quality of the items inside however were flawless (as far as I can tell as I'm writing this just 12hrs later). All factory essentials were also included.
As an avid shopper, I'm used to returned items being sold as USED and im sure you are too. I'm also use to "open boxed" items being sold at a slight discount, and im sure you are too. But the biggest thing is that I REQUESTED "Original Packaging" just to be on the safe side. And I got a returned (or at best, open boxed) item with the seals broken.
As a retailer you never know if someone is using the item for themselves, giving the item as a gift, or maybe even reselling the item else where. Thats why its ALWAYS important to make sure the item you sell is NEW and appears that way. And if it is not, then to always make sure to list it, AND sell it as such.
Out of the 4 skate shops I ordered from, during my little test I found this to be the 2nd best. with InlineWareHouse being number one in quality and shipping speeds and selection AND a long return policy to boot! Carriers pulls 1st place in one department, and thats Skate Knowledge. If you have questions before you purchase, this is the place. If you know EXACTLY what you want, then I.W. may serve you better and in a, perfect undamaged physical package.
All in all skate shops tend to fail on customer service but deliver in product knowledge. ProSkatersPlace another popular website (located in Canada), came in last place... maybe not just last out of the 4, but last on the entire internet. You can find my review for there on my profile. Long story short.. avoid ProSkaters Place at all costs.
As for Carriers, 2nd place out of 4 isnt as bad as it could be! Hope to see them improve their shipping quality, pay attention to the note section of orders, and boost that return window in the future.
Very friendly and helpful staff though! read more