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Skateboarding => Skate Questions => Topic started by: slappyjoes on February 27, 2020, 04:12:18 PM

Title: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: slappyjoes on February 27, 2020, 04:12:18 PM
Asked this question in another thread and didn't get an answer. Is it worth it or is it overhyped?
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: SneakySecrets on February 27, 2020, 07:40:19 PM
You saunter in at 11:03am.  You’re late again.  You think about Criss Angel for some reason.  You haven’t thought about him for years.  Why now? Weird.

Electricity is constantly sputtering in and out as the two Doberman pinchers slam against the doors of the cage
as hard as they can.  The owner got them as guard dogs.  But animals, especially the bloodthirsty ones, would rip your throat out just the same as he would a burglar.  Nature doesn’t give a fuck about you.  Billions of animals all over the world are currently being murdered by other animals.  Basically everything in nature is trying to murder something on way or another, so what makes you think you’re so fucking special?

You are being monitored for your whole shift, recorded by a black and white security camera looking down on you like in a Las Vegas casino, lest you shove a pack of f4’s up your keister to smuggle out.  The mandatory rectal cavity search after each shift makes it almost impossible anyways.

In the back room, we find the Oracles.  There are four Oracles in the back room of every skate shop at all times.  They represent time, mercy, the color yellow and moon.  A telepathic tendril reaches out from the Oracles- you mind meld and communicate solely through images and splashes of light.  It is equal parts beautiful and terrifying.  You see God’s fingerprints.  You kiss the ring.

A mother is dragged in the shop by her son. She asks for your recommendations for his first board.  So you tell the dumb bitch Royals are the best trucks on the market.  You try to hide the smirk curling up on your face.







Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: slappyjoes on February 28, 2020, 12:50:32 AM
You saunter in at 11:03am.  You’re late again.  You think about Criss Angel for some reason.  You haven’t thought about him for years.  Why now? Weird.

Electricity is constantly sputtering in and out as the two Doberman pinchers slam against the doors of the cage
as hard as they can.  The owner got them as guard dogs.  But animals, especially the bloodthirsty ones, would rip your throat out just the same as he would a burglar.  Nature doesn’t give a fuck about you.  Billions of animals all over the world are currently being murdered by other animals.  Basically everything in nature is trying to murder something on way or another, so what makes you think you’re so fucking special?

You are being monitored for your whole shift, recorded by a black and white security camera looking down on you like in a Las Vegas casino, lest you shove a pack of f4’s up your keister to smuggle out.  The mandatory rectal cavity search after each shift makes it almost impossible anyways.

In the back room, we find the Oracles.  There are four Oracles in the back room of every skate shop at all times.  They represent time, mercy, the color yellow and moon.  A telepathic tendril reaches out from the Oracles- you mind meld and communicate solely through images and splashes of light.  It is equal parts beautiful and terrifying.  You see God’s fingerprints.  You kiss the ring.

A mother is dragged in the shop by her son. She asks for your recommendations for his first board.  So you tell the dumb bitch Royals are the best trucks on the market.  You try to hide the smirk curling up on your face.









Sounds nice
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: GumOnMyGrip on February 28, 2020, 11:05:47 AM
Negatives-
Bloody fingertips from gripping boards.
Pulling out stickers for the hundredth time for the 8 year kid that comes in to buy two stickers at a time.
Answering the question " why are these so expensive? Why are these any better than the ones at Taget/WalMart/Amazon...? At least once a day.
Keeping the shop rats in line from either spilling Coke on the shirts or trying to steal shoes.
Working Saturdays and dealing with the " I used to skate "  older guys or the internet research everything 30 year old skate nerd that won't shut up while you are trying to sell the hot milf and her kid a new complete.
Shit pay. No benefits.
It's either extremely boring middle of the day downtime or extremely busy 5 boards need setting up right now while 4 people are waiting at the register and you have to piss.
Having to stay behind the counter when the crew heads out to skate.

Positives=
Nothing smells as good as that new board smell. :) I swear it was one of my favorite things in the world to open the shop and smell that smell.
Advance info on most products. Sometimes free product to weartest.
The 8 year old buying stickers thinks you're cool.
The hot milf keeps looking at your crotch.
Plenty of time to get over your hangover/ usually later opening hours.
Kids occasionally get really stoked on buying their first serious setup. I loved that.

It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...

Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Fred Gerwer Frank Gall on March 03, 2020, 12:05:26 PM
Fun for a bit but unbearable when you know everyone else is having a great session on the mini ramp out back.... but you have to staff the shop...
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Uncle Flea on March 10, 2020, 09:33:00 AM
It was awesome even though I worked for product more or less.

All I did was skate around. The ski shop would page me and I'd go set up a board. I'd pick out the product and vacuum the carpet etc.

I tried so hard to set up events and expand that shop but it was a ski market.

I remember the day I first noticed they had boards. I was smoking a blunt under the bridge down town and I went in to the ski shop because I saw the yellow and blue? Oyola Zoo graphic in the window as I was walking by.

I knew it was a sign because I had pretty much quit for a bit and seeing Rick had a board made me un quit which led to here.

I would kill to have 20hrs a week at a shop today.

My family would freak and I'd hire a skater owned shop to tattoo my entire body as fast as they can
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: psuckadelic on March 21, 2020, 10:27:47 PM
Mostly sitting around acting like a pretentious asshole.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: pdknox on March 26, 2020, 07:51:20 AM
how does a shop order boards from the latest drop?  say someone like Real has new product https://www.realskateboards.com/spring-2020-drop-1/ , does the shop just call someone up and order?  Is there a form they fill out?  Do they upload a CSV file somehwere?


sprinkle me
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: tom on March 26, 2020, 02:30:01 PM
You either pre-order stuff, or you call up whoever your sales rep is and order what you want to get in. The shop I worked at let me pick out what we would get but they’d only order 10-15 boards from each distributor at a time, so I used to call Deluxe once every 7-10 days to get more. When you’re placing orders that much their stock also fluctuates

We had a flatbar and a bench so I’d bring them out front and skate whenever people weren’t there shopping. We had every video imaginable at the time, so when I wasn’t working or skating I’d watch skate videos. The two guys that owned the shop were kind of knuckleheads and used a lot of the profits to party, so the shop wound up closing down for good 12 years ago
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Ziad on March 30, 2020, 10:17:54 PM
Negatives-
Bloody fingertips from gripping boards.
Pulling out stickers for the hundredth time for the 8 year kid that comes in to buy two stickers at a time.
Answering the question " why are these so expensive? Why are these any better than the ones at Taget/WalMart/Amazon...? At least once a day.
Keeping the shop rats in line from either spilling Coke on the shirts or trying to steal shoes.
Working Saturdays and dealing with the " I used to skate "  older guys or the internet research everything 30 year old skate nerd that won't shut up while you are trying to sell the hot milf and her kid a new complete.
Shit pay. No benefits.
It's either extremely boring middle of the day downtime or extremely busy 5 boards need setting up right now while 4 people are waiting at the register and you have to piss.
Having to stay behind the counter when the crew heads out to skate.

Positives=
Nothing smells as good as that new board smell. :) I swear it was one of my favorite things in the world to open the shop and smell that smell.
Advance info on most products. Sometimes free product to weartest.
The 8 year old buying stickers thinks you're cool.
The hot milf keeps looking at your crotch.
Plenty of time to get over your hangover/ usually later opening hours.
Kids occasionally get really stoked on buying their first serious setup. I loved that.

It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
accurate
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: TheLurper on April 02, 2020, 09:09:07 PM
Expand Quote
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
[close]
accurate

This.


I was the TM and the hard goods buyer for shops I worked at. Shit, if I didn't have to worry about paying my bills, I think I'd start my own little shop.

The best part was sitting around the shop watching skate videos all day long, helping kids pick out decent set-ups, and then going out and skating with the dudes on the team. Oh, and reading the old Transworld Business magazines. It is lame, but reading those oversized magazines made me feel "cool."

The worst parts were the terrible pay, having fake ass "friends" who wanted me to sponsor them, and having customers ask me to re-grip their board. Re-gripping boards was a miserable experience.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: DotGuru on April 02, 2020, 11:42:34 PM
It was pretty cool. But I was young. I don't think I'd enjoy it much in post-college years. Retail sucks in general, but if you have to work in retail, it might as well be a skate shop.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: ThePeoplesChamp on April 03, 2020, 04:31:09 PM
basically a live version of slap
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: WobbleHeadBob on April 04, 2020, 12:19:16 AM
i liked it, its chill

the owner of the shop i worked in was older and out of touch he he pretty much let me and the other skater that worked there do the hardgood orders, we got to pick and choose what the shop carried. you get to know a lot of people behind the scenes and theres always soemone to chat skateboard nonsense with.

the mid day lull can feel like eternity when the sun is beaming through the window, the shop is dead and you know the bros are out seshing but you have to sit there in case someone wants to buy a pair of wetsuit boots..

as a first job it was rad but i think id go insane if i had to do it nowadays
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: El torso on June 17, 2020, 01:58:21 AM
I worked at a skateshop when I was 16. I’ve been working at skateshops on and off my whole life, usually for 3 or 4 years at a time. I went to college and got an undergraduate degree in critical theory. I still work at a skateshop. I’m 32. If I told you I felt like I was meeting my full potential, it wouldn’t be the truth. But a skateshop job, like a dishwashing job, is always available if you know how to look. The good part is seeing a kid’s face when they get their first board. Being involved with a local skateboarding community is arguably a reasonable way to live, too. Going on first dates and answering the question, “so what do you do for a living?” By saying I work at a skateshop is only marginally less embarrassing than saying “I’m a barista,” which is also true. Some people aren’t meant for success, in the traditional economic sense of the word. When my therapist asks me how I’m doing I’m not sure whether to lie and tell her “I’m ok” or lie and tell her that I can afford the therapy session. But I did once get to tell Koston he was a fool for not giving Antonio Durao a board and I once got a free pair of Ace trucks. All in all I’d say it’s totally worth it.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: fakie n0llie on June 20, 2020, 08:33:02 AM
They won't hire me at Zumiez even though I've bought so many cruisers there, so rude.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: wrTcHDfKN4nTZ on August 05, 2020, 06:50:38 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
[close]
accurate
[close]

This.


I was the TM and the hard goods buyer for shops I worked at. Shit, if I didn't have to worry about paying my bills, I think I'd start my own little shop.

The best part was sitting around the shop watching skate videos all day long, helping kids pick out decent set-ups, and then going out and skating with the dudes on the team. Oh, and reading the old Transworld Business magazines. It is lame, but reading those oversized magazines made me feel "cool."

The worst parts were the terrible pay, having fake ass "friends" who wanted me to sponsor them, and having customers ask me to re-grip their board. Re-gripping boards was a miserable experience.

I couldnt fucking believe how often people would ask me to regrip their boards. Like fuck me just buy a new deck. I started telling people to go do it themselves at home using a hair dryer or it was gonna cost an extra 10 bucks on top of buying new grip
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on August 05, 2020, 08:28:52 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
[close]
accurate
[close]

This.


I was the TM and the hard goods buyer for shops I worked at. Shit, if I didn't have to worry about paying my bills, I think I'd start my own little shop.

The best part was sitting around the shop watching skate videos all day long, helping kids pick out decent set-ups, and then going out and skating with the dudes on the team. Oh, and reading the old Transworld Business magazines. It is lame, but reading those oversized magazines made me feel "cool."

The worst parts were the terrible pay, having fake ass "friends" who wanted me to sponsor them, and having customers ask me to re-grip their board. Re-gripping boards was a miserable experience.
[close]

I couldnt fucking believe how often people would ask me to regrip their boards. Like fuck me just buy a new deck. I started telling people to go do it themselves at home using a hair dryer or it was gonna cost an extra 10 bucks on top of buying new grip

I will gladly grip 100 new boards, but I'm not re-gripping your damn board.

I would run the shittiest skate shop ever. Only trucks in stock are polished or raw, none of that adonized crap. Same with bolts, 7/8 or 1", black. Black griptape, none of that piss colored or Shake Junt BS. I would be the Raymond Holt (Brooklyn 99) of skate shops.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: wrTcHDfKN4nTZ on August 05, 2020, 10:01:36 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
[close]
accurate
[close]

This.


I was the TM and the hard goods buyer for shops I worked at. Shit, if I didn't have to worry about paying my bills, I think I'd start my own little shop.

The best part was sitting around the shop watching skate videos all day long, helping kids pick out decent set-ups, and then going out and skating with the dudes on the team. Oh, and reading the old Transworld Business magazines. It is lame, but reading those oversized magazines made me feel "cool."

The worst parts were the terrible pay, having fake ass "friends" who wanted me to sponsor them, and having customers ask me to re-grip their board. Re-gripping boards was a miserable experience.
[close]

I couldnt fucking believe how often people would ask me to regrip their boards. Like fuck me just buy a new deck. I started telling people to go do it themselves at home using a hair dryer or it was gonna cost an extra 10 bucks on top of buying new grip
[close]

I will gladly grip 100 new boards, but I'm not re-gripping your damn board.

I would run the shittiest skate shop ever. Only trucks in stock are polished or raw, none of that adonized crap. Same with bolts, 7/8 or 1", black. Black griptape, none of that piss colored or Shake Junt BS. I would be the Raymond Holt (Brooklyn 99) of skate shops.

And I'll be your Kevin ;)
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on August 06, 2020, 01:54:28 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
It's basically like any other retail job but usually a little more mellow. It's good exposure to the business side of the industry and a good way to make contacts.  It can also jade you completely to skateboarding if you let it...
[close]
accurate
[close]

This.


I was the TM and the hard goods buyer for shops I worked at. Shit, if I didn't have to worry about paying my bills, I think I'd start my own little shop.

The best part was sitting around the shop watching skate videos all day long, helping kids pick out decent set-ups, and then going out and skating with the dudes on the team. Oh, and reading the old Transworld Business magazines. It is lame, but reading those oversized magazines made me feel "cool."

The worst parts were the terrible pay, having fake ass "friends" who wanted me to sponsor them, and having customers ask me to re-grip their board. Re-gripping boards was a miserable experience.
[close]

I couldnt fucking believe how often people would ask me to regrip their boards. Like fuck me just buy a new deck. I started telling people to go do it themselves at home using a hair dryer or it was gonna cost an extra 10 bucks on top of buying new grip
[close]

I will gladly grip 100 new boards, but I'm not re-gripping your damn board.

I would run the shittiest skate shop ever. Only trucks in stock are polished or raw, none of that adonized crap. Same with bolts, 7/8 or 1", black. Black griptape, none of that piss colored or Shake Junt BS. I would be the Raymond Holt (Brooklyn 99) of skate shops.
[close]

And I'll be your Kevin ;)

We would only sell blank decks from Generator, no staining either.

"Why you you want graphics on the bottom of your board? Sliding or a ledge or rail will scrape off the graphic and make it impossible to see. It is a waste of resources."
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: LordManHammer on August 09, 2020, 07:51:54 AM
Positives meeting reps having heavy hitters come through to hangout if you are skint on funds just wait around for someone to setup another deck sometimes you might get a kickdown. Come in and chill out \don't really have to sweat anything just make orders and try to sell some stuff to those that actually want their specific gear.

Negatives holy shit window shoppers, that one guy that was sponsored by so and so and knew Jay Adams tells you all kinds of stories that you're like I don't care....... a long with a barrage of story telling that usually ends with a sale of a sticker or a shirt.  Wingnuts, randoms, and just batshit people I'm all for having that time in between lunch and closing to hear some news story or some random tidbit but it's entirely tiresome when someone trys to distract you while you are trying to upsell some rich kid with a Visa black on a set of ceramic bearings and wheels to boot. (yes I did make that sale along with those goofy wavy wheels) I was pissed as I had to remove grip but we've all gotta make that money.

The spazz kid who is really good but there's something off you help him out here and there but give him an inch and he tries to act like he works there too that always asks for shit.  Quasi drug dealers I have no tolerance for that shit if you are insistent on doing business do it somewhere's else  No I won't openly trade product for drugs maybe when I'm out of the shop and away from the business we'll talk but that's about it.

I tried the grip it yourself method if someone knows what they're doing but most other times either take it with you or I'll only grip it for kids and mums who do not know any better.



Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: theblandest on August 18, 2020, 08:26:32 PM
Worked at my local for 5 years.

Best experiences:
Getting that kid their first setup and watching them light up. Seeing them years later skating better than me.
Learning skate history.
Access to private ramps and indoor skatepark sessions.
First to try or see new product.
DM conversation with Riley Reid for free. Thanks SML_Aaron
Reps tossing free stuff.
Flatground in downtime.
Homie hangouts and video premieres
Connecting with other shops and being integrated into other cities' scenes.
Free places to stay on skate trips.

Worst experiences:
No heat in the winter.
Low pay, no benefits.
Getting robbed.
8-10 hour shifts in the summer.
Regrips and stripped hardware.
Kids requesting intricate griptape cuts when welcome first became popular. Go do it yourself kid.
Dealing with "I used to be pro in the 80s" dudes.
Selling disproportionate decks/trucks to people who didn't know better, wouldn't listen to reason.
Longboarders.
Fashion over function people.
People who wanted obscure brands or products that were decades past discontinued. (So many requests for Almost Saint/Sinner Mullen decks)
"Everything I know about skating is from THPS 1-4" people.

Just one of those good experiences make all the bad experiences worth it. I wouldn't take back those years for anything.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: hot take on August 20, 2020, 10:10:38 AM
It’s alright. I work at my local shop on the weekends. The money sucks but I do it because I love skateboarding. I’ve known the owners for a long time and I’ve skated for the shop for like ten years. It’s got a “family” vibe to it.

The only thing I don’t like is dealing with whiny, bitchy, arrogant, or clueless skaters. It can be boring if you don’t find ways to entertain yourself.

If you ever work at a skate shop you should realize how lucky you are to have that job. There’s probably a line of skaters trying to get at that job.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: LordManHammer on August 21, 2020, 12:01:03 PM
It’s alright. I work at my local shop on the weekends. The money sucks but I do it because I love skateboarding. I’ve known the owners for a long time and I’ve skated for the shop for like ten years. It’s got a “family” vibe to it.

The only thing I don’t like is dealing with whiny, bitchy, arrogant, or clueless skaters. It can be boring if you don’t find ways to entertain yourself.

If you ever work at a skate shop you should realize how lucky you are to have that job. There’s probably a line of skaters trying to get at that job.
Truer words cannot be said.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: TastyBurrito on August 21, 2020, 02:07:15 PM
Worked at my local for 5 years.

Best experiences:
Getting that kid their first setup and watching them light up. Seeing them years later skating better than me.


This alone has to be the coolest thing. Every time I get my nephew a new deck, watching him get stoked makes it worth it.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: GBLange on August 23, 2020, 07:33:51 AM
Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on August 23, 2020, 08:52:47 AM
Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..

@GBLange - are you in KL? I saw one of the big shops in Berjaya Time Square selling knock off boards, bearings and wheels from China, really depressing. I'm your neighbor across the straits and the situation here is only slightly better. There are only 3 shops, 1 core, 1 that over-charges and 1 that never has stock of anything new.

I gripped 3 boards this week for homies; fuckers have 101 excuses why they can't handle a blade and file. Also spent 45 minutes removing griptape from a board i wanted to keep as a wall hanger. My hands were so rough afterwards it made jacking off 7% less pleasurable than usual. And for that I cannot recommend working in a skateshop.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Phobos on August 23, 2020, 06:21:49 PM
Worked in a big chain of skateshops in 2011 for 3 months. Got kicked out supposedly because “i didn’t snowboard” when that was one of the main conditions i got hired. All my workmates were fucking douches which ironically were kinda deep in the local scene. Worked with fucking hot chicks, one got pissed at me that i didn’t make a move on her(which i did kinda regret but i’ve always been oblivious to chicks).
What else... i did get a tip once from a parent and i told him I couldn’t take it and he dropped it on the floor and left(it was 10$), when i picked it up my coworkers surrounded me and they seemed really salty.
I once got sent to reorganize the whole shoe section of our backstore while everyone else was doing jackshit. They ended up being surprised that i reorganized every fucking brands in an alphabetical order of models with sizes being all neatly orderly despite them fucking up my set up countless times.
At first there was a pot where we would chip in money for coffee and at the end i was the only one chipping in and everyone was always making coffee back to back without paying shit and i stopped chipping in.
The assistant manager already gave me shit for not going at the bars with them and that nobody from the scene would give a shit about me if i didn’t come(they were always vibing me out and i felt disliked/hated by everyone as time went on). I could go on and on but it’s really fucking stupid high school level bullying.

Funny thing is i got tons of customers telling me they’d tell my manager that i was doing such a great job.

Had a really shit experience.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: GBLange on August 24, 2020, 07:01:15 AM
Expand Quote
Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..
[close]

@GBLange - are you in KL? I saw one of the big shops in Berjaya Time Square selling knock off boards, bearings and wheels from China, really depressing. I'm your neighbor across the straits and the situation here is only slightly better. There are only 3 shops, 1 core, 1 that over-charges and 1 that never has stock of anything new.

I gripped 3 boards this week for homies; fuckers have 101 excuses why they can't handle a blade and file. Also spent 45 minutes removing griptape from a board i wanted to keep as a wall hanger. My hands were so rough afterwards it made jacking off 7% less pleasurable than usual. And for that I cannot recommend working in a skateshop.

Not in KL but in a tiny city of Miri, Sarawak.. just next to Brunei.. Kuching has some skateshops, like the well known Rupert Rage owned by William.. Been going to his shop since 1992.. I'm pretty sure i know which skateshop ur referring to in Berjaya Timesquare.. I compared the bones reds i got from them and with the one that i got from an authorized Bones dealer. Definetely fakes.. And i just came across an instagram page where this dude is making a Made in Malaysia skate trucks
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on August 24, 2020, 09:16:20 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..
[close]

@GBLange - are you in KL? I saw one of the big shops in Berjaya Time Square selling knock off boards, bearings and wheels from China, really depressing. I'm your neighbor across the straits and the situation here is only slightly better. There are only 3 shops, 1 core, 1 that over-charges and 1 that never has stock of anything new.

I gripped 3 boards this week for homies; fuckers have 101 excuses why they can't handle a blade and file. Also spent 45 minutes removing griptape from a board i wanted to keep as a wall hanger. My hands were so rough afterwards it made jacking off 7% less pleasurable than usual. And for that I cannot recommend working in a skateshop.
[close]

Not in KL but in a tiny city of Miri, Sarawak.. just next to Brunei.. Kuching has some skateshops, like the well known Rupert Rage owned by William.. Been going to his shop since 1992.. I'm pretty sure i know which skateshop ur referring to in Berjaya Timesquare.. I compared the bones reds i got from them and with the one that i got from an authorized Bones dealer. Definetely fakes.. And i just came across an instagram page where this dude is making a Made in Malaysia skate trucks

@GBLange - PM me the link? I got to check this out. I know there is a brand coming out of Indonesia? Was the drop in quality really different between the online Bones and original Bones? I wouldn't mid giving them a try since they are a few dollars.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Sedition on August 24, 2020, 07:15:58 PM
basically a live version of slap
I worked at a shop for six years. This is most on-point answer.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on August 24, 2020, 10:17:49 PM
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basically a live version of slap
[close]
I worked at a shop for six years. This is most on-point answer.


(https://www.meme-arsenal.com/memes/212eedab6c561803e7e9fc3408f6c4d3.jpg)
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: GBLange on September 15, 2020, 07:39:53 PM
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Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..
[close]

@GBLange - are you in KL? I saw one of the big shops in Berjaya Time Square selling knock off boards, bearings and wheels from China, really depressing. I'm your neighbor across the straits and the situation here is only slightly better. There are only 3 shops, 1 core, 1 that over-charges and 1 that never has stock of anything new.

I gripped 3 boards this week for homies; fuckers have 101 excuses why they can't handle a blade and file. Also spent 45 minutes removing griptape from a board i wanted to keep as a wall hanger. My hands were so rough afterwards it made jacking off 7% less pleasurable than usual. And for that I cannot recommend working in a skateshop.
[close]

Not in KL but in a tiny city of Miri, Sarawak.. just next to Brunei.. Kuching has some skateshops, like the well known Rupert Rage owned by William.. Been going to his shop since 1992.. I'm pretty sure i know which skateshop ur referring to in Berjaya Timesquare.. I compared the bones reds i got from them and with the one that i got from an authorized Bones dealer. Definetely fakes.. And i just came across an instagram page where this dude is making a Made in Malaysia skate trucks
[close]

@GBLange - PM me the link? I got to check this out. I know there is a brand coming out of Indonesia? Was the drop in quality really different between the online Bones and original Bones? I wouldn't mid giving them a try since they are a few dollars.

@rocklobster the trucks soo bad..seems like he's making his own cast/mold.. I've only compared the bones Reds. u can see the difference on the shields..the fake ones has "TM" instead of a "R" at the end of the Reds wording.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on September 15, 2020, 09:22:08 PM
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Worked part time at a local skate shop when i was 18..luv setting up new completes and pretending it is mine.. Back then a full set branded complete cost 400 malaysian ringgit..
Now 22years later, there's not a single skateshop in town.. A branded decks coat between 240-330 malaysian ringgit.. Plenty of fake Bones bearings & Spitfire wheels in the local market. And blank made in china decks & blank trucks..
[close]

@GBLange - are you in KL? I saw one of the big shops in Berjaya Time Square selling knock off boards, bearings and wheels from China, really depressing. I'm your neighbor across the straits and the situation here is only slightly better. There are only 3 shops, 1 core, 1 that over-charges and 1 that never has stock of anything new.

I gripped 3 boards this week for homies; fuckers have 101 excuses why they can't handle a blade and file. Also spent 45 minutes removing griptape from a board i wanted to keep as a wall hanger. My hands were so rough afterwards it made jacking off 7% less pleasurable than usual. And for that I cannot recommend working in a skateshop.
[close]

Not in KL but in a tiny city of Miri, Sarawak.. just next to Brunei.. Kuching has some skateshops, like the well known Rupert Rage owned by William.. Been going to his shop since 1992.. I'm pretty sure i know which skateshop ur referring to in Berjaya Timesquare.. I compared the bones reds i got from them and with the one that i got from an authorized Bones dealer. Definetely fakes.. And i just came across an instagram page where this dude is making a Made in Malaysia skate trucks
[close]

@GBLange - PM me the link? I got to check this out. I know there is a brand coming out of Indonesia? Was the drop in quality really different between the online Bones and original Bones? I wouldn't mid giving them a try since they are a few dollars.
[close]

@rocklobster the trucks soo bad..seems like he's making his own cast/mold.. I've only compared the bones Reds. u can see the difference on the shields..the fake ones has "TM" instead of a "R" at the end of the Reds wording.

Good looking out man, I'm going to try some of the $5 bearings off Aliexpress, see how they hold up. The Spitfire wheel they are flooding the market with look wack, the colors just aren't right.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 19, 2020, 08:18:40 AM
Skate shops are where the love is (or should be) but when they are combined with other things, it is not so much fun.

If anyone ever asks me to fix a scooter or roller skates or blades they get a polite but firm answer of NO.

That and owners or bosses who either don't skate or don't know anything about skateboarding are another pain to deal with.

If you ever get the chance to work in or even run a skateshop, never take it for granted and do it for the love of skateboarding, even if it drives you insane, doesn't pay the bills, or causes you other untold issues.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxuRVkhDiu/
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Chookilara on October 19, 2020, 06:30:53 PM
its great, SIKE. i really hate working at skateshops cause its so toxic. everybody just talks hella shit on locals who dont deserve it. terrible pay too >:(
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: stubbie on October 19, 2020, 06:39:27 PM
Mostly my boss just mentally abuses me. His name is noah. I work with josh and isacc sometimes and its not very fun. Imagine getting paid minium wage just to get yelled at for putting the boxes in the wrong spot
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: rocklobster on October 19, 2020, 08:03:04 PM
I've been selling extra product out of my apartment, gripping boards and putting together setups. I never thought I would get sick of gripping boards but 5 a week gets pretty tedious, as does having to explain to kids why I can't sell my wheels at 1/2 his asking price even though he's broke and has a dysfunctional home environment.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 19, 2020, 09:18:23 PM
I am happy to help anyone who is keen to skate, but I draw the line at people who always have their hand out for cheap or free product, especially when I see them smoking, drinking, partying or whatever then cry broke and cannot afford a deck.

Almost always when I try to explain this, they have even more of a whinge which makes me just NOT want to help them at all, but it seems to be an all too common issue.

A little respect goes a long way.

Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Sluggloaph on October 22, 2020, 10:18:00 AM
I cannot imagine, not even a little. Walking into any store but especially an honest, proper skate shop and asking for free or discounted shit. I've never worked at a shop, sounds great but I'm sure it sucks. I went to my shop once and tried to unload some old thrashers, and the guy working looked like, oh fuck this dudes got a hundred shitty magazines and wants free somethin. I told him the deal and bought a deck and a doap ass sweatshirt. The point is I really don't get the asking for a discount things fuckin weird.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 24, 2020, 06:19:57 AM
I cannot imagine, not even a little. Walking into any store but especially an honest, proper skate shop and asking for free or discounted shit.

You would be a very highly valued customer then!

But free product is often a fairly accessible commodity for some places, with promo budgets or suppliers providing lots of bonus items for big orders or sales incentives, or even just mates rates and all that sort of thing.  Sometimes it is totally who you know in the skateboard industry.
Title: Re: Whats it like working at a skateshop
Post by: hot take on October 29, 2020, 07:53:09 AM
I am happy to help anyone who is keen to skate, but I draw the line at people who always have their hand out for cheap or free product, especially when I see them smoking, drinking, partying or whatever then cry broke and cannot afford a deck.

Almost always when I try to explain this, they have even more of a whinge which makes me just NOT want to help them at all, but it seems to be an all too common issue.

A little respect goes a long way.
One time my coworker answered the phone and all he said was “no we sell skateboards here” and hung up. He was asking for a free board. The same guy came into the shop a few hours later to look for boards and ask if we had any “cheaper or free ones.” This was an ADULT! Not a child. Insane man