Klingbeil News & Poll

[Isk8NYC]

I see online progress being made!

Facebook and Twitter accounts were set up and are being used.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Klingbeilskatingboots
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Klingbeilskates

Their website has been revised with the new location information and an online appointment scheduler!

247 West 38th Street • 3rd Floor (Between 7-8th Ave.)  • New York, NY 10018
info@klingbeilskatingboots.com

Schedule an Appointment: https://klingbeil.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php

Haven't noticed any promotion or advertising yet, but was a recent change.

[Sk8Dreams]

I tried out the calendar and found you can book a fitting with Don or Will, and they now are open for fittings later, but still only Thu, Fri, and Sat.  I also noticed there are no prices anywhere, and no phone number.

[MadMac]

The new web page looks great. I love the old video with Bill -- so glad they kept that. I agree, the Facebook stuff will help awareness.
If you click the link at the top of the home page an order form opens. The form has complete contact info, including phone & fax numbers. It also lists the price for custom boots as $649.00.

[Sk8Dreams]

Thanks, I didn't see that.  I did click on the "Download order form" on the Custom Skating Boots page, and it has the old info and no price.  I see they are now charging extra for extras.  Oh, well, I guess it had to happen.

[Sk8tmum]

Thanks, I didn't see that.  I did click on the "Download order form" on the Custom Skating Boots page, and it has the old info and no price.  I see they are now charging extra for extras.  Oh, well, I guess it had to happen.

Our local "dealer" for Kling always did charge extra for extras on custom ... every tweak was a bump in the price ... which was why we were so much happier going to NYC. Dropped our bill by over $200, paid for part of a nice vacation ...  It could also be part of their pricing issues, if other outside dealers were charging that much in $$$ the skates would certainly not be competitive.

[sarahspins]

Thanks, I didn't see that.  I did click on the "Download order form" on the Custom Skating Boots page, and it has the old info and no price.  I see they are now charging extra for extras.  Oh, well, I guess it had to happen.

It's a link at the very top of the page that goes to a web form, not the PDF.

[Debbie S]

They charged extra for extras when I got my current skates, which was 6 years ago. Back then, the base price was $545. I believe I paid $65 for the extras - $30 for lambswool tongues, $20 for flex notches, and $15 for a rolled top. At some point, I guess they decided to raise the price but then include extras again (I think they started out including extras for free, right?). I think $649 was the all-inclusive price when I called them in Dec? So not only will I pay more, the extras will cost more than they did, so my total charge would be $739, plus $20 for shipping. So instead of paying $630 total like last time, I'll now pay $760. Grrr. I'm thrilled Klingbeil is still in business, but at those prices, it's going to be harder for potential customers to justify the purchase.....even Harlick customs are cheaper than that.

[Sk8tmum]

They charged extra for extras when I got my current skates, which was 6 years ago. Back then, the base price was $545. I believe I paid $65 for the extras - $30 for lambswool tongues, $20 for flex notches, and $15 for a rolled top. At some point, I guess they decided to raise the price but then include extras again (I think they started out including extras for free, right?). I think $649 was the all-inclusive price when I called them in Dec? So not only will I pay more, the extras will cost more than they did, so my total charge would be $739, plus $20 for shipping. So instead of paying $630 total like last time, I'll now pay $760. Grrr. I'm thrilled Klingbeil is still in business, but at those prices, it's going to be harder for potential customers to justify the purchase.....even Harlick customs are cheaper than that.

Harlick just changed their pricing as of March 1st, and they're production time is longer. Don't know if there is a connection - ?

[Sk8Dreams]

It's a link at the very top of the page that goes to a web form, not the PDF.

REALLY???  sarahspins - when I began with "Thanks.." that indicated that I had found the correct link as instructed.  The rest was just explanation of how I had missed it.

[Sk8Dreams]

Strange.  I got my last pair about 4 years ago.  They have the rolled top and flex notch at no additional charge.  Maybe it was part of the professional discount.

[sarahspins]

REALLY???  sarahspins - when I began with "Thanks.." that indicated that I had found the correct link as instructed.  The rest was just explanation of how I had missed it.

Ummk, I really just mentioned it for anyone else who wasn't seeing it....

[Debbie S]

Ummk, I really just mentioned it for anyone else who wasn't seeing it....

And that was very helpful. Thank you!

[Sk8tmum]

I agree, the order form isn't obvious; it looks just like a "rim" at the top of the page, and I only found it as I was looking for it. I'm also a bit disappointed ... some features that I remember are missing, and certainly some of the tongue options (including the one we had). 

They also need to tweak it ... in one of the drop lists for "priced" options like the rolltop, you can't select multiple options.  We used more than one of these, which means that the option would need to be typed into the "notes" box, and then hope that it would be seen.

It is a step forward, but, they need to be more focussed on making things right at launch. This form will likely mean that someone will need to phone them to followup, which defeats the whole purpose; the other forms are still there with no explanation; etc.

[Sk8Dreams]

I'm also a bit disappointed ... some features that I remember are missing, and certainly some of the tongue options (including the one we had). 

My bet is that they will still do any options that you request.  Don replaced the tongues on my first pair of customs with the stock tongue, because it put less pressure on a nerve that ran close to the top of my foot.  I think tweaks will be forthcoming. 

[Jenna]

I think they would do any feature.  The tongues that I have were never listed on any form.  I assumed Klingbeil has been charging for some options for awhile.  The boots I bought at the PSA conference in 2008 had all options at no additional charge for the conference special in addition to their coaches discount and the pair I bought last summer had charges for the roll top and scallop notch.

[Isk8NYC]

Saw this article today:

http://news.yahoo.com/klingbeil-skates-now-located-manhattan-102223844.html

Website URL changed, too: http://www.klingbeilusa.com/

[AgnesNitt]

Did you notice the name of the PR person who posted the article? Richie Perna.

Wonder if he's connected to Nick Perna.

[FigureSpins]

Richie Perna is associated with Klingbeil, I guess as a result of the sale/merger/whatever. 
I had sent an email about something on the Klingbeil website and he's the person who responded.

I noticed the last name, but I don't know if Richie is related to Nick Perna.  I've met Nick Perna in person, but not Richie.

[AgnesNitt]

Nick Perna is a figure skating god.