Skate Buying Adventures

[Orianna2000]

I wouldn't worry too much about when the boots will break down. If you're only skating at a low level, and not that many hours a week, then it may take way longer than two years for them to break down. I've had my current boots since 2007 (although there was about 18 months when I didn't skate in the middle of that) and mine are nowhere near needing replacing. The length of time it takes for boots to break down (or otherwise need replacing) is different for everyone.

Well, that's good to know. I'd hate for this to be an annual expense! Although, as I progress, I may end up needing boots with more ankle support. We went with the lowest version, since I'm not doing any jumps. Hopefully it will be enough for the next few years. I don't expect to progress rapidly, as I prefer to take my time mastering the elements before moving on to the harder stuff. And I plan to go into ice dance, rather than freestyle, so that may make a difference, as well.

[scootie12]

I was reading this and wanted to offer my personal opinion regarding the silicone layer:

Often in my own experience, a waterproofed sole is all that is needed for a blade to be securely mounted.  I also see in women's boots where the sole is varnished several times in order to create a thick layer of protection from water damage.

I've personally had USA Skates mount one of my blades with silicone, and what I discovered was the silicone eventually oozes from the sides of the mounting plate, and subsequently, the blade becomes loose.  The one occasion where I had to have my blades remounted, the silicone was rotting, so once we removed, re-waterproofed my soles, and remounted, I was good to go.

In my last two skate purchases, I have had the blade mounted directly to the sole without anything other than making sure it was waterproofed.  I have not had any issues with the mounting. 

With that said, I'm sure if you aren't doing overly advanced moves on the ice, blades with silicone should hold up well.  Again, I just think once the silicone rots away, you're left with loose screws in the mounting as that thin layer between mounting plate and sole is gone.  However, I think if you're not doing jumps over an axel, especially toe jumps (doubles) that put a lot of force on the blades, you should be okay.

[Orianna2000]

The manager at USASkates was quite firm about the fact that I need to add that layer of silicone under the blade. He said without it, the screws would quickly rot out. I haven't a clue whether that's true or not, but he was very insistent. Perhaps they get a lot of customers in with rotted soles and they believe that's the cause. 

I'm not doing any jumps, nor do I plan to. My coach once encouraged me to try a bunny hop, just standing in place, and I lost my balance and nearly fell. I saved myself only because I was right beside the railing. I can't imagine trying anything that is more complex! With my lack of balance, it's better if my feet stay firmly on the ice. I'm not real comfortable with one-foot maneuvers, but I'm working on them anyway, since it's a requirement for advancing onward. I would like to try various spins, but as far as jumps go, if I ever try them, it will be a long time from now. I don't think it'll be an issue as far as my blades go. 

It's Tuesday and there's no sign of my skates yet. I really hope they don't try to deliver them tomorrow, because I'll be out of town. I'd hate for my expensive skates to be sitting on the porch all day, where anyone could nab them, and where the excessive heat might warp the leather!

[Orianna2000]

Okay, it's been thirteen days. WHERE ARE MY SKATES?!?!?

Sorry, I'm just getting extremely frustrated. They promised to ship them immediately and that was two weeks ago.

[sarahspins]

Have you tried contacting Harlick directly?  Since these skates were customs they should be able to help if you call them and ask...

[Orianna2000]

According to the skate shop, Harlick shipped them more than two weeks ago. They were supposed to have arrived at the shop two Fridays ago. The ball is in their court. All they had to do was mount the blades and inscribe my name on the soles, then ship them off to me. Is that something that usually takes two weeks to do? They implied that the skates would be shipped ASAP, so I was expecting them last week.

[JSM]

I would ask the shop for a tracking number, just in case.  My guess is they haven't shipped in the first place, but in case they have, you'll want that number in order to track them down.

[irenar5]

I would call Harlick and ask them, to make sure they shipped in the first place.  Then definitely, get the tracking number, as it is taking an unusually long time. 
My guess, someone misinformed you regarding the true shipping date.

[sarahspins]

I'd definitely get them on the phone and try to get some answers... it doesn't take this long.  Unless they are using an unusual waterproofing method (like multiple layers of lacquer) it shouldn't take more than a day in the shop to get the boots waterproofed and blades mounted.

[supra]

My last pair of skates have a story behind them. I went to my rink's pro shop, and they were there, used, but brand new looking (not even sharpened beyond the bad factory sharpen.) The lady was like "Yeah, these boots have been here a while." I was actually looking to get Riedell, I think 133s? But, the lady at the shop showed me the lower end Riedells, I think up to 115, and they just didn't feel right. So she showed me the pair of "used" Jacksons, and I was sold. Only $60, too, for a boot MUCH stiffer than the boots she was showing me. So I said I wanted to reserve them, and she said she couldn't reserve them, but she'd take down my number, but she also said not to worry, as they'd been there a long time. Anyway, I got them, and I skated in them, I pretty much destroyed them after a year of skating, but that's not the fun part of this story.

The fun part is, there was a guy at my rink, older guy, who was similar to me, as in he came in with the attitude of "Oh yeah I could do that" with skating. He got lessons and stuff, but people thought he was pushing things way too hard and way too fast, especially for his age (I think he was in his 60s.) But yeah, I got compared to him a lot, he was a bit infamous among the older folks I usually talk to at the rink. Anyway, that guy tore his rotator cuff off the bone of his shoulder from a fall while skating, and lost feeling in a few of his fingers, and then stopped skating after that. Anyway, I found out, my boots...were his. He only wore them like twice before his accident, and preferred wearing the rentals (didn't listen to people's advice about breaking in boots) and after his fall, I guess he put them on consignment, and yeah. So I got a "cursed" pair of boots. Yay.

[Orianna2000]

Supra, I'm glad you found a pair of skates that work for you! I wouldn't call them "cursed" though. It's not their fault their previous owner pushed himself too hard, had an accident, and got injured. Now, if they'd been owned by someone else who got injured and had to quit skating before that, then I'd start eying the skates with suspicion. . . . 

Update:
I am officially fed up with USASkates. The guy is nice and friendly on the phone, but something hinky's going on. It's been four weeks since he supposedly received my skates. Two weeks ago, he promised to ship them and email me the tracking number. He never did. I called yesterday and talked to the guy who's in charge of my skates. Point blank, I asked for the tracking number. He said the person who had it wasn't there and he'd have to email it to me. But this was his sale, why would he not have the tracking number? Shouldn't it be in my file? He offered no apologies, no explanations. I probably should have asked a few pointed questions, but he always sounds like he's rushed and in a hurry to get off the phone, and I have a phobia about talking to people on the phone, which makes it very difficult for me to be direct and say what needs to be said. (I'm doing exceptionally well just to call and ask for status updates, believe me.)

At any rate, I'm at my wit's end. I know a couple of you suggested calling Harlick to verify that the skates were shipped to the skate shop, but my phobia is especially difficult when I don't know who I'm calling. Perhaps I can bribe my husband into calling for me this evening.

I really don't understand what's going on. Why would they keep promising to ship the skates, and then not do it? They're already paid for. What could they hope to gain by delaying for so long? It makes no sense to me. Am I being ripped off?

[sarahspins]

At any rate, I'm at my wit's end. I know a couple of you suggested calling Harlick to verify that the skates were shipped to the skate shop, but my phobia is especially difficult when I don't know who I'm calling. Perhaps I can bribe my husband into calling for me this evening.

Trust me I totally understand - I have a thing against calling people I don't know too and I rely on my husband a lot to do those things for me, ESPECIALLY when it involves any kind of customer service issue (he's much more level headed than I am in dealing with them than I am).  Email is always an option too (I mean you can email Harlick - explain the situation and see if they are willing to do anything to help you out in any way - they can also confirm whether or not USA Skates ever put in your order, and if they did, when that was)

I really don't understand what's going on. Why would they keep promising to ship the skates, and then not do it? They're already paid for. What could they hope to gain by delaying for so long? It makes no sense to me. Am I being ripped off?

It wouldn't sit well with me either... as I see it, there are a number of things you can do to expedite a resolution.. First, file a complaint with the BBB - you can do this completely online (and unfortunately it looks as if you're not the only one to have experienced this from them).  Second, if they have any online presence (Twitter, Facebook, etc) you can start publicly asking for an explanation of what exactly is going on and why you've been told things have been done (or would be done) that clearly weren't done, and why has there been so much of a delay on your "expedited" order.

Third, how did you pay?  If it was by credit card or even by debit card you may have some recourse at this point, but it depends on how long ago that "sale" actually was you may be beyond the time allowed to dispute the charge... a lot of banks only allow 60 days past the statement date and unfortunately since you are nearly 3 months past the sale now it may be too late (some companies like Discover are sometimes a little more leniant with that though).  Even if you are past the date your bank says you should still contact them to see what they can do for you.  Since this is an issue of non-delivery and not just an unauthorized charge they may still be able to do something.  How this normally works with custom skates is that a deposit (usually $150-200 or in some cases a percentage of the boot cost) is paid upon ordering, and the balance is due when the boots are finished - I'm going to go out on a limb and presume that this is NOT how USA Skates handled it? 

There are so many things with this transaction that would have my blood boiling.. you paid for expedited service and you are now a full 3 months past when you ordered your skates, and still have nothing.  That's completely unacceptable IMO..  The rest of it, even if it was a standard order, at this point it has taken unreasonably long.  I ordered a modified pair of Jacksons back in May and I had them in my hands a scant 15 days from when I ordered them.. so clearly not ALL companies operate at a snail's pace (and to Jackson's credit, I was told it would take up to 6 weeks to have those boots made, so I was shocked that they were ready and shipped to me so fast).  My custom colored Paramounts have taken longer than that and still haven't shipped (Paramount is behind in production - and it's no biggie to me at this point, I just find it ironic that the blades are taking longer than my boots did - I ordered the blades through Kinzie's Closet who has been excellent in updating me on them).

I would ultimately give USA SKates an ultimatim - that they need to provide you with tracking information that shows the boots were shipped (and in the custody of a shipping carrier) prior to today, or they need to refund you in full so that you can move on and order a replacement pair through someone else (which technically should be easier assuming that your boots were actually ordered and built - Harlick would have your information on file now so another fitting isn't necessary).

I'm so sorry that you've had to go through all this though.. for most people the hard part about getting new skates is just coming up with the money for them (well, for me anyways!), not waiting months and months and getting empty promises along the way.

[Orianna2000]

You're right--I paid in full, up front, via credit card. There were a few things that rang alarm bells at the time, but I was so overwhelmed by the fitting process that I wasn't able to think clearly enough to protest or ask questions. I didn't like how they dismissed the FREE waterproofing that Harlick offers and said they'd do it themselves--for a $65 fee. (Incidentally, doing this changes the color of the soles from dark, which I wanted, to light, which I didn't want.) They also charged me $25 shipping, when (if I recall correctly) Harlick charges nothing. I was also surprised that they charged in full, since Harlick only requires a percentage up front. But as I said, I was dazed and overwhelmed, so I just pulled out the Visa card and didn't utter a squeak of protest.

After flying all the way to California just to have these stupid skates fitted, I don't see how I could get another pair made. There's no one within a day's drive of here that's capable of doing the fitting. If Harlick has my measurements and tracings on file and could just reuse them, that would be okay, but if they require fresh tracings, I'm up a creek.

As far as the BBB, if I don't get my skates, I'll definitely file a complaint. But I don't want to file anything so long as they still have my skates held hostage. I need those skates! If I tick them off, they'll never send them.

I did just shoot a pleading polite email to Harlick, so perhaps we'll get some answers.

[Skittl1321]

You should call your credit card company to at least alert them to the situation, to find out if they can help you if you choose to issue a charge back.

I'm surprised - USASkates is a reputable company.  This is inexcusable.

[Sk8tmum]

When we ordered from Harlick, from our dealer, we paid a percentage.  The skates were delivered on time (slightly faster than expected). There were no problems. Our dealer indicates that this is the norm in their dealing with Harlick.

I would contact Harlick directly.  IF they are being poorly represented by a dealer, then, they will like to know. Also, as you didn't get the expedited service promised, I would think that, absolutely, at a minimum, you should get that amount refunded.

[Kim to the Max]

I am sorry you have had to deal with this!

I know harlick was running way behind in production. I ordered my boots with normal shipping in February- stock boot with a stock size that they didn't have already in stock - and I didn't get them until May. I kept on my dealer who, although not the best with follow up, was able to get me information.

[Orianna2000]

I asked my questions of Harlick, and the lady who wrote back said nothing, except to ask which guy had fitted me at USASkates. I told her (Randall) and haven't heard anything back. I hope she's not planning to contact them and tell them I complained. I'm not trying to go behind anyone's back and get them in trouble! I just want answers, that's all.

I had hoped that I would get my expedited fee back, at the very least, but when I tried to broach that subject with USASkates, the guy was quick to say that, despite what my receipt says, it's not a set time limit, but rather a promise of "half the normal production time." So if normal production right now is way behind, taking upwards of 16 weeks, then my waiting 8 weeks for my skates is only fair. I would agree with that, except that my receipt promised 5-6 weeks. It might not be a contract, but it is in writing, so. . . . I dunno. But it's completely unfair that I've had to wait an additional MONTH beyond when the skates were supposedly ready, just for them to mount the blades and ship them. That's hardly reasonable!

My husband seems to think we can reverse the credit card's charges, should it come to that. I hope it doesn't, because I really need these skates. After all I went though to get them, I don't want to start back at square one. 

[sarahspins]

I asked my questions of Harlick, and the lady who wrote back said nothing, except to ask which guy had fitted me at USASkates. I told her (Randall) and haven't heard anything back. I hope she's not planning to contact them and tell them I complained. I'm not trying to go behind anyone's back and get them in trouble! I just want answers, that's all.

Harlick is a professional company, and I don't think that there can or would be repercussions to you as the customer - all you want is more information than you've been able to get through USA Skates, and it seems reasonable to go a level above them.  If I was having a problem with an order through a third party, I wouldn't hesitate to contact the company (in some capacity - I'm a big fan of email) myself.

My husband seems to think we can reverse the credit card's charges, should it come to that. I hope it doesn't, because I really need these skates. After all I went though to get them, I don't want to start back at square one. 

I know you don't want that, but on one hand, it might be better/easier to work with another company at this point. 

I'm not personally all that convinced that USA Skates even has your boots.  If they don't, and they were actually ordered and are in the process of being made, I'd talk to Harlick and ask if they can ship them directly to you (you may even be able to have them mount blades for you) - in which case you'd be out the blades and waterproofing fees and any other extras paid for when you ordered the boots, but USA Skates would hopefully be willing to refund you for any services they didn't actually provide, simply because that's what any reasonable company would do.  That's likely the "best case" resolution at this point.

[irenar5]

How frustrating!  I would just find out from Harlick first whether the boots were shipped  (and when).  Then you can be armed with definitive data when you call USA skates.  As much as I would like to reverse the charges on the card, I would like to have my new boots more!
I so hope you get this mess resolved quickly!

[Sk8tmum]

I am sorry you have had to deal with this!

I know harlick was running way behind in production. I ordered my boots with normal shipping in February- stock boot with a stock size that they didn't have already in stock - and I didn't get them until May. I kept on my dealer who, although not the best with follow up, was able to get me information.

We ordered custom in mid-January. Our dealer was advised by Harlick that, due to capacity, the skates would actually be done EARLIER than the normal turnaround period with no fee; and they were.  It was a bit after that that I noted (I think it was March 1st?) that they were posting a new longer turnaround time.  We had 2 queries on the boots, including one where we asked to confirm delivery date: the dealer called Harlick direct, and had the answer immediately.

[Bunny Hop]

I've no advice in addition to what others have said, but husband's custom Harlicks were completed and shipped slightly ahead of when they were promised (we ordered direct from Harlick). As someone else said, it doesn't sound like the dealer has actually received the boots - I would go further and wonder if they actually placed the order with Harlick in the first place (probably as an oversight and not through any sort of deception) and are now trying to cover their tracks.

I hate this sort of situation - if a supplier (of anything) doesn't have some piece of information, or has made an error, they should just say that, and not tell you something that clearly isn't true. Most people are willing to accept that mistakes sometimes happen (however frustrating) or that there is no information available, but they still need to be kept informed.

And Harlick will definitely want to know if their good name is being damaged by association due to poor service by a dealer - I wouldn't worry about that part of it.

Oh, and I have telephone-a-phobia as well!

[FigureSpins]

Since you ordered through a dealer, Harlick has to contact them to see when they ordered and what the number was.  It's possible that the order was misplaced.  Give them a day or two to sort out what happened.

[mummey_nc]

Buying skates is unlike any other footware purchase, I agree it is definitely an adventure!! I purchased my skates years ago, I wear a shoe size 8 and 1/2 but when I tried on an 8 and 1/2 in skates I quickly realized the sizing structure is completely different from regular shoes.  So, this is the strategy I followed and it helped:  I sat down with about 20 pairs of different sized skates and just start trying them on and walking around in them, I was there for a good hour or two - when my foot went in the right one, I knew it - it was just a perfect fit. I ended up wearing a size 6 ice skate for a shoe size of 8 and 1/2 - insane!  Then the panic set in after the purchase.  "Wait! Now they feel too tight!! No, wait! Today they are too big!"  I stopped this panic by not skating in the skates initially, I put blade guards on and I just wore the new skates around the house for 2 weeks.  By the time I hit the ice I was completely comfortable in the skates.  By the time I need new skates, I really hope this same strategy works but my guess is each fitting is going to be completely different, I guess this is part of the exciting adventure of figure skating   I wonder when they will be able to just scan our foot and make a perfect fit boot from the scan - someone start working on that for us please.

[Orianna2000]

I second the request for a foot scanner that can produce perfectly fitted boots on request! That's exactly what I need.

The lady from Harlick says she'll do what she can to make this right. You're probably right that she needs to contact USASkates and find out what's going on. She sounded very empathetic, although she doesn't know the half of the story. I didn't want to bog her down with the whole gory tale of my "skate-buying adventures". . . .

If they don't actually have my skates, then they've outright lied to me on several occasions. They said they had them and were in the midst of waterproofing them, etc. If they had told me, "Sorry, we didn't get your order placed, it's going to be another six weeks," I would have been angry and disappointed, yes. But lying to cover their tracks? That infuriates me even more. I hope that's not what's happened, but I can't imagine they are simply incompetent to the point where they can't manage to do in four weeks what ought to have taken, at most, a single weekend.

Another reason I'm angry is because, since I will most likely have to sign for these skates when they arrive, I've been deliberately staying home, in case UPS came to deliver them. For FOUR WEEKS I've stayed home as often as possible, because they promised they'd be shipped ASAP and I didn't want to miss the delivery. I took them at their word, and that's inconvenienced me greatly. It's also inconvenienced my coach, because she's been holding my lesson slot for me, with the expectation that I would be resuming my lessons as soon as my skates arrived. If we'd known it would be another month (or longer) she could have accepted other students during that slot. So she's out that income, as well. 

[Orianna2000]

Three cheers for the lady at Harlick!

I just received an email from UPS saying my skates are en route and will be delivered tomorrow! I don't know what the Harlick representative did, but it sure got results. According to the tracking information, the skates were shipped about 10 minutes after I emailed Harlick with my complaint.