How long is Volkl warranty good for?

I recently bought some 04/05 gotamas off ebay, haven't had a chance to ski them yet. I just noticed that they are developing the dreaded cracks in their wood sidewalls. There's about a 2 inch long very thin horizontal crack, then it leads into a 4 inch long section where the metal layer under the topsheet has separated from the sidewall.

Can I still warranty these? Or is it a no-go since I don't have original receipts? Skis' condition is very good otherwise, except for some pretty big core shots in one spot that look to have been (semi)-professionally repaired.

Even if I can't warranty, I'll probably still keep them and unleash the epoxy, since the price was pretty low.

First of all, the seller should have told you about the cracks. That's really bad form.

Secondly, Volkl's standard warranty is one year, or two if you mount them with Markers. I think it only applies to the original owner also. However you could take them into a shop, bribe them with beer, and have them send them in for you. Worst thing that happens is you waste $ on shipping and get them sent back.

If you epoxy them, just be sure you have it done by a reallllllly good tech. My first epoxy job only lasted a few days and the second one lasted around 40 or 50.

Oh and welcome to the Gotama cult. ;)

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Originally Posted by Arty50

Secondly, Volkl's standard warranty is one year, or two if you mount them with Markers.

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Why is that?

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please elaborate on the joke:confused:

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Originally Posted by kidwoo

Why is that?

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volkl hearts marker. maybe just an incentive to go with a volkl/marker package in the shop? ('if you buy these horrible bindings, we'll DOUBLE your warranty!')

unfortunately, the hole pattern from the previous owner is clearly salomon, so I cant stick some markers on there and go for the extended warranty.

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Originally Posted by davep

I recently bought some 04/05 gotamas off ebay, haven't had a chance to ski them yet. I just noticed that they are developing the dreaded cracks in their wood sidewalls. There's about a 2 inch long very thin horizontal crack, then it leads into a 4 inch long section where the metal layer under the topsheet has separated from the sidewall.

Can I still warranty these? Or is it a no-go since I don't have original receipts? Skis' condition is very good otherwise, except for some pretty big core shots in one spot that look to have been (semi)-professionally repaired.

Even if I can't warranty, I'll probably still keep them and unleash the epoxy, since the price was pretty low.

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could you post pictures of what this looks like?

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Originally Posted by kidwoo

Why is that?

-OR-

please elaborate on the joke:confused:

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volkl and marker are owned by the same company. the only reason I know this is I emailed volkl asking for some free stickers. they sent me some lame "Volkl Tennis" stickers and a bunch of lame marker stickers. they included some Technica stickers too so my guess is they own them too.

Volkl 101:

They originally started out making burly skis that went that way really fast, then teamed up with the shittiest binding company ever and Technica, and finally got bought by K2 last year.

Edit: No matter their company history, you will have to pry my Gotamas from my cold dead feet.

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Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA

could you post pictures of what this looks like?

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looking at the ski right-side-up
the whole problem, crack on right, sidewall separated from titinal layer on left
http://www.stanford.edu/~dlpress/IMGP2229_3.JPG

closeup of crack
http://www.stanford.edu/~dlpress/IMGP2230_3.JPG

closeup of sidewall separating from metal
http://www.stanford.edu/~dlpress/IMGP2231_3.JPG

Calling Volkl directly and convincing them that your only option is for your to send it to them directly (for whatever reason) might get past the warranty block you often receive at your local ski shop. I had a pair of Atomic bindings that shops refused to send in for warranty saying I didn't have the original receipt, they were too old, blah blah blah, so I called Atomic directly. They agreed to let me send them the bindings directly and the replacements are already on their way....

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Originally Posted by J-Rad

Calling Volkl directly and convincing them that your only option is for your to send it to them directly (for whatever reason) might get past the warranty block you often receive at your local ski shop. I had a pair of Atomic bindings that shops refused to send in for warranty saying I didn't have the original receipt, they were too old, blah blah blah, so I called Atomic directly. They agreed to let me send them the bindings directly and the replacements are already on their way....

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so your 614 dilema is fixed? what skis are those on anyways?

Did you tell atomic you weren't the first owner?

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Originally Posted by davep

so your 614 dilema is fixed? what skis are those on anyways?

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Kind of. They sent me 412s by mistake, so I sent them back. Now they are promising me next seasons 614s which, if I'm not mistaken, are really rebadged Solly 914s. Score. :biggrin: Not sure what they will go on, old 614s came off a pair of Big Daddies, now I'm not sure if the new bindings will be compatible but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

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Originally Posted by davep

Did you tell atomic you weren't the first owner?

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No ask = no tell.

The wooden sidewall on the Got was such a bad idea....

Hope they take care of you!

My experience with Volkl is that they are REALLY good about warranty issues. Definitely try to speak directly to a rep. I had a pair of AX4s which I'd repainted myself and had no receipt, they didn't ask a question. They're a company which prides themselves on build quality. I'm surprised the warranty's only 1-2 years, for some reason I always thought Volkl was 5 years like Nitro. Working in a shop we definitely sent back older Volkl skis. Like bent wizard explosives and the snapped G4s all sent at the end of the season before last.

If you don't talk to/send them yourself, find a really good shop with a good rapport with Volkl. I can't see you having too much of a problem with these, it's a definite warranty issue. Good luck!

Hi all. Haven't checked in for a while.

First, I'm not the warranty manager, so anything I say on this topic is just talk, not gospel.

Second, the "2 years if they are mounted with Markers" is 100% BS, and it always has been. We really don't know who perpetuates this story, but it's important that you know that it's not true. Have we warrantied skis that were more than a year old? Sure, but it had nothing to do with whether they had a Marker hole pattern or not.

Third, our warranty does technically exclude any product purchased from "an internet auction site."

Fourth, the ebay seller that sold those to you is a jerk. He deserves some negative feedback. I suppose it's possible that he didn't know, but I find that difficult to believe.

My suggestion. Call the warranty department directly and ask for help. I bet they can come up with some options for you...it may not be a new pair of skis, but options are better than what you have now.

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Originally Posted by squaretail

Second, the "2 years if they are mounted with Markers" is 100% BS, and it always has been. We really don't know who perpetuates this story, but it's important that you know that it's not true. Have we warrantied skis that were more than a year old? Sure, but it had nothing to do with whether they had a Marker hole pattern or not.

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I'll tell you who perpetuates this story, morons like me. ;)

volkl 102: volkl marker was owned by Technica. K2 bought them and with that cash, technica bought Nordica and elan (or they already owned elan or elan owned nordica) if you look at nordica skis, a lot of them say made in slovenia (the elan factory?)

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

volkl 102: volkl marker was owned by Technica. K2 bought them and with that cash, technica bought Nordica and elan (or they already owned elan or elan owned nordica) if you look at nordica skis, a lot of them say made in slovenia (the elan factory?)

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Sort of...this is a little bit of a thread hijack, but I like to keep the record straight.

Tecnica International never owned any of Volkl International. Prior to the acquisition by K2 Corp in June of 2004, Volkl International was owned by a group of private investors, with controlling interest held by a Swiss gentleman, last name Clevin.

Tecnica USA did own a small part of Volkl USA, but Tecnica did not purchase Nordica with the proceeds of Volkl to K2. Tecnica purchased Nordica more than a year before the K2/Volkl merger happened. And nor does Tecnica "own" Elan. The Elan factory is owned by the Slovenian government. Tecnica owns Dolomite, which is distributed out of the same warehouse as Elan. It is true that Nordica skis are made by Elan in Slovenia. It is also true that the design teams of Volkl, Nordica, and Elan are quite friendly and test together often.

The current ownership scenario, at the international level:

Amer Group: Salomon, Atomic.
K2 Corp: K2, Volkl, Marker, Line, Karhu, Madshus
Quicksilver Group: Rossi, Dynastar, Roxy
Tecnica Group: Tecnica, Nordica, Dolomite

...not that anyone cares...but I can't sleep so I thought I'd hear myself think.:rolleyes2