Zurich Ski Shop reccomendation?

[chaka]

My wife is travelling to Zurich next week on a biz trip, and she offered to do some recon there for a new A/T binding setup for me. Granted the dollar is still pretty weak vs. Euro/SF, but does anyone have any recommendations for outdoor gear shops in Zurich that would carry Naxo, Fritchi bindings? Thanks

[hucksquaw]

isnt the swiss franc stronger than the dollar right now?

[chaka]

I think so... that's what I said in the post, or did I get it reversed? Whatever... I know it is probably a slim shot to pick up a pair of bindings for a deal in Zurich, but still worth a try. I remember seeing climbing gear for a LOT cheaper a few years back while in Cham, but I'm not sure how much of the discount was attributable to currency vs. gear just being more reasonable. Maybe I will luck out.. my wife will stumble on a pair of Naxos or Freerides returned to a store in Zurich for 20 SF... yeah right.

[hucksquaw]

wait maybe i got it mixed around.. what i meant was, isnt the swiss franc worth more than than dollar right now? so wouldnt it be a better idea to buy in the states because it would be cheaper?

[chaka]

hucksquaw... I'm no economist, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night...

Here's my feeble understanding. Several factors at work here including currency, cost of distribution, country of manufacture, etc. Currently, 1USD = ~1.16CHF. Last year, it was about 1USD = ~1.25CHF. So the buying power of the dollar vs. swiss francs has decreased, but the dollar is still "stronger". If a pair of Fritchis cost $330 USD here and 330CHF in Zurich, I would be able to buy the binding in Zurich for about 16% cheaper (as 1 dollar buys 1.16 CHf). this igonores VAT tax and probably a bunch of other crap I have no idea about. However, when does the price in one currency actually equal the price in another? probably never. So the bindings might run for 400CHF or maybe 300CHF... If they are 400CHF, it's cheaper here in the states like you said. But I noticed the relative pricing of outdoor gear (axes, harnesses, Mammut schoeller, etc.) was quite a bit cheaper last time I was in Switzerland, so I was hoping I could score a pair cheaper, especially since they would be shipped via Wife Enterprises which I should get a good rate with unless I fark up something in the next week

By comparison, 1USD buys only 0.75 Euros right now, so at least with the swiss franc I have a chance at a discount. Also, since all of the cool bindings are made in Switz... I will keep my fingers crossed. Maybe the Verbrier dude will chime in and shatter my hopes.

[hucksquaw]

OK. understood. with that said, i thought that right now 1USD = >1CHF not the other way around, and thats what i was trying to say to begin with, but i guess im wrong. And yes there are more factors like you said but i was just thinking in terms of a picture perfect comparison.

back to your initial question...... which i have no answer for...

[verbier61]

mmmmmmmmhh.....
I'm really sorry but I do not know zurich enough to suggest any shop! But I can tell you that the best price I got for a pair of new freerides in Italy has been 260 euro (about 338 US $), taxes, drilling and brakes included, and that it looks quite difficult to have a cheaper offer in zurich which is - notoriously - one of the most expensive towns in the world. Finding new freerides in verb for less than 400 swiss francs is virtually unpossible

[chaka]

Thx Verbrier61... That was the response I was pretty much expecting, but thought I might get lucky. FYI.. someone pointed me to a shop in Zurich http://www.eiselin-sport.ch/ looks like I could get a pair of FRs for about $300US from this site with current exchange rates. Looks like they have shops other than Zurich, maybe this will be of some use to you someday....

[verbier61]

Nice pick!!! consider that in EU the price they say you is including taxes (which is not the case in US ), and that you can apply later for tax reimbursement (or pay without taxes from online shops like telemark pyrenees)

[verbier61]

does it include brakes? check it out because fritschi brakes are $$$$