bad mount protocol?

**gh444** · 02-28-2007, 04:21 PM

so my new skis were mismounted (sp). the toe piece pulled out on the first turn i made. and further inspection showed that multiple screws in the heal piece on the other ski were stripped. because i know someone at the ski manufacturer, they replaced the skis without question. prior to having them replaced, i showed the shop their handy work. they made no offers other than to replace the toe piece and remount using heliocoils (sp). now that i got the skis replaced not because of warranty but because the maufacturer is a cool outfit, what do i do? also, the ski manufacturer blamed the mounting and the shop blamed the ski, saying that on the top sheet it says to drill using 4.1 even though its not a metal topsheet. so is having new skis, a new toe piece (if it arrives), and a refund for the original mount, a fair solution? I shop at this place regularly, they know me by first name and I spend a bit of money there on occassion. I am really disappointed in them and their response.
They are yet to even offer a loaner demo or refund for the original mount, just the toe piece and only if they "can get it".

-aaron

**smmokan** · 02-28-2007, 04:23 PM

I think if they give you a new toe piece and a refund, that should be alright... you got your new skis, so there's not much else you can get from them. I'm pretty sure you don't want your next shop work done.

**gh444** · 02-28-2007, 04:27 PM

I'm not looking for any gain, just what is right. And i think its crap that they aren't taking this seriously. I could have been hurt if i was dropping into something nasty and had i not had another pair readily available my trip would have been f(ck3d.

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 02-28-2007, 04:29 PM

so which shop was this?

**grskier** · 02-28-2007, 04:31 PM

Tell the shop dudes straight up that you are disappointed and would have expected more from them.... see where that goes.

**smmokan** · 02-28-2007, 04:34 PM

I agree. If you hadn't gotten new skis already from the manufacturer, I'd go after those- it seems to be the compensation for others on here who got their mounts screwed up. Maybe they should give you new bindings?

**pechelman** · 02-28-2007, 04:37 PM

i think you need to tell them this straight up

that youre unhappy with their response and will take your business elsewhere

i dont understand what the toe peice has to do with their failure to properly mount skis. Despite whats listed on the ski, its their job to determine the correct size to drill. Its the same excuse as picking up a tap in a 1/4-28" slot, tapping a hole without checking the tap itself, and blaming it on the person who put it in the wrong place when it turns out its a 6x1 metric tap.

Bare minimum, the fair solution is for them to refund you the money you paid for the mount. You got new skis, so dont ask for that or expect that. Id maybe want some sort of work voucher that theyll mount your next ones free iif you still trust them or a ski demo.

Like you said, you're unhappy with their response. If they want to keep your business, they're going to have to show you that you're worth something to them.

**gh444** · 02-28-2007, 04:41 PM

adam,

can't do that yet. they may still pull through.

-aaron

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 02-28-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by gonehuckin

adam,

can't do that yet. they may still pull through.

-aaron

No problem mang, I have some horror stories from some shops up in Mammoth, but they managed to set things straight.

**gh444** · 02-28-2007, 04:57 PM

not mammoth rather local, so just hold off on having work done in the Newport Area for a little while.

**ColinB** · 02-28-2007, 05:00 PM

just out of curiosity, what ski was it and from which manufacturer. Not to play devils advocate but perhaps it is both the fault of the ski manufacturer and the shop that made the mount and it would be in everyones best interest to know which ski may be improperly marked as to what size bit should be used to drill it.

L7 · 02-28-2007, 05:03 PM

You contracted them to mount the skis, they did an inadequate job. If they have issues with what the manufacturer put on the skis they should take that up with them and do with you what's right. Finger pointing is bullshit, just serve you and deal with whatever else they think is right from their end.

Refund the mount money and get you rolling ASAP. A free tune wouldn't cost them anything and help smooth things over to boot. Otherwise find someone more interested in providing you service for your dollar.

**pappag** · 02-28-2007, 05:09 PM

Do you personally know the person that did the mounting or was it some newbie filler? I had a botched mount job only to find out later that the guy I normally get my shit done by wasn't the one that fucked it up.

**gh444** · 02-28-2007, 05:18 PM

ColinB-

point taken. i want to get to the bottom of this first.

Nick P- the shop manager mounted them and yes i know him.

everyone else- thanks for the responses, you guys are making me feel more confident that i'm doing the right thing.

-aaron

**cold_smoke** · 02-28-2007, 05:40 PM

FIRST TURN!!!
Anyone who doesn't hand tighten the final couple of turns (and then make sure the binding and ski are flush) is just asking for it...I would guess the toe piece was not completely flush with the ski even though the screws were tight or he just cranked the drill and stripped every screw in the mount. If this was the manager, have him make things right then never go back there. This guy is probaly training his employees to do the same hack jobs. I find the most anal tech I can and have him mount my skis...fingers crossed, I have a pair being drilled right now....
Often newer guys do a better job then those who do 10 mounts a day because they are scared they'll mess it up. So they double check everything then have someone else check the jig/measurements before they drill and after they tighten the screws.

Bad mount protocol? YES

**gh444** · 03-01-2007, 06:34 PM

now they said its going to be another week for the toe.

and i want to go this weekend.

-aaron

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 03-01-2007, 06:39 PM

Aaron, that sucks dude. I have a pretty good idea of were you went, that's why I never let shops down here touch my shit. I hope it works out for you.

**gh444** · 03-01-2007, 06:42 PM

yeah, never again.

**GapersGoHome** · 03-01-2007, 06:55 PM

Bad mount protocol: Ice broken/bent dick, dump girlfriend.

Easy as that.

**InspectorGadget** · 03-01-2007, 07:00 PM

So, what would have done if the manufacturer hadn't taken care of you? In all likelihood, you would be pounding your fist on the manager's desk. Right?

No question about it, the proper protocol for a mismount is a replacement pair of skis. I would make it clear to the shop that you've already saved them the expense of a new pair of skis, but they need to make it right. An acknowledgement of their error is a good start. After that, only you can decde what's fair and what's right.

**upallnight** · 03-01-2007, 09:43 PM

sorry to hear about the bad mount -- that sucks, and they should refund your money. had you not been able to get new skis, perhaps you might have had an issue there, but that's irrelevant now.

i know problems happen in mountain towns, too, but getting skis mounted at the beach may not be the best idea. regardless, they took the money and should provide a good mount -- it ain't that hard.

good luck; i know how frustrating that can be.

**tele.savalas** · 03-01-2007, 09:46 PM

start by asking for a refund of mounting charge. i worked at a shop for 8 winters and we fukked up 3 pair of skis in that time. (extra holes, wrong boot sole length). in each case, we bought new skis for the customer. another time, i had my telemark skis mounted at REI and they fukked up my skis. they replaced my skis with a pair off the rack. don't let them take advantage of or worse, ignore your simple request.

**habituallybored** · 03-01-2007, 10:58 PM

The shop should replace your ski. The shop I went to this year messed up my mount, my wife picked up my skis so I didn't notice until a week later. I took them back and the manager basically pointed at their rack and said grab a new pair. It wasn't a blank check, but I did get a nice upgrade.....they definitely kept my business.

**INDY GS** · 03-02-2007, 07:12 AM

what I don't understand is the drill bit size is not determined by the ski but rather the screws that mount the binding to the ski. Also what kind of damage happened to the toepiece that it need to be replaced?

Another question, is if they did the mount BY THE BOOK. They HAVE to test the binding after determining your DIN and setting the binding on the ski. This tests left/right twisting and forward/backward falls. If the toe ripped out on your first turn, I GUARANTEE they never tested the equipment, it would have failed on the bench. read thru the terms on the mounting order request and see that they tested, then go back with that info.

Sounds like the shop was totally at fault and pointing fingers to save their ass. Ask for a refund on the mount cost, and take your business elsewhere.

**gr8fldoug** · 03-02-2007, 07:24 AM

In my experience with this sort of thing, (unfortunatley I have some) as the shop mgr I would have first offered to helicoil the binding in for you. If that was OK with you I would have then refunded you any $ you had already paid me and thrown in a couple of free tunes. If you had not accepted the helicoil option I would have given you a demo ski until we could find a replacement for the one we stripped.
That being said I worked for a larger outift, with many stores to pull stock from and a warehouse full of several major brands of equipment. Some smaller shops might not have the resources that I was able to take advantage of.
And if the shop is waiting for a toe piece from the manufacturer it really is out of their hands. Yes they can ask for a rush job or overnight delivery but depending on your locale it may still be a few days.
My $.02