Blister annual book of gear

[Jongle]

Here’s the difference….

Gaijin getting carried away in his diatribe is entertaining and authentic.

Blister constantly talking about injuries and insurance is neither.

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I’m not a customer for the insurance stuff and it’s not my favourite content either, but I do believe it’s authentic. JE & team seem like a pretty sincere crew and if they wanted to sell out there are a million ways they could’ve done so over the years other than the insurance angle.

I do wish there was a non-insurance membership option that included the gear recs, resort guides, discounts etc. But they put out enough great free content that I can’t summon the righteous indignation that others seem to have.

[Tailwind]

Lots of philosophies of insurance. It’s about properly mitigating risk and there are plenty of people who are underinsured.

I read through the posts and I think the conflict is pretty evident.

Blisters core ethos has been “honest reviews”. To Jonathon’s point, the guide doesn’t have ads because that’s a conflict of interest for them.

The insurance is now a product they’re selling with the idea that all but a privileged minority really ought to have it… but this isn’t an unbiased review. It is a direct attempt to sell a product. People get hurt doing these activities and awareness so the risks is important but the podcast sections talking about “close calls” are sales pitches.

The part that’s off putting to me is that the tactic is fear and it’s provided from a biased position. It undermines the “honest reviews” portion of the ethos. I was driving up skiing listening to a blister podcast last year and the subtext was clear “you should be afraid but if you give us your money you can be less afraid”. I don’t think I’ve listened since. That’s just not a marketing plan that passes the integrity test for me. Insurance is gambling.

Insurance companies are the casino and know exactly what to charge to make sure they will take in more than they pay out. It’s not altruistic, it’s just statistical and predictive models. Blister relies on anecdotes to sell the insurance plans because anecdotes convince people while ignoring the reality that most will pay more than they receive in return.

Yes you can have people who take massive risks and are hurt often but for most people better financial planning and a HSA are likely cheaper in the long run (unless you’re an outlier from a risk standpoint and the insurance company doesn’t know it).

[gaijin]

I typed out a retaliation to my diatribe, but who gives a shit?

I don't know any of Blister's reviewers.
I never even knew they sold insurance.
Why? Because I don't listen to their podcast... they sound like Californian's trying to fit in. (That would make a good SNL skit.)

Blister-- "What is it good for?"
Dimensions. 126-84-112, r20.
That's about it.

I have absolutely no idea who any of you are. And that statement is meant as constructive criticism.

And I have no idea why you're selling insurance, aside from the fact that you're an insurance company. I mean, that makes complete sense now that I think about it for a second.

Blister Shield does have a good ring to it.

If I were to imagine how to build a clientele for risk insurance, I would build it like Blister did. I would build a clientele of followers taking huge risks, and slow-drip into their feed a way to off-set their risk... with an insurance policy.

Holy shit.

[LeeLau]

Just here to say I enjoy gaijins diatribes. No sarc and especially your Japan insights. Keep at it

[uglymoney]

This membership level thing is all needlessly confusing. After skimming this thread I just went and spent the $25 to make sure I get the print guide and have digital access. Last year I didn't have to take this step and now there is an entire thread of bitching and moaning about it, seems to me because of this push to sell the insurance, which I might or might not need since we pay for something similar through work that might or might now work or be needed, just like spot, but I need more time and intelligence to figure it all out. I listen to pretty much all of the Blister, Gear30, and Cinematic podcasts, can't fast forward through the spot stuff because I am usually driving. Probably use the website the least so the $59 is of questionable value, but I view it like our NPR membership because of the pods, and the wife actually does spend time on their website. My wife also likes the digital gear guide, I prefer the print version.

Whateves. I think I have the basics figured minus the insurance thing.

Does anybody know of an injury insurance comparison podcast to listen to so I could deep dive that?

Carry on.

[MoeSnow]

Just here to say I enjoy gaijins diatribes. No sarc and especially your Japan insights. Keep at it

Unsure if Gajin is trolling or not. Perhaps just drunk? He said enough to get JE up and onto his stump speech. I am enjoying this thread.

[XtrPickels]

Hey Jonathon,

It's frustrating that your core consumer base is expressing frustration and you aren't taking a moment to understand their issues.
As someone in the outdoors product world, understanding your consumer needs to be the first priority.

You haven't shown either empathy or humility, you've come to chastise and educate us on why you do what you do.

We aren't saying insurance isn't valuable, we're saying that your pushing of it is over bearing.
We aren't saying that your content isn't worthwhile, we're saying that too many of your "first-looks" never resolve with a formal review.
We aren't saying that your product isn't valuable, we're saying that your pricing structure / pre-formed packages are odd and not-intuitive.

[The Iron Horse]

^ Well stated.

[Meadow Skipper]

Unsure if Gajin is trolling or not. Perhaps just drunk? He said enough to get JE up and onto his stump speech. I am enjoying this thread.

When I read gaijin’s post I kind of wanted to be on whatever he’s on.

I have plenty of insurance already, so I’m skipping the Blister thing.

[gaijin]

Unsure if Gajin is trolling or not. Perhaps just drunk? He said enough to get JE up and onto his stump speech. I am enjoying this thread.

Both. And, maybe it's time I come out of the woodwork a bit. (But even this will be kept in code.)

I come from venture capital. I've lost millions of other people's money, including my own life savings... in this exact industry. Which translates to "I've failed more times than you've tried."

Here, I'm playing the anonymity card hard right now for Blister. This thread alone has almost 9k views. (Perhaps that's you all just refreshing the page, lol.)

Constructive criticism does not come from below. It comes from above, or it comes from anonymity, if it comes at all.

Nowhere on Blister's front-page is there any mention of risk insurance. Yet- insurance seems to be the hallmark for subscriptions and the thorn in customer's subscriptions. That should be front and center. There should be a glaring page to sign up for insurance. How your insurance provider failed to demand that in their agreement with you is beyond me. But that's just another oversight/red flag.

Hence, WTF does this mean--


So, I'm being the asshole in the room.

I've scrolled your front page a dozen times, maybe a hundred. I don't give a shit about your bike brakes or helmets. And yet-- all of those clicks failed to inform me that you sell risk insurance.

I've been on your mailing list for years. YEARS. And I had no idea that you sold risk insurance because (I guess) I don't listen to your podcast..

You've legitimately missed 80% of the market-- dudes like me... who just float the internet because it's Tuesday.

So, as your "Now Publicly Decided Attorney", I advise you to to rethink everything and re-frame your business model, publicly. People are confused. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with being the world's leading provider of risk insurance... with a blistering catalogue of product reviews. That's an astoundingly-sound business model.

Sorry for the cunting... but somebody has to throw cold water. Thank you, Arild, for starting this thread. He's the real one to get JFE to reply.

Nobody wants their business to crash. It affects families and generations. And we're all here for our kids to get to ski, right?

My guess... higher-ups at Blister got comfortable with their existing model and kind of forgot to keep working. Happens all the time. That's why Leventhal sells every company he develops... he skips the comfortable part.

[D(C)]

I’m guessing the insurance thing helps keep the lights on, but I agree that it is an odd pairing given the site’s mandate. People come to Blister to read about gear. People go to insurance companies to buy insurance.

[SnowMachine]

I’m guessing the insurance thing helps keep the lights on, but I agree that it is an odd pairing given the site’s mandate. People come to Blister to read about gear. People go to insurance companies to buy insurance.

Yeah, agree..... The insurance is probably a good product and I can't tell you how many folks I've played hard with that are under or un insured. I appreciate what they're doing. The "crashes and close calls" shit is just plain faggotry. Who here hasn't ever gotten hurt in the outdoors? We know already. I have a body full of metal. I don't need to be told about your close calls every time I listen to your podcast. In fact, I tend to like to act like I can't get hurt playing. It makes it easier to justify continuing to play.

[J. Barron DeJong]

Both. And, maybe it's time I come out of the woodwork a bit. (But even this will be kept in code.)

I come from venture capital. I've lost millions of other people's money, including my own life savings... in this exact industry. Which translates to "I've failed more times than you've tried."

Here, I'm playing the anonymity card hard right now for Blister. This thread alone has almost 9k views. (Perhaps that's you all just refreshing the page, lol.)

Constructive criticism does not come from below. It comes from above, or it comes from anonymity, if it comes at all.

Nowhere on Blister's front-page is there any mention of risk insurance. Yet- insurance seems to be the hallmark for subscriptions and the thorn in customer's subscriptions. That should be front and center. There should be a glaring page to sign up for insurance. How your insurance provider failed to demand that in their agreement with you is beyond me. But that's just another oversight/red flag.

Hence, WTF does this mean--


So, I'm being the asshole in the room.

I've scrolled your front page a dozen times, maybe a hundred. I don't give a shit about your bike brakes or helmets. And yet-- all of those clicks failed to inform me that you sell risk insurance.

I've been on your mailing list for years. YEARS. And I had no idea that you sold risk insurance because (I guess) I don't listen to your podcast..

You've legitimately missed 80% of the market-- dudes like me... who just float the internet because it's Tuesday.

So, as your "Now Publicly Decided Attorney", I advise you to to rethink everything and re-frame your business model, publicly. People are confused. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with being the world's leading provider of risk insurance... with a blistering catalogue of product reviews. That's an astoundingly-sound business model.

Sorry for the cunting... but somebody has to throw cold water. Thank you, Arild, for starting this thread. He's the real one to get JFE to reply.

Nobody wants their business to crash. It affects families and generations. And we're all here for our kids to get to ski, right?

My guess... higher-ups at Blister got comfortable with their existing model and kind of forgot to keep working. Happens all the time. That's why Leventhal sells every company he develops... he skips the comfortable part.

Every time I visit the Blister site I get this full page pop-up:



I’m always using my iPhone, and in incognito mode, so maybe you miss out if doing something different?

[Sargentdrufus]

Hey Jonathon,

It's frustrating that your core consumer base is expressing frustration and you aren't taking a moment to understand their issues.
As someone in the outdoors product world, understanding your consumer needs to be the first priority.

You haven't shown either empathy or humility, you've come to chastise and educate us on why you do what you do.

We aren't saying insurance isn't valuable, we're saying that your pushing of it is over bearing.
We aren't saying that your content isn't worthwhile, we're saying that too many of your "first-looks" never resolve with a formal review.
We aren't saying that your product isn't valuable, we're saying that your pricing structure / pre-formed packages are odd and not-intuitive.

Yup

[FloridaSnow]

Every time I visit the Blister site I get this full page pop-up:



I’m always using my iPhone, and in incognito mode, so maybe you miss out if doing something different?

Same thing I get everytime I go to the site as well. Pretty hard to miss

[Crystal Skier]

The end … Paleeze … lets hear some cool stuff bout new sticks in the quiv and what we learned about BOA and is it the snizzle for Ya’s … new thread time.


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[obi wan kenobi]

The end … Paleeze … lets hear some cool stuff bout new sticks in the quiv and what we learned about BOA and is it the snizzle for Ya’s … new thread time.


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Agree

[kc_7777]

Agree

Ya we all get a bit feral this time of year.

I’m gonna tape pillows all over my body and sit on our main floor (stairs are way too dangerous) and order the Blister print guide as that is safer than going to a ski store to look at skis where there is a high probability I will have a crash or close call. Then I may phone my house insurance provider and see if they have any Heritage Lab Swallowtail 120’s for sale. FFS.

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[SkiLyft]

Woah, they took the marketing thing seriously. Instead of getting stoked on Ski/Bike content now I get reminded how expensive crashing can be.

Thanks Blister




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[TexasGortex]

We aren't saying that your content isn't worthwhile, we're saying that too many of your "first-looks" never resolve with a formal review.
We aren't saying that your product isn't valuable, we're saying that your pricing structure / pre-formed packages are odd and not-intuitive.

I just checked and the last flash review I was interested in last year still hasn’t been updated. That’s not worth $60.

[Island Bay]

I just checked and the last flash review I was interested in last year still hasn’t been updated. That’s not worth $60.

I'll pay $60 for a Gaijin subscription.

[Dhiler17]

Woah, they took the marketing thing seriously. Instead of getting stoked on Ski/Bike content now I get reminded how expensive crashing can be.

Thanks Blister




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Remember when Blister fed stoke instead of fear? Never thought that’d be something we could reminisce….

My feed is filled with their ads now


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[gaijin]

I'll pay $60 for a Gaijin subscription.

Haha. I'm a bit of a yesterday-year as a voice on TGR. Half of these maggots take me seriously, and they get offended. The other half realize that I'm a textual comic,, just experimenting with posts through a medium that I know-- skiing.

Anyway, those who can see through the pageantry and view my posts with a comic's eye, are going to be a bit bummed to learn that I'm in Sober October. Meaning, my posts are likely to read a bit less cutting-throat and a bit more supple this month. Sorry about that.

Those who have anticipated my posts with a bit of angst, in their own hopes to reply and get angry, are probably gonna be relieved that my previous alcohol-induced rants are going to be quite subtle this month. You won't have to try so hard.

Sorry about that. But I'm dealing with "a thing."

In the meantime, Blister-- You, too, should have a sobriety check. Re-think your business model. Heck, you should hire me as a reviewer/writer. I've got decades on your entire staff on both real-world riding and writing.

Just sayin'. You might gain a bit of credibility by getting real and rethinking the commercialization of past failures.

[Upinsmoke]

^ where is the like button?
Blister lost my support when they stopped doing follow up reviews on skis I was interested in. So many of their reviews are not finished product.

[MoeSnow]

Can't help but roll my eyes at the outrage over the ads.

+1 to more reviews criticism, though. In my humble opinion: if the ski is in the buyers guide there should be a full review for that ski on the website (I would expect a flash review as the bare minimum).

Wanting to get a narrower ski this year for some insurance (I used the evil 'I' word TGR, are you mad?) for shitty snow days and have been looking at the Blizzard Anomaly 88s. The ski appears in the front-side section of the buyers guide but there is no accompanying review on the website. There is a review for the 94 and 102 on the website. Maybe the review for the 88s will appear later this fall? Perhaps the Blister's reviewers did not get enough time on them?

FWIW Ski Essentials has a 30+ minute video about the Anomaly 88s on YouTube, which was helpful. The paragraph about them in the buyers guide and the spectrum page helped me, too (but not nearly as much as the Ski Essentials video).