Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 4:07 am
Something just came to me tonight while watching MSNBC. Has anyone really noticed the costs of putting together a top-of-the-line slalom racing board?
Turner Blackbird = $379
Roe/Ick - $225
Pocket Pistol = $195
Fibre Flex - $90
Comet = $90
Radikal Truck = $175
PVD = $200
Various offsets = $100
Wheels = @$35 a set
Bearings = $10 to $75 depending on ABEC Rating or ceramics
Hardware (including Risers) = $10.00
It is conceivable to purchase a board in the $650 range without going out of bounds on some costly custom ordered piece of equipment. That's stereo/yard equipment/major appliance prices.
So the question becomes: is it appropriate to consider FINANCING the purchase of a quality racing board? Is taking out a 12-month personal loan with payments in the $125-a-month range reasonable to get two high-end racing boards today?
Sure, there are those who would argue that paying interest on a skateboard purchase is ridiculous. Then again, think of the millions who pay interest on boats, campers and motorized rec vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles? Or maybe a billiards table or a Bowflex? Is it the resell possibility that makes these items "legitimate" for financing whereas a skateboard that's pretty much depreciated to zero has no such appeal?
This sounds kind of silly to think about, but then it occured to me the number of people who are putting off the purchase of GOOD race equipment until they can pay cash. Very few, though, would hesitate to finance purchasing a new Bose/Bang&Olufsen stereo or a Honda ATV. What's the difference? All are discretionary items that are for purposes solely dedicated to entertainment. The real difference being that riding a skateboard is good for your heart and lungs whereas a stereo tends to lead us to an easy chair where we waste away.
Turner Blackbird = $379
Roe/Ick - $225
Pocket Pistol = $195
Fibre Flex - $90
Comet = $90
Radikal Truck = $175
PVD = $200
Various offsets = $100
Wheels = @$35 a set
Bearings = $10 to $75 depending on ABEC Rating or ceramics
Hardware (including Risers) = $10.00
It is conceivable to purchase a board in the $650 range without going out of bounds on some costly custom ordered piece of equipment. That's stereo/yard equipment/major appliance prices.
So the question becomes: is it appropriate to consider FINANCING the purchase of a quality racing board? Is taking out a 12-month personal loan with payments in the $125-a-month range reasonable to get two high-end racing boards today?
Sure, there are those who would argue that paying interest on a skateboard purchase is ridiculous. Then again, think of the millions who pay interest on boats, campers and motorized rec vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles? Or maybe a billiards table or a Bowflex? Is it the resell possibility that makes these items "legitimate" for financing whereas a skateboard that's pretty much depreciated to zero has no such appeal?
This sounds kind of silly to think about, but then it occured to me the number of people who are putting off the purchase of GOOD race equipment until they can pay cash. Very few, though, would hesitate to finance purchasing a new Bose/Bang&Olufsen stereo or a Honda ATV. What's the difference? All are discretionary items that are for purposes solely dedicated to entertainment. The real difference being that riding a skateboard is good for your heart and lungs whereas a stereo tends to lead us to an easy chair where we waste away.