Boot Fitters

EVO88 wrote:Sounds good to me bandit,

I'm happy spending all day in there as long as I end up with some sweet fitting boots. I think I am going to take the OH for a trip down to El Capital and make a day or two out of it.

So say budget £300 for a decent set up?

I'll get in touch with them for an appointment, does CEM have a real name?!

Be sure to let your OH know that Bicester Outlet Shopping Village is within walking distance of cem's office. http://www.bicestervillage.com/en_GB/sem10discount?gclid=CPWI9ujO6p0CFVtm4wod-HTxMQ

There are also North Face, Helly Hansen, Timberland, Tog24, and Quiksilver stores there :D

There is a contact form built into the website, use that as it will get past his spam filter, he's Colin Martin :D

Your budget reads fine, have an open mind though.

Salomon CS range springs to mind, seem to be very popular this season. I got Imapct 8's with custom linings last season and they are fantastic for me.

Tony_H wrote:Salomon CS range springs to mind, seem to be very popular this season. I got Imapct 8's with custom linings last season and they are fantastic for me.

It's all about the foot shape, cem will measure EVO88, and bring out 1 or possibly 2 boots that will meet his needs.

I have the Salomon Instinct CS BTW :D

Lockwoods had SZK and CEM there to do that fitting, do you think they have anyone else working there with a reputable background?

I find it so hard to believe that there are such a small niche of fitters around! Madness.

EVO88 wrote:Lockwoods had SZK and CEM there to do that fitting, do you think they have anyone else working there with a reputable background?

I find it so hard to believe that there are such a small niche of fitters around! Madness.

Lockwoods have a solid longstanding reputation for bootfitting. Both CEM and SZK used to be part of their team. Both left to pursue their own biz, but all stay in touch. Lockwoods is about 20 miles from Cem's so much in it for you. There are many folks selling boots calling themselves fitters. Few have been doing that occupation for 20 years+, and those who fit ski boots as a career all seem to know each other.

For the SH event, I think it was a case of Lockwoods having the biggest fitting benches. Lockwoods have a ticket system for ski boot fitting (think Deli counter in Tesco). With cem you get an appointment.

Sounds like CEM it is. You should really start asking for commission!

EVO88 wrote: You should really start asking for commission!

I'm a satisfied customer, and he gets my repeat business :thumbup:

I know I've said this before, and I know that not everyone agrees, but I don't see the logic in buying in the UK as opposed to the ski resort. Now, I have myself bought ski boots at huge discount in a Decathlon in Montpellier in a blazing hot summer, but that was because they were so cheap. Various people I know have gone through the routine of buying them in the UK; everything feeling OK; waiting 3 months; skiing in them and being crippled within a couple of hours; taking them to a shop to see what they can do; hiring something else out of necessity; bringing them back; going to the shop; having them adjusted; waiting 9 months; paying to take them out; and repeating the whole process for the next couple of years.

The alternative is to wait; hire from a good shop on the basis of 'try and buy'; try out 3-4 different boots; buy the ones you like; go through a couple of adjustment visits to the shop; and return home happy.

This usually produces a posting about a bad experience with a resort shop. But there will always be bad shops, whether they're in a resort or in the UK - with people who are just out to sell you anything. The difference is that at least you can (a) try them out on a hire basis and (b) take them back for adjustment and try them again if you use a resort shop.