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General Climbing Discussion

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Another poor service story 15-Jul-2004 At 12:28:12 AM AlanD

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Duncan, I've been referred by Paddy's and ME, but it's the exception than the rule. I've had all the stores try to totally bulls*** me, sometimes they have even succeeded.

If I'm shopping for something I'm not really familiar with, I'll do some research on the net, ask a few people I know have expertise in that area, go into the each of the Sydney Kent St stores and ask them questions, then sort through all that information to make hopefully an informed purchase. Each store has its strengths and its weaknesses, based upon its staff and its product range, you just need to work out which one is which. None of them are really strong in XC ski touring. I would say the climbing equipment wouldn't generally be a strength of Paddy's, I'd probably put them down as being extremely strong in bushwalking and backpacking. Two years ago I took my parent in the late 70's and early 80's into each of the stores to purchase equipment (boots, rain jackets, thermals, even a walking stick) for a China and Tibet trip, only the Paddy's staff showed any interest in seriously looking after them.

But someone at MD tried to sell me climbing shoes the other day that didn't fit and would never fit (wrong shape), they were in a discount bin, because they didn't have the size shoe I was after in another brand which they do stock.