eaglez

Catek might be a niche company but they are playing online with other companies who get the job done and take care of their customers. And customers have come to expect that level of service from a company that is in business. This is the "I expect everything now generation", and the internet has helped to facilitate that. So when a company is silent, yet still continues to process payments for product, people get rightfully scared. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, I have stated mine, others have stated theirs. As a new customer, what is someone to do if the company they just ordered from won't return communication? Just sit by and wait? Or type out and see if there are any other individuals that are seeing the same situation? They can't just walk into the store and demand the manager take care of the problem. In these trying economic times, everyone has a heightened awareness that a company might go under. Catek has done nothing to dispel those thoughts. One line on their website in red, like bomber, outlining their stocking/shipping expectations and this thread wouldn't need to exist. D.

If this thread does nothing more than have Jeff call Scott and say "let's take care of our customers in a more timely manner, OK", then it will have served its purpose. D.

No, that is not what I meant and that wouldn't be good for anyone. They make a good product. That was never in question here. But shining a light on the customer service problems might get them fixed. On the other hand if, as you say, money is not the driving force for Catek to be in business there might not be a focus on generating new business or keeping existing business serviced. And we will have to be satisfied with the "you will get it when you get it philosophy". I don't generally do business with that type of company, and I am sure there are others who would agree. D.

Ya, I hate it when someone takes my money and doesn't have the resources or the decency to communicate with me in a timely manner. Don't you? And on another topic, maybe if more people said "I hate the way you do business and I won't do business with you anymore", we might have less toxic products being made by irresponsible companies who ship jobs over to child labour, lawless countries, just to save a buck. D.

Why are most people letting Catek off the hook here? And people don't want to call the company out here? As a fellow forum member, I would hope that people would post problems, and successess from companies we all deal with in this sport. I still haven't heard a proper response to the customer claims about Catek on this and other threads on this forum. I have some questions as a past customer and a potential future customer. Scott (swt) is the only rep for Catek, right? Catek is a US company, right? Is Scott the only person working for this company who can field emails or phone calls? I find that hard to believe. Last time I checked, you didn't need your own broadband to get connected to the internet and check/respond to emails. Lots of connected cafes etc in the UK. I think the excuses from swt are flimsy at best. Obviously, Catek is now a sideline company for its staff, with one staff member working only part-time to service customer issues. I would expect that fact to be indicated on their website so the consumer could be make an informed decision on whether or not to do business with the company, or whether that level of customer service is acceptable to them. To some customers, that would be OK. But obviously this forum shows there are others who want more contact after their money has been taken. The consumer has a right to the level of service indicated on the companies website if the company has no physical stores. I haven't checked lately, but maybe their site does say "Place your order, we will immediately take your money and then ignore you for weeks, months while our staff member paid to help you, relocates out of the country for graduate studies", but I doubt it. So, where is the owner of Catek? Has he washed his hands of the menial job of customer service now? Unacceptable! I know that this is a fringe sport. And as someone mentioned, the internet is the only way for our sport to grow. But. just as easy as it is now to order a product and pay for it online, so it the ability to connect with the customer who has just placed the order. I will say it again. Unacceptable!! If you are going to be in business, offer a consistant level of service to your customers, or get out of the business. Don't take this lousy level of service for your good money. Get mad! I know this will insight a flame war from some around here. But if we post companies shoddy practices on sites like this, other consumers will benefit and not get burned! There are a few other people on this site who have intimate knowledge of Catek and I am surprised they have kept quiet through this. No one wins when that happens. I have owned a couple of sets of Cateks over the years. They worked well. But, I only have one thing to say now. You win Fin! D.

I'm not at the moment, but my 7 yr old daughter and 11 yr old son were sporting their new ski boots earlier today. "Don't mark the hardwood!" D.

It also only works for US residents.

Sold, and board sent. Thanks C. D.

Does anyone know if there will be an adequate supply of intec heels for this season? I know that my only local shop was out early last season and never did receive any more. With F2's company issues this past year, is it possible we will have a hard time getting them? Also, any spy shots of the new TD3 floating around? D.

email replied D.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..... sing it with me.............. The Virus still needs a new home. D.

email sent. D.

"took his life"......... so profoundly sad that someone can get to the point that continuing to live is no longer an option....... My condolences to his family and friends. D.

Well it is good to see that you consider yourself rich for spending $50. You should be proud of your accomplishments.....

First, I sent you an email you didn't respond to. If you are going to talk about courtesy, that would have been nice. And second, he made the offer, all you had to do was accept it. What was my comment going to do to mess that up? I was just voicing that it was more than I was going to be able to offer. As for dropping in, I wasn't just dropping in, I was a potential buyer. I could have used those discs, but once I found out what the other offer was, I had to bow out. I have bought and sold a ton of gear on here. All went smoothly. Judging by other posts here it is your communication that sucks. And since you are being a dick here, ebay has these all the time for a fraction of that price. Have a nice day.

Wow, $50 for discs??? I must be out of the loop when it comes to the popularity of these things. D.

I sent you an email on the disks. D.

email sent............

email sent

Thanks Boris, enjoy your summers everyone...............................

My last post wasn't intended to induce a flame war. It was just opinion. And it wasn't intended as a knock against Boris. He and I have spoke offline alot over the years and he sold me a small board that might make it back to his house someday. And I respect what he is trying to do. I was just pointing out a couple of issues with it. As for my kids when they were 3, our hill has a Kids Corral that is fenced off from the general ski population with its own magic carpet. Not even parents can get in while instruction is going on. There is a set of bleachers where you can watch. So I would say that is pretty safe. As for free skiing after lessons, obviously there is an element of danger in any sport, but I assure you that the speeds my snowplowing 3 year olds travelling 2 feet in front of me were no where near the speeds that even a careful free skiing adult with a kid on his back would achieve. And even if I got hit by someone, I would rather take the hit than my kid in front of me. Like I said, anything can happen through no fault of your own. And if it turns ugly here, I will just delete and forget the whole thing. D.

Hey B, I just want to put a few keystrokes to screen on this. In my opinion, there are 2 things to think about here. The least important is the resort's liability standpoint. The most important in my opinion is that so many things could go wrong that aren't your fault. The reasons we generally wear helmets in the first place is to protect us from all of the things that we have control over as well as the things we have no control over. The ways you can be smoked by some dick on the hill are unpredictable. I would assume that you might be skiing with your child on the blue or green runs. Generally where the majority of people of questionable ability frequent. It would only take one hit or an edge catch that might not injure you but knock you over and your childs head hits the ice. The thought of that happening to mine or anyones kids brings tears to my eyes. Having 2 kids, 6 and 10 who have been skiing since 3, their safety is my #1 concern. They continue to be professionally instructed and I have taught them how to be as safe as possible and ski/board defensively and be aware of what is around at all times. It doesn't matter if they had the right of way, if the offending person smokes them and they are injured. It doesn't matter much who is at fault if my kid is dead. :( Sorry about the rant. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, that instructor at my old club years ago got lucky in my opinion that nothing happened while packing his kid around on the hill. There will be lots of time to get on the hill with Luca and it won't be long. Also, I have a quiver of small boards that I would like to be able to send your way when the time comes. So I wouldn't want anything to happen to you or your son. D.

I am interested in your process. When you say carry the piece of paper from the UPS office, would that be the actual office that has your item? Or can you get that document from any UPS office. Because, generally I got a call from UPS while the package was still at the border to ask about what brokerage arrangements I would like to use. So, in that scenario, if that document was at the border with the package, it would not be practical. But if it could be printed out at the local UPS store/depot, without the package actually being onsite, that would work. Then once the customs stamp is on it they forward the package to the local depot. I would be happy if it worked that way. D.

The nice thing that seems to be happening is that companies like Donek and SG are now making the shorter stuff. So maybe we are in for other companies doing it as well. Not everyone can get a new one at full retail (I know I wouldn't have been able to ship one from Europe at full retail). But the fact that they are being produced means that as time passes there will be more high quality small used gear hitting the market. Or maybe just vacuumed up by local race teams to give to the new recruits. D.