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Scoring good stuff for your favorite sport in the aisles, online or in catalogs, doesn’t
just happen. You need the advice of a shopping coach, someone who’s honed his or her
skills dropping fortunes finding the deals, steals, and everything in between. Here’s the
deal by someone who’s done all that:
1. Learn.
The more you know about your goals and sport, the more likely you’ll buy the
right stuff. Read about your sport in books, magazines, and online; and talk to friends
who walk, run, bike, or swim to find what’s needed. Peruse catalogs and shops and talk
to salespersons. One bonus is that you may discover you needn’t spend anywhere
near as much as you thought.
2. Don’t shop too much.
It’s easy to get carried away shopping, especially with pricey items such as bicycles. I’ve
seen people so paralyzed by the decision that they went months before buying! Don’t let this
happen. Get the information you need and make a decision. The important thing is to get
something you’re happy with so you can start exercising and having fun. Besides, if you
shop around too much, you might end up buying something just because you’re frustrated and
that’s the wrong reason to buy.
3. Do buy two.
When you find running, walking, cross-training, or cycling shoes that you really like,
head back to the store and buy a second pair. Why? Because shoe companies often change
models drastically each year so when you need new shoes, you’ll have to repeat the
process of finding the right pair.
4. Don’t just try things on.
Really test things. Jog around the store in new running shorts. Ditto for shoes. If it’s
a bike, take a good ride, shifting and braking and turning and climbing (first make sure
the dealer inflates the tires and fits the bike to your optimal riding position). Testing
equipment before purchasing it is the best way to feel if it’s right for you. Obviously,
you won’t know for sure until you’ve really had a chance to use the product. But
you’ll greatly increase your buying success ratio if you try before you buy.
5. Don’t buy at the first place you go.
Feel free to break this rule if you know exactly what you want and already have a favorite
place to shop. Otherwise, you may make the mistake of impulsively purchasing the first
thing that seems right, or worse, buying hook, line, and sinker some great piece of
salesmanship. Shopping a bit ensures you get a fair price and learn enough to make the
right decision about a piece of equipment.
6. Search the Internet.
Company Web sites can be helpful. At http://www.trekbikes.com, you’ll find a bike finder that
helps you decide what type of bike to buy. And Adidas http://www.adidas.com offers an explanation of the key features of a
running shoe, which will help you converse with salespeople come buying time. Also search
under the product to find online stores.
7. Don’t skimp on equipment.
Exercise is addictive and most people who enjoy it stick with it. If you buy something
very basic such as a department store bicycle under the premise that you’re not going
to really use it much anyway, you’ll probably find yourself back at the store upgrading
when you discover how much fun biking is. Buy the right thing first, rather than buy
twice. It’s cheaper.
8. Ask questions (to the point of being obnoxious).
The shopping experience can be intimidating because you’re not an expert and you have
to trust salespeople. Gain control by peppering them with questions. If they’re good,
they’ll have the answers and will be only too happy to explain things. If not,
leave.
9. Don’t be scared of jargon.
Pick up the tech talk in a hurry by reading our glossary. Don’t have time? Use
this tactic: Every time a salesperson uses a term you don’t get, ask her what it
means. That’ll get them speaking English in a hurry.
10. Read the owner’s manual.
Take note of discount coupons, assembly instructions, warranty procedures, free tune-ups,
crash replacement policies. You never know what you might miss if you just toss the
booklet that comes with a product.
11. Save your receipts.
If you change your mind, in most instances, the only way to get a refund or switch
products is to return the original with the receipt. And, in some instances, you might
be able to write purchases off your taxes—but only if you kept the receipt.
12. Buy the important little extras.
A classic example is buying a bike, but skipping the lock—then having the bike stolen
the first day out. Like that lock, there are some things you can’t live without, such
as helmets, pumps, swimming goggles, sun block, etc.
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