Last Saturday, one of my daughter’s ice skating coaches (she has been taking mostly group lessons) pulled me aside. “You know,” she said, “It really is time to get her her own skates.”
My daughter has been progressing in skating far faster than we would have imagined. What started out as a fun activity to help stimulate her poor appetite has turned into her passion. She’s been skating on rental skates but can’t progress and do the more advanced tricks without a better blade and a boots that aren’t broken down by hundreds of other feet. I’d be grossed out, but at least the other feet belonged to tiny kids.
So, I find myself this week scrambling to figure out the best way to buy skates. You could apply these same strategies to almost any sport that requires equipment or a uniform.
Check Associated Pro Shops
If your sport is one that is highly organized or requires a field or area, you might find that there is an associated pro shop or sports store that will offer discounts if you are a member of an organization or are simply taking lessons. The pro shop at the rink offers a 10 percent discount on skates if you take lessons at the rink. Sometimes additional courtesy discounts may also apply.
Hold a Swap Meet
Get together with other parents and form a swap meet. You can swap your old uniforms and gear for others that you need. It will also be nice to know that someone else can still get use out of the items that you already purchased, and you won’t have to make a new investment if your child grows or embraces a new sport.
If you are only meeting with a small group, you can host it in one of your homes. Otherwise, see if you can hold it at your school, field (with good weather) or community center.
Shop at a Sports Resale Shop
There are chain sports resale shops, such as Play It Again Sports, that offer gently used sports equipment. This might be a great way to get the equipment that you need without spending a lot of money, especially if your child is new to a sport.
You can often find great equipment at 30-50 percent off of the price of new.