[Paddlewise] ethical kayak dealers...and safety.

< extra content removed by moderator, if replying to the digest it's got
to be have a lot deleted... >

"All doubting Thomases. The people selling the boats think
they know what they are talking about. I've been bold enough to butt into a
conversation or two about boats in stores. The clerks may not like it but
some
things are just too wrong to tell people. Misinformation is contagious."

I am afraid this is true of much of the sales industry...even sales of
expensive products, which by nature are more complicated to understand well,
and to explain to a potential buyer.  In my experience few salesmen(women)
of any product can truly explain it well...and in totality...or are
psychologically prepared to admit when they cannot, but will try to find the
true answers to a buyer's smart questions.

The above is one of the reasons why I go to ethical and knowledgeable kayak
stores/suppliers...one is to get real information to suplement my already
done homework, and the other is to reward these ethical people who are
contributing something to kayakers, kayakers to be, and the world in general
by representing this activity in a way that is positive old, new and
nonkayakers alike.  It is not hard to tell the difference...between the
ethical and purely self serving dealers.

For the most part, I don't believe it costs more to seek out and buy from
the good ones.

Michael Orchard
Vancouver, Washington
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************