Best place to buy gear in the Bay Area

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Messages 1 - 34 of total 34 in this topic
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 6, 2008 - 06:28am PT
I am convinced that I can get better prices on gear - biners, cams, chocks, etc - over in the States rather than here in Ireland.

Since I will be in the Bay Area/Yosemite/Tahoe from December 15-31 I figure perhaps I will update my (meager) rack now that I can afford it.

However, it may be not much of a savings as I have to figure the extra weight in baggage coming back and what Aer Lingus may charge for the extra baggage, as well as the euro/dollar exchange rate, so it may actually be cheaper to buy here in Dublin, but I don’t think so.

Any advice/suggestions on the best (and least expensive) places in SF, the East Bay or even Tahoe, I would think that gear is quite dear in Yosemite Valley.

Any sales coming up? What about REI?
Strider

Trad climber
one of god's mountain temples....
Dec 6, 2008 - 06:35am PT
REI has a Garage sale a couple times a year but they never have climbing gear, it is only boots, jackets, snowboards, crap like that.

In the Bay, the best place I can think of for cheap gear is Wilderness Exchange in Berkeley on San Pablo, near Gilman. They sell 2nds (not used, just blemished) there so you can get BD cams for 10%-20% cheaper than normal but their inventory is always kinda spotty.

I also know that gearexpress.com sells seconds on most major hardware items. I bought almost my whole rack from them at damn good prices. You could have them shipped to the someone in the States if shipping to Ireland is too expensive or prohibited.

good luck
-n
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
Where are YOU from?
Dec 6, 2008 - 11:54am PT
I always had good dealings with Sunrise, in Livermore.
Or some remaining dirtbags in the Valley.(if any are there).
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Dec 6, 2008 - 12:21pm PT
Marmot in Berkeley

REI in Berkeley (but other outlets with less climber oriented customer base sometimes have things that are sold out in Berkeley)

Wilderness Exchange in Berkeley (but what's there is often not what you're looking for)

Sunrise in Livermore

but a lot of gear gets bought on the web these days, especially if you are going for cost reduction...
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 6, 2008 - 12:31pm PT
I will be hopefully posting a pic of Rob Grandfield (Sunrise Mountaineering) with myself and three others on the summit of Popocatépetl.

So if I am going to pay out money and not find a bargain elsewhere, I will be giving Rob my money for gear.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Dec 6, 2008 - 01:52pm PT
you might want to give Sunrise a heads-up if you are going to be looking for stuff not so commonly bought in the bay area
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Dec 6, 2008 - 01:59pm PT
Why would you want to vacation in a shithole like the United States, there's nothing but arrogant militaristic as#@&%es here.

Puzzling.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Dec 6, 2008 - 02:32pm PT
There is a list of all the bay area shops on this page

http://www.supertopo.com/climbingareas/bay-area-bouldering.html
aa-lex

climber
Livermore
Dec 6, 2008 - 03:06pm PT
Keep in mind that Sunrise matches prices....
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Dec 6, 2008 - 04:58pm PT
If someone in the Bay Area is willing to be a mail drop for you, you might get your best result by shopping on the web and having your purchases mailed there.

Time is getting a bit tight for that, but since you've got over a week, you may be okay.
Kupandamingi

Trad climber
Berkeley
Dec 6, 2008 - 05:19pm PT
Patrick - if you need to use a bay area address for web orders, your free to use mine in north berkeley area. contact me directly gacollins@ucdavis.edu if your in need of that.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 6, 2008 - 06:51pm PT
Bluering, STFU!


You are beyond annoying, you are an arsehole.




Thanks Chris for that list. And thank you others for your advice. As for you bluey, get a friggin' life. Jeff (fattrad) is a good man. I do not agree with his political (and mostly ideological) views, but he is a good man, a mature man. Bluey, you come across as a little snot nose kid, which I am sure you are.

I wanted to keep this thread about the subject matter - gear - but you had to pipe in your little piece of sh#t two cents, so I will answer you - STFU and I really would relish meeting you - to spit in your eye.
Joe

Social climber
Santa Cruz Mountains/Los Gatos
Dec 6, 2008 - 08:07pm PT
umm, back to the question at hand.

right now a number of on-line gear sellers are offering significant discounts. holidaze, economy...
most notably EMS is offering 25% off, free shipping over $100 and a $25 'gear card' if you spend a certain amount.
I think I also received a 20% off rei notice from their .com site as well recently. and mt gear seems to be offering similar type deals.
you may want to surf those sites and take advantage of the bay area address in order to save on shipping internationally. you could save a bundle right now.
no one over here has any money to shop and they might even throw in sexual favors.
have fun
Melissa

Gym climber
berkeley, ca
Dec 6, 2008 - 10:08pm PT
Go to Google shopping and find the best prices online. Most places wave shipping, and if it's out of state, you might get tax-free too. If you don't have an address at which you can receive your goods, I can e-mail you mine. I'm in Berkeley.

Otherwise, as limited as it is, REI has the best selection followed by Marmot. If you consider Yosemite in the area, it's got the best selection. I heard that the shop in S. Tahoe was going out of business. If that hasn't happened yet and my memory is correct, you might get some deals there?
murcy

climber
San Fran Cisco
Dec 6, 2008 - 11:40pm PT
go with melissa's suggestion and get stuff shipped to somewhere you'll be. if you prefer an sf location, i'll be around & happy to do it.

Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2008 - 12:34am PT
Again, thanks to those who have offered good advice, and as for my little rant, I guess it was a case of too much wine - but not a case.

As for Bluering, he now joins a list of three for me - TIG's son (what's his name), Juanito and Bluey - the new three stooges.


EDIT
Since we will be travelling from SF to Yos Valley, I will pop into Sunrise in Livermore to see Rob and Kim, and probably give them some good business, what the heck I may save a penny or two elsewhere but I'd rather give it to those two.

Now where can I get a pair of JB's Acopa shoes?
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2008 - 08:15am PT
Bump, where to get JB's Acopa shoes?
AllezAllez510

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
Dec 7, 2008 - 09:46am PT
marmot in berk-leeee!
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2008 - 12:03pm PT
Thanks Allez


And by the way, I would never spit in anybody's eye, I was just a a bit peeved that Bluey would inject his spittle in a thread about buying gear.
Jaybro

Social climber
wuz real!
Dec 8, 2008 - 06:49pm PT
Marmot for the JB's though I have a pretty new pair of 8.5s I could give you a deal on...
hollyclimber

Big Wall climber
Yosemite, CA
Dec 8, 2008 - 07:21pm PT
Hi Patrick-

I am going to have a massive cam sale on over 50 cams, plus some full sets of nuts and possibly other rock pro sometime around Christmas in Yosemite. I am selling these cams for a friend of mine who was severely overcammed and needed to sell off anything more than a triple set.

I don't have the list or the cams yet, but I will be getting that possibly around Dec 19.

So, if you are looking for cams, you might want to send me an email. Lots of old friends and a variety of everything will be in the sale.

Holly
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
Where are YOU from?
Dec 8, 2008 - 07:24pm PT
See man? Our community will pull a rabbit outa that hat.


Nothin' up my sleeve.
Presto!

nutjob

Stoked OW climber
San Jose, CA
Dec 8, 2008 - 07:47pm PT
If you need a size 12 Acopa JB (too big for me) brand new (well, I wore them for 1 gym session), I'll give you half price. Just sitting in a box in my closet.
bobinc

Trad climber
Portland, Or
Dec 8, 2008 - 07:52pm PT
What model/size Acopa are you looking for? I have an extra pair of the blue "street" model, size about 9/9.5. They are just too small for me and almost new. I'd be willing to part with them for very little if you could use them.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 12, 2008 - 03:08pm PT
While I will probably buy a bunch of gear at Sunrise in Livermore (next Wednesday), are there any climbing shops in SF? I really want to buy a pair of Acopas.
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Redlands
Dec 12, 2008 - 03:15pm PT
Sawyer, CMac linked you a big list on the first page, here it is:

Bay Area Gear Shops
Belmont - Planet Granite
Berkeley - Berkeley Ironworks, Marmot Mountain Works, REI, Wilderness Exchange
Corte Madera (Marin Country) - REI
Livermore - Sunrise Mountain Sports
Mountain View - REI
San Francisco - REI, Mission Cliffs
Santa Rosa - Sonoma Outfitters, REI, Rockzilla
Sunnyvale - Planet Granite

Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 12, 2008 - 03:22pm PT
Elcapinyoazz, so he did and while I thanked Chris for that list earlier on in this thread, I never got around to opening it (a bit busy right now, but no excuses), I guess I should have gone to that link before posting up again. Cheers.

Since I will be going to both the Valley and Tahoe, any place there to buy Acopas? I'd imagine gear is cheaper in the Bay Area than those two places.
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Redlands
Dec 12, 2008 - 03:41pm PT
Mtn shop in the valley was selling Acopa JBs last time I was there. You might give em a call and check for size etc.

I've found they run small for the size compared to most climbing shoes. I wear a street shoe at 9.5 or 10 depending on brand, fall right between on a brannock(sp?) device and have 10s in JBs and wouldn't mind going up another half size.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Dec 12, 2008 - 05:02pm PT
JB sizing depends, as I understand it, on what you're going to use them for...

OW and all day you want bigger,

edging you want smaller
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Dec 12, 2008 - 06:10pm PT
Jeff, you might ask them what Acopa models Marmot stocks, last time I was in they didn't have everything....
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Dec 12, 2008 - 07:10pm PT
Google is your friend =

CALIFORNIA

* GRANITE GEAR SHOP
2124 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 (530) 544-4726
GRANITE GEAR SHOP

* MAMMOTH MOUNTAINEERING SUPPLY
3189 Main St., Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 (760) 934-4191
MAMMOTH MOUNTAINEERING SUPPLY

* MARMOT MOUNTAIN WORKS
3049 Adeline St. Berkeley, CA 94703

* NORTHERN MOUNTAIN SUPPLY
125 West 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-445-1711
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN SUPPLY

* PACIFIC EDGE
104 Bronson St. #12, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 454-9254
PACIFIC EDGE

* PLANET GRANITE BELMONT
100 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 591-3030
PLANET GRANITE BELMONT

* PLANET GRANITE SANTA CLARA
2901 Mead Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95053 (408) 727-2777
PLANET GRANITE SANTA CLARA

* REAL CHEAP SPORTS
36 W. Santa Clara, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 648-3803
REAL CHEAP SPORTS

* SIERRE NEVADA ADVENTURES
2293 Highway 4, Arnold, CA 95223 209-795-9310
SIERRE NEVADA ADVENTURES

* TAHOE SPORTS LTD
4008 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 542-4000
TAHOE SPORTS LTD

* THE SPORTS EXCHANGE
10095 West River St., Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-4510
THE SPORTS EXCHANGE

* WILSON'S EASTSIDE SPORTS
224 N. Main St., Bishop, CA 93514 (760) 873-7520
WILSON'S EASTSIDE SPORTS

* YOSEMITE VILLAGE MOUNTAIN SHOP
9032 Village Dr. Yosemite, CA 95389 (209)372-8396
Dr. Rock

Ice climber
http://tinyurl.com/4oa5br
Dec 12, 2008 - 09:29pm PT
That store in Arnold is so cool.
Up there in the middle of nuthin.
The Kayak section saved my bacon while on the way to do Boards Crossing.

Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 13, 2008 - 01:04pm PT
I just called the mountain shop in the Valley, it doesn't care Acopas anymore. So the game plan next Wednesday is stop off at Marmot in Berserkly for Acopas and then Sunrise in Livermore for gear before driving off in the sunset to the Valley.
slobmonster

Trad climber
berkeley, ca
Dec 13, 2008 - 04:10pm PT
FYI Marmot does not have a full size run of any Acopas right now (I think). You might want to call the shop and ask if they have model/size you want. 510.849.0735
Messages 1 - 34 of total 34 in this topic
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