Um, how did you think they make money? They're not shipper; they're a middleman. You pay for the "convenience" and not waiting in line at a real UPS, FedEx, or post office. BTW, I shipped mine from the U.S. Post Office, with insurance. Reasonably cheap.

You also paid the UPS Store people for the packing materials and to pack it for you, plus you paid for the overnight shipping - Premium service costs.

It's cheaper to DIY.

Twice as much? I don't consider that a reasonable mark-up. Klingbeil shipped it back to me the exact same way I shipped it to them. And I paid 12.00 for the packing, so that makes the first shipping about $90.00.

And for some reason Klingbeil gave me a discount on the rebuild, down to $15.00. I'm not sure if it was because they took longer than originally stated, or maybe the damage was so bad they considered it partly a defect? Anyway, I'm glad for that!

Yep--definitely look into shipping by the post office next time. I ship large packages overseas all the time, and it's nearly always cheaper to send them through the USPS, than it is through FedEx, or UPS, or DHL, or any of those services. Even with purchasing extra insurance, or certified delivery/return receipt, etc. And yes, it's much less expensive to package your items yourself. (For instance, at the post office where I've worked, we charge 5 cents for each strip of tape if you've forgotten your own, six cents for a regular envelope, etc., etc.--and we generally didn't carry any padding at all. It's certainly not free.) Just be sure you're adhering to regulations--which basically means no writing/printing on the outside of a pre-used box--black it out (and the USPS won't take AVON boxes at all anymore...good to know), and tape it well with packing tape (not masking or scotch tape). Send your skates with covers on the blades, so when the post office asks you if you're sending anything dangerous, you can say no.

Also, let your fingers do the walking--all of these services have a website (post office is www.usps.com), and you can compare costs for the size and weight of your package, and method/speed of shipping, across the board.

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flippet, why wouldn't you take the blades off before shipping the boots back for work? I bet the bootmaker takes them off anyways to be able to work with them, and it would reduce the weight and therefore the cost of shipping.

I also agree with USPS as the best way to go. UPS has damaged multiple packages I've shipped, costs more, and of course won't deliver to P.O. Boxes. If I really cared about the package not getting damaged I've heard better things about FedEx, but I've never had USPS damage anything.

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Blades are sometimes tricky to get just right, so I wouldn't remove them. By the way, Klingbeil doesn't take the blades off to work on the skates. I've had rebuilds, tongue replacements, adjustments - you name it! They don't even keep the guards on them. (Maybe that's so they don't misplace the guards.)

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OK I should probably read this whole thread more carefully before I reply, but I'm going to put in my 3 cents worth anyway. I live in New York and have worn klingbiels from bronze through gold and i am famliar with the area as well as the klingbiel system. If you are really set on having klingbiel fit the boots (i wouldn't have anyone else adjust mine!!) here are a few options...the actual fitting /measuring can abe done by any of his recommended reps....its after the boot is made that you might want to consider coming to NY. keep in mind that he only takes appointments on thursdays, fridays and saturdays. and it can take months from when you are measured to when they come in. when he notifies you that they are in you might want to come up north for a few days. there are plenty of reasonablly priced hotels within 1/2 hour drive of queens, and lots of rinks. there is $65 a night hotel in stamford, three blocks from a rink, and 10-20 minutes from another 3 at least. i would suggest saying a few days. let him ship you the skates and skate at home to see what needs to be adjusted. then bring them with you to new york. see him on a thursday morning and skate your butt off on thursday and friday and have another appointment already set up for sat. he should be able to get it right by then. remember, gone are the old heavy klingbiels. I broke mine in 5 days before my gold moves and free test. within one day i was doing axels, and on the second day full program with doubles. third day we did pairs. limited throw jumps, but were able to death spiral. all of this would have to be planned in advance,. i you are interested , pm me and i can help you. i know the rink schedules and areas ionside out from our traveling gypsy pairs practicied (we practice on 9 different rinks!!!) good luck

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Q:If landing an axle is 3 times your body weight, then how many times your body weight is the landing of a throw axle
A: depends on whos throwing you and how much you lied about your weight on your pairs profile


a can of stickum : $5.95
the email asking "how do you get this sticky stuff off " ...priceless

those are great ideas...now what lift were we doing again?

hey Tim...i finally figured out how to get the sticky stuff off!

Missing: east coast stunt doubles poster