Mountain Sports of Angel Fire — Local services in Angel Fire

After 2 years will not go there again, ever. We (family of 5) were staying at Angel Fire, NM, for the last few years, as it is the best ski resort from our proximity (Houston, TX) by car, very kids and family friendly, and we are planning to do it for the years to come. We've been renting from Mountain Sports for the last two years, 5 sets of equipment every time, for 6-8 days (2 adults, 3 kids), running a bill of $500-600+ every time. Overall, we chose them based on the proximity (walking distance) from the place we rent every year, and the quality of their demo packages compared to other places (which I rent as an experienced skier). Beginner and intermediate packages are very low quality, very beaten up, plus they are a bit overpriced compared to the other places in town. My wife had to change her boots after a day of skiing as sole of the boots on the inside were torn apart (plastic part bent). In terms of service, tech guys are very friendly and helpful. But, do not ever come across business owners, if you need to talk to them.

I've been renting a demo package for 6 days, and I really loved the skies (K2, discontinued model). I've been skiing for the last 27 years, and I really wanted to buy these, last skies I've owned was 9 years ago, before I moved from CA to TX.

Long story short, two days ago I'm dropping the equipment off, and asking for a quote for those demo skies and bindings I've been running. The wife of the owner of the shop quotes me $610 (650 minus one day of demo rental of $40), I tell her I need to talk to my wife, and I'll let them know. 30mins later I'm getting a phone call from their shop telling me that "they talked to their higher ups" and they can drop the price to $550. I call them right back, agreeing on the deal, they are telling me that they will get skies waxed and prepared for next day morning pick up.

Being a late Christmas present for me, sure enough I'm running to their shop next morning, their tech lays out "my" perfectly waxed and prepped skies for me, and then..

The owner of the shop comes out, his wife and previous night techs are not there, and he says, with a poker face: the price is $899 But.. what.. you called me with $550 deal last night.. how??

Poker face, "this is a $1200 skies" - "yes, exactly I checked it online -2012-13 MSRP, discontinued model, and that's what your wife and techs mentioned last night, saying "merry Christmas"?

Poker face, "I cannot do this deal".

I had to turn around and walk out of the store. This place will never ever see my business, as I do not take my money were people cannot hold their deals, or even provide any simple apologies (idk, if they misquoted me, or something, just simple explanation and apologies, some sort of store credit, or just a simple gift would suffice).

PS. After examining my bills for upon arrival, it looks they overcharged me for approx $20-30 for the first day of rentals (5 sets). Math is not their best skill, please use the calculator.

You can rent from them if you do not expect any trouble, but please do not rely on the owners honesty if any questions come up with your rentals.

And bad for us, we spent another $100+ in kids socks and two sets of kids goggles there during this trip. That's how they treat their customers. Response to an owner post:

1. Lies again - I used only one demo ski package the whole time, never changed it (in addition to one standard for my wife and 3 full sets for kids);
2. You never explained me anything, no mention of misquote or mistake ever happened - what happened is exactly what described above, don't you have balls to just admit it?
3. Your store was in fact #1 our family used for two years in a row, 5 people, leaving north of $600-700 every time. No more.
4. The review is fair and accurate as I described the situation above, I hope your other thousands of customers will enjoy your service - and I mean it, hopefully they will not have the same experience as I did.
5. Free advice - don't lie online, it might bite your ass (scans of original...

Very bad experience. We will never come back and recommend nobody should go there. Initially when we setup the ski at the store, the guy swapped my wife boots with my daughters subsequently they did not adjust the ski to fit the boots. When we went up the hills and ready for ski then we found out the boots do not fit the ski. My wife had to walk down to get help from some nice people at nearby store. (Mountain Sports store is at 1.5miles away, imagining you are wearing the heavy snow ski boots). That is bad experience to begin with. When we return the equipment, the store owner (probably the same guy who forgot the check boots/ski for my wife) is very picky on the equipment status and check very details about them. With his picky eyes, he found a 0.5inch width and 2inch length scratch on my daughter’s snow ski board, who is intermediate/not heavy user. Ok, after all, we did not do any pre-inspection for this so I am ok to render $25 for his claimed repair cost. While I am heading to cashier, I heard this guy is arguing in angry voice with my wife saying that he did adjust our boots and he did not know what happened to the boots and said 1.5miles is not very far. This is absolutely outrages. A business owner does not make sense out of his words and argue with a lady who brought him lots of customers. Why the hell we adjust our boots ourselves to begin with? If it is good fit, we will start ski right away? We brought this store with 7 families customers and ended up with frustration. Recommend nobody shall visit this store. Absolutely poorest experience with my 5times visit at beloved Angel Fire...

This place has really gone downhill from the last owner's. First off, I understand people have their religious preferences, but I don't think loud Christian music at a place of business is appropriate. Religion shouldn't be pushed on customers while shopping.I consider it rude and made me want to leave immediately. Second, the snowboard selection was more than subpar. Only a few brand selections, mostly all China made products. And outrageously over prices for previous years equipment. Third, the sale rack was small, and not marked well. All prices were for more than wholesale still. Mark it down, get is out and make room for better stuff... it's simple. This is all I got to in the store, the music was driving me nuts, so I didn't even check out the rest of the store. And some lady was creeping around watching us the whole time. All and all its obvious these people are from Texas(or somewhere with no snow) and have no business in the ski industry. I would be suprised if they got more than 3 days on snow a ski season... Go to another store in town with locals that have real experience and knowledge in the ski industry. Drive past this...