Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Sciurus Rex · 04-24-2002, 10:54 AM

Just wondering how many of you here have recently received an unsolicited e-mail from Allstar. I keep a pretty low profile online to avoid a lot of e-spam, so it would be something of a coincidence if the sports manufacturer randomly targeted ME for a fencing-focused advertisement. I'm guessing some enterprising spirit is picking at our e-mail addresses here.

... and I don't appreciate it. I'm quirky that way.

I will NOT be seeking out Allstar for my fencing equipment needs.

Purple Fencer · 04-24-2002, 11:25 AM

Not Allstar, but FenceSmart dropped me a line. Round-filed that bad boy right quick!

Julie · 04-24-2002, 11:30 AM

I got one too from Allstar this morning. Can't figure out how else they could have got my e-mail.

Mr. Foilist · 04-24-2002, 12:31 PM

I got one this afternoon. Hey, if they really claim that they can beat any allstar provider's price, maybe now's the time for everyone that wants FIE equipment to send them a price from <a href="http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de." target="_blank">www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de.</a>

They distribute allstar stuff for a lot less. If allstar is really willing to beat their price, it would be worth it for those that need equipment to let them now how low they'll have to set their prices. If they really make their prices less than langenkamp, the stuff you order will be really cheap and you won't have to pay shipping from Germany. That would be a double bonus.

[ 04-24-2002: Message edited by: Mr. Foilist ]

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-24-2002, 12:32 PM

Geeze!

I wish I waited. I prefer the Uhlmann colors, but for free, I will use Allstar.

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-24-2002, 01:29 PM

ok, wasn't thinking of what I was writing. I meant for much cheaper.

Matt Ostergard · 04-24-2002, 04:45 PM

I like Allstars colors myself.

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-25-2002, 09:38 AM

Its all a matter of preference. I actually wear an Allstar mask, but my Uhlmann is finally coming in tomorrow!

Blue is like a big thing to me. I didn't think too much about color cordination until after I bought most of my stuff. One day I looked and realized that I had blue shoes, a blue bag, my santelli jacket, knickers and glove had blue labels on them. Then I have this bright red mask! I was very disturbed by this because I realized I didn't match. I know, this is scary, but oh well. Well now I've gotten all Uhlmann FIE equipment and I match! If only all things in life were this simple!

The only bad thing is that I've read that Allstar makes their gear for the trimmer person, and that is me.

OleMissFencer · 04-25-2002, 11:14 AM

Apparently allstar is realizing their prices are a wee bit expensive and its hurting their sales. At JO's the allstar booth was selling adidas shoes for the cheapest there. Maybe they'll decrease some of their prices, well hopefully anyway.

fencernyc · 04-26-2002, 06:38 AM

Speaking of spaming Purple Fencer maybe you should take out link to your website? Or is it just happens to be there?

By the way I checked out prices at Allstar they are low, I will have to compare them to German website and I will inform you if Allstar can beat them. Also, if the stuff from Germany doesn't fit and I have to return. Or if I will have questions, how the hell am I going to do that? I will ask them on their return policy.

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-26-2002, 06:45 AM

They didn't look too low to me. The FIE complete weapons are still running at 170. It seems that everything can be bought at half price in Europe. Still, who wants to wait for the shipping and I certainly don't want to buy a jacket and have it not fit!!

***Craig*** · 04-26-2002, 06:46 AM

The only way that they would have gotten your email from here is if you either posted it or have it visible in your profile.

fencernyc - Including a URL in your signature is not considered 'spam' and it's fine for here as long as it's not a hardcore ad pitch. Purple Fencer's sig is fine.

Cheers,
Craig

fencernyc · 04-26-2002, 06:55 AM

Question for D'Artagnan1673: how long does it take for the package to arrive? Do you know?

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-26-2002, 07:00 AM

Never done it before. But considering that it takes 5-7 days to travel from the New England to Texas, I would guess that it may be around 2 weeks after shipment. I get way too antsy for that kind of wait.

I just refreshed my UPS tracking number for my Uhlmann FIE Jacket and Mask. They failed to get anyone to sign for it. That means I'll have to drive to the local office after work to pick it up :-(.

Put it this way. I ordered my jacket Feb. 18, It arrived from The Fencing Post March 4. The jacket's sleeze was too long. I shipped it back March 4 and its only arrived today. They had to order it from Europe. You can imagine the frustration of having that happen too often.

fencernyc · 04-26-2002, 07:07 AM

You right its too long to wait. Alright, I have to get back to work before I get fired

Methix · 04-26-2002, 07:26 AM

As someone who spends a lot of time online (personal and for my job) I make sure I don't put my real email address out on the web casually. I keep several addresses. One for work, one for friends/family, one for misc, and one for trash. If I ever have to give an email address to download RealPlayer or something, I give them my trash email. Just a suggestion.

D'Artagnan1673 · 04-26-2002, 07:36 AM

And a very good suggestion for that matter.

Mr. Foilist · 04-26-2002, 07:59 AM

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
They didn't look too low to me. The FIE complete weapons are still running at 170. It seems that everything can be bought at half price in Europe. Still, who wants to wait for the shipping and I certainly don't want to buy a jacket and have it not fit!!<hr></blockquote>

The trick is, you have to A)either take careful measurements of yourself and send them to the company. They'll know what jacket fits (they also have a size chart so you can pick your own size based on the measurements). B)You can try on a jacket at a larger tourney where vendors are and, providing you don't need it right away, you can order the jacket that fits you best from Europe. C)You can try on a friend's jacket.

Either way, the money you'll save more than makes up for the hassel of finding a way to try on the item before you buy.

Also, I have had to return shoes to Langenkamp, only because Adidas can't decide what a 13.5 is supposed to fit like. One year it fits great, the other it's like wearing shrink-wrap. Anyway, I had to return the shoes. They will exchange anything as long as it has not been worn in competition (same as any other vendor). And, I would imagine that if the mistake was theirs, then they will pay the shipping. Same for defects.

As far as asking questions, their english is far more coherent than fencernyc's (no offense) and they respond to questions quicker than US vendors (from experience).

If you order by extra-fast air-mail, it takes 7 days to get here (New York). I'd imagine it would be about the same elsewhere.

Plus, like I said before, Langenkamp is German. I don't care what you say, German's are very efficient. It is HIGHLY unlikely that your order will be screwed up, especially since they don't want to have to pay any extra shipping to correct mistakes (It's very expensive to ship from Europe to the US, but not vice versa). Tell that to Blade or some of the other US vendors who have shipped out size 46 knickers instead of a 46 jacket. How the hell do you screw THAT up and still have "46 men's righty jacket" on the invoice?

Philistine · 04-26-2002, 08:03 AM

[quote]Originally posted by fencernyc:
Question for D'Artagnan1673: how long does it take for the package to arrive? Do you know?<hr></blockquote>

I placed an order from Fechtsport Langenkamp for Uhlman equipment on December 17th, got a reply E-mail asking me to confirm on 18 December. Order shipped on 21 December. Received January 10.

Given that this was the Holidays, and shortly after 9/11, it didn't seem too bad. Prices (even with shipping) were approximately half of what you'd pay in the States.

Note that the prices on Fechtsport Langenkamp's website include a 16% VAT which does not apply to orders shipped to the U.S. (only the EU).

I was very pleased with my order. Just be very certain about your sizes if you are ordering clothing.

--Philistine

Mr. Foilist · 04-26-2002, 08:12 AM

<img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[Jester]" /> Hmm.....difficulty typing in English....fencer from NYC...Blade's in NYC....it's run by some Russians who don't have the greatest grammar (Not their fault)....blindly promoting Blade's "Low prices"....how long have you been working for Blade (Or possibly been a part owner)? <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[Jester]" /> <------look, smilies. I think we all need to loosen up and not take this statement too seriously. Jeez.

[quote]Originally posted by fencernyc:

By the way I checked out prices at Allstar they are low, I will have to compare them to German website and I will inform you if Allstar can beat them. Also, if the stuff from Germany doesn't fit and I have to return. Or if I will have questions, how the hell am I going to do that? I will ask them on their return policy.<hr></blockquote>

Low by whose standards? They still seem to be ridiculously over-pricing their items. $235 for a World Cup FIE jacket?????? Come on. With shipping, I paid maybe $40 more than that for the same jacket and a pair of Adidas Equipment fencing shoes!!!! That's not a low price. That's called buying a jacket from Europe, monopolizing on everyone's fear of getting something from overseas and using that fear to somehow justify doubling the price! It's gouging.

Fencing equipment doesn't have to be that expensive!!!!!! And, if you're American, you don't have to get it from America!!!! Look elsewhere!! There are distributors all over the place that charge a lot less than the major American companies. You just have to look.

[ 04-26-2002: Message edited by: Mr. Foilist ]