Local store owners say in-person holiday shopping brings a connection you don’t get with a click online

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The holiday buying season is already underway and local store owners on the Central Coast say they are ready to help customers, in person, with service they won't find online.

It's a much stronger effort now in a very competitive market and when profit margins are so tight.

Many stores are making the message widely known in their battle with the cyber buying that has been an impact in recent years. But not all purchases on line are the deal they say, or the value for the price.

Returns or issues are also sometimes hard to navigate on a website or over the phone.

For 45 years, Mountain Air Sports has sold outdoor gear and specializes in personalized service even after the customer goes out the door.

Joey Duddridge and his family are local owners who just had a creative annual sale. Buyers could pick helium filled balloons and pop them at the counter. Inside was a discount slip up to 40% off.

"We focus on the products in the store and customer service. With those two things we will keep this place going," he said.

Right now it is ski season. Skis, boots, snowboards, and other related gear are very popular for all ages.

"A lot of our reps come in and educate us on the products," he said about having a staff that is familiar with the gear they sell. "We also have a lot of opportunity to go try a lot of the equipment. We use the stuff so we can have personal experience," said Duddridge.

The store also welcome customers who have purchased a product on line or somewhere else that isn't working out for them and try to remedy the issue with the right gear that is a perfect fit for their needs.

He says we can help them have fun and then they can trust us, and the next time around, they will come in to see us," he said. The store has regulars every year. "Our customers are awesome."

Caroline Pendergast is a local resident and customer who says buying in person compared to on line where she bought a bad set of skis helped her by, "working with local people that know what they are talking about,   I am going to return them and  come back here (Mountain Air Sports ) and have people do a hands on with me  that can  give me what I need.  "

She said, "it's important to shop locally to keep our economy thriving."

With winter and the holidays hitting at once, Linsey Farrell at Mountain Air Sports said, "everyone is shopping either for themselves or someone else for Christmas and also people are getting excited about going to the mountains."

Employee Expertise

Store owners say the customers really are impressed when they try on shoes or an article of clothing and working with an employee who is an expertise in that product.

Company representatives come often to explain the new ski and snowboarding gear, and educate the staff who can then share it with the customers.

"We also have a lot of opportunity to go try a lot of the equipment. We use the stuff so we can have personal experience and can pass it on," said Duddridge. 

Roller Skating Comeback

When roller skating made a come back during the pandemic, Xanadu Skate Boutique also put its spin on sales, service, and  fashionable styles

Owner Val Selvaggio said, "you want it to fit nice and snug,  you want to be comfortable so you can be out there as long as you can ( on skates.)"

Unlike an on line purchase you can feel what's right for you on the spot.

Selvaggio said, "there's different materials of skates, there's a vinyl boot, a leather boot,  a swede boot they are all going to fit a little differently. There's different brands that fit differently. If you can come in and try them on that's really the best thing."

They offer gift cards, lay away or "skate" away plans or a sale on the spot. 

Selvaggio she has seen the customers face change when they get the right fit. "There's always the moment of putting on especially one of our swede boots when you put your foot in it, you just realize,  that is the comfort you are looking for."

For local owners during the holidays or year round they hope to see return customers who appreciate the staff efforts. For Mountain Air after more than four decades, they have seen children coming in with their parents, and then growing up, and coming back with the new family members ready for the outdoors.

For more information go to : Mountain Air Sports. Xanadu Skate Boutique