RINKRAT WHEELS HITS IT'S FIRST STORE TODAY

[rinkrat15]

It's official, Rink Rat wheels hit the market today in pennsylvania at the Feasterville rink At Igloo sports.
This is the first store in the nation to get the wheels.

The rest of the country will be close behind. We are in full production and wheels will be hitting your market very soon.

It's been a long haul, but now were ready to take the roller hgockey world by storm.

Rink Rat wheels, get on them or be left behind......

Michael Hunt

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[sactosaxons]

Where in Northern California can we get 'em? How do we get in touch with St. Cyr?

[missionhockey21]

I think ohio you said has to deal with a michgican rep, can you give me some contact info> thanks

[rinkrat15]

joe dumars field house will carry them for sure.
Email me at [email protected] and i can fill you in...Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[almostheroes]

Could you tell me the hardness of your wheels? I would also like to know the price?

[-venom-]

HAHA! First store in the nation, and yours truly was the FIRST to buy em!!!



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[rinkrat15]

Great to here Bob and welcome to the Rink rat family...call me sometime...Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[Superstar9]

good to hear, I'll be hittin ya up soon for my store. ttyl

[Geoff]

Any chance they'll be showing up in Canada sometime soon (specifically, near Vancouver)?

[DannyG]

Dude...what am I missing here???

1. durometer(s) available?
2. MSRP(s) anticipated???
3. basic anticipated list of regional contact points???

Here you have about 1,000 serious core inline hockey people asking pertinent questions, and you can answer them directly, in front of everybody...

...and all anybody gets is "email me..."

Hey, dude, answer the questions, eh? Please do NOT continue to be so rude, how 'bout?!?

-Dan

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by DannyG on 03/04/03 01:38 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

[almostheroes]

I agree with Danny G. Could you please give me some info!

[Superstar9]

Are you planning on carrying them danny? They're a bit pricy I know that. But from what I know they are the top of the market now or will be. I plan to carry them but I dont know how well they'll sell in our region because of the price.

[rinkrat15]

Were working on it right now, hopefully orders will be taken in a few weeks in Canada.Maybe sooner, I will keep you informed..Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[rinkrat15]

First off let me say that your post danny was a bit over the edge. But in saying that I have no worries in supplying the info, I have posted my phone number and personal email on this board so people can find out directly what's going on instead of a blanket statement. but for you Danny here it is:
2 brands Hornet and Hotshot
they come in 80,76,72,68,59mm
they come in 2 grips XX GRIP WHICH IS 72A AND X GRIP THAT IS 74A.
WHOLESALE FOR THE WHEELS IS $6.20 PER WHEEL
MSRP IS 96.00

WITH BULK ORDERS YOU CAN GET THE PRICE DOWN TO 6.01 PER WHEEL.

THEY WILL BE AVAIABLE NATION WIDE WITHIN 4 WEEKS.
OUR REPS ARE OUT GETTING ACCOUNTS AS WE SPEAK.
WE WILL BE UPDATING RINKRAT.COM WITH A DEALER LOCATOR.
IF WE DONT SELL THEM IN YOUR AREA THE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GET YOU WHEELS.

LISTEN GUYS, OUR WHEELS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD, HANDS DOWN. IGLOO SPORTS WERE THE FIRST STORE IN THE COUNTRY TO GET THEM IN FEASTERVILLE ,PA . I GOT A CALL FROM JOE LAST NIGHT"ONE OF THE OWNERS" AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE FIRST SET THEY SOLD WAS TO A GUY NAMED JEFF. HE SAID THAT JEFF CAME BACK TO THE STORE AND SAID THEY WERE THE BEST HES EVER BEEN ON. SOMETHING WE ALREADY KNEW. JUST 1 PERSON OF MANY.

THESE WHEELS ARE PERFORMANCE DRIVEN, WE AREN'T FOR EVERYONE. WE ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE WHEEL IN THE WORLD, THIS IS TRUE. BUT ASK YOURSELF THIS SIMPLE QUESTION....

IF OUR WHEELS LAST 4 TIMES LONGER THEN ANY WHEEL ON THE MARKET AND YOU ONLY HAVE TO BUY 2-3 SETS A YEAR INSTEAD OF 8-10 SETS OF WHAT YOUR USING THEN ARE OUR WHEELS REALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE...

TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU THIS, GET ON THEM ONCE, JUST ONCE AND YOU WILL SHAKE YOUR HEAD IN AMAZEMENT.

THERE SO GOOD ITS LIKE CHEATING, HONESTLY WE COULD CHARGE 200.00 RETAIL AND THEY WOULD STILL BE WORTH IT.

SO THERE IT IS GUYS, ANYMORE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS CALL ME AT 401 946 4400 EXT 3050

ASK FOR MIKE.

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[DannyG]

If ya wanna debate it, dude, the correct response would have been, "yeah, fair enough, here's the info..."

-not-

..."your post was a bit over the edge..."

and where does the phrase "blanket statement" come into this??? A direct question deserves a direct answer...at least , that's been a truth in every sales course I've ever taken...

One of my jobs is to try many of the new, high end products as they come out, so I can tell people in my area what's out there. I imagine that a lot of the guys that frequent this discussion group are the same way, as well as looking for any/every edge better equipment can give 'em out on the blue floor. In marketing terms, these are keystone people of your market segment. When they ask a question about durometer and such on this discussion board, there are ten other of these key persons out there wondering the same thing, eh? When you don't give answers, but only more typewritten hype in response to direct questions, it causes people to think negatively about your product and also yourself as the salesman.

Ever buy anything from a salesman that you don't trust?

We all respect what you are trying to say, but you have the concept of directness confused, when it comes to the openess of this discussion board as a communications medium. "Answer the questions," means answer the questions, dude...

Your response to my inquiry was nine paragraphs long. All the information people requested was contained in paragraph number one, then we get to read eight more paragraphs of non-informative, repeated-from-earlier-posts hype...

Incidentally, we are all also interested in the completion of your advertising/sponsorship agreement with Richard Graham, and will anxiously be waiting for your banners to appear in the graphics panels of this internet site...

-Dan

[Trish92]

Hey Mike,
When are the wheels going to hit a store in MA? I can't wait to try them out!

[missionhockey21]

Wow, I cant wait to get a pair.

[ctthunder32]

any rinkrat wheels going to the Zrink proshop in glastonbury ct soon?

[JMUDukes26]

After meeting several of the guys from Rink Rat in Las Vegas, they all seemed very modest. I tend to believe that their product is not all hype, but all confidence. I mean, on paper, this seems like an amazing product. I think keeping things under wraps might have been a ploy to create more interest in the product so when it hit shelves, everyone would want them. It will be interesting to see how they do, though from what I have heard, their success is nearly assured. Isn't it interesting that now that the product is available for sale, they have released the official information on them?

[DannyG]

J'26, I think you are right...

no intention of disparaging the product...

what I am getting, however, is a vibe that this guy in particular, is happy to take whatever sales, and agrandizement he can from Richard Graham and this posting board (and it does have a core-of-the-sport-following, doesn't it?), and offer nothing in return...

Hey, Rinkrat dude; for example, I bet you haven't even asked Rich for info on his standard sponsor/advertising rates yet, have you???

I know you haven't, cause I asked Rich before I even said word one on this...

Our sport needs industry leaders, including the equipment part of the sport, that have an "in it for everybody" attitude, and frankly, I am not seeing this from the R'rat guys...

I can, of course, be talked out of my negativity on this one, but that would have to be by actions, not words, wouldn't it???

"...puck's on your side of the rink, dude..."

[JMUDukes26]

well... that may verywell have ruined any chance RG had of getting a sponsorship from Rinkrat...

[rinkrat15]

Thanks Dan, great word selection in your post. Keep up the good work. I will say this, what we do with our advertising dollars is our decision"not yours" and the last time i looked IHC doesnt have a disclaimer stating that we must "cut a check" to post on the site.

Sounds to me like your the telephone solicitaion boy for IHC.

Take care ..Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[rinkrat15]

Richard call me to send us the pricing of banners and sponsorship so we can review and make a decision.mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[DannyG]

I asked...they been hyping this product, which is some mighty good advertising for two months on this medium, and they've been promising RG all along...

The salesman with integrity comes to Richard Graham with money in his hand to support the IHC program at the start, not after RG has extended two months of free advertising...

this is a case of perhaps a quality product being pushed by a less-than-quality sales organization...

kinda doubt that my diatribe here has cost Richard Graham anything...

[DannyG]

Yeah, okay, dude, your quotation marks are bigger than mine...

[rinkrat15]

This topic is closed from our end. It's been fun<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by rinkrat15 on 03/05/03 09:31 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

[headhunter]

I for one will not buy any rink rats until I see some advertising on IHC

[rinkrat15]

Hey thats your right as a consumer.

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[rinkrat15]

By the way Danny, I dont dispute your intentions for promoting IHC. Its a great site. And in all seriousness we would like to have involvement with IHC. SO why dont you and Richard send me Via email a proposal with yearly prices and other advertising information...I think thats the first step. I have enjoyed the spirted conversation and hope that everything in the El Paso roller hockey community is good. Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[DannyG]

Mike:

El Paso can anticipate several of our top players trying out the wheels when they hit the market.

-Dan<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by DannyG on 03/05/03 09:48 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

[-venom-]

Mike, got your email, I've been crazy busy @ work. I'll give you a call either today or tomorrow. Tonight will be the first time skating on them, I can't wait. 10pm @ the Sportsplex, I'll post when I get home and let everyone know how good they are.

Oh boy oh boy oh booooooy! hahah...... will it pelase be 10 o clock already????



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[missionhockey21]

Lucky son of a........ umm anyways tell me how they perform vs the dynasty's as that will be what I will base a purchase on. thanks

[rinkrat15]

Seriously give jeff a call at igloo, he got on them the other night, ask him he will tell you how they are. Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[Superstar9]

I almost want to comment on that one but I dont think I will.. Don't want to be unprofessional or burn any bridges

[SpeedDemon]

It might take a few skates to "break them in" (get rid of the top layer coating on the wheels).... it took about 2 skates on all of the sets I've skated on so far, and I believe Mike has stated this is expected.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Danny G,

Thanks for looking out for IHC's interests. I appreciate your concern. I have e-mailed Mike IHC's ad rate information, and we'll go from there. Keep rolling.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mike,

Just e-mailed the ad rate package off to you. Thanks for looking at it. Talk to you later.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[DannyG]

After re-reading this entire thread, I had no business jumping on the choice of words you selected to hit me with in your reply to my post...

You answered my question.

I was further rude to you in return. I apologize. I was wrong to do so.

-Dan

[gpersch]

Mike,

What is the "hub" of the wheel made from. I have had problems with millenniums and Dynasty's because the bearings move after a very short period of time. The material they use is too soft for my size.

Also does anyone have the address of the IGloo in Feasterville?

Thank you

[rinkrat15]

Were good man, No worries...Were all trying to promote the sport... My theory is good or bad as long as were talking about the sport.

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[rinkrat15]

I cant tell you what its made from that is company confidential...But I will tell you that you wont have that problem with us....Take care

igloo sporting goods
496 w. street rd
south warminister,pa
18974

hope that helps

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[-venom-]

Wheels = Kick A$$!

Compared to the Dynasties:

The Rats have more of a 'get up and go' kinda thing going on. Dunno what it was with the dynasties, but one of my biggest problems with them is that they tended to be too soft, and you could feel it when they were under a heavy load (ex. racing for a loose puck, etc..)

The Rats didn't feel like that at all.... feeled really firm, and they didn't slip when you needed a hard push to get going.

As for the grip, these things are like glue. As anyone who has played @ the Sportsplaex may know, the floor isn;t exactly in the best shape all the time. (water in the crease last night) Regardless, these wheels definitely performed better than the dynasties I've been on for a while now.

I would definitely recommend these wheels.... the only remaining factor for me is how long they'll last. Supposedly, they'll last longer than Dynasties. We'll see..... but if so, a definite 2 thumbs up, get these wheels.!

By the way, I purchased the 'Hornet' Wheels, which I believe are the softer of the 2 sets.



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[33]

trust me, they'll last!!!

[missionhockey21]

Thats one thing most of us can agree upon, is promoting the sport.

[missionhockey21]

They sound great, because my biggest cmplaint with the dynasties is that they do feel too soft. But wow a firm wheel that grips like crazy, sounds great to me.

[-venom-]

Sounds good to me!!!


-A successfully converted former Labeda fan, 1 of many to come.... :)



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[BkHdTpShlf]

For anyone looking for Rink Rat Wheels in New England. Contact Darrell Interbartolo/Sales Rep. New England.
(e-mail) DCATSPORTSINC @ AOL or (cell) 617-293-7723.

[BkHdTpShlf]

Yes, as soon as possible. I just have to give them a call. I wanted to come down to a Thunder game with Eric Sarro and talk to them down there, but yes they will be there soon. Thanks and sorry about the wait. Darrell Interbartolo/Rink Rat Rep.New England