The Cost of Climbing Gear

Many people think their chosen hobby is too expensive. I guess it's all relative.

Here is some perspective

wakeworld.com/forum/showthr…

zekem wrote:Bill, thanks for the heads up. I was wondering if someone could really be that ignorant. Sad thing is there probably are people who feel that way. Glad to find that was satire, though. My faith in humanity is restored.

It's not satire. This guy was interviewed by the mags in person a year back. He fully believes the stuff he says.

I was also very surprised at how much my friends pay to take their "performance" cars to the track for "track days". Apparently they end up replacing their tires after 4 or 5 times to the track.

tomW wrote:I was also very surprised at how much my friends pay to take their "performance" cars to the track for "track days". Apparently they end up replacing their tires after 4 or 5 times to the track.

I used to drag race. I rode a motorcycle which you would think would less expensive. A trad rack is nothing compared a $2800 slider clutch and the $175 plates I would replace too often. The $225 tire that lasts a month. You think $4/gallon for gas is bad.. Try buying 5 gallon can of Cam 2 fuel.

It's all relative. I know guys who make 20k/ year who are happy with life and ones who make 2 million that aren't. Another thing.. Why is it the ones who are paid the most complain about paying taxes the most?

Bill Kirby wrote: Another thing.. Why is it the ones who are paid the most complain about paying taxes the most?

Because they are the ones actually paying the taxes? Is that a trick question?

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Because they are the ones actually paying the taxes? Is that a trick question?

Really looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Because they are the ones actually paying the taxes? Is that a trick question?

I understand that. Hell between my income and no dependents I pay a little every year myself. I thought the ones paying the taxes have or should still bring home more than enough to not complain every time a political conversation begins at a party.

Bill Kirby wrote:I thought the ones paying the taxes have or should still bring home more than enough to not complain every time a political conversation begins at a party.

logically you're right. but having money makes you greedy.

Ray Pinpillage wrote: Because they are the ones actually paying the taxes? Is that a trick question?

I always thought "the more you make, the more you give back" made sense but then again I'm not in politics! I just think we all do best when we all do best, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said. Having a well paid work force, even at the bottom (or especially at the bottom, I should say) makes for better productivity which makes for more profits anyway!

Income tax imo is stupid. We pay taxes when we make money (more we make the higher the tax we pay). Than we have to pay taxes again to spend money.

Get rid of income tax and just make a higher sales tax. The more you make the more you are still paying in tax but at least it is equal for people than (sure you can lower the tax on basic goods like food etc so those making less still are still able to buy goods they need to survive).

I bought my first cams were wired bliss and I bought them for $35 each on sale in 2001. They were about $10 cheaper than anything

The most noticeable change in price I've seen has been in the higher-end of La Sportiva shoes.

Seems like they all jumped about $30 in one year.

No kidding, the cost of shoes is getting ridiculous.

ViperScale wrote:Income tax imo is stupid. We pay taxes when we make money (more we make the higher the tax we pay). Than we have to pay taxes again to spend money. Get rid of income tax and just make a higher sales tax. The more you make the more you are still paying in tax but at least it is equal for people than (sure you can lower the tax on basic goods like food etc so those making less still are still able to buy goods they need to survive).

Not every state has an income tax and not every state has a sales tax

Josh Kornish wrote:The most noticeable change in price I've seen has been in the higher-end of La Sportiva shoes. Seems like they all jumped about $30 in one year.

Which is strange considering the exchange rate. I guess the Italians are feeling the pinch and we're their meal ticket.

Mike Brady wrote: Not every state has an income tax and not every state has a sales tax

The feds rape me enough for taxes and i don't get nearly that much worth in services. Screw all taxes and make everything fee based. You wanna drive on the roads, pay a fee. You want to send kids to school, pay a fee. Problem solved.

It would help if the people selling used stuff priced it under what the sale prices are. I mean why would.i pay 50 for a used #1 cam when I can get any c4 right now for 25% off. Which ends up being like 52 or so just off the top of my head.

Eric LaRoche wrote: You wanna drive on the roads, pay a fee. You want to send kids to school, pay a fee. Problem solved.

We already do this.

And at any rate you are talking about a paradigm shift, we can barely handle crossing the street as a nation. We are just starting to accept (barely, and in a lot of places not at all) people getting married that have the same body parts.

So the answer is to tax the haves and have nots the same? Brilliant!

Josh Kornish wrote:The most noticeable change in price I've seen has been in the higher-end of La Sportiva shoes. Seems like they all jumped about $30 in one year.

When I started climbing in 2000, MSRP on brand new Miuras were about $115 if I recall correctly, and those were top of the price pyramid. Most shoes were in the $70-90 range. Prices have come close to doubling in 15 years.

There's a reason I'm still climbing on those old Miuras.... Resoled at least 3 times now....