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barrabes review

Original Post
neils · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2016 · Points: 30

I am in the US. Anyone ever bought from this European vendor? barrabes.world/ They have some boots for good prices even with shipping and VAT to the US, etc. It's still a good price. I have bought some gear from a UK vendor in the past for good prices and had a good experience.

This seems to be a reputable vendor but wanted some thoughts. Any experience? Why is the gear so cheap...i.e. La Sportiva, Scarpa, Arcteryx boots? Is it due to the manufacturer location, trade regulations etc? I am just always skeptical when something seems "too good"

Jim Titt · · Germany · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 490
neils wrote:I am in the US. Anyone ever bought from this European vendor? barrabes.world/ They have some boots for good prices even with shipping and VAT to the US, etc. It's still a good price. I have bought some gear from a UK vendor in the past for good prices and had a good experience. This seems to be a reputable vendor but wanted some thoughts. Any experience? Why is the gear so cheap...i.e. La Sportiva, Scarpa, Arcteryx boots? Is it due to the manufacturer location, trade regulations etc? I am just always skeptical when something seems "too good"
Can´t say I´ve ever bought anything from them but reputable they sure are, probably Europe´s biggest online equipment supplier. Not exactly a local store, they employ a couple of hundred people and turn over around $50m.
Only caution about shipping to the US, the estimated delivery times DON´t include getting through US customs which is normally around 2 weeks more.
Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,687

I bought a bunch from them years ago when the dollar was strong against the Euro. Shipping is a lot so you don't want to shop there for a few biners. I bought 3 ropes and a pair of shoes, basically got one of the ropes for free with the money I saved. That was a long tome ago; I have no idea about exchange rates and other fees currently. Do your homework and buy with confidence.

Eric and Lucie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 140

Bought AT boots from them 15 years ago or so... so they've been around. I was very pleased back then; I still remember I received the boots in less than 5 days, and shipping costs were very reasonable.

neils · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2016 · Points: 30

thanks for the replies

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,687

Just clicking around their site... $95 for a 60m rope, $66 to ship it. No thanks.

neils · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2016 · Points: 30
Gunkiemike wrote:Just clicking around their site... $95 for a 60m rope, $66 to ship it. No thanks.
yeah i as looking at double boots like phantom 6000, or g2sm. but if the fit isn't exactly right or a return needs to be made I know it will be a PIA - also, on further investigation I don't think they have my size in stock anyway ;)

but good to know they are out there and legit
Gavin W · · NW WA · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 181

I just bought a pair of AT ski boots from them. Arrived today, less than a week after I ordered them. Shipping was $50, which worked out to less than what I would have paid in sales tax on the boots at full price, so all told I ended up saving ~$300.

David Burton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

Great service and lowest price on a set of Salomon skis - shipped to UK - all perfect

mountainhick · · Black Hawk, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120

Nice store, friendly staff, parking in that area of Barcelona is a PITA. They have the Lleida climbs guidebook.

Mike Keiter · · Zaragoza, ES · Joined Feb 2018 · Points: 0

Hi all,

I just ran across this post doing a search and thought I would weigh in. It's great to hear you found good deals at Barrabes. I can assure you that it's a legit shop. Barrabes has been around for three generations, has seven stores around Spain (including one in Barcelona and two in Madrid), and is one of the top outdoor retailers in the country. Part of the explanation of why our prices are so competitive in the US market is that purchases made outside of the EU are exempt of Spain's 21% value added tax, and imports into the US under $800 are also tax exempt. So anything you buy on our website for delivery to the US is basically tax free as long as it's under $800. And while shipping from Spain can be steep for heavy or bulky items like skis or hardware for climbing and mountaineering, for items like clothing or footwear the shipping costs are more than offset by the savings in taxes. It's as simple as that. Everything we sell is genuine, new and unused, and comes from authorized European distributors only.

Neils is right about returns. We have 30 day returns policy, but it is correct that as a buyer you would be responsible for return postage back to Spain. Again, for bulkier items that can get expensive, but for more lightweight items like technical clothing or down jackets, it's worth it.

Feel free to contact our customer service center if you have any further questions.

http://www.barrabes.world/shop/help/contact.asp

Thanks for the positive feedback, and I hope you'll keep shopping and finding great deals on top gear at Barrabes.com.

Best,

Michael Keiter

Barrabes International Customer Service Director

#GoExploringNow

Nick Baker · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 91

Don't buy more than 799$ at once or you will get burned by tariffs..... A nice huge bill before they will deliver you package.......   Learned the hard way.... 

Otherwise some great deals to be had at places like snowinn and barrabes etc

Ciff Pritchard · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2018 · Points: 0

I have found Barrabes to be the worst company I have ever bought from.

I ordered an Arc'teryx Beta LT jacket from them over 5 weeks ago.  The first one arrived damaged (not their fault but that of the courier, GLS, it has to be said). I had to provide many photos plus a detailed description of the damage before the company would even arrange collection. After it arrived with them, I had to wait days before they sent another because they wanted to pursue an insurance claim before posting a replacement. When this replacement didn't arrive (again, the fault of GLS) within a reasonable time (over a week), I asked them to investigate. Finally today, after several more emails they tell me they expect me to wait another week (making a total of 5 weeks since I ordered) before they give me a refund.

When I indicated that I wasn't satisfied with this they simply ignored me. They didn't give me a refund when they had promised and the matter is now in the hands of Paypal.

Timothy Armon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2018 · Points: 0

I ordered about 700$ worth of gear to the US from barrabes a few months ago. Arrived within a week (Chicago) and saved almost 500$ off what I would have paid here. Wouldn’t hesitate to order from them again.

Mike Keiter · · Zaragoza, ES · Joined Feb 2018 · Points: 0

Hi all,

Timothy, thanks for the positive feedback. I'm glad you had a good experience buying on the Barrabes website, and I hope you enjoy your gear.

Cliff, I am very sorry for the bad luck you had with our carrier. Damaged goods and lost parcels are things that happen from time to time with any carrier, but we will try to provide quicker solutions in the future. As commented, your refund has been processed now and we will email you a gift voucher good for any item in our store due to the inconvenience caused. I hope you confide in Barrabes again in the future, and I'm sure you will have a better experience next time.

Again, please accept our apologies.

Regards,

Michael Keiter
Barrabes International Customer Service Director

baldclimber · · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 6
Ciff Pritchard wrote: I have found Barrabes to be the worst company I have ever bought from.

I ordered an Arc'teryx Beta LT jacket from them over 5 weeks ago.  The first one arrived damaged (not their fault but that of the courier, GLS, it has to be said). I had to provide many photos plus a detailed description of the damage before the company would even arrange collection. After it arrived with them, I had to wait days before they sent another because they wanted to pursue an insurance claim before posting a replacement. When this replacement didn't arrive (again, the fault of GLS) within a reasonable time (over a week), I asked them to investigate. Finally today, after several more emails they tell me they expect me to wait another week (making a total of 5 weeks since I ordered) before they give me a refund.

When I indicated that I wasn't satisfied with this they simply ignored me. They didn't give me a refund when they had promised and the matter is now in the hands of Paypal.

If that experience makes Barrabes the worst company you have ever bought from then you've led a charmed consumer life.

I purchased most of my Totem Basics from them a few years ago.  They were super helpful in letting me know the day they would receive stock, going so far as to even give me the purchase links before they went live.
Guillaume Dorion · · Montreal · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 175

Bald Climber, did you pay any customs fees when entry to Canada? And if so how much? (I saw that you were from Canada). I am currently thinking of buying G2SM but I am scared of customs fees.

bearded sam · · Crested Butte, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 145

I would just like to suggest that if you are going to a local retailer to figure out your size, what you want, etc, it is best to support them so that you can continue to do that there. If you don't have that option, that is different. I have seen the books, your local retails are not raking in the big buck and they are often climbing, skiing, and supporting local access in a way that an online retailer from another country cannot. 

Guillaume Dorion · · Montreal · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 175

Unfortunately, we don't have a nice Ice climbing shop with custom fitting in my area. But I agree with you. It's best to buy local.

Ryan Pfleger · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 25
bearded sam wrote: If you are going to a local retailer [...] it is best to support them [...]they are often climbing, skiing, [...] in a way that an online retailer from another country cannot. 

That is why you should never support a local retailer. They are always out there tracking up your lines, and hangdogging your project. Bastards.

baldclimber · · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 6
Guillaume Dorion wrote: Bald Climber, did you pay any customs fees when entry to Canada? And if so how much? (I saw that you were from Canada). I am currently thinking of buying G2SM but I am scared of customs fees.

Order came by Fedex.  I recall there was a brokerage fee of ~$20 and the usual 13% HST (Ontario).

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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