racket pricing in California Bay Area

[caldude]

I saw that quite a few BF members are from Bay Area. Where do you guys usually get your rackets? Any recommendation? Which store usually has the lowest price?
Please also post where you get the stringing job done.
Thanks a lot.

[Feng_MP-100]

eBay is probably the cheapest around... Even though you need to pay S/H, it's still cheaper than local store racquets. Plus you'll have to pay tax if you buy at local store..... I usually have my racquets restrung at Badmintonalley since it's close to where I live.

[caldude]

I agree that ebay is the cheapest source. But I'm worried about the warranty issues if the racket is defective. I could have asked my relative in HK to buy it for me and save even more. But they don't know much about badminton rackets. But I guess that's my best alternative.
8.25% CA sales tax really sucks

btw, do you guys think the retail racket store would have those long slim boxes for shipping rackets? I need to give my relatives exact instructions on how to pack and ship the racket for me. Thanks.

[bluejeff]

Originally Posted by caldude

I agree that ebay is the cheapest source. But I'm worried about the warranty issues if the racket is defective. I could have asked my relative in HK to buy it for me and save even more. But they don't know much about badminton rackets. But I guess that's my best alternative.
8.25% CA sales tax really sucks

btw, do you guys think the retail racket store would have those long slim boxes for shipping rackets? I need to give my relatives exact instructions on how to pack and ship the racket for me. Thanks.

8.25% CA tax is not that bad. I just came back from Louisiana, and it's 10% there.

You can ask the store to give you their racquet boxes (such as Yonex boxes) since stores just throw them out as trash. This is how I ship my racquets also.

[kwun]

Originally Posted by caldude

I saw that quite a few BF members are from Bay Area. Where do you guys usually get your rackets? Any recommendation? Which store usually has the lowest price?
Please also post where you get the stringing job done.
Thanks a lot.

the retail prices of Yonex rackets in the US are set by Yonex. retailers usually cannot go below that.

if you do see a store with lower prices, make sure you check the racket to see if they are sourced from asia instead of from official US Yonex channels.

[shiriblue]

cheapest place for baddy rackets at a local retail store would probably be at bintang.

[AsianStew]

Caldude!
What level player are you? Novice/Intermediate/Advanced? Pro? Are you selective on the brands?
If you're not too brand conscious, read below. Here's a link of a previous member in Cali looking for inexpensive racquets.

http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/sho...highlight=cali

If you get a package deal, you can probably get something between $50-$64 for 2 awesome racquets/2 overgrip and 1 thermal bag to hold the 2 racquets!
Hope this helps.

Louis Yim

[Joseph]

I only know of 3 places (in alphabetical order): Asby Sports, Badmintonalley, and Bintang. Out of the 3 Bintang is the only one that sells both TW and US racquets.

[TQuach98]

TW racquets? Is that why their racquets are cheaper? I'm going to buy a MP66 at bintang since it's $99 compared to $109 from BA and $120 from Asby. Do u know if it'll be US or TW? I'm looking for a US. Should this be something I'm concerned about?(Warranty). I'd like some info on bintang's racquets. Thanx Josph

[kwun]

Originally Posted by TQuach98

TW racquets? Is that why their racquets are cheaper? I'm going to buy a MP66 at bintang since it's $99 compared to $109 from BA and $120 from Asby. Do u know if it'll be US or TW? I'm looking for a US. Should this be something I'm concerned about?(Warranty). I'd like some info on bintang's racquets. Thanx Josph

it is best to ask them and inspect the racket first before you buy.

[Joseph]

Originally Posted by TQuach98

TW racquets? Is that why their racquets are cheaper? I'm going to buy a MP66 at bintang since it's $99 compared to $109 from BA and $120 from Asby. Do u know if it'll be US or TW? I'm looking for a US. Should this be something I'm concerned about?(Warranty). I'd like some info on bintang's racquets. Thanx Josph

Most of their racquets are US, but some are TW. You can always ask to look at it and check the region code on it. And if it's TW and you want a US, go ask for another one and check that one. Or just ask for a US region one.

[TQuach98]

thanx guys, i'll make sure it's a us.