SURFERS, SHAPERS and RETAILERS

Do most surfers care about who shaped and laminated their surfboards custom or stock board.

How can you prove a surfboard is genuine?

Would it be useful to have a system that would prove who a surfboard belongs too, like your car, at the same time proving its authenticity and protect them from thieves.

Remember the cost of surfboards are increasing which is good thing as they have been far too cheap for to long but surfboards are fair game to would be thieves.

Finally would the surfing industry benefit from having a system that could differentiate cheap, budget, chinese imitation rip offs, or any other type of replica / counterfeit boards from genuinely produced boards out of the shaping bay.

Would a system like this elevate real surfboards as being a much more superior product than large mass producers helping to protect real shapers, from the factories who knock out boards like sausages.

I look forward to your answers please 




i think it would help out any shapers who are doing there boards locally, if the company does out sorce thier work to other countrys i dont think they really want to advetise it. theres plenty of surfers who dont really care what they ride as long as it kinda works and they got it for a decent price, say that i have seen people get a board that they thought was american made and paid full retail price to only find out they had a cheap china board and they werent too happy about it, i think it would be a great idea to have some sort of system in place so the averige jo would know what there buying. it would then show how custom local shapes are superier and should cost more than a china board. it would be great if shops would catergerise thier boards by makers and where they are made but from what i have seen the shops dont want that, they want cheap china boards to sell them at the same high price of a custom local shape which hurts most of the american surf industery

Do you think this system would help educate the surfing public that boards with this system is supporting local shapers?

 

Interesting points raise buddy, what if a shaper put there trust into a surfboard maker on the other side of the world, and rely on there royalty for there income.  And the shapers gives the shaper overseas his templates, and places an order for 250 boards, but the overseas shaper decides to double up and not tell them. In effect producing clones which is pure license abuse. How can you manage that believe me it happens?

 

For surfers, Do you think $30 bucks is a good price to take a anti theft warranty for the first year on a brand new board? and if a claim is made following a theft you only have to pay 40% for a brand new like for like replacement from the same shaper? who will produce a brand new identical board. 

 

It looks like you have spent a good deal of time and money on this approach. I applaud you for that. I’m not really sure that the argument can be made that this product will help ‘the local shaper’ or domestic manufacturer may be a more appropriate supposition considering that many ‘locally’ made surfboards are a combined effort of shaper and other craftspeople that finish the final product the consumer considers purchasing.

Having a ‘Lo Jack’ device may appeal to some consumers that spend higher dollar amounts on specialty boards, like high tech construction or spendy balsa and other wood renditions perhaps with extensive inlays of abalone, pearl, or other exotic materials.

If a car is broken into, doesn’t a car owners policy stand to reimburse the policyowner due to theft? I’m sure there is criteria that is required in this event, such as evidence of forced entry, a police report and such to qualify for recovery of loss.

The other question that comes to mind is if the expense of the GPS type unit is affordable in comparison to the actual cost of the surfboard? The unit represents a one time point of purchase sale versus something like an insurance policy that would cover multiple units being taken, but also is an ongoing (recurring) expense versus a one time purchase and application.

Since the lion’s share of my business is down…oops, I mean DONE by word of mouth, I doubt that installing these units would benefit me to any great extent. While I think it is a well developed approach to offering a sense of security for a surfboard owner, I would ultimately have to question how much it would play a role in a consumer buying one surfboard equipped with the unit over one without. 

Hi here's a summary of SBT for you... detailing shaper and user (surfer) benefits: 
In summary, it provides each board with a unique identity - detailing the manufacturer's information relating to that board as well as the buyer's proof of ownership. The details of the original buyer of the board, as well as any subsequent owners, are passed on to the manufacturer (i.e. - you) when the buyer (and subsequent buyers) register the board via the SBT website.  Also, if the chip is implanted in a new board, the original buyer has the option to take out a 12 month anti-theft warranty (supported by Lloyds) with SBT - which costs the buyer about $30. Any successful claims made under this warranty would generate a replacement board by the original manufacturer - i.e. you again. Because the SBT system runs via the internet, access is provided to the database 24/7 anywhere in the world. It is based in the UK and is the only micro-chip security system dedicated to the surfing industry. It is also the only surfing related product backed by the ISA.
The system also carries a complete inventory of every board produced using SBT which is great for referencing when customers require new or replacement boards a few months year down the line. **How it works ..** Manufacturer. You connect to the SBT website and register for a Manufacturer's (Shapers) Account. You need to provide a return email address. SBT will provide a User Id and password and a link to the Manufacturers login page via email. (NB - this particular page is not found on the general SBT website, so it's a good idea to Bookmark this page address.) When you log in to your account, you then have the options to - 
  • order chips
  • record board details against each chip
  • list details already recorded
  • as well as other functions
The micro-chips are ordered by email from a link in the manufacturers section (above). Minimum quantities are 25 and the current cost is $6 per chip. When the order is processed, SBT allocates the chips directly to your account, then posts them to you. This means you can also allocate the chips to selected boards and update their details on the system before the physical arrival of the chips themselves if necessary. The micro-chip has a unique 15 digit code associated with it. However, to make things a bit easier, it is the serial number that you would normally write on the shaped blank that is used in most circumstances for tracking the board (providing you serialise all your boards!). The micro-chips are installed in the board prior to laminating. They are usually embedded in the foam on the bottom of the board and are completely invisible to the naked eye. An SBT decal is provided for each chip and is usually also placed on the bottom of the board, in conjunction with your own decals. The SBT system is then updated with any remaining details of the board. This information is also available for you to maintain a stock record, should you desire, which can also be printed out.

Buyer.
The buyer registers on the SBT system and matches your serial number to the SBT entry. He/she then enters their details and completes the registration process. They have the option to take out the warranty within 15 days of purchase. They can also print out an Ownership Certificate is they like. With the SBT chip in place, they can then prove ownership of the board anywhere on the planet that has access to the internet. Their email address (and any subsequent purchasers of that board) will be forwarded to you in case you want to follow up with that (or subsequent) owner.

There is also a section within the system for Retailers, who can check on the authenticity and ownership details of the board, as well as maintaining a stock control system of their stock boards that are chipped.

In total, the SBT system provides a secure mechanism for -

  • proving authenticity of the board - i.e. - it’s an original
  • proving ownership of the board, anywhere
  • reducing the risk of theft and increasing the recovery potential of a stolen board
  • registration is free for all parties
There are other benefits in this system, including the marketing advantage of providing an authentic and more secure item than an un-chipped board.


 

…and what happens outside USA?

Reverb… they’re all over the place. I rec’d a PM, I’m sure you will as well.

Impressive.

      Howzit sdrepairman, I think I read a while back that theFederal Gov is thining about making all products that are not at least 50% made in the US to have a sticker on them saying which country  they are made in, that would pretty much let people know where the object came from. I know that in Hawaii any thing with Made in Hawaii has to be at least 50% made in Hawaii and it could be even a higher %. Being one who has never bought a board from at least a real surfshop and all my boards have been glassed by me except for a couple by a good friend I can say I have never owned a board made in another country but I have seen a bunch at CostCo but they don't pass my finger squeeze test and I could care less if they have a big finger dent in then after my test. There have been times when I wished I had a shapie in my pocket so I could write POS in huge letters on those CostCo boards but then again I don't want to go to jail or have to buy the ones I marked up.

     Now Deadshaper, what is this about word of mouth making your sales drop, is this somebody who has a grudge against you or what. I have never heard of something like this but I have been so out of touch with the California Click that anything is possible I gues but I hate to hear things like that,especially about a Swayguy with so much ability and the craftsmanship to back it up. Aloha,Kokua

Kokua… DID I SAY THAT?!!  I better go back and look if I did! ? What I meant to say is “most my business comes from word of mouth” versus anything else. So perhaps I posted after glassing or something. 

 

The point I meant to make is that I enjoy a lot of solid longtime repeat clientele that are verbal about how good their boards work, and that results in repeat orders, quiver owners of my stuff, and curious new customers ordering and helping me exist in this tough and crazy business. 

To me Word of Mouth is absolutely THE BEST type of promotion one of us can ever get.

     Howzit DS, I just reread it and see that you actually corrected yourself and said DONE so I must have been in tunnel vision mode myself. I have to agree and it sure did a lot for me when I was making boards and even into my construction work. I was a contest judge and would see boards that were at least  to 4 years old and they still looked good and I would ask the kid or who ever how it worked and they would tell me it worked great and that was so gratifying to hear about a board I had built years before. I had a reputation for light but durable short boards since Imy long boards were never super light but then again they weren't known to break ether nd I think that is a little more important than it being under 11 LBs for a 9 footer. In fact as I think about it I can't ever remember any of my longboards breaking but I am sure it had to have happened but I just was never told about it. I know I had clients that only had me glass their boards and boy were they bummed when I stoped but they understood with the cancer and all. Well I am glad to know now that business is good for you since you have to work your okole off and be a craftsman in the business to really make any money and I know just how hard it is. Well glad that mistake was straightened out. Aloha,Kokua

hey kokua, i heard somthing about that a few years back but nothing new sence then, i wuold be stoked if that happend, that would be a big step towards the rite dirrection for industry if the government did make those stickers for the boards, we can only hope and do our best to teach others

hey deadshaper i totally agree with the word of mouth promotion, that is all that i have done for myself and its been working out for me, i mainly do repairs and restorations but sometimes ill make boards for people as well and i feel like if i didnt do good work then people wouldnt spread the word and i shouldnt be in the bis, so that fact that im still here makes me vary happy

     Howzit sd, I agree and I don't know why they haven't followed up on that since almost everything made in Japan has a sticker on it that says that on it. Maybe the Japanese are more proud of their products than the Chinese are. On top of the sticker it should have to be big enugh to see and not a tiny little one that you can hardly see. All we can do is put Made in the USA on our boards and hope that works. Aloha,Kokua

I tried dealing with you guys and even planned to switch what I do completely over to it I liked the idea so much, but I never got what we discussed and it was later hard to even get you on the phone.   BTW: Anyone who has been around even a modest amount of time likely knows the difference between a bit of junk and something well made.  I see it more as a way to track a history of a surfboard.  Love the idea, but have yet to see anything tangible to go from and make a better informed decision. There have simply been too many promises in this industry to take a chance or waste too much time on, " look see who is using it. " 

 

Hi good to hear from you.

Check your PM’s, we sent you a note, a lot of things have changed since then but I have checked our system, and product did go out to you, may the communication lines got messed up somewhere, but we are here to help…

 

 

Sounds like communication issues. I never got any product.  Look forward to hearing back from you. You seemed easy enough to deal with.  Would like to see the improvements you have made.

In Aus digital tags are used widely ,when you register your dog.  If your dog gets picked up and taken to the pound, theirs a digital implant in the dog , or a tag on his collar. The pound then contacts the owner to come and get their dog. As far as " made in" logos , it should be mandatory IMO...........a simple shapers signature on a board sais a lot....

Yeh if its good to use on your trustworthy pets when they stray off, then it sure must be good enough for your boards…obviously our system are robust and purposely designed and globally recognised system for you guys to operate in harmony.

 

The system will add value to your product and create some good talking points. The more shapers using SBT the greater the benefit for the surfing world.

 

Check out your PM Cheers Andrew

Kokua, I went back and added that correction in edit mode then you reread it. 

As far as the system being discussed here… yes, it’s like what my dog has under his skin. A really valuable tool toward relocating a member of our family should the unthinkable happen. 

I think the product is worth considering, especially for high volume manufacturers that will reap the benefit of after sales information that the manufacturer can provide them. The additional plus is the policy for recovery (insurance) backed by Lloyd’s, but I have to ask if the statement that the insured has the stolen item replaced by the SAME manufacturer is mandatory or not? What if the insured doesn’t want the same surfboard builder to replace that make or model of board?

Insurance is about ‘peace of mind’.  I know all too well about this promise that insurance uses to appeal to the consumer as I was in the business which I view as a necessary evil, sometimes a scam (AIG bailout?), and additional expenditure based on an event that most likely will never happen. Insurance was created by the Venetians in early day Italy as they sailed for distant lands to plunder riches from others.  Insurance works on the same basis (that) casinos operate: the law of large numbers, which states that more people will lose than win. 

All that aside, the product is well thought out and should appeal to people that want a sense of security should their surfboard be stolen. It should also appeal to LARGE manufacturers that want to collect (even more) data on the consumers they sell to. Although this isn’t as invasive as what the I Phone and similar products are doing as they store a year’s worth of data on EVERY move you make as a consumer, even with the phone(s) turned off.

For me personally, I’ve looked at my position in the industry (after decades… including having to go sell insurance for backup - which I found the most anal boring job in the world) in a whole new light.  Our industry, like most others,  is now about branding in order to capture some percentage of market share. If you are a professional intent on being around for awhile, you crunch your numbers to build the type of product you want, calculate overhead, how hard you want to work, and arrive upon a net profit that either works for you or doesn’t. Once you have your ‘business reality check’, you decide whether you can engage in the business full time, need a trust fund or another job to supplement it, do it as a hobby, or give up altogether.

I’m not a good candidate for this company’s product because I have cut back EVERY expense that impacts price while delivering good service and delivery at a competitive price. To achieve this is very difficult, and even then the rewards are not great.  For me pennies equate to dollars once you mark up the product to the consumer or the retail store offering the product. This has resulted in a lean manufacturing position for me that cuts out waste, middlemen, commutes, employees, and other factors that take away from paying myself a fair wage in order to make a living at my passion.  If you cannot ‘pay yourself first’, then you are a goner in this business. If you have a wad of cash and want to design a line, advertise it and want to employ people in Vietnam to build your stuff, go for it. 

For me, the product represents an unnecessary expense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a perceived value. I maintain it does, I’m simply not in a high volume position that I once was, and I’m realistic enough to state it.

 

Thank you for interest and cooment SBT Secure Anti theft warrnaty is not an insurance. It is warrnatly product designed and owned by SBT International.

 

SBT for your your board will cost you less than 6$ dollars per board.

 

Your right selling insurance is boring but necessity is a must.

 

I guess you understand insurance this is not insurance. SBT International are the insured which enabes SBT to pass the warranty on to manufacturers large or small who use our system for their product.

 

The SBT anti theft warranty is purely optional and will protect your board for the 1st year. What ever board is activated on the system and a warranty taken, means that of this boards is stolen you will get a like for like replacement from the same manaiufacturer. This guarantee you the repeat business. If a warranty claim is made.

 

How much do your board cost retail? weight it up! as I said the warranty is optional and unconditional.

 

But if a board is swiped warranty or not at least the risk of retrieveing is far greater than others…

 

Cheers