Comments on: When Did Style Become Substance?

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:49:01 +0000

Snowboarding, surfing and skating (albeit skating to a much lesser degree)…… That some company is marketing accessories to this incredible style/fashion conscious group…… Shock horror. Like you’d buy a jacket that would last ten seasons if it looked like shit. Just someone trying to get a bite of the apple, if people’s like it…… Meh, qui sera sera.

By: Belinda BOING

Belinda BOING — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:39:41 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more Mr Intern aka ‘Chief Tea Boy’ on style over substance regarding glitzy ski / board kit that isn’t up to the job, it’s a disgrace! At BOING though you may be missing the point, we aren’t making, nor pretending to sell piste-bound hi-tech essential ‘action’ equipment – our bands are accessories and as your great picture shows, rather stylish unisex ones for wearing wherever you are, including on a rock face, face down in snow or enjoying a great après ski session, which is an integral part of any trip – your choice. Their ‘substance’ is a matter of fact, as each BOING band is made of top quality components as detailed on our web. This includes the finest genuine mountain rope – hence the not so ludicrous association with mountains and related sports. By all means challenge our marketing strategy but there are few companies who don’t choose to align their brand with some aspect of our lifestyle.

I would respectfully disagree with your word ‘tat’ which suggests cheap, poor value stuff, unfit for purpose, which is not something you can fairly claim – the test for this would be if people didn’t buy BOING bands. Since our June launch our Facebook ‘likes’ have exceeded 1,000 – not too shabby for a small start up, additionally we’ve sold thousands of these bands to people at numerous Events, including a lot at the London Ski & Snowboard Show, as well as on line. Our customers see the price / quality ratio and corresponding price level as far better than probably all other similar products out there or they wouldn’t buy. I am also confident there is a core of your readership that would appreciate a small article on complementary ‘non action’ related ski / board products or accessories, I can’t imagine every reader wishes to know the inner workings of bindings and equipment from cover to cover. Why not put that to the test with your readers if you can accept the challenge. So let me know, if Whitelines do want to do a piece – as I will happily send BOING bands for your team to enjoy too. BOING UP YOUR LIFE!

From Belinda – ‘Assistant Gluwein-Maker’

By: MM

MM — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:40:30 +0000

i can make you one for 1.58 BGN

By: billy mayhem

billy mayhem — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:35:01 +0000

I don’t think this is going far enough. What we need is some proper relics: pieces of the one true board of T.Rice; lockets containing a shred of Shaun Whites infamous leopard skin pants; a bracelet made of the teeth of fallen rail heroes; Terje’s Method in a bottle; one of Palmers caddy hubcaps.. Infact, let’s not wait for Red Bull to start selling cans with prints of Aimee Fuller’s lipstick on, let’s start hunting down these things ourselves and make our fortunes! We’ll call it: THE QUEST FOR THE HOLY CRAIL.

By: Intern

Intern — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:40:58 +0000

I make coffee too.

By: CJ@178

CJ@178 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:43:13 +0000

I’m sure the irony isn’t lost on you that the large color picture and opening paragraph of this article is basically an advert for said ‘action tat’.

By: Allan Basil-Rattey

Allan Basil-Rattey — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:20:55 +0000

Who cares, I started snowboarding 17 years ago at which point I could not afford to buy the latest kit. I was just happy to be out riding. Over the years I have bought products from many companies from Hammer (first board) to Type A, Ride, Forum and yes Burton and have bought these knowing that their marketing hype has likely influenced me and so what? I am just happy to be out riding and if I had been lucky enough to have founded a corporation like Burton and be as good as SW with my own private pipe then so be it. I have not been dragged in by the skinny jean era and nor will I be let them go ahead it means more money put into the facilities to provide for us all. Best to just get out on the hill and not worry about all the other stuff I don’t have time or the patience. Buy a splitboard(or make one yourself) grow a beard become a mountain goat and stop stressing :):)

By: Tom Kingsnorth

Tom Kingsnorth — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:16:28 +0000

That isn’t just limited to snowboarding though, that’s in everything. Think how much crap you can buy with a football teams logo, mugs, ties, golf tees, watches, jewellery etc. think of how the Hard Rock Cafe make more money selling merchandise than food. Even Coca cola, Bmw, Audi sell clothing, Jaguar sell those sport bags in Makro, Jack Daniels tee shirts, hip flask etc the list is endless. people will buy it no matter what their interest is. Not a fan of those bracelets though

By: Bartsimpsonhead

Bartsimpsonhead — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:13:51 +0000

Seems like a waste of money to me – I bet they don’t even have a magical hologram carved onto a fragment of Unicorn horn that’ll improve your balance and make you more attractive to women either.

By: vector_monkey

vector_monkey — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:07:15 +0000

I love that this was posted by an intern, but what I love more is that he’s a Chief Tea Maker.