US Gear Handle unboxing

[Horton]

 

[The_MS]

Hard not to talk about the greatest handles made. I am glad people are getting a chance to use them. 

[ScarletArrow]

How are they different / better than the ML handles of the same style?

Opening seems so wide - dangerous for an arm or head to go through.

[scuppers]

The old saying “fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on me!”

ya just can’t take a chance on him even if they are the best handles ever made.

[njriverrider]

Best handles I’ve ever used.  Top quality and nobody makes a handle that’s as practical regarding overall shape/design.  Glad to see they’re back!🤙

[VONMAN]

Well said. And to anyone who has never tried a U.S. Gear handle it's the Best of the Best. Welcome Back.

Ernie Schlager

[skibug]

For the record I patronize a multitude of BOS advertisers/sponsors on the order of thousands of dollars a year, so I am not doing this to adversely impact the patronage of those companies. But, for those who cherish and are addicted to their US Gear handles, like I am, see below,

This is what Randy sent me late last year.  Sizes and ordering.

When you place your order Ill need your Name, shipping address, phone number handle width,12” or 13” Pro Comp Straight or Pro V center bend, diameter, .930, .950, .970, 1.00, 1.030, 1.060, 1.090, 1.120, 1.130  Color Black Floats with Red, Grey, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue  Spectra Rope (Gordon Rathbun style) with Carbon Ski Protection. 

 

Submit your Order to: orderusgear@gmail.com.The Cost per Handle is $240.00 ea. and includes priority shipping. Payment is only due at the time of shipping. We accept PayPal, G-pay or personal check.

[njriverrider]

8 hours ago, skibug said:

For the record I patronize a multitude of BOS advertisers/sponsors on the order of thousands of dollars a year, so I am not doing this to adversely impact the patronage of those companies. But, for those who cherish and are addicted to their US Gear handles, like I am, see below,

This is what Randy sent me late last year.  Sizes and ordering.

When you place your order Ill need your Name, shipping address, phone number handle width,12” or 13” Pro Comp Straight or Pro V center bend, diameter, .930, .950, .970, 1.00, 1.030, 1.060, 1.090, 1.120, 1.130  Color Black Floats with Red, Grey, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue  Spectra Rope (Gordon Rathbun style) with Carbon Ski Protection. 

 

Submit your Order to: orderusgear@gmail.com.The Cost per Handle is $240.00 ea. and includes priority shipping. Payment is only due at the time of shipping. We accept PayPal, G-pay or personal check.

Do you know if he has a website up like before?  Or is this a call/email only sorta thing?  I’m not seeing a website thru a Google search.  It used to be www.usgearonline.com

 

Thanks,

Steve

[skibug]

@njriverriderI do not think the website is active anymore.  His instructions to me were to use the email in what I have posted.  You can call or text him if you have his number.

[Blofeld]

$240.00 for a handle that might never be delivered? 

[Mateo_Vargas]

Thanks @Hortonfor donating the handles for the Berkeley Water Ski Club Raffle. The winners were pumped but I would have preferred a donation from one of your advertisers like your ProStar.

[bananaron]

@Horton I don't know what happened between you and Randy at usgear however I don't agree with you on how you mentioned never to talk about usgear again.He just sent you $1000 retail value of handles and I would guess he is attempting to make amends or re establish some type of business or personal relationship.I do not know him personally however I have purchased his handles and have them in my boathouse now.They are without a doubt the best handle made today.I try to do business with the BOS sponsors however would prefer to buy from in tow s lines usgear rather then a large corporate operation.I am sure all products are good however it comes down to personal preference.I guess I find myself to be a forgiving person as I get older at the ripe old age of 75. Its unusual to as I was a cop for 30 yrs however I don't hold any grudges as life is too short and I can't let things bother me as IT takes away the enjoyment and pleasure we have each day.Whatever happened in the past is not going to impact my present or future.Its good to see usgear is back and some ballers are supporting the company......

[BraceMaker]

@scuppersUnfortunately what he's probably going to have to do is run the business C.O.D.

[Rednucleus]

He just needs to be a BOS sponsor and all would be right in the world again!

[rockdog]

Randy is not asking for payment until the handle is made and ready to ship..

[No1skier]

Buyers beware!!!

I am on the thicker side of the spectrum and it takes a good yank to get my 240# caboose out of the hole.  After 2 damaged carbon skis from handle pops I decided to go for it and bought my first and last handle from Randy.   Let me tell you why…

1. His communication was unacceptable by any sorts of business standards 

2. it took waaaay longer than I expected and what he promised me.  I called back multiple times and got a new excuse every time. 

3. I did like the design but it bent on me and didn’t pass a tech inspection.  I called him and he promised to replace it 

4. Yes exactly what you are thinking…. He never replaced it. I called back multiple times.  The first one he didn’t remember, the second one was an “oh yea I forgot” and the third one was back to not remembering.  He hasn’t answered my call since or returned any messages.   
 

I am a lover of the sport and believe in supporting the niche community but buyer beware for sure!   Take it from my experience and just learn to ski with another handle where the makers name on the handle actually stands behind their product.  

[RGilmore]

8 hours ago, Rednucleus said:

He just needs to be a BOS sponsor and all would be right in the world again!

+1

[RGilmore]

3 hours ago, No1skier said:

Buyers beware!!!

I am on the thicker side of the spectrum and it takes a good yank to get my 240# caboose out of the hole.  After 2 damaged carbon skis from handle pops I decided to go for it and bought my first and last handle from Randy.   Let me tell you why…

1. His communication was unacceptable by any sorts of business standards 

2. it took waaaay longer than I expected and what he promised me.  I called back multiple times and got a new excuse every time. 

3. I did like the design but it bent on me and didn’t pass a tech inspection.  I called him and he promised to replace it 

4. Yes exactly what you are thinking…. He never replaced it. I called back multiple times.  The first one he didn’t remember, the second one was an “oh yea I forgot” and the third one was back to not remembering.  He hasn’t answered my call since or returned any messages.   
 

I am a lover of the sport and believe in supporting the niche community but buyer beware for sure!   Take it from my experience and just learn to ski with another handle where the makers name on the handle actually stands behind their product.  

How long ago was this purchase?  1 week... 1 month... 1 year... 1 decade...?

[BraceMaker]

16 hours ago, rockdog said:

Randy is not asking for payment until the handle is made and ready to ship..

Hopefully when there is already a shipping label and tracking ready.

[No1skier]

On 3/15/2023 at 12:22 AM, RGilmore said:

How long ago was this purchase?  1 week... 1 month... 1 year... 1 decade...?

Fair question that I probably should have included in my post.   I got it 3 summers ago and it bent within the summer.   I reached out in the fall when I was skiing the most tournaments and figured it was out of spec.   Then again in the winter and final time in the following spring.  

[Buxrus]

Well dog gone it.   I hate to report negative news but I must say my expectations were not that great regarding ordering a handle from this fella.   

Because of the gracious unboxing by @horton, I decide to order not one but two handles from US gear.  I realize there has been good and bad reported about US Gear but my curiosity was peaked by the video.  

3 weeks ago I sent an email with the order of both handles, different size and diameters.  

To date I have no response regarding my email.  

Very odd to request freebie vid regarding an unadvertised product but then to not follow through with request resulting from said video, ??  

Hopefully some others will have better luck.  

[rockdog]

Same @Buxrusit was a risk we knew from the outset so disappointment somewhat tempered. I ordered 13 March and accepted next day. Randy said 1-2 weeks. Heard nothing since even after follow up email last week. At least it hasn't been paid for yet.

[Buxrus]

@rockdogat least you got a response.  I am not expecting anything at this point.  I do know I will not pre pay for product from this fella.  

[The_MS]

I spoke to him today and he thinks maybe they are going to spam. He has had to slow down a bit due to Docs orders but is making handles. He requests that you resend orders if you have not received response. You wont have to pay until shipping 

[Sethro]

This happened to me a few years ago. Heard nothing from him after ordering, but probably 6 months later he contacted me saying he was ready to make mine. I tried to be sympathetic regarding his health news and various reasons for not contacting me, but when he got mad and pissy about me no longer wanting the handle I decided I made the right call by moving on. 

[LOTW]

I struggle to not respond to this because I have no experience with this guy but I have had a very similar experience with a guy that I've tried to buy snowmobile parts from. Sounds exactly the same and after a year and a half, I'm done and moving on with no part and no refund of $$. If this guy has such a bad history, why are people still dealing with him? If the $$ hits his bank account, he knows it immediately. He knows he's shafting people, not sure why people do this but...Move on and support ML or whoever you want, end of story. If you continue to roll the dice, that's your fault.

[Sethro]

I don't think he's shafting people, at least by taking their money and not delivering a product.  He doesn't charge anything until your handle ships...at least that's my experience.  He did not take any of my money.

[skihacker]

I have a long standing personal rule about being a customer: don't make me beg you to take my money, I wouldn't have any patience for this especially if there are other options around, just my 2 cents.

[MDB1056]

Absolutely agree with @skihacker. Either conduct business responsibly or don’t try. 

[BraceMaker]

@Sethro did he take your energy in placing your order, your time following up with him, or your opportunity by you not having a handle to ski?

And the sports psychology here is brutal because I think if you take skiers gear and rank it in terms of your perceived enjoyment of the set its probably;

Bindings

Handles

Suit

Gloves

Driver

Vest

Ski

Boat

Rope

Might be a good poll to conduct but if you want to mess with me it takes me longer to adjust to a binding than anything else.  Then the handle, and then the swim suit (that might be weird for you but the only deep water starts I've missed in 10 years have been when I go to take a set wearing weird trunks).

But what happens when you ski every set with your preferred handle and then you have to use something else.  Pinky outside the V, miss the grab, hands get torn up, elbow pain, shoulder pain.... it messes with literally everything.

[The_MS]

I am just thankful that we have garage guys that offer products that dont make sense to produce on a large scale due to end profit and limited market. I saw a post about Ski sizing at Lapoint not on the web page. I would rather have KLP working on the latest 3.0 then update sizes on web page. 
My thanks goes out to guys like 

EZ ed slalom

mikrojust

@teammalibu

@MOB

S-lines

in tow

handle guard guy

us gear

Ventral fins

coyote bro fins

whisper fin

CG fin

many more (sorry if if forgot)

Some of these guys are just a bit better then others organizing web pages or just filling orders. Thank God they have the desire to invent or create new products. 
I have pretty much used all of their products and would buy again. Most are well worth any hassle I may briefly encounter. 

[6balls]

@MS what's up man?  Hope all is well--say Hi to Kim and the gang at skiwatch.

If I ordered some kick ass ribs from a niche guy to be delivered to the tourney at skiwatch and they never came, calls were not answered etc I'd be like WTF?  You know these are the most kick ass ribs--but I trust they will be there b/c I can trust the vendor.  I can't tell everyone at the party oh hey man, sorry, this guy is the best and the ribs are unbelievable--you should all order from him but, well--enjoy the salad.    

Pretty much same if I order anything else, customer service matters--do what you say you are going to do--and if not apologize and make it right(cuz doing the right thing is part of your DNA).  If you can't handle demand, do limited orders and serve those folks well if getting over-extended causes problems. 

Brenda is a small player--did a great job--custom one-off line lengths in the rope and all.  She sent her product with an invoice in it so I could send her a check--perhaps overly trusting but wow.

If you ordered a ski for xmas and hoped to ski it in the spring--and it never showed, and there were nothing but excuses? Of your vendors listed have you had anything other than first class service from MOB, EZ ed or in-tow to name a few?

I've never ordered one of these handles, I don't think Masterline handles ever cost me a buoy by using them instead--but the customer experience more often than not related on this site re: USgear is not good.   That would be enough to keep me away--regardless of what I'm purchasing. 

Hope all is well with you guys!  

  

Edited May 2, 2023 by 6balls

[Horton]

@6balls are we talking baby back or St Louis?

[6balls]

@Horton baby back.  So tender you can literally slide the bone out.  If I grill them it takes both hands with tongs to try to get a rack to a plate intact.  

https://www.petersribs.com/

 

 

[The_MS]

I actually have stories good and bad but that is not the point. 
I guess I am just easy and dont complain much😎

I have found that kindness on my end usually gets me the product I am after and usually a friendship evolves for the future. 

[Horton]

@6balls

Since Covid I have really had bad luck finding quality product. In the last few months I am finally getting really good Tri-tip and some decent steaks but not like before Covid. I have not seen a single rack of baby backs at COSTCO or anywhere else in forever.  Ya got to start with good product if you want to make good BBQ. 

I am doing a Pork Shoulder in the next few days. If I can get it done we will have slow pork and escabeche (Mexican pickled veg) tacos for Cinco de Mayo. My ski schedule may push that back a few days.

I am going to just give myself an "off topic" and move on. 

[The_MS]

Garmin cant get me VHF radios

Minkota cant get me trolling motors 

Merc cant get me impellers

 

 

[6balls]

@The_MS that's supply chain vs customer service, no?  Do you order from them, get promises, get the run-around when you call, then never get what was promised?  C'mon dude--I wouldn't do b'ness w/other firms if they behaved in that fashion. 

 

Hey I'm a doctor and we are friends(true), you are my patient(not true but humor me) and I tell you I will order your labs and contact your specialist for an appointment, I further tell you that I will communicate your labs via your patient portal with any advice/recommendations etc.  I don't do it and when you contact me in the patient portal about it I don't respond or I make excuses. 

I have no idea if that is truthfully the nature of what some have experienced, but it sounds like it is so.  If I were your doctor and behaved as above you should tell me I'm a dink and find a new one.  

I'm an observer, but you are playing the weak hand here.  

You can still call me a dink and find a new friend, but I would contend I've done nothing wrong here.  Maybe I can screw up all I want and it won't matter to you--in which case I will have one friend.  Good thing we like IPA and ribs.  

[The_MS]

@6ballsI guess if I were you, I would not try to buy anything, It may only bring frustration and sadness.  Better to stay with what you are using and keep same routine. 
If I had 6 months of snow, I would order things in Oct so you are ready in May

Water is 80, air upper 80s. TJ looking to ski 

[Jody_Seal]

the struggle is real when  it comes to getting parts and components in a timely manor. ordering engines one has to pay up front the cost of the engine,  wait 10-14 weeks for delivery only to have significant shipping damage that it backs you up another 4-5 weeks for replacement parts or replacement all together. 

right now there is a steering cable shortage affecting all the manufacturers. Chinese made crap that has a hi failure and potential for catastrophic damage as well as potential for bodily  harm.. wonder why you can't get your new boat? 

[6balls]

@The_MSits all good--those who have never been to skiwatch don't understand the place that you and TJ get to ski every day(freakin magic)--but for most of us it doesn't mean we want to buy from vendors who don't stand by their products/service whether or not they are our friends.   My climate sucks, but my gear has always been on-time.   

[LeonL]

 Not really germane,  but has the handle market really come to $240?

Edited May 5, 2023 by LeonL

[S1Pitts]

This link is to one of the best priced shops in Canada. Check out what we have to pay for a ML Ergo and it is on SALE!

https://www.shuswapsnb.com/Masterline-Ergo-Anti-Roll-13-inch-MLERGO13-100-15987/

 

[Jody_Seal]

@LeonL the GD Germans got nothing to do with it! 

[BraceMaker]

 

[Horton]

I thought Germane was one of the Jackson 5

[LeonL]

I just learned a new word last week and was hoping for a way to use it.

It's great that BOS provides a way to increase one's word power.

Edited May 5, 2023 by LeonL

[34mph]

I need some help to explain why someone would plea to a forum that they are back in business and they would like to sell handles again and what seemed to me a I’m sorry for passed practices , things will be better,  but things are not , they are completely  falling back to some of the worst customer service ever seen ?  
Like others I sent a email weeks ago asking to buy a handle. Followed up by another email a week later . Absolutely nothing .  
 

I understand that things happen . Send a email back that “ I can’t get your order done at the moment “.   No instead of being a stand up person …. No response at all .. What a joke … I don’t know why anyone would support this guy at all. I will stick with Masterline and Slines . 

[MDB1056]

Again…..either be in business responsibly, or don’t try . No tolerance for operating like this . 

[mike_mapple]

On 5/5/2023 at 8:51 AM, S1Pitts said:

This link is to one of the best priced shops in Canada. Check out what we have to pay for a ML Ergo and it is on SALE!

https://www.shuswapsnb.com/Masterline-Ergo-Anti-Roll-13-inch-MLERGO13-100-15987/

 

if thats Canadian its 6$ more that what its costs in the US.