Comments on: Honesty, Integrity and Proforms

By: aksnowboardingrules

aksnowboardingrules — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:40:14 +0000

Proforms are not strictly given to people who work in the industry. But yes, I agree that it is important for people to not abuse proforms. The company/reps intention is that the person receiving the proform can promote the product to the average retail consumer in a positive way. Buying product for friends or selling on e-bay is obviously not the thing to do to promote the company, and it’s also bad for you karma 🙂

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:42:00 +0000

solid. totally agree. I just recently became part of ski patrol, and once my 'friends' figured out that I could get discounts, suddenly i had many more friends.

dont hook people up and dont get one unless you need one. its just the right thing to do.

By: Shayboarder

Shayboarder — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:29:00 +0000

If you get a job teaching on the mountain, yes you might get one. If you are just teaching your friends how to ride…no.

Today you can find very good deals online by late or early season sales…discount codes for shops you are on their mailing lists.

By: Shayboarder

Shayboarder — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:26:00 +0000

Companies/Reps of companies. It’s an industry discount for those who work in the industry. Not just for anyone.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:25:00 +0000

so…there’s probably slim to no chance that I can get one? I don’t have a job that offers that perk but I do offer free lessons to my friends and colleagues. My gear is like 4 years old – time to update…but I don’t have the $

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:23:00 +0000

how/who do you ask for a proform card?

By: Shayboarder

Shayboarder — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:50:00 +0000

I asked the rep last year at an industry demo, kept in touch from the spring till fall to make sure I’d get one. Typically with proforms i’m on good terms with the reps and I ask to get mine when the time is right. I’m still a certified instructor as well.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:33:00 +0000

Shayboarder – You said you went out of your wayHow exactly do you go about asking for a proform card. I don’t work somewhere that allows me to get one but you said you “went out of your way to ask for one last year”
How did you do this?

By: Shayboarder

Shayboarder — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:40:00 +0000

Spray is telling everyone they got hooked up...basically the people that really brag and tell everyone about it. Some people when telling others they got a deal make it seem as though they are sponsored and in turn represent that company...and that's not the case. I think the best rule of thumb is just to receive it, enjoy it and don't brag about it. But even still when you tell someone you get free stuff or discounted stuff, they can interpret that as bragging.

It definitely is tough when to say it and the circumstances. I think I only dislose it when asked and I never give away proform prices. Definitely going around and spouting off to everyone you get proforms is not classy, like the person that shows into a snowboard shop...tries on 8 different boots and then says to the shop kid...No I can get these through my friends proform...but thanks. That's not classy.

I just saw someone on a forum trying to trade a proform card for another and then trying to trade the proform card for bindings...that behavior and attitude is what is hurting the partnerships. Today I just turned down a proform because I know I won't use it and I went out of my way last year to ask for it. But I told the rep to give it to someone else cause the chance of me using it is very slim.

The whole thing is tough on what to say and what not.

By: GraysOnTrays.com

GraysOnTrays.com — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:22:00 +0000

Shay,

Can you translate the word "spray" for me?

"If you know peeps that you think are worthy let me know. I just want good riders that will help preach the brand on hill with out spraying that they got hooked up or that they are sponsored."

Do you think that people who get proforms should disclose that fact? If so, when? Only when asked? When the subject of the product comes up (as in "yeah I like Whatzit Boots so much that I decided to be an ambassador for them, and they give me a good discount")? Some other criterion?

I suppose you could say that anyone on the hill should know that an instructor or (however you define it) "industry insider" gets discounts or freebies. On the other hand, what with all the emphasis of late on disclosure, I wonder if a preemptive move is best.

John