Shop local

In June I wanted to upgrade my Hobie Revolution 13 with turbo fins and rudder.  I ordered online from Austin Canoe and Kayak (ACK).  I will never again order from ACK and here is why.  I waited and waited and things were not being shipped.  The excuse I received from ACK is that things at Hobie were shut down and they weren't getting inventory.  That's a good excuse so I kept waiting.  I called again a few weeks ago and ACK said they had my fins and would send them.  I got the delivery the other day and was so excited only to be disappointed again.  In the package was only one turbo fin, nothing else.  So now I have to return the darn thing and hopefully get my money back.  But that's only part of the story.  The more shameful part of this whole thing is that I ordered parts from Austin, Texas that were probably created in Oceanside, California.  This means, a truck was used to take the part(s) from California, to Texas, and then back to California (my house) and now back again to Texas.  The impacts of this kind of business to the environment is avoidable and unnecessary.  The worst part is I could have helped out a local business by giving them my business.  My apologies to both the Headwaters Kayak Store, and California Canoe and Kayak (CCK).  I saw on another thread that Headwaters went out of business and I feel bad about that.   

I also experienced longer than normal wait times earlier this year with them
Once I squeaked my wheel things got rolling
Longer lag times due to COVID was their excuse
Sorry bout your experience

I've always had good experiences with ACK. I have asked them about buying Hobie stuff and getting it shipped directly from Hobie to me. The people at ACK told me that Hobie refuses to do that.

Regarding Headwaters, my understanding with Headwaters is that the Redding store is still up and running.  The Lodi store closed and was bought by someone else that will reopen it under a different name.  The boathouse on Lodi lake closed for the season recently but plans to reopen next Spring

It is a shame regarding your experience with ACK.  Someone on their side screwed up.

I've always had good experiences with ACK. I have asked them about buying Hobie stuff and getting it shipped directly from Hobie to me. The people at ACK told me that Hobie refuses to do that.

I have also had good experience with ACK including special ordering replacement fabric for my vantage seat.  Once I returned a roof rack that didn't work well for my kayak (not their fault at all) and even though their policy stated that I was responsible for return shipping, they covered it. I suppose even the best places screw up sometimes. Hopefully, they fix your order quickly.   

I:spoke dan last Saturday. I wanted to thank him for the customer service they has given me over the years. Mat will back and forth from redding. And he has known the person for a long time who took k over the shop up there. I tried going to another local shop  but will never again go back. I myself will drive up to Redding to see them for my kayak needs.

Don't forget Wind Toys in Santa Rosa.  My experience there was super positive.  I was outfitting my new Passport 12 and wound up buying the boat from them.  I usually use spreadsheets for these sorts of projects to track total cost and budget and prioritize things.  I was able to send my spreadsheet to Billy and he looked it over, told me what he could get, what he couldn't and even made some recommendations on alternatives and articulated why they might be better choices.  Some of those recommendations were away from things they sell, no less.  All in all, it just shows that they're interested in you buying what's right, not buying what's necessarily on their shelf.  My entire experience taking delivery of the boat with them was equally pleasant.  Roland went over everything with me, made recommendations on upgrades I should wait on and ones I should move on.  He showed me a bunch of his personal tricks he's learned over the years and set me up to leave.  Despite the store being super busy, he was in no rush to end our transaction.  He simply let me browse around and checked in with me here and there even after I had fully paid for everything and had the boat on the car.

Don't forget Wind Toys in Santa Rosa.  My experience there was super positive.  I was outfitting my new Passport 12 and wound up buying the boat from them.  I usually use spreadsheets for these sorts of projects to track total cost and budget and prioritize things.  I was able to send my spreadsheet to Billy and he looked it over, told me what he could get, what he couldn't and even made some recommendations on alternatives and articulated why they might be better choices.  Some of those recommendations were away from things they sell, no less.  All in all, it just shows that they're interested in you buying what's right, not buying what's necessarily on their shelf.  My entire experience taking delivery of the boat with them was equally pleasant.  Roland went over everything with me, made recommendations on upgrades I should wait on and ones I should move on.  He showed me a bunch of his personal tricks he's learned over the years and set me up to leave.  Despite the store being super busy, he was in no rush to end our transaction.  He simply let me browse around and checked in with me here and there even after I had fully paid for everything and had the boat on the car.

+1 for Wind Toys. When my olive Outback was stolen, they hooked me up with an Outback hull for a really good price. The experience was solid as detailed above. Good place I will do business with again

I do a lot of online shopping, but really try to buy kayaks and fishing stuff in person.  Some things I want to see and touch and I need to show some love to the brick and mortar shops that let me do that.

So, shoutout to CCK where I've bought both kayaks, West Marine San Carlos (which does a good job covering basic tackle), and Hi's Tackle Box.  I wish Fisherman's Warehouse (Mountain View?) was still around.  That place was a candy shop.

Headwaters is Redding is open and Bryan is a great person to work with. Also remember Headwaters Redding, the late Headwaters Lodi, and CCK have always been big supporters of NCKA events !! Shop local !!
Just my .02 worth
Jeff

I haven't dealt with CCK yet beyond me calling them to ask about buying a Hobie from them and them telling me that I should call Wind Toys because they had more stock.  To me, that is a shining review in and of itself for CCK.  That shows true community care instead of simple bottom line care.  This may sound weird, but I can't wait to spend money at CCK to show gratitude.

+2 for Wind Toys. I bought my Revo from them and they always take good care of me and all their customers. Billy is super cool and a Bodega salmon slayer. Yes, shop local if you can (but I admit buying way too often on Amazon).

Between Wind Toys, Clavey Paddlesports, West Marine and OPS we’re lucky to have all these local stores for kayak and fishing gear!

+3 Wind Toys. Bought my revo there a few years ago along with all the bells and whistles in one shot and they did my lowrance wiring for free. I think they even gave me a deal and didn't charge sales tax if I recall correctly.

PLUS the taco truck across the street outside La Fondita (not Elroys) has hands down the best tacos around.

+3 Wind Toys. Bought my revo there a few years ago along with all the bells and whistles in one shot and they did my lowrance wiring for free. I think they even gave me a deal and didn't charge sales tax if I recall correctly.

PLUS the taco truck across the street outside La Fondita (not Elroys) has hands down the best tacos around.

+4 for wind toys and +2 for Roseland food trucks 

Wind toys has been low on stock lately (like everywhere) but they call you when the stuff you're looking for is back in stock again.