As far as I know, all kites have a serial #- the only reason it would be removed is to not be able to trace it to the dealer who sold it.
There is a bigger, more underlying problem going on in the industry- everyone is scrambling to make a buck and doesn't care WHO or HOW the kites are being sold. In my area, it's an all-out free for all to open schools, shops, and websites for anyone who has a kite, and manufacturers don't care who is selling their shit or how, as long as it sells.
There are large distributors of the brands who set up dealers, which makes it even easier to sell gear. I won't name any, but there's a few responsible ones, and a few who will sell to anyone that I know of. (I was recently turned down by one, as the non kiter below already has the area)
Our main problem retailer (Best Pro Kiteboarding Center (BPKC), sounds official enough, but in reality sells 2nd hand kites out of a van at the interstate rest area. As these kites are continuously stored in a van in the Florida sun, they have bladder issues, and the noobs are told it's the way the rolled the kite up that caused the leak. It has been going on for 5 years now, and she has been seen selling Best, Slingshot, Crazy Fly kites, and a number of board and accessory brands.
I hope to see this person's suppliers step up and make it stop.
We know exactly where the gear is coming from- let's see if they do the right thing...
I would like to thank Simon from Best on his assistance in clarifying to the public that BPKC in St. Petersburg, Florida is NOT an authorized dealer of Best. He also said that Best would cover any warranty issues through an authorized deal, so props to him and Best for standing behind their product, and for not supporting dealers who risk access for everyone. They did not put profits before principles, and I hope to see others follow their lead by looking into WHO and HOW the gear is being sold locally.
Saint Petersburg, Florida is where you should start.
I hope to see others step up against problem retailers- they do nothing for access or the kiting community, and risk it all for the sake of making a buck.
-KTB
www.kiteboardingtampabay.com