Best bankrupt? Not bankrupt!

[tautologies]

And here I thought you followed me onto Naish because of all that ass I was kicking on those X2's! Those were the days!

haha that was before Best. But hell yeah you were jumping the crap out of those kites.

[Iridian]

You are missing one crucial piece of Best early success: It was not the girls, not the riders, not product quality, not the service, that got customer's attention. It was the pricing as a consequence of their direct sales model. And with that part missing Eleveight would never approach anywhere to the Best level, sorry.

Things have changed quite a bit since. There's more than one company exploring the "direct sales with low prices" model. Switch, Zian, Takoon to name a few and somehow - we don't see them overtaking kitespots like Best did in Waroo days. Main problem - imho - has to do with pricing. Back then big-name kites were going at full retail for what small timers go for nowadays on sale and a full quiver of Waroos was costing less than one kite+one bar+one pump nowadays... It was like affordable vs very affordable back then and fu@#$^ing expensive vs very-fu!@#$%ing-expensive Today. No wonder the sport is struggling.

At least one has to admit that Eleveight have done a really good re-branding job. I mean the new brand's overall image is very organic and products are slick looking. Some more recent re-branders our there should learn a thing or two from Eleveight.

What others have the direct sales model?

[anthohopk70]

I would not call Eleveight a "re-branding", but a new brand. Why is everybody saying it is best ?? Because the old designer and few other guys made up this new company ? They have just run away of all the problems... Best is still existing on his side, selling and producing kites. Eleveight has a complete different mind spirit, a complete different approach. Those guys at Eleveight are real passionate people, they own the brand, have no investors or someone telling them what to do. They are building their kites in a different factory, with different materials etc etc than best was doing... So Eleveight is Eleveight, and best is best...

[bjw]

I wouldnt say the Eleveight guys "ran away from the problems".

When they don't get paid in there jobs, or Best releases kite 9 months after their competitors. Thats not an option to continue.

They are producing from the North Factory and with German bladders, to avoid the issues that Best had.

[anthohopk70]

Ok, not being paid for month and releasing gear very late are problems, don't you think ? So yes, they have run away from the problems...

[pj sofine]

Ok, not being paid for month and releasing gear very late are problems, don't you think ? So yes, they have run away from the problems...

Tell us how you feel about those that left the Titanic? Maybe if everyone pitched in and grabbed a bucket things would have ended better.

[Leon van Bergen]

Ok, not being paid for month and releasing gear very late are problems, don't you think ? So yes, they have run away from the problems...

Whahaha your in !

[Leon van Bergen]

Last days of Best?

https://www.bestkiteboarding.com/en/gear/gear/outlet/

[Toby]

Last days of Best?

https://www.bestkiteboarding.com/en/gear/gear/outlet/

The question is if they really have that gear?

[Toby]

I wouldnt say the Eleveight guys "ran away from the problems".

When they don't get paid in there jobs, or Best releases kite 9 months after their competitors. Thats not an option to continue.

They are producing from the North Factory and with German bladders, to avoid the issues that Best had.

I agree. I am sure they tried all, but the management f***** up...not sure who but for Javier is on top of that list.