Did you know that BOOKOFF will buy your ski gear?

"BOOKOFF is the place to buy and sell books," but did you know that you can actually buy and sell skis and snowboards at BOOKOFF?
Let's take a closer look at the truth behind this and what it's really like.

Did you know that BOOKOFF sells ski and snowboard equipment?　

For hardcore skiers and snowboarders who have always bought their boards and boots from pro shops, the idea of ​​buying used skis and snowboards from a reuse shop might be hard to imagine. However, when you realize that you've spent a fortune on expensive gear and think, "I'm definitely not going to use this anymore...", the idea of ​​being able to trade it in or sell it is sure to pique your interest.

So, what kind of store is BOOKOFF? How does the flow of goods work? And ultimately, what is BOOKOFF as a company thinking and doing? We visited Mr. Sato of BOOKOFF's Reuse Products Department to find out.

Why did BOOKOFF start selling skis and snowboards?

"Actually, BOOKOFF has been handling sporting goods for 23 years now, so it's a product category with a considerable history. Our handling of winter sports equipment started at the request of an employee who loves snow sports, and it gradually spread throughout the Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido regions. Because it's a seasonal product, ski and snowboard equipment and clothing tend to end up gathering dust in closets... So, we persistently sent out the message to local people saying, 'Please sell us your items,' and as a result of that message getting through, we started to have these products on the shelves in our stores,"
says Sato.

Actually, there are different types of BOOKOFF stores: the regular "BOOKOFF," "BOOKOFF PLUS" which also carries apparel, and "BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR," a large store that carries everything. Currently, out of approximately 700 BOOKOFF stores nationwide, about 45 are SUPER BAZAAR stores, offering a wide selection of skis, snowboards, apparel, and accessories.
In addition, they also sell on Yahoo! Auctions, so you can actually buy snow items at BOOKOFF all year round. Winter equipment has now become a major business, on par with marine and golf products.

What is the buying and selling trend for snow goods? When and what is being sold?

What is the current state of buying and selling of snow goods?

"The way snow gear is handled varies from region to region, and it's a mix of regional characteristics and customer demographics. In Gunma, snowboarding is popular, while in Tohoku, skiing is slightly more popular. Overall, as the name BOOKOFF suggests, our customer base is very large, mostly families, and ski equipment is a popular choice for families. Children grow so quickly, and they outgrow their gear fast.
Incidentally, in Hokkaido, while it's said that snowboarders are the untapped market, ski equipment sells very well at BOOKOFF, especially in the junior section.

Winter gear sales peak in December and January. On the other hand, we see an increase in buybacks in October and November. Autumn is the season for replacing gear before the season starts, or when people are switching out their winter clothes. Then there's March and April, the end of the fiscal year, which is also the season for moving and spring cleaning."

As of June, the company had over 4,000 skis in stock, and at its peak in December, it will have over 6,000 skis in stock

What type of skis will be brought?

"When it comes to skis, the scheme is to have customers sell their skis as they come in from the new ski market, so it's inevitable that there will be a delay of two or three years. The 2023-2024 season models will be available in three or four years. There are some customers who sell their new skis right away, but there is inevitably a time lag. Also, most of the skis are freeskis, rather than basic or alpine racing skis. All-round models are popular. The purchase price for skis that are more suitable for racing is a little lower."

We asked Sato if he had any bargains on powder/freeride skis that STEEP readers might like, and he confirmed the following skis. These are some seriously high-quality skis! They're also on sale on Yahoo! Auctions, so anyone can get their hands on them without having to go to a store

・Armada ｜Edollo 2022　　
・Atomic ｜Bent Chetler
・ARMADA ｜INVICTUS

"At the heart of it all is our desire to increase the number of people who enjoy sports, so we believe that in order for entrants to continue enjoying themselves throughout the season without getting bored, we need to provide them with high-quality items. We would like to create a cycle where we sell high-quality items that incorporate new technology or have guaranteed safety, give them to entrants, and then the entrants enjoy them. This also allows us to appeal to the outside world that BOOKOFF also sells this kind of high-quality gear, by supporting and cheering on junior athletes and sponsoring tournaments, targeting core customers who have high-quality products

If participants have a good experience using the gear they bought at BOOKOFF, we think it's fine for them to go to a pro shop next time. Conversely, we sometimes advise them that it's better to go to Kanda rather than shopping at BOOKOFF all the time. After they buy something good in Kanda and are done using it, we ask them to bring it back to BOOKOFF. We think that's the best flow, and we're doing it with the idea that it could grow in the marketplace."

Selling your own items at BOOKOFF: "Buyback System"

If I were to bring my favorite skis to BOOKOFF, how much would I be able to sell them for?

"We have a detailed manual for appraising used items, which we update every year. We also take trends into account. Apparel is interesting because trends tend to come full circle every few years. For example, pullover-type apparel has recently appeared as if it were something new, but wasn't that popular about 20 years ago? (laughs) You can't know these trends without looking at new models, so we make sure to include trend information in our database when we appraise items. We have area managers for sports equipment all over the country who keep an eye on what's happening in their respective regions, so they are keen to catch what's going on on the ground. They'll tell us things like, 'This model sold well last year, and now this brand is in the spotlight.' We gather their information and knowledge and incorporate it into our appraisal manual.

Also, since it's a used item, the "year of manufacture" is one important indicator, but the "condition" is a multiplier to that. For snowboards, we check the fine details such as scratches and distortions on the sole. For apparel, we check for tears, stains, and functional details such as zippers."

　In addition to "year x condition," the purchase price of boots also varies depending on the size. Sizes 28.5-29cm are very popular, and for men, sizes 26.5cm and above are appraised at a higher price. For women, sizes 23.5cm tend to be higher. Anything smaller than that is considered junior. When it comes to clothing, bib pants are the only ones that are appraised at a higher price these days. To be honest, I'm really looking for them (laughs)."

Some stores are particularly strong in winter

BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR is the only store that buys ski equipment. They buy ski equipment all year round, but there are often periods and campaigns in place before the season when they "increase purchases," so it's a good idea to aim for those times. Also, even within the same SUPER BAZZAR store, there are actually some stores that are particularly "strong" in winter depending on the region. These are often snowy regions or urban areas. Let's introduce a few. (Some stores other than SUPERBAZAAR may also handle ski equipment, so please check their website.)

If you're bringing in your favorite gear to sell, you can be sure you'll get a good appraisal, so this is a great place to start