Posted by admin | Posted in Skateboarding and Long Boarding | Posted on 02-06-2009
Tags: cheap, darkstar skateboards, darkstar skateboards complete, darkstar skateboards review, darkstar skateboards wiki, darkstarskateboards.org, graphicdesign, skate, skateboard, skateboards
What is a cheap skateboard? Where can you find one? Is it necessarily low quality? These are reasonable questions when you’re looking for a cheap skateboard.
No Insights Online
While there’s a high demand for quality, cheap skateboards, there seems to be little to no insight available online about quality and price. Of course, there’s plenty of info about the actual prices of various brands. It’s easy to find prices online. However, it’s challenging to find any guides or advice about the quality – price relationship. Some may believe that a cheap skateboard must be low quality because of its low-cost and affordability. Others may realize that the price of a skateboard does not necessarily mean it’s a quality skateboard.
Let’s agree it’s a skateboard that is fully assembled and the price includes the deck, wheels and trucks for around $50 or less. They’re ready to ride. Perhaps, we will evaluate the economics of assembling a cheap skateboard on your own by purchasing the wheels, deck and trucks separately in a later article. For today, we’re looking at completes only.
Searching for Skateboards Online
Imagine you’re looking for a cheap skateboard either for yourself or as a gift. If you’re using Google to search, there’s a good chance that one of the first web pages you would see is from Skate911.com, Warehouse Skateboards or Skate123.com. While these three companies feature different skateboards on the web pages displayed in Google, there is a low degree of differentiation between them in terms of the experience as a shopper.
Skateboard Providers Fail on Rich Online Experiences
All of three of them display fairly standard looking e-commerce pages. However, Warehouse Skateboards, does appear to be more inviting and easy-to-navigate compared to the other two pages. While the Skate911 and Skate123 simply display pages full of thumbnail images of skateboards with prices, Warehouse Skateboards simply drops you on their home page. None of these web pages offer what I would consider advice or insights about cheap skateboards in an engaging and relevant way. To me, they’re simply displaying a catalog of skateboards and prices. Then they leave you to navigate around hoping you’ll find what you’re looking for. Frankly, it’s kind of like flipping through a mail-order catalog.
Well, it’s probably a good idea to keep looking because according to the Google Shopping results, there are many options available at lower prices than what you’ll find with the above top three results in Google. Or if you’re okay spending a little bit more money, you can connect with a living, breathing brand instead of what seems like a flat direct mail piece.
According to Google’s Shopping results, there are skateboards starting in the $20 range and up into the $60 range for cheap skateboards. Some of the popular skateboard brands in this price range include Plan B skateboards, Enjoi Skateboards and Element Skateboards. In the plus $50 price range, a rising skateboard brand known as Darkstar Skateboards shines brightly and brings max value with its Darkstar Armor Light brand. Another brand on the rise is Zero Skateboards.
Look for a Rich Online Experience – Think Original
While you can find some skateboard brands delivering rich online experiences for their fans (Original Skateboards comes to mind), I am hard pressed to find brands in the cheap skateboard niche who are enhancing the experience of learning about and buying what are commonly referred to as cheap skateboards. And in today’s world, for me to get into a store or to click the buy now button, I need to see more than a catalog of thumbnails and pricing to take the next step.
Andy Brunette grew up in Orange County and now lives in Northern California near San Francisco. He’s passionate about skateboarding, surfing and jiu jitsu. He studied Philosophy in college and now serves as a blogger for the Cheap Skateboard Shop online. He is on a mission to enhance the quality of information about the skateboard market for skateboarders and others interested in the category.
http://www.cheapskateboardshop.com/
DarkStar Skateboard team in phx az 2008
|
|
7 Hookups Habitat DGK Zero Toy Machine Real Darkstar 8.0 Skateboard Deck $224.99 |
|
|
7 Stereo Hookups Toy Machine Flip Enjoi Plan B Darkstar 8.0 Skateboard Deck $216.99 |
|
|
7 Enjoi Element Baker Hookups Almost Popwar Darkstar 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $215.99 |
|
|
7 Skateboard Decks DECK ALMOST BLIND DARKSTAR PLAN B $194.00 |
|
|
7 Skateboard Decks DECK ALMOST BLIND DARKSTAR PLAN B $194.00 |
|
|
6 Alien Workshop Darkstar Chocolate Antihero Hookups Flip 8.0 Skateboard Deck $176.99 |
|
|
6 Enjoi Girl Bueno Deathwish Darkstar Alien Workshop 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $172.99 |
|
|
5 Darkstar Toy Machine Almost Baker Element 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $174.99 |
|
|
6 Enjoi Krooked Stereo Darkstar Baker Deathwish 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $172.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR SKATEBOARDS CONERBAR BLACK/SILVER COMPLETE 8″ SKATE BOARD SETUP NEW! $118.47 |
|
|
5 Toy Machine Krooked Darkstar Enjoi Element 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $159.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR SHOCK TEAL 7.6″ COMPLETE PRO SKATEBOARD SETUP NEW! $94.76 |
|
|
5 Alien Workshop Darkstar Toy Machine Baker Popwar 8.25 Skateboard Deck Lot $133.99 |
|
|
4 PRO SKATEBOARD DECK Bulk Lot of 7.75″ Boards DARKSTAR ENJOI HOOK UPS $124.00 |
|
|
4 Almost Darkstar Plan B Popwar 7.75 Skateboard Deck Lot $120.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR DYET LUNKER 8.1″ SKATEBOARD DECK ARMOUR LIGHT $87.79 |
|
|
DARKSTAR DIAMOND DECENZO 8″ SKATEBOARD DECK ARMOUR LGT $87.79 |
|
|
4 Skateboard Decks DECK KROOKED PLAN B ALMOST DARKSTAR $121.00 |
|
|
4 Skateboard Decks DECK KROOKED PLAN B ALMOST DARKSTAR $121.00 |
|
|
SKATEBOARD DECK LOT Bulk Decks x4 ALIEN WORKSHOP DARKSTAR HABITAT $119.95 |
|
|
4 Skateboard Decks DECK KROOKED PLAN B ALMOST DARKSTAR $114.95 |
|
|
4 Skateboard Decks DECK ALIEN WORKSHOP ALMOST DARKSTAR $112.00 |
|
|
DARKSTAR DECENZO NIGHT RIDER 8″ SKATEBOARD ARMOUR LIGHT DECK for wheels trucks $90.75 |
|
|
4 Stereo Darkstar Flip Popwar 7.75 Skateboard Deck Lot $103.99 |
|
|
24 Baker Habitat Darkstar Spitfire Flip Wheels Skateboard $95.99 |
|
|
24 Alien Darkstar Spitfire Flip Wheels Skateboard Deck $95.99 |
|
|
24 Habitat Darkstar Spitfire Flip Wheel Skateboard Deck $95.99 |
|
|
Dark Star 40 Double Blades 31″ X 7.75″ Skateboard #143016 $103.97 |
|
|
DARKSTAR THOMAS REVERT (7.9″) SKATEBOARD DECK for wheels trucks bearing griptape $77.93 |
|
|
3 Almost Baker Darkstar 8.25 Skateboard Deck Lot $88.99 |
|
|
3 PRO SKATEBOARD DECKS Deck DARKSTAR ENJOI SPEED DEMONS $84.00 |
|
|
3 PRO SKATEBOARD DECKS Deck DARKSTAR ENJOI SPEED DEMONS $84.00 |
|
|
ZOO YORK REFLECTION Skateboard INDEPENDENT TRUCKS, DARKSTAR WHLS, ABEC 9 $89.99 |
|
|
20 Spitfire Alien Flip Darkstar Wheels Skateboard Deck $81.99 |
|
|
ZOO YORK INCENTIVE Skateboard INDEPENDENT TRUCKS, DARKSTAR WHLS, ABEC 9 $89.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR ARMORLIGHT Skateboard INDEPENDENT TRUCKS & WHEELS UPGRADE $89.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR ARMORLIGHT Skateboard VENTURE TRUCKS, UPGRADE WHEELS & BEARINGS $89.99 |
|
|
3 PRO SKATEBOARD DECKS Deck DARKSTAR ENJOI SPEED DEMONS $79.80 |
|
|
Darkstar complete skateboard Blast orange cool good FP $84.99 |
|
|
Darkstar complete skateboard Falls cool good quality $84.99 |
|
|
ZOO YORK INCENTIVE Skateboard UPGRADED – KRUX TRUCKS, DARKSTAR, ABEC 9 $84.99 |
|
|
ZOO YORK REFLECTION Skateboard UPGRADED – KRUX TRUCKS, DARKSTAR, ABEC 9 $84.99 |
|
|
Darkstar 2011 Chet Thomas FxCK CANCER Skateboard Deck PRO MODEL Limited Edition $65.00 |
|
|
DARKSTAR DELUSION #2 (7.75″ WHITE/SILVER) SKATEBOARD DECK RESIN 7 $58.20 |
|
|
2 Element Darkstar 8.0 Skateboard Deck Lot $71.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR ARMORLIGHT Skateboard KRUX DOWNLOW TRUCKS & PRO WHEELS UPGRADE $79.99 |
|
|
Darkstar Blast Complete Skateboard Silver FUL7.5 New Skateboards Skateboarding $75.45 |
|
|
Darkstar Watershed 7.75 Skateboard Deck Complete $63.99 |
|
|
Darkstar Quattro 7.6 Complete Skateboard Complete Ska $60.00 |
|
|
Darkstar Green Cross Skateboard Deck Complete $61.99 |
|
|
New Darkstar Midknight Complete Skateboard $54.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR Skateboards PLG Crush Complete 7.8″ Silver Skateboard Complete $71.05 |
|
|
Darkstar game changer skateboard deck cool carbon fiber 7.75 strongest white new $69.99 |
|
|
Darkstar game changer Lutzka skateboard deck cool carbon fiber 7.75 match box $69.99 |
|
|
Darkstar SKATEBOARD Machnau Smoke ARMORPLY 7.5″ $59.99 |
|
|
Darkstar COMPLETE SKATEBOARD Delusion 2 7.75″ $59.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR Complete Skateboard THOMAS CROSSED Armor Light $59.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR Complete Skateboard CORNER BAR Free SHIPPING $69.99 |
|
|
Darkstar COMPLETE SKATEBOARD Spatter Black/Yellow 7.5″ $59.99 |
|
|
BRAND NEW DARKSTAR COMPLETE PRO SKATEBOARD 7.8″ $69.99 |
|
|
DARKSTAR SKATEBOARD LOGO – 6 WHITE – Vinyl Decal WINDOW Sticker – NOTEBOOK, LAPTOP, WALL, WINDOWS, ETC. $5.99 Made from High Quality 6 year Outdoor Vinyl. Will Stick to almost any smooth, clean, dry surface. THIS IS A IKON SIGN(TM) ORIGINAL DESIGN…BUY FROM THE CREATOR, NOT THE IMITATOR! These designs are copyrighted and trademarked by IKON SIGN(TM). |
|
|
DARKSTAR SKATEBOARD LOGO – 6 BLACK – Vinyl Decal WINDOW Sticker – NOTEBOOK, LAPTOP, WALL, WINDOWS, ETC. $5.99 Made from High Quality 6 year Outdoor Vinyl. Will Stick to almost any smooth, clean, dry surface. THIS IS A IKON SIGN(TM) ORIGINAL DESIGN…BUY FROM THE CREATOR, NOT THE IMITATOR! These designs are copyrighted and trademarked by IKON SIGN(TM). |
|
|
Darkstar Vichtem Complete Athletic Sports Equipment Don’t be a Vichtem. Ride it with this Darkstar Complete instead. Completely assembled and ready to ride out of the box. Durable and tough 7-ply maple wood deck. Concave board shape for a stable ride that can also flip into tricks. Softer bushings (92A) are specially formulated for better turning control. 5.0 aluminum T5 Darkstar trucks. 52mm Darkstar wheels. ABEC 5 precision speed bearings. A full… |
|
|
Darkstar Decay Zip Hooded Sweatshirt [Large] Gunmetal Heather $41.95 Darkstar Sweatshirt, Darkstar hoodie, a Darkstar sweatshirt? Who knows, we’re too busy building a skate park out of solid gold. Just buy it and stay warm while looking good…. |
|
|
Darkstar Anagram Slim T-Shirt – Silver / White $24.99 Darkstar T-Shirt Features: … |
|
|
Dark Star 40 Shadow Knights 31 X 7.75 Skateboard #143018 $39.99 The Darkstar® 40 Series Shadow Knights skateboard includes the famous signature graphics that reflect the Darkstar® core skate image. All artwork is completely created and designed by the team riders, including original owner Chet Thomas. This entry-level board is great for a beginner…. |
|
|
Tech Deck Skateboards Blind 4 Pack $16.70 You’ll feel like a pro on tour with four cool Tech Deck skateboards to choose from. Each one comes complete with real skateboard parts, including metal trucks, grip tape and real skate company graphics. Plus, you get a tool. With a variety of designs, you’ll want to collect more than just four of these awesome decks. Tech Deck Skateboard 4-Pack: Metal trucks Grip tape Real skate company graphics T… |
|
|
Darkstar Falls Complete Skateboard, Blue, FUL7.5 $53.99 … |