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Equipment and Media - Illuminati Snowboards

Earthtremor - Jul 29, 2007 - 06:12 PM
Post subject: Illuminati Snowboards

anyone know anything about these guys? spotted what looks like a bargain on ebay but cant find anything about that specific board so am thinking its a fake... anyone know about these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Illuminati-Ai ... dZViewItem
and this is the site for illuminati:
http://illuminatisnowboards.com/

just doesnt look right to me Confused

oopalley - Jul 29, 2007 - 08:18 PM
Post subject: RE: Illuminati Snowboards

website has been around for a few years if that helps

specialyblended - Jul 29, 2007 - 09:11 PM
Post subject:

Illuminati are one of the best kept secrets in snowboarding - boards designed by Mr Iguchi and tested out on the hallowed turf of Mount Baker mean that these are serious bits of kit, with a real hardcore following in the US - these boards are well made in the US, and have a great rep within the industry.

Dont know much about that model, but at that price it seems to be to good too be true

Earthtremor - Jul 29, 2007 - 09:31 PM
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that was my thought as well, especially as the logo/writing on the board offered on ebay is different to the main site and i couldnt find any reference to the model anywhere...

nickmotture - Jul 29, 2007 - 11:09 PM
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Its probably an old model they dont make any more if its not mentioned on the website, would explain why its cheap if its old stock. Doesn't mean its not a good board and could still be a bargain though!

Jaded_Parrot - Jul 30, 2007 - 07:55 AM
Post subject:

Ive seen those dotted about on ebay too, watched it a few times, if i remember rightly the guys got decent feedback and he has been relisting them for a couple of weeks so it all seems legit. Like Nick said, probably an old model

Dangersquirrel - Jul 30, 2007 - 08:12 AM
Post subject:

You can pay £120 for it instead if you like? The air was from the first series of boards Illuminati did, along with the Fire, so I assume they also did a Water and an Earth? They're from Jackson Hole which is serious backcountry terrain in Wyoming. For £50 you can't really lose, it would cost you more to hire a board for a week.

http://www.skiwear4less.com/acatalog2/acatalog/air.html

wakeyboarder - Jul 30, 2007 - 09:26 AM
Post subject:

hi i was looking at getting one of these but just wondered if boards were any good myself seems people think they are good.

the store and ebay account is definitely legit though as i have been in the cas branch a few times and seen those boards on the shelf they were £120 so fifty quid is well good deal think they just are off loading old stock like previous poster has said.

cheers
mick

wakeyboarder - Jul 30, 2007 - 09:35 AM
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i decided to bite the bullet and buy one will let you know how i find it if you dont get one yourself Smile

Earthtremor - Jul 30, 2007 - 11:59 AM
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just did the same, as has been said already, i guess for 50 squid you cant really go far wrong Very Happy

i hope

wakeyboarder - Jul 30, 2007 - 02:19 PM
Post subject:

good stuff one of the lads i went on holiday with to slovakia had one and said they are pretty good i think he paid quite a bit more though.

well let me know what you think of it when you get test it i will be taking mine down cas xscape hopefully b4 the week is out Smile

steve3 - Jul 30, 2007 - 02:49 PM
Post subject:

i got one about 5 weeks ago for a lad i know ane they are well pukka well worth the money so i say if anyone interested in getting one DO IT,the base holds up well good on dryslope as well.

ace_mcgraw - Jul 30, 2007 - 03:08 PM
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Dunno bout the boards, but that website is awesome! The helmet cam footage from Las Lenas was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Earthtremor - Jul 30, 2007 - 03:19 PM
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Let me know how you get on Wakey, i wont be able to test it out for a while as i'm still trying to find an equally good binding bargain Wink

wakeyboarder - Jul 31, 2007 - 07:54 AM
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will let you know i am probably going to try it out by friday if it arrives by then Smile

arby - Jul 31, 2007 - 02:48 PM
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mite have to get involved in this! post up once youve got it m8, would be much appreciated!

arby - Jul 31, 2007 - 02:49 PM
Post subject:

fk it, mite get some skis aswell lol

wakeyboarder - Jul 31, 2007 - 03:05 PM
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will do for sixty quid including delivery its worth a shot, my santa cruz is looking a bit tired so i needed something. Smile

Dan_scarfe - Aug 01, 2007 - 11:36 AM
Post subject:

Well I've ordered one as well, it's my first board so want something I don't mind messing up a bit. Just waiting for it to arrive now.

I also E-mailed Illuminati in the US to ask for some more info on this model (how old it is etc etc) so will see what they come back with. Will update you all on my findings....

In the end thought I'd just go for it for that money!

wakeyboarder - Aug 02, 2007 - 09:17 AM
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i got my sent ot my parents and it arrived yesterday but as they were not in delivery has been re arrange till friday so pretty quick delivery time, even if i was not there doh Very Happy

Dan_scarfe - Aug 02, 2007 - 09:56 AM
Post subject:

They've now sold out of the 160cm 'Air', they miscalculated and were one short so I've agreed for them to send me a 'fire' instead. Their customer service was pretty good and they reckon it'll be with me by tomorrow.

wakeyboarder - Aug 02, 2007 - 10:17 AM
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good stuff as long as it stilll sixty quid should still be a really good bargain Smile

Earthtremor - Aug 02, 2007 - 02:13 PM
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Have recieved it now, seems to be in good condition although it has a touch of rust along the tail edge, i ordered the 160 and it has a 255mm wait and 300mm nose and tail. Still waiting for my bindings to arrive so wont be able to test it until at least next week, let me know if any of you try it out before then... bah i'm just itching to ride Wink

wakeyboarder - Aug 02, 2007 - 02:38 PM
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good sutff hope you got some good bindings i will be setting mine up for testing this friday or on the weekend Smile

Earthtremor - Aug 02, 2007 - 02:54 PM
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Yeah i found a pair of these
http://www.northwave.com/?q=drake/product_detail/47
for just over £60, seemed like a good deal too Smile

Dan_scarfe - Aug 02, 2007 - 03:00 PM
Post subject:

Cool, I was looking at getting a pair of Drakes, possibly the 5ifty as there are some good deals about. Any know what they're like?

Earthtremor - Aug 02, 2007 - 05:00 PM
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No idea tbh mate, i just went with the best i could find in my price range that were all mountain rather than freestyle

emery - Aug 02, 2007 - 05:42 PM
Post subject: Hey guys let me set the record straight mate

Hey guys theres some confusion here.

Theres some fake Illuminati Snowboards over there in the UK. The folks from skicrap4less are selling some snowboards with the whole air/water/fire/etc sh1t on it trying to cash in on snowboarding.

I see it as riding on the coat tails of the success of others, ie: Illuminati Snowboards, that best selling book/movie, even Element skateboards.

Theres no afiliation with Illuminati Snowboards from the US. Here are the legit sites:

illuminatisnowboards.com
theilluminati.us
ill23.com

Dan_scarfe - Aug 03, 2007 - 07:26 AM
Post subject: RE: Hey guys let me set the record straight mate

emery wrote:

Yeah to follow that last one up I got an E-mail form Emery last night as I'd asked Illuminati if they were theirs.

"Dear Dan Scarfe,

Thank you for using the Ill23 Snowoard Shop Help Desk! On 8/2/2007 you posed the following question:

Hey guys, have you ever had a range with models called 'Air', 'Water' and 'Fire'? Some shop here in the UK is selling them and I'm a little sus...

Our response is:

No, never!! There are some impostors over there in the UK. Don't buy their crap off of ebay.

I had to tell this guy a year ago when he wanted to warranty his piece of sh1t AIR board that those snowboards are not ours.

I wish we had money for lawyers to get those guys to stop using our name.

Hopefully you did not buy one!!

-emery

Best Regards,

Ill23 Snowoard Shop
http://www.ill23.com
1-888-734-1198
service@ill23.com

The Ill23 Snowoard Shop Online Store is powered by Nexternal Solutions.
www.nexternal.com ...Setting the standard for e-commerce software."
So since I did buy one I reckon the best course of action is to ask for my money back then report them to Ebay. I'm pretty sure there's something in the ebay terms and conditions about that.....

Dan_scarfe - Aug 03, 2007 - 09:09 AM
Post subject: RE: Hey guys let me set the record straight mate

Got a reply from the seller

"The board is not a fake.The company in America do not own the trade mark in the uk.The trade mark in the uk is owned by a Mr Watson and was registerd in 2004 at the trade mark registry, a goverment office.Please get your facts right before you surgest that any product we sell is a FAKE."

Basically they are suggesting that they are for real, just not affiliated with Illuminati US in any way shape or form, they just happen to have the same name and that what they are doing is legal.

Seems like b0llox to me

wakeyboarder - Aug 03, 2007 - 09:28 AM
Post subject:

wellthat kind of sucks but for sixty quid i cant be bothered getting a refund, gonna test it tonight see what i think heard that they ride ok from other people so hopefully i will find the same..

will report back later , cant believe they can get away with making them under the same name but hey ho Shocked

Dan_scarfe - Aug 03, 2007 - 10:31 AM
Post subject:

Earthtremor wrote:

No idea tbh mate, i just went with the best i could find in my price range that were all mountain rather than freestyle

Earthtremor, did you get them from a shop? If so where was it?

Earthtremor - Aug 03, 2007 - 11:23 AM
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got em from ss20, theyve got a big sale on, dunno if they have any left although they do have a lot of other decent bindings at cheap prices.

Gutted about the board though, oh well, maybe it might work out ok as a board to wreck on dryslopes i guess... still leaves a bad taste in the mouth :/

cheap_bananas - Aug 03, 2007 - 11:47 AM
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Ha, "If it seems too good to be true".

lez_s - Aug 03, 2007 - 12:08 PM
Post subject:

put them back on ebay

Earthtremor - Aug 05, 2007 - 09:45 AM
Post subject:

I have contacted both the seller and ebay about the items, not trying to get a refund as they havent technically done anything wrong, but requesting that they make it clear that it isnt the american brand of the same name... hopefully should mean that no-one else gets mislead over it...

out of interest, have you tested it out yet wakey?

specialman - Aug 05, 2007 - 11:09 PM
Post subject:

Read this post, saw the comments saying they were the gog's bits and thought I might get one just to see...

Wooooaaaahhhh, put the brakes on!!!! Typical ebay mischeif. "too good to be true" is maybe the right phrase?

Saying that, there are some good buys on ebay but as most will agree, you do get what you pay for and the likes of Burton, Riude and K2 haven't got where they are now by sellig crappy boards so it could be said that it's best to stick with 'big name' brands.

I bought my first board as part of a set from a german ebay shop - got a Merrier board, some bindings and boots for £190. The boots were rubbish. The bindings are okay but not great but the board... well, it's awesome! It's a 166 and is amazing on powder and on fast runs - it just flies – but it too long for the park and indoor slope.

You can get some hidden gems but I'd say they are few and far between.

Just bought a used ELAN board off ebay and they are supposed to be the sh1t. Will see when it arrives.

wakeyboarder - Aug 06, 2007 - 08:54 AM
Post subject:

i took the board to cas xscape yesterday and have to say i found it to be really good so i am well happy to have just paid sixty quid even though the confusion over the brands still needs to be made clear.

seem to have more flex than my santa cruz board which is havinga well earned rest until i can get it a full service. so i was pleased only thing that sucked was that the massive gap kicker was still in the middle of the slope but closed down which meant that the rest of the slope was lacking in snow somewhat was still great fun though Smile

arby - Aug 06, 2007 - 09:50 AM
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hows the build quality looking? im thinking of getting one to batt;e thru a few weeks worth of riding this season and dont want it to fall apart in my hands or anything!

wakeyboarder - Aug 06, 2007 - 09:58 AM
Post subject:

build seems quite good to me pretty sturdy guess certainly fine for indoors, will be interesting to see how it performs in the mountains but i dont see any problems.

i liked the board going to be riding it a fair bit more in future will probably take this and my santa cruz on holiday just in case it struggles on the mountains but really i dont see any reason why it should.

if like me you cant afford a couple of hundred quid at the moment i would say get one i think its a bargain Smile

Earthtremor - Aug 06, 2007 - 02:16 PM
Post subject:

Got a response from skiwear4less... interesting take on customer service from this company:

"Considering about 10,000 snowboards were sold in the UK last year and about a 1000 of them were Illuminati I dont think it is an unknown brand.
Not being a gay on a tray,snowboarder,I had not heard of the brand in the usa untill last year at ispo trade fair"

not quite sure what his point is... but i'm sure you'll agree that the opinion on our sexual orientation is taking stereo-typing to a whole new level Laughing

Jaded_Parrot - Aug 06, 2007 - 02:24 PM
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"Gay on a tray"

Bet hes a damn splitter!! Furious

Dan_scarfe - Aug 07, 2007 - 08:57 AM
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I'd resigned myself to keeping it anyway and using it indoors, however when it turned up it was damaged which is causeing me even more headaches. I now have to find a courier to send it back and it looks like I'm going to be out of pocket as they won't refund me the additional postage costs.

Some people seem to like them so that's cool, however I've had a bad experience and won't be using their shop again

nickmotture - Aug 07, 2007 - 09:07 AM
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Earthtremor wrote:

Hang on are skiwear4less the company you bought the thing from...is that their response to your question about the board not being genuine????

SINEDsnowboardsUK - Aug 07, 2007 - 09:16 AM
Post subject:

With reference to Specialmans comments about sticking to big names, thats fine until riders complain about mass produced gear which suffers in quality and want to get back to the roots of snowboarding. We shouldnt be limited to only a few names who control the market.

The answer to this whole unfortunate affair is just do your research if you dont want to buy a big name brand, SINED are small and make small numbers of boards which are top quality, plus if it is deffective from the factory it will be replaced.

There is nothing wrong with smaller brand name boards but maybe dont buy off ebay if you cannot be sure of the product.

We will be around the indoor slopes with our SINED range from Colorado in a few weeks, if you want a look get in touch with us. Then you know who you're dealing with and can ask any questions.

Rider Owned - Rider Driven

Earthtremor - Aug 07, 2007 - 09:44 AM
Post subject:

nickmotture wrote:

Earthtremor wrote:

Hang on are skiwear4less the company you bought the thing from...is that their response to your question about the board not being genuine????

Yep, i wrote to them and expressed my dissappointment in the fact that they had sold me a board which wasn't the brand that i thought it was, i made no real complaint except that i suggested they make the distinction between the two companies in their description.... that was their response, so i've made a complaint about them to ebay based solely on the fact that they have resorted to name calling over this incident...
Sorry to all you guys who wouldnt have bought one if it hadnt been for this thread... i feel pretty crappy about the whole thing now Sad

Jaded_Parrot - Aug 07, 2007 - 09:49 AM
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At least it makes people aware!

I myself was looking at the board had it on my watch list a few times just waiting. Glad i opted not to go for it now

Dan_scarfe - Aug 07, 2007 - 10:08 AM
Post subject:

Don't worry about it, I'd seen the boards and was interested. I made the decision as an adult on the information I had. Just p1ssed off about the way I've been treated by the company. All very polite when they want your money but cr@p at sorting things out afterwards.

Firstly the board was out of stock but they didn't tell me until I'd paid.

Secondly I feel that I was mis-sold a board. They should make the distinction between the brands.

Thirdly I'm going to be out of pocket as it was damaged.

Still, guess that's the way it goes sometimes...

ATG-ATB - Aug 07, 2007 - 10:27 AM
Post subject:

10% of snowboards sold last year were illuminati? Their own brand?
They're doing pretty well for themselves considering they don't seem to like snowboarding! What a load of bollocks.

rachie - Aug 07, 2007 - 10:42 AM
Post subject:

Dan_scarfe wrote:

Go to Ebay and log into the dispute centre, open dispute as "Item not Described", if you paid via Paypal they'll probably make you send it back, if you do send it back recorded, you'll get your money back that way, why spend that amount of money to get a rusty board......... Good Luck also

ChaKira - Aug 14, 2007 - 04:07 PM
Post subject: illuminati air snowboard

hey, jst got 1 ov these boards off ebay and it arrived 2day, will hopefully be tryin it out soon.
Looks good 2 me so far tho

Smile

BartSimpsonhead - Aug 14, 2007 - 04:35 PM
Post subject:

Earthtremor wrote:

That's quite a surprising sales figure - Illuminati selling 1-in-10 of the (approx.) 10,000 snowboards sold last year.

Surprising, as I normally get all the shop catalogues, magazines and bumf on brands, and I've never heard of them.

I don't doubt there is a reputable company in the USA, but to quote such high sales figures for a relatively obscure brand to the UK is... stretching the truth a bit?

Also, welcome to SCUK Chakira! So glad you're enjoying your new board. And that your happy to tell others about it in your first post.
(Btw, you don't happen to work for skiwear4less, do you..? Wink

)

ChaKira - Aug 14, 2007 - 04:42 PM
Post subject:

no i dont work 4 them lol

when i saw the board on ebay i decided ta look at reviews - and this site came up. Although they werent all good, i looked at reviews for skiwear4less and there was 1 bad feedback out of 204.. so i decided ta risk it.

its a very nice first board =] yay!

xxx

BartSimpsonhead - Aug 14, 2007 - 06:05 PM
Post subject:

Ahh, then sorry and welcome.

If you spend enough time here on the forum, you get to see some right dodgy characters offering all sorts of things through posts, and those that have no or little history do seem a little 'suspect' (especially when they sing the praises of stuff that's a bit contentious). I guess I'm just particularly cynical...

Welcome again, and happy trails Thumbs Up

hazel@skiwear4less - Aug 15, 2007 - 12:51 PM
Post subject:

Hi guys,

my name is Hazel and I am an employee of the dreaded skiwear4less Twisted Evil

! I I list the items we have on eBay, answer questions and deal with customers. Just to clear things up, we never actually stated that we were anything to do with Illuminati in the US, and as we own the name in the UK they aren't allowed to sell boards here, we didn't feel the need to explain. If a customer phoned us up to ask our answer is that we are completely seperate from them. As someone has stated in a post earlier on, we sell these as our main stock for £120 and they are on our website with the other two in the range: 'Fire' and 'Water'. These particular 'Air' boards are a number that were part of a cancelled order we had and we just wanted to clear them. If we ignore any argument that we were trying to mislead people, I think people are missing the point that we are selling snowboards for £50! These a brilliant beginner/intermediate boards (as we advertise them) or even if you need a board to smash to pieces you can't really go wrong. The 1 negative feedback we received this month was from a customer i've actually seen on here and we've managed to sort out his worries without leaving him out of pocket. The negative comment sent to someone last week about being a 'certain type of person on a tray' was not from me though, I want to make this clear! It was from a person who doesn't usually answer the questions and I admit it was a pretty silly thing to write! Embarassed

. In all, we were not intending to mislead, con, or anger anybody, we were simply selling boards that we've sold for years. I'd be happy to hear any comments or questions anyone may have. Thanks for reading, Hazel.

Dan_scarfe - Aug 20, 2007 - 09:59 AM
Post subject:

I think we can probably deduce that Hazel's talking about me.
I stand by my original comments (obviously they are just my opinion) but I will say that once we managed to get some sensible communication going on the problem was easily and quickly sorted out. The new board arrived on Friday and is damage free. As Hazel points out, it did only cost £50 so hopefully will be worth the money.

jpcmusic - Aug 23, 2007 - 04:28 PM
Post subject: ...Too Close for Comfort!!

Hazel.. Although you guys can use the name... and it IS confusing alot of people. I do understand you will tell people that it is not the Illuminati US boards.. but did you guys REALLY have to use the 'EXACT SAME FONT DESIGN' as Illuminati US..

I mean, It's just to damn close and you MUST be breaking some kind of selling rule or something!

dont believe me? take a look..

http://www.theilluminati.us/07-Illumina ... 21-96.html

Looks alot like your Air.. Water.. and Fire ones now doesn't it!?

JPxx

nickmotture - Aug 23, 2007 - 05:22 PM
Post subject: RE: ...Too Close for Comfort!!

Hmm strangely simillar indeed!!!

Seems to me that some copywrite laws may have been broken here! Its simillar to the case there was on goneboarding.co.uk a while ago when someone noticed that a board made in china and sold directly from the factory on ebay had graphics nicked from another brand...wasnt it an image off a Forum t shirt theyd used on the base or something? I hope you guys do have the rights to use that logo as that case saw the selling company having to withdraw all their products that used the graphics they had 'borrowed' after someone forwarded the image on to the company they'd knicked them from who threatened legal action.

BartSimpsonhead - Aug 23, 2007 - 05:37 PM
Post subject: RE: ...Too Close for Comfort!!

According to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_law" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> definition of copyright law:

"Copyright law covers only the form or manner in which ideas or information have been manifested, the "form of material expression".
It is not designed or intended to cover the actual idea, concepts, facts, styles, or techniques which may be embodied in or represented by the copyright work.
For example, the copyright which subsists in relation to a Mickey Mouse cartoon prohibits unauthorized parties from distributing copies of the cartoon or creating derivative works which copy or mimic Disney's particular anthropomorphic mouse, but does not prohibit the creation of artistic works about anthropomorphic mice in general, so long as they are sufficiently different to not be deemed imitative of the original.
In some jurisdictions, copyright law provides scope for satirical or interpretive works which themselves may be copyrighted. Other laws may impose legal restrictions on reproduction or use where copyright does not - such as trademarks and patents."

and with regards...

Typefaces
"In the United States, the Copyright Office maintains that typeface designs are not covered by copyright, and it will not accept applications for their registration. See 37. C.F.R. § 202.1(e).
However, if a design is novel and "non-obvious," it may be covered by design patent. See, for example, U.S. Des. Patent No. 289,773 , May 12, 1987), Charles A. Bigelow and Kris A. Holmes, inventors. Germany (in 1981) passed a special extension (Schriftzeichengesetz) to the design patent law (Geschmacksmustergesetz) for protecting them. This permits typefaces being registered as designs in Germany, too.
The United Kingdom (in 1989) has passed a law making typeface designs copyrightable. The British law also applies to designs produced before 1989."

I would have thought the least skiware4less should have done is put a disclaimer on the ebay page selling these snowboards that they are in no way made or connected with Illuminati Snowboards US.

nickmotture - Aug 23, 2007 - 09:28 PM
Post subject:

You cant copy someone elses artwork either, even if that artworks hasnt actually been registerd its still protected by intelectual copywrite and is owned by its creator.

bbh4ataber - Sep 03, 2007 - 11:01 AM
Post subject: NEW Illuminati Air Snowboard

Help!

Im a complete beginner for snow boarding, is the Illuminati Air Snowboard worth buying of these skiwearforless.com people? should I get them to add bindings?

rely ppl.

Brad

lez_s - Sep 03, 2007 - 01:51 PM
Post subject: RE: NEW Illuminati Air Snowboard

i wouldn't buy one.

phil+nikki - Sep 03, 2007 - 02:48 PM
Post subject:

neither would I

Its not what it appears to be, the sellers are not people I will ever deal with.

Small brands are good for the business, I recently tried a Sined board which I loved and will get one when they arrive in the UK.

There are plenty of reputable people in the business selling small and large brand kit.
How would anyone consider dealing with these people?

Have you not read this thread??!!

Earthtremor - Sep 07, 2007 - 06:56 AM
Post subject:

sorry to resurrect this one but has anyone who bought one of these tried it out yet? i still havent managed to get to MK with ine yet :/

wakeyboarder - Sep 07, 2007 - 02:20 PM
Post subject:

yeah i tried mine out and was more than pleased with it no complaints at all about how it rode, i have a santa cruz as well but its had better days and i just wanted something to get by on for cheap and for me it is really good it was fast and responsive when i waxed it up.

my feeling about the service was
i dont like the way the two brands are so similar and dont agree with that this was not made clear when buying as i thought i was buying the american brand. but i have no honest complaints about the delivery of the board how it rode or cost it came quickly and was only £60 quid which is about all i had at the time.

i haves often gone into skiware4less near cas xscape for base layers and stuff iand never had any problems with there service so am not going to slag them off on that front. plus they sell the board for much more in there actual shops so its still a bargain,

but just be warned it is not the american brand and dont get fooled into thinking it is!!!
I will be riding it next time i go to xscape though as i found it fine

my next step is to buy a lush longboard anyone got a sambe going cheap i rode one the other week and loved it!!! Smile

Le_Bear - Sep 07, 2007 - 03:52 PM
Post subject:

skiware4less sell 'Lash Longboards' not sure if these are the same Confused