Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

The arkansas whitewater DVD is now at Ozark Mtn Trading Company!

And I bought my copy there yesterday on the way back from the White River trip and was tempted to buy 4 of the boats that I didn't see there last month. They had a red and fully rigged Mad River Outrage X there that I wish someone would buy just so it is not a temptation to me. My knees just won't go there anymore, and I was still tempted to try to kneel in it as I limped into the store. They also had a new Mad River Freedom Solo that tempts me even more, as I could sit in it, most of the time except that it was green, and Larry then says "but we can order you one in red", and he would. Got to save some more first. And he has another truck load coming in next week. Maybe I will see them when I go back to set up a demo try out of two kayaks for Mary. Larry did notice I was using the canoe trailer I got from him and how I had modified it a tad. Green astro turf with gold tiedowns, on a red trailer looks sort of Christmasy when it has multi-colored boats on it.

Also got 2 more of those drink holders that fit both kayak cockpit rims and canoe gunnels, and another pair of neoprene Pogies, that are easier to get on and off, and Mary ordered some drypants in her size. Also noticed that Larry has in the new Big bladed AT Whitewater paddles, but I am geared up in paddles for now. Seems like he always has something new to look at and tempt me.

Eric Esche

^This message brought to you by Ozark Mountain Trading Company.

NO, I do not work for Larry and his brother, just tend to drop by to see what is new when I paddle over that way, and they always have new stuff that is tempting. OOO is 5 hours+ away for me. These guys are essentially in my back yard and on the way to waters that I often paddle, and they are making an effort to be the best supplier in the area. So I do not have a problem with saying they have some good deals there, because they do. Not knocking Lewis and Clark or Packrat or their employees, and I also but stuff at both of those stores, but Larry doesn't sell land shoes or women's fashion clothes or Bikes, or have a climbing wall. OMTC's focus is on paddleing and they are doing a pretty good job at it, and yes, I could consider myself to be a customer of theirs with some loyalty. They've worked hard to earn it.

I'm told I have more of a reputation for finding deals on everything on the internet, and I've bought stuff from Larry on the internet not knowing it was him, only to have him apologise for the shipping costs (that I had agreed to) as he could have held them for me or mailed them cheaper. I told him it was my own fault for not asking him first or having been by the store to realize that he had it in stock, and that I would not have bought it over the internet if I had not wanted it and thought it was a good deal. When was the last time you had a merchant apologise for not being able to get you a better deal?

I bought a really nice well made 4 place canoe trailer with a box below it, and a used boat, and some little stuff there this year, and I bought it there because they had it and no one else did and their prices were reasonable, and they never pressure me, although they sometimes point out what is new if I failed to notice an addition. One of Larry's folks said I come in the store and look at the stock like I was inventorying it, and in a way I guess I do, as their stock seems to change over quickly.

Also impresses me that they know what they sell ( Like OOO), that they buy and sell used boats on top of all those new boats they have in stock, and they will volunteer to order anything if what they have isn't exactly what you wanted. I am constantly amazed that they have a steady stream of trade in boats there, that never showed up on the ACC message board or Craigslist, and that are not junk, but nicely cared for classic models. If you see a used boat there and want it, you better not wait too long or it will be gone. I know as I waited too long on 3 or 4 that had tempted me, even when I had been offered time. I only buy when I have the cash in hand, just me, not anything they did or did not offer. They have an Overflow and a Prijon Invader there now that Mary is probably going to demo soon. I've already purchased the rachets, rachets bands, and back bands to upgrade a couple of older boats this year, but that demo Green boat they have is still looking very tempting. Think I will get a shorter solo canoe first.

Y'all can laugh, but IF I see it first, it is like those two Prijon Sea kayaks I bought this spring for $300 each and which were essentially brand new, except for being 8 years old. Bunch of other folks called after I did, but the boats are mine because I called first and was there with the cash. And I paddled the Kodiak over 60 times in 2010. (Susan said when she got home from paddleing the Seayak the first time (THIS one is MINE) and she hasn't been back in her old boat since. We are keeping the Carolinas as loaners, and they are getting used regularly as we can put anyone in them. She was mad at me for two weeks for buying two boats, until she tried out the Seayak and felt the difference.

David Dempsey is still grinning at me, as he has had a Prijon Kodiak for 5 years now, and while I tried his out once for a short distance, I have really taken to the Kodiak now that I have one. At least I offer to share my toys.

Eric Esche

Go Eric Go!! <big smiles>

I'm a big fan of Larry and the boys at Ozark Mtn. Trading as well. Always a pleasure to deal with. They did a great job back in November at Lincoln Lake. They brought out a bunch of boats and had them available for demo all day.

OK fellas,simmer down. :)

I do work at OMTC and I just wanted to send out a big thank you to Eric for taking so much crap for plugging the store on the net.

For real though Eric should start getting commission for all of his hard work.