There are a lot of internet skate shops to choose from. I was taken aback at all the bad prices and weird HTML design out there. Since it is about time for a new board (spring time), maybe some of the doUcarve audience could use a hand picking a site to patron. Instead of picking the gnarliest review and being overly negative, I opted for a suggestion: Skates on Haight. Grade: A Second date: (enthusiastically!) yes

If you're looking for a cheap deal, I seem to keep finding the aberrant savings in a market ruled by MSRP at the San Francisco shop, Skates on Haight (http://www.skatesonhaight.com/). The site was easy to navigate, with no counterintuitive messages or instructions. And the deal I got on the underside of my new board (everything but the deck/trucks for under $100--not too bad considering I submitted an order for Swiss Lab. bearings and super G wheels... oh, and some gloves). I was shocked at how quick everything came. I ordered the deck and trucks first from two other companies that had the best deal on those items, then two days later ordered the wheels, bearings, and assorted parts and pieces. Not only did Skates on Haight's package come sooner than the trucks (apparently heavy means slow-moving to the postal service), their package arrived just a day after the board! On top of that, SOH included enough stickers to cover the entire surface area of a small truck! Three DVD's (promos) even came with. I've got some free stuff for ordering online or from a catalogue before, but as I was stacking and sorting the various goodies, I realized this might be overkill. Clearly Skates on Haight has some idea of what the average customer wants--easy access to competitively priced, quality products, quick delivery, and tons of promo. I do most of my shopping (for everything) online, so I'm confident that an A grade is in order here. Would I order from them again? They may just have a new convert.