READ THIS BEFORE BUYING THAT GIFT RACQUET {2000}
By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo
The December holidays will soon be upon us. I know some people started buying presents in July, but for those who wait until the last minute (that would be me) I need to give you some pointers. I bring up this subject now, and not in the December issue because there are some people in between who are probably looking for gifts right now, and I want to catch them before they potentially make a costly error. Year after year I see people with the best of intentions spend considerable money buying racquets that, although appreciated, are not suited to the recipient.
The result may be a racquet sitting in the closet unused. A tennis racquet is about as personal a gift as you can give. Most folks have a hard enough time choosing their own racquet. How can you or I possibly choose the right one for a loved one? The simple answer is, you can't. A racquet can make a great gift, but the decision on which one must be shared with the person receiving it. If you want to get them a second frame, just like their present one, then it seems like a pretty simple choice, right? Wrong! Why? If a person plays with a Prince Precision Equipe, for example, this model comes in four versions--oversize long, oversize standard length, mid-plus long and mid-plus standard length. Are you sure you know which one to get? Also, unless you know the grip size, you can easily get one that's the wrong size. Another common mistake is getting the racquet strung. With hundreds of strings available, unless you know for sure what type, gauge and tension, you are heading toward disaster.
Don't be discouraged. There are three ways you can be successful. First, and probably the least exciting, is the best way. Tell the person what you want to buy them. Have them tell you what they want, or better still, go with them to a store with real knowledge of tennis equipment. In this way, the purchase can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Don't like that one? No surprise, you say? Ok, here's plan B. Go to that same store and purchase a gift certificate. The store representative should be able to help you determine an amount that will allow your friend or relative to enjoy their gift without breaking the bank. If the store is competent, they should be able to ask you enough of the right questions to get a pretty good idea what type of frame and the range of prices.
You want the excitement of seeing their joy when they open the present? Use plan B, but instead of a gift certificate, buy a racquet, unstrung, in your price range, based on the store representative's best guess, with the understanding that it will be returned, for a final selection by the lucky person.
Copyright 2000 (Previously published in FLORIDA TENNIS - Oct., 2000)
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Editor's note pertaining to all articles presented.
All articles are presented as they were written and published. Some information contained in these articles may have changed over the years. Please be cognizant of this as you read. Additionally, since these articles go back as far as 1994, some of the technology may have changed, and new methods and advancements may have come about. Please contact us if you have any questions.
