Vertical Drop Ski & Patio

Multiple experiences at this place for patio stuff, and will NEVER go back. As others have noted, the customer service and attitude of the staff is truly awful — remarkably so. It’s the kind of place where you read «end of season, all sales final» on the receipt only after you pay for your purchase — in June! They delivered us some furniture, including a new umbrella, with a crank mechanism that did not work. «Do you know how to use it»? was the response from the store. We assured them that we have operated several umbrella cranks in our life, and that this one was indeed defective. Then they wanted us to go to the store to exchange it — although we had paid extra for delivery, and the umbrella is both very large and quite heavy. They eventually, reluctantly, agreed to deliver a new one. Another time, when it came time to replace a part on another umbrella, I called the store, and the guy on the phone asked me some specifics, and then told me I would have to come in to the store and order the part. When I got there, the woman told me she could not order the part unless I could give her more specifics on the model, etc. When I suggested that the guy I spoke with on the phone might have asked me for the info before he told me to come to the store, she was extremely curt and condescending — childish, really. I will add that I eventually purchased the correct part from an internet dealer with a simple phone call– he had no idea why the woman insisted she needed the more specific information.
We love to support small local businesses, but will never recommend this store to anyone. For Patio furniture, places like The Great Escape have more selection, better prices on the same items — all without the awful attitude. I can’t believe this place stays in business.

I’ve been coming to Vertical Drop for about 11 years now. My parents purchased my first snowboard package and outerwear here! I was in last year to have my snowboard serviced for the season after having not used it in over three years. *NOTE: I’ve always taken great care of my boards! I store it indoors, wipe down the blade and bindings after each use, and have it serviced regularly.*
So when I brought it in, I asked the guy at the service desk what package of care he thought my board needed. A simple wax was under $ 20 and a complete service was $ 25-​$ 30. He touched the wax and the blade and took a good look at it before deciding that all I really needed was the wax. I was able to leave the board there and pick it up a few days later or wait on site for the wax. I decided to leave it and was called a few days later to let me know it was ready. Great service, honest advice, fair prices. Anyone who disagrees, go to Viking and you’ll see the epitome of bad service and higher prices!

I have spent a lot of $$ in this store and on Ski suppliesI. One time I went to their shop during the end of year clearance. The sales people were making comments about how some people only show up for sales and never come in the rest of the year. Needless to say, I returned all the items I was about to try on and left, swearing not to return. Thiat was about 5 years ago. This year, I decided to give them another chance, as there really aren’t too many options in the area. I was looking at helmets and a clerk came and bumped me out of the way with a stack of boxes. I could not see the helmets. I left. Sorry Vertical drop. With me, two strikes, you’re out. I will never go back to this shop.

Worst staff I have ever dealt with!!! I will never go back. The employees were playing solitaire when I walked in, never said hello, and then moved to the boot section to watch the Bears Game on their TV. Incompetent people run that place and they kept looking over at us to see when we were going to leave. Keep in mind these were adults and not kids running the store. Unreal. Horrible customer service. Plus, the selection was minimal.

I went in at the end of the ski season to buy a new board, boots and bindings. Not only was the staff helpful, but I saved 45% on my new board.
I know it’s a pain, but if you’re worried about price, the sales here are top notch. It sucks to buy equipment and not use it till next season, but I’d come here again. I should also mention that although it was the end of the season, they had roughly fifteen women’s’ models on sale. A much bigger selection than Dick’s Sporting Goods’ measly six. Plus, the staff will service your products here so you don’t have to sen your stuff away.
The only downside I have found is that during the summer, there is no winter gear at all, although in the winter there are still patio accessories. Just something small, although I was slightly annoyed.

Went there looking for a Snowboard Jacket. The employees were less than helpful. Won’t be going back.

I love this shop. They have a nice selection of skii suplies. (even if it is more expensive.) The stuff is good quallity and cute. Sadly, they don’t have everything in that many sizes so i almost had to leave without my adoreable snow pants. But one of the workers came by and helped me find the perfect size, even though it wasn’t MY size. I’ll add a star one they stock up on the size selection.

My boyfriend at the time convinced me this place was an expert ski boot fitter… They have a no return policy, so be careful when buy expensive gear (at least for boots) I’ve now had the $ 500 boots I bought for a year and last year my toe nails turned purple, feet hurt when I ski and my toe nails fell off! (I am not a runner so this hadn’t ever happend to me before).
I skied for the first time this season last weekend and only made it 2 runs because they hurt so much. I went to a ski shop (I now live in CO) and the boot fitter literally said he’s never seen such a bad fitting. They are too big so my toes are getting jammed, they are too wide, and there isn’t enough space for the top of the foot so my circulation is getting cut off. Needless to say I will never to go to this store and I’ve made it clear to my ex that this was literally the worst buy I have EVER made.
Also, from going to an actual boot fitter I learned the questions that should’ve been asked — none of which were.

Very rarely will I state that I will never go back but for this place it is firm. I went in to look for an umbrella for my patio — it was the beginning of August. I was casually dressed, upon entering, the female sales person gave me the once over and in a VERY condescending tone asked if she could help me. I told her I was looking for a cantilevered umbrella. Apparently she did not think I could afford their offerings, she said they were all out AND that they were expensive starting at $ 2,500. She never asked if I had a price point, did not ask what size I was looking for and basically assumed by my shorts and tee shirt what I could afford. Little did she know how much I could or would have spent and what other business I may have brought in, since my family skis and boards. There are plenty of other retailers both live and on-​line who can meet my needs and not make me feel badly. I will never go into that store again.

We like to support local businessess when possible, but I can’t imagine supporting this one. We went there on a Saturday morning; it was utterly dead, but no one helped us – we had to ask for help. We found a coat which seemed nice but when we tried to buy it, the clerk couldn’t figure out how to run our debit card and fat fingered it three or four times, ultimately rudely telling me that it was expired (it wasn’t). All of this ineptitude led to the bank holding back about $ 200 from my checking account for almost a week until the authorization was dropped because – thankfully – the owner was apparently able to clear it out of the system. We wanted the coat, so I had to use another card.
We left with a terrible taste in our mouths and immediately started shopping for a different coat; we found a cooler coat for less money at one of the bigger chains. We promptly returned the coat to Vertical Drop. I will never darken their door again and recommend that you don’t either. Would have liked to give this zero stars.

This is one of very few options if you live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, and, as such, is one of the better places to go for ski equipment and accessories.
They have reasonably good knowledge about their products. The ski boot fitter did a good job of measuring my foot, assessing my ski style and providing appropriate options. He also was able to answer all my questions.
Prices are high. I managed to get a reasonable price by shopping in January, when their sales start. (Saved approx $ 100 off of $ 400 mid-​range (over-​priced) boots — so while I don’t think I got a great price, I think I got a reasonable price.)
(Best bet for great prices that I’ve been able to find in Chicago is the Ski Dazzle show in the fall where you get last year’s product for about 50% off — but you need to know a little bit about buying equipment as you won’t get alot of help, and be prepared for hour or more lineups to pay for your goodies!)
Back to Vertical Drop — it would be really nice is they could occasionally smile and display some excitement that you want to be a customer.
Don’t get me wrong — they are stoically polite — but it stops there. Most of the employees seem disengaged — they are there because they have to have a job, not because they want to work at Vertical Drop.
We took my skis in for setup, and I pressed the little doorbell to summon someone out of the service shop to the service shop customer counter — no response — maybe it didn’t work? The same boot fitter who sold me my boots was engrossed in something on the TV, but managed to rouse himself enough to holler «Are you waiting for service? Ring the bell.» Gee… thanks.
Were this my store, I’d want to see that person (who was, quite frankly doing nothing and getting paid for the pleasure) get up, walk over, pull out an order form and get the customer started on getting the paperwork done. If he wasn’t qualified to complete the paperwork (it’s not hard!) then at least he could stick his head in the door of the service shop and ask for someone to come and help the customer who was waiting.
But it’s much easier to keep doing nothing, isn’t it?
(I rang the bell again, and eventually someone sauntered out to help me — again, stoically polite, but no smile or enthusiasm for the customer.)
Selection is good for clothing, accessories, boots, boards, and skis.
Will I return — yes, they are one of few options in the area — but I think I’ll get into the habit of either checking the new REI (Schaumburg) first, and trying to plan purchases to match up with Ski Dazzle show.

The Vertical Drop is my second favorite ski place, next to Viking Ski shop. But Vertical Drop is great too– it’s definitely worth the drive out to St. Charles! They have great North Face jackets and a good selection of ski apparel. They seem to have a good selection of equipment too.

When it come to Snowboarding or skiing I think Vertical Drop is the best in Chicagoland. You’d have to be at a Ski resort to get more and maybe not even then. They carry so many different brands of skis, poles, boots, boards, bindings, and outer wear. You can sell your old stuff on consignment. you can rent, demo, they do everything… They have an extremely knowledgeable staff. They will have you up and running in no time as well as tune, wax, sharpen, repair, adjust your bindings, or what ever your ski or snowboarding needs may be! They have everything for every age too! You couldn’t get much better any where!