We currently have our team established and are not looking to add anyone in the near future. We don't typically sponsor people that we don't already have a friendly relationship with. However, if you're the stubborn type, you can send “sponsor me” tapes to the shop and we'll gladly watch them. We're always interested in seeing what Kansas City skateboarders are up to. Personality, positive attitude, and enthusiasm towards skateboarding is just as important, if not more so, than your ability on a skateboard. You might rip, but if your ego and bad attitude mask your abilities, we don’t want anything to do with you. And on a side note, getting sponsored isn’t everything, just have fun with skateboarding and everything will fall into place when it’s supposed to.
2. What tricks do I need to do in order to get sponsored by ESCAPIST?
A list of tricks is not what we're looking for. We're looking for well-rounded skateboarders with a deep bag of tricks and style for miles. Consistency is very important. We don't want to see clips of your best 'happy birthday' tricks that take all day to land once, put as many lines in your video as possible. Oh, and it’s okay to push in a video. Also see F.A.Q. #1.
3. I heard (insert fabricater's name here) rides for ESCAPIST, is that true?
If you don't see this person in the TEAM section of our website, then they don’t ride for us and you shouldn’t hang out with liars, kids.
4. Can I purchase products from ESCAPIST online?
We do offer some Escapist brand products for sale on the site. With that said, we think buying skateboard products is something you should do in person so you know exactly what you are getting. Plus, these products are cheaper in the store due to handling and shipping fees. We know CCS and others look great on the web, but many people who have shopped with such companies have told us of bad experiences when ordering; waiting for products that turn out to not be in stock or when the board isn't exactly what they wanted, the shoes don't fit, the shirt is the wrong color, etc. Get out of the house, get some fresh air and come on in for a little bit of human interaction. We have the best and largest selection of skateboard products in town. We even do special orders if you're looking for something we don't have in stock. Call 816.436.2504 if you're wondering about the availability of certain products. See also F.A.Q. # 5.
5. Is ESCAPIST a chain or locally owned?
ESCAPIST is locally owned and SKATEBOARDER OWNED, with each owner having spent more than 20 years of their lives on a skateboard. Escapist was created out of a passion for skateboarding and thrives today for that very same reason. It has always been a goal of ours to strengthen the skateboarding community through opening stores in areas where skateboarders do not have a place to shop, giving them a place to experience skateboarding first hand, bringing pro skateboarders to town to meet and skate for/with local skateboarders, holding video premieres, etc. Locally owned businesses are an integral part of community character, employ the services of other local businesses, and serve as community hubs. Wouldn’t you rather buy a skateboard from a skateboarder, who can answer your questions with knowledge of hands-on experience, knowing that your money will stay in skateboarding and in your community instead of lining the pockets of someone who doesn’t skate, who’s sole interest in skateboarding is monetary? SUPPORT SKATEBOARDER OWNED LOCAL SHOPS.
6. How old do I have to be to work at ESCAPIST?
You must be eighteen, you must have at least three years of skateboarding experience, and you must have one year of fast food experience. You must have a good work ethic, as well as initiative. If you think working at a skateshop is all about sitting around, watching videos and reading magazines, do not apply. We currently have no job openings, but if you think you can do a better job than our current employees, come up to the shop and play them in S.K.A.T.E. for their position.
7. I just bought a deck yesterday and it already snapped, will ESCAPIST give me a new one?
Unfortunately, no. All decks carry a manufacturer's warranty, which is handled by the manufacturer, not us. Most deck warranties cover delamination, warpage, and production defects, breaking the deck voids the warranty. These warranties don't cover breakage because failure to land on your board without placing your feet over the mounting bolts is considered “user error.” A brand new board will easily break in half with one good stomp to the middle, or by jumping onto it with one foot on the tail and another in the middle of the deck. If you believe your deck should be replaced, you must send it back to the manufacturer with a copy of the receipt within 30 days of the purchase date. They will not accept boards sent back by us due to warranty reasons, they must be sent back by the purchaser. They will not send replacements for warrantied decks to us, they will only send them to the customer. Send a letter with the deck explaining the problem with it and be nice to increase your chances of getting a new one (mean letters probably won't result in a new board). We’re more than happy to supply you with address to any manufacturer if you can’t find this info online. And for future reference, try landing correctly next time and you won't break your board (both feet over the truck bolts, absorb shock by bending your knees when you land and don't 'stomp' your landing). See also F.A.Q. #10.
8. What kinds of payment does ESCAPIST accept?
We accept cold hard cash and any plastic (credit cards and debit cards), as well as checks with a valid driver’s license. And of course, you can come down and challenge one of us to a friendly game of S.K.A.T.E. for some stickers.
9. What is ESCAPIST’s return policy?
Unused/unopened or faulty items under warranty are refundable/exchangeable within 30 days with a valid ESCAPIST receipt. All closeout sales are final; items sold at a discount are not refundable/exchangeable. No used items are exchangeable unless they have a definite fault from the factory and are under warranty. Breaking a deck voids the warranty. WE DO NOT REPLACE BROKEN DECKS OR WORN OUT SHOES REGARDLESS OF THE TIME IT TOOK YOU TO DO SO. See also FAQ #7 & #10.
10. Does this product come with any kind of warranty?
Yes. Just about everything we sell has a warranty from the manufacturer. Decks are covered under manufacturer's warranty against manufacturer defects (i.e. delamination). Decks are not covered through ESCAPIST because we don't manufacture them. Warranty does not include damage due to exposure to moisture, normal skating wear (scraping of and/or impact damage to nose and/or tail), or breakage. If your board breaks, you landed wrong. We will not replace broken boards, so don't even ask! See also F.A.Q. #7. Shoes are covered under manufacturer's warranty against faulty materials and/or craftsmanship. This warranty does not cover normal skating wear of materials and/or stitching (i.e. ollie wear). Skateboarding is hard on shoes, period! Super gluing stitching before you skate them and Shoo Goo can help prolong the life of your shoes.
11. Does ESCAPIST offer layaway?
Yes. Merchandise may be put on layaway with a deposit of 25% of the total purchase price. Layaway must be paid in full within 90 days. No refunds will be given on uncompleted layaways. Items in layaway cannot be exchanged for other items once in layaway.
12. Does ESCAPIST do special orders?
Yes, we’d be happy to. We can special order almost any item that is manufactured by a major skateboard brand (as long as the manufacturer currently has it in stock). Special orders require full payment up front. Please allow 21 days for delivery, although in most cases orders arrive between 10-14 days, unless you pay for expedited shipping service.
13. Is Mike Webb single?
Sorry ladies, you missed your chance. We know Mike is a sexy beast, but he’s off limits.
14. What are ESCAPIST’s store hours?
Monday through Thursday 12-8pm, Friday 12-9pm, Saturday 11-9pm, Sunday 11-6. Directions can be found under the CONTACT section.
15. Can I have a discount? Can I have something for free?
Nobody likes a mooch. ESCAPIST was built on blood & sweat. We've worked too hard on this place to give it away. We pay for it and so you can too. We've got one low price for everyone. Nothing is free in this world, one way or another you pay for it.
16. How come you guys don’t give free griptape?
See F.A.Q. #17. We don’t get griptape for free so neither do you. Don’t be fooled by someone offering “free” griptape, 1) it’s not free, it’s included in the price and 2) you get what you pay for -we charge for grip cause we only carry quality grip. More than likely any “free” grip you may get is crap grip and might peel off the board, be too rough or too slick (especially if it’s graphic grip tape…that stuff is no good!). We use Jessup because hands down it’s the best.
17. When will you open an ESCAPIST store in (insert your town here)?
Although we do plan on expanding and opening more locations, we are unable to disclose this information until that time comes. Patience, young padawan.
18. I'm using a PC and the team videos won't play, help!
You must have the latest Quicktime plug-in installed. Click here for the free Quicktime download (PC or Mac).
19. Does ESCAPIST have a myspace, facebook, Twitter or Virb page?
Yes. KC Indoor Skatepark in Merriam, Kansas. Please get in touch with them directly for more details, www.kcskatepark.com. DO NOT CALL US ASKING FOR DETAILS ABOUT THESE PARKS, we do not work there and therefore won't be much help. Their phone numbers can be found under SKATEPARK DIRECTORY, as well as info on other local skateparks.
21. I signed up for your email newsletter. Why haven’t received anything?
We usually send email newsletters out about upcoming events and/or sales, etc about once a month. If you are a Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL or Earthlink user you may have problems receiving our emails due to their intense spam filters. You must add news@escapistskateboarding.com to your Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL or Earthlink email address book in order for our emails to get through the spam filters.
