roastpuff: Perhaps you should buy everything from
Outdoor Gear & Clothing: The North Face, Marmot, Patagonia & More Gear Brands | Backcountry.com then, especially if you're buying the latest set of skis every year. Lifetime returns. (minus $6.99 re-stocking fee, which you can consider a small 'rental' fee). They sell full bikes, gruppos, parts, etc as well. Use, abuse, return. Sure, you might be more ethical than that, but that is their policy.
* I have bought items from there before with no problems...and have yet to return anything.