What do you say to people who ask, "Can I try it?"

[Sam]

I live in a populous little town outside of Philly with a lot of foot traffic and often have people approach me if I need to come to a stop for a car passing by or something similar. When I get the question "can I try it?" I usually go with "nah I'm on my way home" but always give them a smile and a shrug and answer any other questions they have about my board before it's clear for me to ride off again. Last night though some kid just wouldn't take no for an answer and telling me "I'm a skater!" and "I have a hover board at home" and "nah just real quick though I just wanna try it quick." Anyway I'm not bitter about the kid or anything I'm just curious what you guys say when you don't want people off the street standing on your $1,500 Onewheel+. What do you say? Are you nice about it? Direct about it? Ignore them and just keep cruisin'?

[AT_onewheeler]

@sam I live also in a small city and only got that question one time since I got my +. I say polite that it was an expensive sport vehicle and that I don't have a good feeling if others ride. And kids I'm saying that the instruction manual says not for kids under 14 years and that's enough if their parents are with them ;)

[SC720]

Hard to be rough on youngsters that want to try it out. They obviously have the same desire we do but you have all the risk unfortunately. Unless you know them its just probably not worth it. If they faceplant you could be looking at a lawsuit, or they could crash into someone else and cause damage or injuries theres another lawsuit for you. Or they could just destroy your board in any number of other ways or even just ride off with it and take it if they are older and shady enough. They will just go home and now you have no board or major problems. We all want to provide a cool experience for random kids to have fun but I think the risk probably outweighs the reward unfortunately. When unknown kids are begging to ride I just say the battery is about to die and need to get home. If you let some gawking families kid ride off and cause some big accident would you really expect those parents to take the high road and assume all responsibility. No, you will be screwed for putting yourself out there.

[Simon]

I almost always say yes. A bit of a risk assessment is required, so we might shift to the grass or I would initially hold their hand. I tell them to jump off with both feet if they are going to fall, the one foot on / one foot off crashes are the worst.
Fortunately, I live in a country which has more of a culture of personal responsibility than the US where you don't get sued if someone else makes an error of judgement.
Most kids are amazing, they pick it up so quickly and tumbles on grass don't hurt. Their riding privileges get quickly taken away if they start being stupid.

[groovyruvy]

@sam I usually say sorry, I'd let you ride it but the battery is about to die (not really but they accept that excuse a lot better than telling them I'm just not going to let them ride it).

[donny h]

as a rule of thumb, I never let anyone ride it who would have the nerve to ask if they can try it and I usually tell them exactly that. I say "do you know who I let try this thing? People who would never even THINK of asking". That being said, I've let plenty of people try it, (those who would never ask).

[firephreek]

@sam "Sure, give me your wallet." Totally serious. Had like three strangers all want to try it out and had them hand me their wallets and cash. Works like a charm.

[wmaciel]

I've never had people ask me outright, but if we are in a somewhat enclosed space I usually offer them a try.
I think of how bad I wanted to have a tiny taste of the feeling when I first learned about the board.

I can't imagine you being sued if someone falls from it. How's that your fault?

[groovyruvy]

@wmaciel liability typically follows the owner. Not saying you'd get fleeced if sued, but there is a measure of liability, hence some measure of risk.

[kieren]

my reasons for "no" are usually: "you are wearing flip flops and high on crack".

[sonny123]

I used to let them but then stopped after a guy almost hurt himself.
I just say, I'd love to but it really takes a lot pf practice and I don't want you to hurt yourself.

[goodblake-eskate]

Whether or not I let someone try usually depends on a couple of factors. 1. Are the male or female? Male = no 2. If she is pretty then Yes :)

I use the out of battery excuse a lot or that I am in hurry or something. I also will pretend not to hear them while speeding away.

The question that drives me crazy is "how much is that?" Well i actually also really hate the "Is that a hoverboard?" which depending on my mood usually gets the "F@$# hoverboards!" response.

[No]

No. I just don't feel comfortable with the risk of them hurting themselves, or my OW, or someone/something nearby.

[USN]

I tell who ever is asking "no" since they need a helmet and other protective gear. It is usually a teenager or younger.

I'm also not a fan of letting a stranger ride cause I live in LA. Not everyone is trustworthy with unique and expensive things.

[Dansker]

Not everyone is trustworthy with unique and expensive things

That gotta be the worlds most optimistic statement :-)

[thegreck]

@usn said in What do you say to people who ask, "Can I try it?":

I'm also not a fan of letting a stranger ride cause I live in LA. Not everyone is trustworthy with unique and expensive things.

But you can't actually say that to them, so the question is what DO you say to people you don't trust without pissing them off?

[cascadewheeler]

Buy your own!

[groovyruvy]

@thegreck I say 'I'd love to let you ride it but the battery is about to die'

[SC720]

@groovyruvy Exactly, there's not really any response that can counter that. Friends and family obviously always welcome and encouraged to ride but just too much risk for reward for strangers and unknown kids. At best you put an awesome but temporary smile on someones face and at worst you are facing lawsuits and penalties that might haunt you for years. No good deed goes unpunished in especially the US/CA litigation industry.

[SkyPilot]

If it's kids asking, my response is "Do you have a helmet? Where are your parents, I need their okay first." Typically the parents say no way.

Adults, I just say "I prefer not, this has a step learning curve and I've hurt myself in the process."