For those who love the skateboarding culture but have never owned a skateboard let alone used one and have a strong desire to finally own one then the following directions will aid you in where and how to purchase a quality complete skateboard.

Firstly, if you are a beginner, (which you undoubtedly are) and have no idea what you are getting yourself into, then you would first have to know where to buy a quality skateboard. Your first two options would be to find the location of a nearby skate shop through the yellow pages or through the Internet, which is obviously the better choice.

Once the address is acquired, the next thing to do is seek it out and enter at your own risk (sarcastically speaking).

Remember to bring nothing short of two hundred dollars because the price range in skateboards can differ depending on the quality of the parts you are buying.

Once you enter the shop, there will be a section in it where all the skateboards are built.  And know that once you get there, you'll be asked by an employee how you can be helped.

Also keep in mind that since the skateboard is composed of such few parts, you will be able to hand-pick the parts that will go on your skateboard in just minutes. Keep in mind that when building a complete skateboard "lighter is better".

Next you will be asked to select a board from a rather extensive variety of decks that differ in pricing and size. Deck sizes are measured in inches- the smallest size being 7.0" and the largest being 8.75". Anyone standing below 6'0" should ride a 7.75" or smaller. Anyone standing at 6'0" or above should ride an 8.0" or larger.

I would suggest that a beginner choose a blank deck rather than one with a picture on it simply because of the price difference. A blank deck runs anywhere from $30.00+. But if you aren't affected by the economy or if you just want to show off, then the average price of a deck runs anywhere from $56.00+.

Next you'll have to choose a pair of trucks that differ in size, weight, color, and brand. Coming from an experienced skater, I would suggest buying a pair of Venture trucks, simply because they're better for turning. A pair of trucks can cost anywhere from $34.99+.

Next you'll be asked which wheels best fit you. Wheels differ in size, color, and material. For street skating, you'll mainly want a rubber based wheel, aside from the polyurathane that most skate wheels are composed of. The most commonly used wheels are 50-53mm and I would also suggest using these sizes mainly for the weight difference.

While you are picking out your wheels keep in mind that bearings will also need to be picked out. Basic bearing prices range from $20.00- $120.00 for the top of the line bearings.

Last but not least, you will be asked which kind of griptape you prefer on your board. Griptape is based off of preference and if you are a beginning skater you will want just basic sheet of grip for your new board. griptape is usually free when purchasing a new deck, but when sold separately the price can range from $5.00+

And once all is complete, the employee at the register will ring you up and off you go on your new skateboard that you've longed for.