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RANT - Don bankrupt your local running shop

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Red Squirrel Jan 2013 7:08pm, 18 Jan 2013 5,588 posts	Quote Pin Red Squirrel I rarely buy on line and would never use Amazon. They sold me faulty goods once (misprinted books) and I was not able to return them. Amazon told me to contact the publisher. They don't take responsibility for what they sell. I then cancelled my account - that took nearly 6 months to sort out by e-mail, letter and getting Advertising Standards involved. When I use my local running shops, I know I can call back in if I've got problems with any purchases. They all know me and I often end up popping in for a browse and coming out having entered a race or got some training advice (particularly from a local ex-olympian who runs my nearest shop). All of the running shops (and some of the other sports shops locally) have free running groups. I would hate to lose any of that and then have on-line giants dictating what we run in. The shops are also good resource for info and recommendations for physios, personal trainers etc and at the heart of the running community generally. The only time I have ordered online was from Pete Bland, but this was because I couldn't get X-Talons locally, but still wanted to use a UK independent retailer.
Bazoaxe Jan 2013 7:28pm, 18 Jan 2013 5,003 posts	Quote Pin Bazoaxe If I get my gait analysed and properly fitted I will always buy my shoes there. However, once I know and like a pair I will source them online at better value if I can. I feel I have paid over the odds for my initial fitting and thats as far as my contract lies. I dont need to pay £20+ more than I can online. I do however support the local shops buying all other gear I need there. This week I spent £55 (in vouchers albeit) in 2 different shops, but also spent over the voucher amount in both shops. I will also get all my gels and other kit requirements throughout the year. Where possible when buying online I use Pete Bland as they kindly send me a free pair of shoes every year after I won a competition a few years back.
♣BelleVueRacer♣ of Beartown Jan 2013 7:35pm, 18 Jan 2013 5,799 posts	Quote Pin ♣BelleVueRacer♣ of Beartown how much of the blame for shoes being 'over the odds' go to retailers? Manufacturers get a fair old whack.
Bazoaxe Jan 2013 7:38pm, 18 Jan 2013 5,004 posts	Quote Pin Bazoaxe common sense that those with premises and staff have higher overheads and so cannot reduce the price as far as online retailers with lower overheads...albeit see ElBees blog for the challenges of buying power.... Manufacturers do seem to churn out new updates far too often and the RRP of the new model always seems to be higher than the old one
Girlie Jan 2013 7:51pm, 18 Jan 2013 9,485 posts	Quote Pin Girlie We use Advance Performance and buy most of our shoes from there. If it's a straight replacement we do look online, but my Mizunos often aren't significantly cheaper when you factor postage in. They do give 10% of any club members purchases back to their relevant club, so I have an incentive to shop there as Bushfield Joggers benefit from my spending and they get involved in the local running scene with sponsorship and training sessions etc.
SteveV Jan 2013 8:45pm, 18 Jan 2013 2,907 posts	Quote Pin SteveV Bourne Sports is my local running shop. I find them overpriced and never have my size in stock.You have your gait done and they bring out old models and charge full price for them. I have only ever been happy with the service of one woman who works there. If you go on a weekend I find its people with a Saturday job who have had some very basic training but very little knowledge. Harsh maybe but I dont rate them and will buy online.
Red Squirrel Jan 2013 9:11pm, 18 Jan 2013 5,590 posts	Quote Pin Red Squirrel Ah yes - I forgot about the club discount. I get 10% off locally with either my running club card or my tri club card.
DeeGee Jan 2013 9:20pm, 18 Jan 2013 13,498 posts	Quote Pin DeeGee Aha, but Wiggle give me 5% off and give me 10p worth of Haribos with every purchase.
hellen Jan 2013 8:58am, 19 Jan 2013 14,001 posts	Quote Pin hellen The ladies at my local shop whilst friendly and knowledgeable have different taste in clothing so I often don't find what I like I have bought shoes there when using gait analysis but now I know what I need I buy online I have bought a fair few things from my local shop but more often find myself shopping at start fitness or wiggle due to the better range
FenlandFunRunner Jan 2013 9:24am, 19 Jan 2013 15,087 posts	Quote Pin FenlandFunRunner I can't think of a single commodity when price isn't king and it is ALWAYS at the detriment to QUALITY. The old adage you get what you pay for is true. For running shoe sales how can a specialist knowledgeable local man compete with stack them high sell them cheap. The saddest thing for me is the food industry and the cheap rubbish that is pumped out.