Not really a commuting thread but.......
mrc1
Posts: 852
Why are some bikeshops (particularly London ones) so awful at customer service!
I am trying to get some draft legal tri-bars and am having limited luck in finding places that stock them.
Call Primera in Bournemouth as I know them to have a good reputation. Guy picks up the phone and says he isn't 100% and doesn't want to give me the wrong advice so asks if his colleague can call back. 20 mins later the guy calls and then spends the next 15 minutes discussing the pros and cons of different models and gives me some extremely useful advice. He says that if i can make it down to bournemouth they will happily let me try a few sets out on the bike and work on getting a good position etc but if not, he even goes as far as to recommend trying before I buy from a local shop (he knows that I live in London and therefore that giving this advice is killing his chance of a sale but obviously understands that this sort of thing will make me come back in future and maybe buy a bike etc).
I thank him and then try to track down a stockist in London as follows:
Evans at the Cut - This is recommended by the London bridge store as the "Guys who know everything about tri equipment". I call and the first few minutes are taken up by the bloke searching the system for "Draft Legal" as he assumed that was a brand name..... I tried to explain what I meant but he just didnt get it and said "Look on the website mate as I don't have a clue".
Another shop - Tell me that a certain type of bar is "fine" to use. Which I know is not the case and would lead me to being forced to remove them on race day or being disqualified after the race.
A specific tri shop recommend that I "ask on a forum on the net" as they "aren't sure".
The final shop had a pair in stock. I asked if i could bring my bike and have them fit them in the shop as I dont have the torque wrench needed to start removing spacers from a carbon steerer fork. They said "no". So I asked if i could borrow the torque wrench and do it myself and they said "no, we don't lend tools".
I havent named the last three shops as they are all small retailers and I don't want to put people off as this is a relatively awkward request and they may in other circumstances be helpful but I needed to vent about this!!
I am now considering a trip to Bournemouth.....
I am trying to get some draft legal tri-bars and am having limited luck in finding places that stock them.
Call Primera in Bournemouth as I know them to have a good reputation. Guy picks up the phone and says he isn't 100% and doesn't want to give me the wrong advice so asks if his colleague can call back. 20 mins later the guy calls and then spends the next 15 minutes discussing the pros and cons of different models and gives me some extremely useful advice. He says that if i can make it down to bournemouth they will happily let me try a few sets out on the bike and work on getting a good position etc but if not, he even goes as far as to recommend trying before I buy from a local shop (he knows that I live in London and therefore that giving this advice is killing his chance of a sale but obviously understands that this sort of thing will make me come back in future and maybe buy a bike etc).
I thank him and then try to track down a stockist in London as follows:
Evans at the Cut - This is recommended by the London bridge store as the "Guys who know everything about tri equipment". I call and the first few minutes are taken up by the bloke searching the system for "Draft Legal" as he assumed that was a brand name..... I tried to explain what I meant but he just didnt get it and said "Look on the website mate as I don't have a clue".
Another shop - Tell me that a certain type of bar is "fine" to use. Which I know is not the case and would lead me to being forced to remove them on race day or being disqualified after the race.
A specific tri shop recommend that I "ask on a forum on the net" as they "aren't sure".
The final shop had a pair in stock. I asked if i could bring my bike and have them fit them in the shop as I dont have the torque wrench needed to start removing spacers from a carbon steerer fork. They said "no". So I asked if i could borrow the torque wrench and do it myself and they said "no, we don't lend tools".
I havent named the last three shops as they are all small retailers and I don't want to put people off as this is a relatively awkward request and they may in other circumstances be helpful but I needed to vent about this!!
I am now considering a trip to Bournemouth.....
http://www.ledomestiquetours.co.uk
Le Domestique Tours - Bespoke cycling experiences with unrivalled supported riding, knowledge and expertise.
Ciocc Extro - FCN 1
Le Domestique Tours - Bespoke cycling experiences with unrivalled supported riding, knowledge and expertise.
Ciocc Extro - FCN 1
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