Evans cycles again!!

heathrow86

I am looking at the Fuji Roubaix 1.0, the Evans in Birmingham is my nearest store, and to be honest I am a bit wary of buying from there. Any opinions on this store? Unfortunetly Evans seem to be the only stockists of these bikes around Brum.

danowat

Brought my Allez from them fairly recently, apart from being a bit lax on the communication department (failing to answer emails, telephone service pretty shoddy), they were Ok.

Delivery was a bit longer than I'd like it, they said they hadn't received credit forms, but after a few calls, they managed to sort it out.

Not sure I'd buy from them again TBH, they almost come across like they are doing you a favour by selling you a bike, rather than the other way round!

Headhuunter

I heard somewhere that Evans has exclusive distribution rights of Fuji bikes in the UK but I could be wrong

Radioactiveman

What is wrong with Evans ?

Headhuunter

Radioactiveman wrote:

What is wrong with Evans ?

They have a bit of a patchy background when it comes to service, but no worse than any other chain I shouldn't think. They were very nice when I went to the opening of one of their stores in London a few weeks back. Serviced my bike for free, gave freebies, free drinks n snacks and 20% of anything in the shop. IME their prices are also higher than those on the net, but probably comparable to other chain stores.

MrChuck

I've never bought a bike from them so I suppose they've not really been tested, but Brum Evans have been very helpful whenever I've been in there and I'd be quite happy to get a bike from them I think.

Headhuunter

A guy in my office got a bike through them (bike to work scheme). They told him to come back and they would have the bike ready for pick on a specific day at a specific time, he went back and it wasn't ready. They told him to come back later that afternoon and it wasn't ready again. He had a bit of a go at them and they threw in a pair of £30 gloves and upgraded his bike lock to one of those Kryptonite New York things, so it wasn't so bad in the end.

nferrar

I think Evans are fine if you know what you want, if you're looking for advice on something then I think you'd get better at an independent LBS. I'm sure some staff at Evans are excellent but I'm also guessing they use a majority of less experienced staff than LBS typically have to keep their costs down. They're mostly targetting the lower end commuting mass market stuff rather than catering to niche higher-end stuff

Doombrain

Evans are box shifters, don't expect the personal service an LBS can offer.

wiffachip

I had a bizarre experience with Evans, long story, but I bought a bike off them which had a fault, took it back and they said I could swap it for another one

so I paid 910 quid and they gave me a 1750 quid bike at no extra cost. unreal, think i was just in the right place at the right time

the bloke i was dealing with got pedalled

Radioactiveman

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.

I think you cannot judge Evans as a whole based on one or 2 shops. The online site is good,sales are genuinely low,quick deliveries. The shops I guess vary but I would like to know how many bike shops employ 100% experienced knowledgable staff. I havent been in one yet that does.

turnerjohn

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Anonymous

Just a few words in favor of Evans...

I use them a lot, I live near the Wandsworth store and they have a far bigger range of decent clothing/parts than any local shop around (if anyone knows different I'd love to know ). The staff seem to be genuine bike geeks and polite and helpful.

The other advantage of Evans stores (if you live in London anyway) is the number of other stores in relatively close proximity, so if they don't have something or have it in a particular size, they can often tell you a local store has it.

I'm not saying all parts of the country and all Evans stores are good, but I think it's only fair to judge each store on it's own merits.

As for local bike shops, there not always up to much. I brought my bike from a fairly well known bike shop in south London and received rubbish service, pretty much as soon as they had my money they started treating me with contempt. Bike arrived late and when I got it, was so badly set up I took it else where to get it sorted rater than deal with them again.

Radioactiveman

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

SO you worked for a trek dealer years ago, 1 dealer out of how many ? I suppose trek are omnipotent. Just call me a billy bullshitter next time and dont bother just implying it.

turnerjohn

Radioactiveman wrote:

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

SO you worked for a trek dealer years ago, 1 dealer out of how many ? I suppose trek are omnipotent. Just call me a billy bullshitter next time and dont bother just implying it.

EASY !!!!! I'm only quoting Treks offical stance on the mater. Your mate may have got that discount (if I wanted to say you were b*llsh*ting I would have said !) but if Trek found out they potentially could take away their dealership. My old bikeshop manage showed me the email direct from Trek which applies to all deals so it's def legit !

alfablue

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Which would be illegal price fixing.

I'm not saying that would not happen, and an LBS I frequent has intimated similar, but it is illegal (Volvo got fined a huge amount some years back for doing similar with their dealers).

turnerjohn

alfablue wrote:

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Which would be illegal price fixing.

I'm not saying that would not happen, and an LBS I frequent has intimated similar, but it is illegal (Volvo got fined a huge amount some years back for doing similar with their dealers).

What Treks doing is not illegal. What Trek is trying to do is stop internet companies selling at a reduced amount, (cutting out the cost bike shops have to pay) and hence reducing trade to bike shops...a far point don't you think?
What they brought in was that no new current year bikes can be sold at a discounted rate...its fine to tell off older stock...thats not the issue. Trek are trying to insure fair game throughout, and by looking after their dealers....which I recon is pretty dam commendable of them !
I'm well for keeping LBS...I hope everyone else here feels the same ? (sorry that should be a seperate post !)

alfablue

turnerjohn wrote:

alfablue wrote:

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Which would be illegal price fixing.

I'm not saying that would not happen, and an LBS I frequent has intimated similar, but it is illegal (Volvo got fined a huge amount some years back for doing similar with their dealers).

What Treks doing is not illegal. What Trek is trying to do is stop internet companies selling at a reduced amount, (cutting out the cost bike shops have to pay) and hence reducing trade to bike shops...a far point don't you think?
What they brought in was that no new current year bikes can be sold at a discounted rate...its fine to tell off older stock...thats not the issue. Trek are trying to insure fair game throughout, and by looking after their dealers....which I recon is pretty dam commendable of them !
I'm well for keeping LBS...I hope everyone else here feels the same ? (sorry that should be a seperate post !)

like it or not (what it is alleged that trek do), you are wrong.

Competition law prohibits almost any attempt to fix prices - for example, you cannot:
~
impose minimum prices on different distributors such as shops

.

link.

stokepa31

alfablue wrote:

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Which would be illegal price fixing.

I'm not saying that would not happen, and an LBS I frequent has intimated similar, but it is illegal (Volvo got fined a huge amount some years back for doing similar with their dealers).

it is not illegal for trek to insist their bikes are not sold below the RRP as this is not infringing competition rules and nor is it price fixing. it is merely a refusal to discount their brand in a similar way a premium car dealer will insist on full retail price

alfablue

stokepa31 wrote:

alfablue wrote:

turnerjohn wrote:

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bloke I know asked them to get a 2009 reduced madone of some variety in, they got one in but it was the 2010 but they did it for same price.
.

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

Which would be illegal price fixing.

I'm not saying that would not happen, and an LBS I frequent has intimated similar, but it is illegal (Volvo got fined a huge amount some years back for doing similar with their dealers).

it is not illegal for trek to insist their bikes are not sold below the RRP as this is not infringing competition rules and nor is it price fixing. it is merely a refusal to discount their brand in a similar way a premium car dealer will insist on full retail price

sorry, you too are wrong. This is the whole point of a Recommended Retail Price - the seller cannot by law, be compelled or coerced (such as with the threat of withholding supplies) to sell at a set price. Of course this goes on, and in subtle ways, so whilst a dealer may not be told explicitly that they are getting no supplies, they will mysteriously find they dry up.

stokepa31

well if thats the case I sit corrected :oops:

solsurf

I've only had good experience from evans in Kendal, it all depends on the staff they have like all things it comes down to the people who deliver the service. I have to say I am blessed with great bike shops around here.

Will_Lockie

Hi there, I work for Evans Cycles.

Just to answer the couple of questions at the beginning of this thread:

@heathrow86 - Evans do sell some Fuji models exclusively, but the Roubaix is not one of them. If you did not want to buy in store, we are trialling a 30 day test ride policy on Fuji's. You do still need to purchase the bike initially, and then we will collect the bike and refund if you decide it's not the one for you after 30 days. There is some more info here, hope that helps:
http://www.evanscycles.com/help/30-day-test-ride

We do offer a price promise also, so we'll match prices if you find a bike anywhere else as long as it is in stock.

@headhunter - hopefully above should answer your question also.

best regards

Will Lockie
Evans Cycles

pneumatic

I've bought a lot of stuff from Evans over the years (online and in person) and they are fine.

I did once walk into one of their London shops at 8:15am and asked the bloke there about a bike I was considering buying. "I'm sorry, mate", he said, "I really don't know enough to advise you, but if you come back later, the others will be able to help you." I respect that sort of honesty. He was a shelf-stacker and wasn't going to bullsh1t me. Much better than the nonsense you get in high street electronics chains, where they just read out the product card and often fail to understand what it means.

pete600

The only problem i have had with them is the security company they use when shopping on line. I bought a Bianchi last year and wanted it delivering to Thailand.

They deducted the money from my Visa then canceled the order and give me my money back. But after calling evens direct the order went through.

Even now when i try to place a small order it still gets rejected. But all i do is call up customer services speak to the same guy that helped me sort out my first order and everything goes through ok.

So no complantes from me.

HebdenBiker

turnerjohn wrote:

TREK would have taken away their dealer licence if they had sold a new model of a reduced price. Trek are very stringent on that. (I know I worked for a Trek dealer years ago!)

I haggled and got £50 off my Trek 1.7 in my LBS. It was a 2009 model and I bought it in 2009.

bikegirl1

how about this for starters...

Joined my employer's bike to work scheme. At the time (but no longer, due to the many complaints about Evans) this meant having to buy from Evans. Called Evans and asked to buy the Specialized Myka fsr. They told me it wasn't in stock yet but was due soon and I could order then. They told me that it wouldn't matter if the ride to work voucher expires before the bike I wanted came in, as they could extend it's expiry date.

Called back and the bike was delayed coming in stock. Now they told me I had to use the voucher by its deadline date. I argued the point. Spent a lot of time and eventually got through to the head supervisor. She agreed to extend it by 2 weeks. This was 1 week short of the new date the bike I wanted was expected in. I asked her to extend it just one more week so I could get the bike I wanted. Told her this had actually already been agreed. She refused.

So, ended up with a Scott Contessa Spark. Not so bad, but not the bike I wanted. Since this was in September there was hardly any choice (old stock gone, new stock not yet in). Still, I'd heard Scott were okay, so wasn't too miffed.

First ride, bike handling felt odd. Seemed to be a forks issue and it felt like a loose headset. Took it back for a service and raised the issue.

Was told when I picked it up that there was nothing wrong with the forks and they needed to 'bed in'.

Rode it some more. No improvement.

Took it back again and said there really was a front forks problem. Demonstrated to the head mechanic at the Evans store, showed him that there was play in the stanchions (using the method described in the Rock Shox manual) and asked for it to be repaired under warranty. He agreed to take it for a spin and then called me saying there was a problem and he'd contact the manufacturer. Basically it had that 'loose headset' feel, which isn't very pleasant to ride.

Next day got a call from the same guy, said he'd been on the phone to Rock Shox and they had said this is normal for these forks as they have a longer bushing than usual. What? They hadn't even asked for them back to check?!

So I insisted on sending them back, thinking at least then they will see the fault for themselves.

Unbelievably, the forks came back with the verdict 'no problem, they are working as they should'. Couldn't believe this. Told Evans so. But they said they weren't willing to do anything else. Told them I was not happy and that the forks had been faulty from new. They still refused to do anything more.

So, I'm left with a bike with a faulty set of forks, 7 months after buying the bike and 6.5 months after first reporting this fault. With no sign of a solution on the horizon.

I have now taken them to two other bike shops for a second opinion and both said they are definitely faulty, no doubt about it, and both said they could get them fixed under warranty. So, I've now arranged to do that, so as not to spoil all my trail riding over the summer!

Obviously I have to pay for this service, but all I care about now is getting these darn forks fixed so I can enjoy the bike.

I will pursue a complaint against Evans to get my money back, and compensation for all this trouble, since they should have just repaired the fault in the first place.

What was the question? What is wrong with Evans?

Maybe this is just a one-off, but that's not what I've heard... I certainly won't be dealing with them again... it's just not worth all the trouble!
B.

bikegirl1

how about this for starters...

Joined my employer's bike to work scheme. At the time (but no longer, due to the many complaints about Evans) this meant having to buy from Evans. Called Evans and asked to buy the Specialized Myka fsr. They told me it wasn't in stock yet but was due soon and I could order then. They told me that it wouldn't matter if the ride to work voucher expires before the bike I wanted came in, as they could extend it's expiry date.

Called back and the bike was delayed coming in stock. Now they told me I had to use the voucher by its deadline date. I argued the point. Spent a lot of time and eventually got through to the head supervisor. She agreed to extend it by 2 weeks. This was 1 week short of the new date the bike I wanted was expected in. I asked her to extend it just one more week so I could get the bike I wanted. Told her this had actually already been agreed. She refused.

So, ended up with a Scott Contessa Spark. Not so bad, but not the bike I wanted. Since this was in September there was hardly any choice (old stock gone, new stock not yet in). Still, I'd heard Scott were okay, so wasn't too miffed.

First ride, bike handling felt odd. Seemed to be a forks issue and it felt like a loose headset. Took it back for a service and raised the issue.

Was told when I picked it up that there was nothing wrong with the forks and they needed to 'bed in'.

Rode it some more. No improvement.

Took it back again and said there really was a front forks problem. Demonstrated to the head mechanic at the Evans store, showed him that there was play in the stanchions (using the method described in the Rock Shox manual) and asked for it to be repaired under warranty. He agreed to take it for a spin and then called me saying there was a problem and he'd contact the manufacturer. Basically it had that 'loose headset' feel, which isn't very pleasant to ride.

Next day got a call from the same guy, said he'd been on the phone to Rock Shox and they had said this is normal for these forks as they have a longer bushing than usual. What? They hadn't even asked for them back to check?!

So I insisted on sending them back, thinking at least then they will see the fault for themselves.

Unbelievably, the forks came back with the verdict 'no problem, they are working as they should'. Couldn't believe this. Told Evans so. But they said they weren't willing to do anything else. Told them I was not happy and that the forks had been faulty from new. They still refused to do anything more.

So, I'm left with a bike with a faulty set of forks, 7 months after buying the bike and 6.5 months after first reporting this fault. With no sign of a solution on the horizon.

I have now taken them to two other bike shops for a second opinion and both said they are definitely faulty, no doubt about it, and both said they could get them fixed under warranty. So, I've now arranged to do that, so as not to spoil all my trail riding over the summer!

Obviously I have to pay for this service, but all I care about now is getting these darn forks fixed so I can enjoy the bike.

I will pursue a complaint against Evans to get my money back, and compensation for all this trouble, since they should have just repaired the fault in the first place.

What was the question? What is wrong with Evans?

Maybe this is just a one-off, but that's not what I've heard... I certainly won't be dealing with them again... it's just not worth all the trouble!
B.

bikegirl1

how about this for starters...

Joined my employer's bike to work scheme. At the time (but no longer, due to the many complaints about Evans) this meant having to buy from Evans. Called Evans and asked to buy the Specialized Myka fsr. They told me it wasn't in stock yet but was due soon and I could order then. They told me that it wouldn't matter if the ride to work voucher expires before the bike I wanted came in, as they could extend it's expiry date.

Called back and the bike was delayed coming in stock. Now they told me I had to use the voucher by its deadline date. I argued the point. Spent a lot of time and eventually got through to the head supervisor. She agreed to extend it by 2 weeks. This was 1 week short of the new date the bike I wanted was expected in. I asked her to extend it just one more week so I could get the bike I wanted. Told her this had actually already been agreed. She refused.

So, ended up with a Scott Contessa Spark. Not so bad, but not the bike I wanted. Since this was in September there was hardly any choice (old stock gone, new stock not yet in). Still, I'd heard Scott were okay, so wasn't too miffed.

First ride, bike handling felt odd. Seemed to be a forks issue and it felt like a loose headset. Took it back for a service and raised the issue.

Was told when I picked it up that there was nothing wrong with the forks and they needed to 'bed in'.

Rode it some more. No improvement.

Took it back again and said there really was a front forks problem. Demonstrated to the head mechanic at the Evans store, showed him that there was play in the stanchions (using the method described in the Rock Shox manual) and asked for it to be repaired under warranty. He agreed to take it for a spin and then called me saying there was a problem and he'd contact the manufacturer. Basically it had that 'loose headset' feel, which isn't very pleasant to ride.

Next day got a call from the same guy, said he'd been on the phone to Rock Shox and they had said this is normal for these forks as they have a longer bushing than usual. What? They hadn't even asked for them back to check?!

So I insisted on sending them back, thinking at least then they will see the fault for themselves.

Unbelievably, the forks came back with the verdict 'no problem, they are working as they should'. Couldn't believe this. Told Evans so. But they said they weren't willing to do anything else. Told them I was not happy and that the forks had been faulty from new. They still refused to do anything more.

So, I'm left with a bike with a faulty set of forks, 7 months after buying the bike and 6.5 months after first reporting this fault. With no sign of a solution on the horizon.

I have now taken them to two other bike shops for a second opinion and both said they are definitely faulty, no doubt about it, and both said they could get them fixed under warranty. So, I've now arranged to do that, so as not to spoil all my trail riding over the summer!

Obviously I have to pay for this service, but all I care about now is getting these darn forks fixed so I can enjoy the bike.

I will pursue a complaint against Evans to get my money back, and compensation for all this trouble, since they should have just repaired the fault in the first place.

What was the question? What is wrong with Evans?

Maybe this is just a one-off, but that's not what I've heard... I certainly won't be dealing with them again... it's just not worth all the trouble!
B.

bikegirl1

how about this for starters...

Joined my employer's bike to work scheme. At the time (but no longer, due to the many complaints about Evans) this meant having to buy from Evans. Called Evans and asked to buy the Specialized Myka fsr. They told me it wasn't in stock yet but was due soon and I could order then. They told me that it wouldn't matter if the ride to work voucher expires before the bike I wanted came in, as they could extend it's expiry date.

Called back and the bike was delayed coming in stock. Now they told me I had to use the voucher by its deadline date. I argued the point. Spent a lot of time and eventually got through to the head supervisor. She agreed to extend it by 2 weeks. This was 1 week short of the new date the bike I wanted was expected in. I asked her to extend it just one more week so I could get the bike I wanted. Told her this had actually already been agreed. She refused.

So, ended up with a Scott Contessa Spark. Not so bad, but not the bike I wanted. Since this was in September there was hardly any choice (old stock gone, new stock not yet in). Still, I'd heard Scott were okay, so wasn't too miffed.

First ride, bike handling felt odd. Seemed to be a forks issue and it felt like a loose headset. Took it back for a service and raised the issue.

Was told when I picked it up that there was nothing wrong with the forks and they needed to 'bed in'.

Rode it some more. No improvement.

Took it back again and said there really was a front forks problem. Demonstrated to the head mechanic at the Evans store, showed him that there was play in the stanchions (using the method described in the Rock Shox manual) and asked for it to be repaired under warranty. He agreed to take it for a spin and then called me saying there was a problem and he'd contact the manufacturer. Basically it had that 'loose headset' feel, which isn't very pleasant to ride.

Next day got a call from the same guy, said he'd been on the phone to Rock Shox and they had said this is normal for these forks as they have a longer bushing than usual. What? They hadn't even asked for them back to check?!

So I insisted on sending them back, thinking at least then they will see the fault for themselves.

Unbelievably, the forks came back with the verdict 'no problem, they are working as they should'. Couldn't believe this. Told Evans so. But they said they weren't willing to do anything else. Told them I was not happy and that the forks had been faulty from new. They still refused to do anything more.

So, I'm left with a bike with a faulty set of forks, 7 months after buying the bike and 6.5 months after first reporting this fault. With no sign of a solution on the horizon.

I have now taken them to two other bike shops for a second opinion and both said they are definitely faulty, no doubt about it, and both said they could get them fixed under warranty. So, I've now arranged to do that, so as not to spoil all my trail riding over the summer!

Obviously I have to pay for this service, but all I care about now is getting these darn forks fixed so I can enjoy the bike.

I will pursue a complaint against Evans to get my money back, and compensation for all this trouble, since they should have just repaired the fault in the first place.

What was the question? What is wrong with Evans?

Maybe this is just a one-off, but that's not what I've heard... I certainly won't be dealing with them again... it's just not worth all the trouble!
B.

bikegirl1

seems to be a time lag on here!
B.