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Some little punk in the shop on minimum wage is not likely to know everything about bikes..
I'd expect them to at least;
a - Know [i]enough[/i] to be able to adequately serve customers
or
b - Be willing to admit they didn't know and were just a shelfstacker before going to get someone who [i]did[/i] know [i]enough[/i] to be able to adequately serve customers
What happened with the lad in waterloo?????
Don't get me started mate...
Bought a tube there. Got it home, fitted it, pumped it up- BANG!
Split along the seam. Seen a fair few go like that, it's just a faulty tube. When I worked in bike shops, we'd replace them no probs- defective merchandise. Legally obliged to anyway.
This spotty, arrogant pretentious **** tried to suggest it was my fault, that I'd installed it wrong. Me, what's been fitting inner tubes when he was shitting his nappy. Then, with a smirk towards his colleagues, he said 'well we'd be quite happy to show you how to fit an inner tube'.
I won't tell you what I said next, as this is a family forum.
It is hard for staff too though...I am mates with a guy who works for them, and he had a chav walk in and ask 'do you have one of them s's...' to which he said ' s's, what do you mean specialized or somthing' the chav said 'nah man, I need one of them s's...'
Turned out after about 5 mins of chav talk my mate worked out that he wanted a rear mech....ahahahahaha....'one of dem s's blad...'
It is hard for staff too though.
Never under estimate the stupidity of clients.
Just out of interest; how many people complaining about Evans have actually bothered to forward their complaints to higher authorities/head office?
Yep - after they sent me home with a helmet with security tag attached (and facing a 40 mile return trip) they sent me a £20 voucher. They bought my forgiveness.
Right-o!
No response to the polite email I sent them yesterday. Does anyone have a contact email address for one of the bosses?
I'm going to show you some pictures of the "new" saddle they sent me. Since they can't be arsed to reply to me, I'll open them up to the judgement of STW.
Does that sound like a fair and reasonable thing to do?
Hey Elfin!
'Twas probably the same little sh!t that dealt with my poor chum!
"Your gears are knackered, mate, front and rear need replacing AND they need a service!"
Erm!!?? new gears AND a service ❓
BTW, Elfin, my dear Old Bean......you wouldnt happen to live in Essex and fancy a beer in Benfleet....in my shed....where my new steed lies with tools lying around it and a confused South African standing over them with a stumped glazed look on his face???
Nice cold beer. Nicccce and cold 😉
Ben
I'm going to show you some pictures of the "new" saddle they sent me. Since they can't be arsed to reply to me, I'll open them up to the judgement of STW.
Let's be seeing 'em, then!
MD is a chap called Mike/Michael Rice, by the way.
So michael.rice@evanscysles.com might be worth a pop?
Give me 5 mins to get the pics uploaded - just in from a long day at work and not had me tea yet.
BTW, Elfin, my dear Old Bean......you wouldnt happen to live in Essex and fancy a beer in Benfleet....in my shed....where my new steed lies with tools lying around it and a confused South African standing over them with a stumped glazed look on his face???Nice cold beer. Nicccce and cold
Beer, you say...?
Mmm....beeeeeeeerrrr......
Sadly not in Essex, no. Well, not sadly for me actually. A mate of mine lives in Basildon ffs.
OK - here we go:
Bear in mind this is what Evans sent me as a "brand new" saddle and is photographed as it was when I removed it from the packaging:
1) Discolouration
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4993660557_3463713e91.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4993660557/ ]1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4994266620_00e3723550.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4994266620/ ]4[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
2) Clamping marks on saddles rails
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/4994266776_9e2ac1df6b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4994266776/ ]3[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
3) Dirty marks
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4994266422_b108cc5310.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4994266422/ ]5[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
4) Scuff marks on the scuff guards
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4993659441_4aebbb0082.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4993659441/ ]7[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
Am I just being too fussy?
Too fussy nope- from somebody who works In the industry that's pretty shocking that they sent that out as new, it should be in the bargain bin for £5 pretty poor show Evans.
Looks like it's been swapped off a display bike. Very poor.
Dirty bastards! They've tooken that off a bike that's been knocking around in a warehouse I reckon.
They deserve to be shamed for that. Show them this thread an' all. I would,
Evans, shame on you! This is the tat you try to fob off as new?
Someone should be sacked over this. That spotty patronising arrogant **** from Waterloo will do.
[img] 
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it should be in the bargain bin for £5
OK, so it's a bit messy, but £5 for a saddle which normally retails for around £70 (IIRC) is a little harsh! 20% off as "shop soiled" might be OK.
I think the Kingston Evans staff are pretty good actually.
That saddles shocking though, so I agree the spotty Waterloo **** should be fired.
Drac - MemberDon't take it out on some poor bored sod on £6 an hour.
Why not they're the point of contact at the time.
Elfinsafety - MemberYou're a paramedic aren't you?
😆 Those five words are one of your beshtest replies I can think of, Elfin.
I suggested one of two solutions:
They send me a new one today and I return the one above (I need it for this weekend which is looking increasingly unlikely). I think it's reasonable to expect them to expedite the returns process in the circumstances. I'd also expect that they'd refund my return postage charge under the provisions of the distance selling regulations.
OR they offer me a substantial discount for passing off a "shop soiled" item as a new one - I was thinking more like 50% which would factor in a goodwill gesture (though I'm prepared to accept that my Scottish Thrift gene might be clouding my judgement a little on the actual amount)
No but he is a paramedic is he not?
That saddles shocking though, so I agree the spotty Waterloo **** should be fired.
It's decided than. I'm so glad others have seen the sense in this idea. It's for the best for all concerned.
No but he is a paramedic is he not?
oh indeed. And as the first point of contact for many folk's journey back into healthcare, I expect despite no mention of it in his job description, he's well used to being on the recieving of people's frustrations about the wider system he works for and 'represents' despite having little or no say in how daft some of it all is and next to nothing to do with what happens after they move you 'upstairs' from A&E. Lord knows I have been there! That's why I thought yours was a crackin' economically worded but funny post, Elfin. I expect I've ruined it by this bletheringly long explanation of it though. Sorry.
Anyway, back on topic, not just Evans for mechanically daft advice. In our usually very knowledgeable if a bit expensive Big Single Brand Concept Store I was recently advised to buy a whole new headset when I popped in for some new cane creek bearings, because apparently (without seeing the bike, of course) rumbly cartridge headset equals the death of the whole headset. It's not like they didn't have them in stock, just that the lad either didn't know what to go and look for, or wanted to sell me something more expensive...
I'll ask someone else, take the £15 bearings and fit them myself, thanks. 😕
Elfin as a woman I wouldn't expect a bloke to be able to suggest shorts and those with less knowledge should accept that! It's all about being polite and corteous and saying "look we have had lots of woman who like X however it is a very personal choice". We all accept that maybe they don't get paid the best wage, but hey they don't have to serve you being arrogant t***s or patronising. It's basic customer service that they are failing on at a high standard and hence losing customers rapidly. I won't shop there again now ever, even if their prices on the www are the chepeast than anywhere else.
That saddle is shocking, looks like someone has used it and stained it! nice! I won't pay more than £25 for something like that!!
Munqe-chick - Member
Elfin as a woman I wouldn't expect a bloke to be able to suggest shorts
How very sexist of you. If you came into my shop and asked about womens shorts, I'd expect any of the staff to be able to provide you with some advice.
Am I just being too fussy?
Nope. I'd wade in all guns blazing if they ignored me on that.
Beer, you say...?
Mmm....beeeeeeeerrrr......
Sadly not in Essex, no. Well, not sadly for me actually. A mate of mine lives in Basildon ffs.
Ah, well, Basildon is 5mins down the road from me so you can both pop over, help me on my bike and I will ensure you are both well oiled with my vast array of both dark and spiced rums and a bar fridge full of cold beers!!
And if my wife's Jordanesque chum is sunning herself in the garden in her skimpy underwear, then all the better. 😆
Yes, I complained by email to ride2work at Evans, customer services at Evans and copied by my email to Scott Sports (the bike is a Scott), Madison UK (the brakes are Shimano)and my firm's HR team.
The bike was clearly ex demo. The Manager (who has now been moved from Holborn to Waterloo) was surprised when I didn't want to pay the full price. I said if the bike had just come out of a box I would pay full price, otherwise I wanted a discount.
My emails produced a discount of 10% on the bike. A further flurry of emails about subsequent appalling service produced a £50 voucher.
The brake pads still rattle, but I haven't taken it back yet as I am off t'bike for the moment because of my knee operation.
I don't expect all shop staff to be uber-knowledgeable BUT they should just politely say "Sorry madam, I will find out/find someone who knows" not f*cking well patronise me!!
Oh yes, I also complained about the website suggesting they have the goods in stock when actually they do not have the goods in stock. I said it was "Disingenuous at best and downright dishonest at worst" - one of my very favourite phrases.
And if my wife's Jordanesque chum is sunning herself in the garden in her skimpy underwear, then all the better.
(Gets on train to Benfleet)
My 2 Cents...
I went to the Castleford branch to help my brother buy a bike. We're twins and my bike fits him like a glove. He wanted a GT Avalanche (I concurred), so we knew what we were buying; just the sizing to sort.
We walk in, nice staff, no pressure... Until my bro says "I want that bike, but want it in Large" The kid laughs and says he needs an extra large. He tries it (looking like an Umpa-lumpa on a 29er) and he tells the kid it's "not comfortable and feels wrong". another laugh and sneer with "I think I know more about bikes than you..." from the kid.
The boy got a minor (rhetorical) slap from me , in the form of how a bike should be sized and he sold us the large (only after explaining they had excess stock of XL and needed to shift them!) Perfect size and still going strong 4 years later...
(Jumps in the car, headed for Basildon)
And if my wife's Jordanesque chum is sunning herself in the garden in her skimpy underwear, then all the better.
(Gets on train to Benfleet)[b][i]
[/b]
Did I mention she is single and it is her lad that I am helping build his first proper MTB?? 😉
Ben
*IS IN BENFLEET*
Elfin
I wont be home for a wee while but there is an Evans just down the road where there is a spotty teenager waiting to serve you...................
Just to redress the balance a wee bit here, Evans have contacted me today and resolved the saddle issue in a way which gratifies my Scottish Thrift gene.
Perhaps the emails to corporate sales, the managing director and the retail sales director were a bit excessive, but everything was resolved quickly and amicably. Fair play.
back to the op
I'm confused - you built the bike up, but did not have time to adjust the gears.
Why did you not tell him that you just needed extra time to adjust the gears? How long are we talking about? 10 mins max? Did you think that him taking it to a cenral London Evans would be an easier solution than just doing it yourself?
Do you know how to adjust gears?
I'm amazed at how many people on here who "know all" about bikes whine on about the service they get in Evans, If you know better:
A: Buy it online
B: Go in the shop and ask for the item rather than asking advice of some kid then moaning about his shit advice
C: Go somewhere else there are plenty of other shops.
Singlespeed_Shep
Agreed, absolutely, vote with your feet/wallet. BUT I was tied in to Evans via the Ride2Work scheme. Otherwise I would have hot-footed it to a friendly LBS.
Agreed, absolutely, vote with your feet/wallet. BUT I was tied in to Evans via the Ride2Work scheme. Otherwise I would have hot-footed it to a friendly LBS.
I feel for you being tied in, My dad was too.
But I really think considering who much time all of us spend on the net we can do enough of our own research to make an educated purchase.
And also sometimes the crap advice given by the spotty staff at these stores is the best they can at the time, Poor advice and customer service comes when an organisation gets to big to quickly and doesn't invested in the staff that are the first contact of their business.
I'm not defending Evans but staff who are not trained in customer service or aspects of the cycling industry that doesn't interest them, Have you ever asked the lad in a shop wearing baggy jeans and nike 6.0's thats hanging round the jump bikes (sorry for the generalisation) what a compact chainset is? Because I feel its not their fault if they don't know to best way to size a customer for a bike.
BUT there will always be people who don't give a shit and think they no better.
My Evans' experience.
Went to the Evans store next to the appalingly named "Chill Factor-E" at the Trafford Centre. We were looking for a bike for my OH, first bike for her and I'd not ridden in teens of years and was very out of touch.
Picked out a GT on recommendation from a friend ("good frame") and was discussing the purchase with the salesman. My OH is a fuller-figured lady (though not as big as she thinks she is) and asked if the fork would be strong enough for the trail centres and XC riding we were planning on doing. The assistant actually laughed, and said modern bikes were designed to be ridden hard and you could drop this bike off a height the size of the door and it'd be fine.
A month later we were pootling around Witton Park in Blackburn, OH says "my forks aren't working." Seems that they'd compressed and stayed compressed, all the bounce had gone out of them. Not jammed exactly, more like the travel had halved.
Took it back to Evans, post-repair the mechanic said that he'd bodged it (his words) and that it'll be ok for now, but if we carry on riding the way we were they'd be damaged irreparably. To reiterate, this is a girl riding round a bridleway in a country park.
It took till I got home to think "bugger buying new forks, this is a new bike and we specifically asked the question when we bought it." I wrote a letter to the head office explaining the situation, and soliciting comment.
I got back a really terse reply from the branch manager, essentially calling me a liar, and offering me free labour if I buy a new fork off them. I was in the process of composing a shitogram to them when a friend offered us a pair of Rebas for a reasonable price and I just figured, y'know what, screw 'em, they're not worth the time it's going to take me to finish the letter. (Instead, I'll badmouth them on the Internet at every opportunity, that'll learn 'em.)
the crap advice given by the spotty staff at these stores is the best they can at the time
This may be true, but it doesn't exclude them from the Sale Of Goods Act. To wit, if they tell you goods will do what you ask, and then they don't, they're not fit for purpose.
the crap advice given by the spotty staff at these stores is the best they can at the timeThis may be true, but it doesn't exclude them from the Sale Of Goods Act. To wit, if they tell you goods will do what you ask, and then they don't, they're not fit for purpose.
Yes and this is why Evans need to address the situation.
Just to argue the other side, I was very impressed by the service I received, and what I saw other receive, from Evans in Nottingham the other month when I bought my Dew there. The spotty oik there knew his limits and asked for help when he got out of his depth.
That said, I came across a very nice new Cannondale MTB in the bike shed at work today with it's forks on the wrong way round - first thing I did was check it for an Evans sticker, but there wasn't one.
"back to the op
I'm confused - you built the bike up, but did not have time to adjust the gears.
Why did you not tell him that you just needed extra time to adjust the gears? How long are we talking about? 10 mins max? Did you think that him taking it to a cenral London Evans would be an easier solution than just doing it yourself?
Do you know how to adjust gears?" [b][/i]
I am very much still learning but know enough that I have been able to reset a few gears on my wife's bike and my (ex)Cannondale.
I had broken the bike down to sell the frame only but he wanted to whol bike so I had to put it back together.
It was late on a Sunday night after digging a trench all day and had promised my work mate the bike on the Monday morning. I didnt want to dissapoint him hence why I offered to pay to have the gears properly set to ensure he was happy with the bike.
I thought this was a good idea but it turned out not!
Ben
I have been impressed at the level of customer service at central london evans ( and halfords) who have helped me out mid week a couple of times ( for the w/e ride you see).Without their mid week help I would not have ridden at the w/e.
I'm really surprised at that saddle. But to be honest, I'd probably just stick it on the bike and ride, it'll be mucky soon enough being white, no matter how new. I'd take photos and email Evans and bitch and moan as well though, just out of principle!