MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Right, so i'm in the market for some waterproof trousers.
I did my research and wanted to have a look at some in real life. Checked on various websites including the manufacturers. Saw that Evans Cycles were a Stockist... Key word being "Stockist".
Had to pop to the office in Cardiff today, went to their cardiff store. They had 1 pair of waterproof trousers in store and they were £94.99. Not a single other pair of trousers in store.
So i tweeted evans to voice my disappointment. Now i understand that the weather has been rubbish and stock may be low, but they guy in the store said they didn't stock any other trousers. Oh and bearing in mind its wales, it always rains (i have heard it does stop now and then). Their answer was as follows:
A: the weather
B: use click and collect to buy several pairs to get them to store. you can get the ones refunded you don't want?
my point being If i was to like 2 pairs of trousers and wanted to try on the large and XL, assuming each was £60 thats £240 outlay just to try them on?
but don't worry its refundable!
(assuming you have £240 to lay out)
Disappointed to say the least...
get a credit card.
Try being a woman as it's even more frustrating!
[i]Are my expectations to high[/i]
[i]Disappointed to say the least... [/i]
Me to.
me free
Sorry, if you expect any shop to have a variety of stock because the supplier lists them as a stockist, your expectations are naive and unrealistic.
The mfr website is not a real time stock listing for the shop.
Collect+ is your friend assuming there isn't local proper stockist.
Saves messing about with the above.
Can't remember the last time I went into Evans to buy something, and somebody managed to serve me before i walked out.
Consistently, dependably, thoroughly awful.
Edit: Not relevant to OP. Feel better now though.
i'm disappointed i read this thread.
When i bought my bike from them one item was not delivered. It arrived after 6 weeks and lots of chasing.
I did get an appology and 3 seperate promises of a money off voucher as compensation for them being rubbish - still waiting for the voucher guys.
Just because they are big doesn't mean they are good!
Try being a woman as it's even more frustrating!
I did.
It is.
😐
Evans are pretty rubbish but did you really think they'd carry every item that the brands they carry make?
Bit confused OP, so you were online and saw Evans were a stockist but you didnt then go onto their site and see what instore or warehouse stock options they had?
I've just bought some 3/4 bibs from Evans, went into the shop (its on my way home) and they only had one pair. Staff member was very helpful and told me to order as many pairs as I liked, try them on and bring back the ones that didnt fit or all of them if I wanted. So I did, 7 pairs on a credit card, kept one, took the other 6 back and the money went straight back on my card, whole process took 72 hours?
I know lots of people have had bad experiences at Evans but in this respect they are great (IMO).
I work for Evans so obviously bit biased but the fact that you can check the stock levels of any item on the website does mean you can avoid this type of frustration. No store can stock everything on the website and a very wet winter has meant both shops and suppliers will be low on stock, bit annoying for everyone but five mins on the website would have saved you the trip.
I wouldn't trust a supplier's website to be accurate about which shops have what. I still get calls from people who think I'm a Dahon dealer, and I haven't stocked them for a decade.
to clarify i knew that Evans were a stockist, I don't expect them to stock every line in every size.
But as a retail shop you would expect them to keep an assortment, even if its just to physically see what you want?
If i go to Marks and Spencers to buy a shirt, chances are as a retail unit they will have it? if not i don't have to buy 4 of them to try them on?
In these circumstances I use paypal and set the pay date to 14 days time, this way no money is taken from my account and they are tried on and returned if not needed.
I don't expect them to stock every line in every size.
Just the ones you want to buy?
I dont think its a fair comparison. You were looking for an item that is in high demand this time of year and is probably in especially high demand this winter given the conditions. Im guessing most bike shops that are part of a chain try and stock a range of products but unless they have a shop big enough will be limited to what they can stock.
You have the option to buy a whole heap of them, try them on at your leisure and take them back so dont really see what the issue is whether it's Evans or any other bike shop?
its more the assumption that people have x amount of money to buy several pairs just to try them on?
id have been happy to view a pair and then order if necessary, and surely any retailer would be looking to maintain or top up stock levels of product lines that are selling well or excuse the pun but forecasting sales.
You dont have a credit card?
No, if i have the money i can buy things. if not i don't or i save for it.
I have the same mentality, but this is a perfect example of where a credit card is useful.
If i wasn't facing a £700 bill on friday to finish my new toy i probably wouldn't be moaning to much its more the principal.
If i wanted to buy different sizes i wouldn't click and collect i'd just order to home and return what i didn't want.
But retail shops should be just that, where you can go and see things...
P.S. a c/c would come in handy for my work petrol as well but i just don't want one.
You could have called them beforehand to save a wasted trip. I think your expectations are a little off. Especially given the weather and the chance that people may well have been buying waterproof trousers recently.
- YesAre my expectations to high?
1, Its monday morning, the busiest time of the week is the weekend, They could have sold out over the weekend, suppliers don't open let alone ship over a weekend so no chance of stocking up on them.
2, Its niche item. sorry but waterproof trousers aren't a high turnover item (like bib-shorts/high-vis jackets) so doesn't make sense to stock large quantities or prioritize floor space over other items that are.
3, Its been belting it down.
4, why didn't you check Evans website or call the shop.
5, google earth their warehouse. imagine that on Cardiff High Street
IMHO you'd have got the same experience just walking into any altura or endura stockist without checking first.
I dont really see the issue? I guess I am lucky as I go to the main warehouse store (Gatwick) and they have everything. I hae nothing but good things to say about that branch!!
Paul
Well taken from their website and in particular the Cardiff Store
" We are specialists in cycling,[b] stocking a vast range of cycling clothing[/b], accessories, tools and parts – offering something for the enthusiast and beginner alike"
Must be old fashioned to actually expect to see more than 1 pair of waterproof trousers...
Must be old fashioned to actually expect to see more than 1 pair of waterproof trousers...
Waterproof trousers are a really low turnover product in a bike shop and can't imagine anyone making them a priority in their product lineup.
I can see the OP's point, the issue being a massive outlay to order things in. The solution should be the same as Evans use for ordering bikes in, you should be able to order in say up to 4 items and put down a £50 (refundable deposit) to show a commitment to coming back to see the products once they have them in from their warehouse and choose to take as many you ant settling the price difference between the £50 and the price or just have the £50 refunded
It is unrealistic to expect a store to have what you need though, even m'n's won't have all the products they stock in each store and not in all sizes
Customer: Do you have a water pump for my 04 plate Clio?
Motor Spares Shop: Yes, it's at our main warehouse as we can't keep stock in the local store. You can click and collect. We'd advise you order both variants they fitted that year.
Customer: What do I do with the pump I don't need?
MSS: We'll refund you after you compare it to the unit fitted.
Customer: Great!
Except the bike industry has more spares, parts and options than the motor trade. Trying to keep one example of everything in each store will result in bankruptcy.
So why bother stocking anything at all? why have a retail premises (in Evans case multiple with more buying power than most i'd suspect).
Also if M&S don't have it they get it for you and i don't have to pay for 4 of them?
He has a point. A motor factor doesn't say that he has everything in stock. That level of advertising suggests something more than one pair. We are dealing with a major chain here, not some one man band fighting the mail order giants.
Its piss poor.
Ordering a lot then sending them back. How very 21st century, how bloody awful.
Having said that Evans have never given me the impression that customer service rates highly. To a man their staff have been useless knowing nothing worthwhile. I have to assume that everyone I met wasn't on his fist day of the job. They just don't know their job.
Maybe some one does but I have yet to meet one.
OP, Evans don't stock the same mix or volume of products in the 50+ stores of varying size, location and product bias. Maybe your expectations aren't too high as it's a big business and the online stock list is huge, but your appreciation of the logistics etc of a business like that is off. Shipping loads of stuff in and out of stores, back to the warehouse etc costs and that has to be paid for somewhere. It's something they do but you can understand why doing it too much or without any customer commitment is just another thing that stops a business being competitive on price.
In these days of smartphone apps and mobile websites it's still good to talk )
..Must be old fashioned
It is, get a credit card and pay it off each month in full. No different to buying in cash but far more convenient in this situation.
The world has changed and companies have changed the way do business.
The comparisons with M&S are pointless, they are totally different businesses with totally different business models and practices. That's just the way it is.
Surely one of the main benefits of them having a click and collect website is that you can check online to see what products are in stock and therefore save yourself a wasted journey .
mattsccm - Member
He has a point. A motor factor doesn't say that he has everything in stock. That level of advertising suggests something more than one pair. We are dealing with a major chain here, not some one man band fighting the mail order giants.
Its piss poor.
Evans didn't say nor advertise that they had everything in stock. A supplier said Evans was a stockist.
Is reading really that difficult?
Yes reading is that hard when they say they stock a VAST array of clothing instore ! I had not decided on which ones i wanted. I wanted to try some on and maybe take advice from their "Knowledgable staff"
Anyway, I've ordered a couple of pairs from CRC and through paypal which gives me 14 days before i even have to pay for the ones i want to keep.
No one should be told to get a credit card if they don't want one.
No one should be told to get a credit card if they don't want one.
You mightn't want a cc but that's exactly what you've used paypal for....
except I'm not paying interest and can't spend anything extra on it?
You don't on a cc if you pay it off at the first asking (usually 30 days after, not 14) and you can set a credit limit.
Next?
maybe take advice from their "Knowledgable staff"
IMHO from what you describe the member was knowledgeable in telling you they didn't have anymore in stock and so was who looks after their twitter in telling you how to solve your problem.
Yes reading is that hard when they say they stock a VAST array of clothing instore
I would have more sympathy for you if it was a more mainstream item. But waterproof trousers just aren't a high priority in terms of cycle clothing. the fact they had a pair in shows its a product they stock, just not at the specific time you went in. I wish I could go shopping all the time and find everything in stock.
Anyway wouldn't Waders be better in this weather for living under a bridge?
Yes reading is that hard when they say they stock a VAST array of clothing instore
If they meant that they had loads of different waterproof trousers in the store I believe the correct terminology would have been : 'An ENORMOUS array of clothing instore'
HTH
my opinion of twitter users is clearly not wrong
I would have more sympathy for you if it was a more mainstream item. But waterproof trousers just aren't a high priority in terms of cycle clothing.
i'm not looking for sympathy, it was purely a RANT as per the title. also Sorry for wanting to stay dry when i cycle. Obviously some of us are not as hardcore as others.
Anyway wouldn't Waders be better in this weather for living under a bridge?
Not sure what your implying by this.
'An ENORMOUS array of clothing instore'
Well they quoted VAST? but I'm sure 1 pair is not VAST but maybe not Enormous?
its tricky expecting a retailer to stock every product in every size in store
yesterday I went into a Specialized Concept Store to buy some winter tights for road cycling
found some big gaps in their stock levels - could not get a popular "roubaix" winter tight in medium, because Evans and Cycle Surgery bought out Specialized UK's stock on the first "drop" that landed, and smaller retailers (including many of these concept stores) were left without stock...
funny business, the bike industry! and I work in it...
Evans in Cardiff are dissappointing
I called in a fortnight ago to pick up a pack of shimano sis gear cables - none in stock. I'd have thought they would be a staple for any bike shop to keep in stock. To make sure the next time I went there I checked on their website that the cassette I wanted was in stock...it was..it said they had two...so I walked across cardiff in the rain...only to be told they couldn't find any in the shop.
FFS
I got shimano cables from Clas Ohlson, chain reaction delivered me a cassette 2 days later for £9 less than the ones Evans didn't have.
lesson learned.
I work for Evans and to be fair my shop carries 3 types of waterproof pants. Now the problem is each shop is given a rating for what everything from tools to clothes. This rating from abcd will effect what stock they carry an what brands they stock.
But in 2 years working at my store I don't think I have ever sold a set of waterproof pants they just don't sell that we'll.
With regards to the gear cable most shops only get stock replenishment once a week so you may of called in before they received that which is unfortunate but its not viable to deliver replenishment everyday.
Also paying for the item to be delivered can be a pain but there is a cost in transporting the goods and if you order 10 and take one there is 9 items left to be returned to the wearhouse where shipping docs have to be created by the store re packaged and sent off. Now I know it's not ideal but what else can Evans do? It's like I had a guy order in a £6k super six just to size himself up that could of got damaged on the way and he had no intention of buying it. It's all swings and round snouts
No one should be told to get a credit card if they don't want one.
Why not ?
Your "problem" would be solved instantly if you had one.
If you don't want people to solve your "problems" for you online, then tell everyone what your having problems with.
Always slagged Evans off, but after some recent dealings with Evans in liverpool my opinion has changed. Decent lads who all ride and have gone above and beyond even when not required. Ok the bikes they stock aren't really my cup of tea (lots of 29ers and Specialized, but no Mavericks ) 😀 but I can't fault the staff.
I'll be using them more often.
OK so i appreciate the logistics and runnings of a shop.
I don't have a problem with Evans or any other store for that matter. I obviously underestimated the demand for people wishing to stay dry below the knee line.
I have sympathy for the OP and lets face it, Evans are one of the worst shops for bikes I've ever frequented. The idiot who sold me my Trek Fuel EX9 was a perfect example of how not to sell a bike. (Saying that I find I usually want to strangle the assistants at leisurelakes...)
What Evans should have said was "Sorry, not in stock but we'll order down a few sizes, call you when they're in and you can come and try then buy the ones you want." You shouldn't have to slap a wodge on *your* credit/debit card for them to get your business.
i'm with the OP - it's pis* poor to be expected to buy 4 pairs of items just try them on, i mean wtf?
it seems people are of a split opinion on this one.
I can see both sides, i guess my main "Beef" when i look back on it is the expectation for me to have to buy 4 pairs of trousers and front up the money to do so! regardless of whether it would be refunded or not.
As for the Credit Card debate, its a personal thing. Been there, done that, had my fingers burnt as a youngster and still not wanting to get another one.
You dont have to buy them all up front though, if money is that much of an issue buy the one you like the look of best, in what you think will be the right size. If it turns out to be hideous/the wrong size, take it back for exchange for other style/size. Not hard is it? It's not like they make you buy every size and style!
What Evans should have said was "Sorry, not in stock but we'll order down a few sizes, call you when they're in and you can come and try then buy the ones you want." You shouldn't have to slap a wodge on *your* credit/debit card for them to get your business.
Sorry, completely disagree with you on this one, the problem here is people are out of touch with what large companies have needed to do to stay afloat during the downturn. This large company has a vast array of obscure products kept at the warehouse, and a sensible selection in store - do you really expect them to shift stock around the country at a financial loss on a whim? They'd go under in no time. Can you do the same with the internet only giants?
Yes, the OP's expectations are unrealistic, It's just not the nice fluffy world we live in anymore.
think your missing the point Tom. I want them for the weekend, i do not have time to order and send back, order and send back. Also i wouldn't bother going to a shop to do so... My expectations of a shop are to hold stock of stuff for people to see and try on.
I want them for the weekend
You could have been better prepared then ?
Also i wouldn't bother going to a shop to do so... My expectations of a shop are to hold stock of stuff for people to see and try on.
Try and find any bike shop that has multiple different types of waterproof cycling trousers available in a range of sizes ?
Having trouble finding one ?
Thought so 😉
They have a range of stuff available in a range of sizes.
They just don't stock stuff that not many people buy. It wouldn't make any sense to do so.
If a shop doesnt stock stuff and has to 'order it in', it then has to have some value add over and above just ordering it on the internet. If theres no value add, people will just order online.
Note to self must remind my rational mind to kick out one of its 2 million thoughts quicker so as not to inconvenience a retailer!