Bike Shops.

Originally Posted by G

Yeah, I am desperate. I need a new helmet and was supposed to be going out on the bike for two days on the 29th/30th.

I'm more shocked that retail shops are shut for that long in general when you would think they were after money.

I guess my ride is off as I dont fancy buying one online.

Just interested, but why don't you fancy buying online?

I wernt th HG in Reading today I thought they were a great little shop, very friendly, informative etc. I almost bought a helmet an arai viper gt banda in black and white for £430 I didnt as to spend that kind of money without comparing prices elsewhere goes against my grain and Im glad I didnt because I can buy the same helmet delivered to my door for £320.00. Sorry but that is just too much difference in price.

[JediGoat]

Well, as the owner (and only employee) one of the bike shops that is shut until the 2nd, let me tell you the reasoning behind my decision.

My shop is open (with me working in it) 5 days a week (it was 6 days a week for the past 3.5 years, but I just changed my opening hours). In addition to the hours spent in the shop I have all the other crap that comes with running a business to do. I have also just started a second job that means I'll be working the two days my shop is closed, as well as every weekday evening (I'd do weekends too, but have yet to work out how to be in two places at once).

I've not had seven days off (in a row) for over 3.5 years (the most I've had until this Christmas is 4 days, once). I've tried opening between Christmas and New Year, and I can honestly say it did not cover the petrol cost of getting to work, let alone the additional electricity.

However, having said all of that, and having spent the last 2 days doing paperwork all day long, I'll most likely be in my shop Tue-Thu this week doing the paperwork there instead of at home. The reason? At home, I have no income, at the shop, I might get a customer, and that might pay another bill.

It might sound harsh, and I honestly don't mean it to come across that way, but the people who own these shops (generally companies owned by one or two people) would kind of like a life too, even if that is just sitting at home doing paperwork.

Jo

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by disco

I wernt th HG in Reading today I thought they were a great little shop, very friendly, informative etc. I almost bought a helmet an arai viper gt banda in black and white for £430 I didnt as to spend that kind of money without comparing prices elsewhere goes against my grain and Im glad I didnt because I can buy the same helmet delivered to my door for £320.00. Sorry but that is just too much difference in price.

Did you give them the option to match that price? Or were you just happy with how 'great', 'friendly' and 'informative' they were? I'm guessing the web seller did not invite you round to try the helmet on there?

I understand it's a big difference, but that shop is not a fitting room for the internet. One day folks will understand that the service they are so happy about, and go on forums to praise, is the thing that will eventually die away when high street retailers can't compete with a bloke with a shed.

I'm not saying pay more, I'm just suggesting that you consider that the shop is not a charity, and without asking them to match the price you put them nearer to closure.

the shop i buy my helmets from gives me a cuppa while im there for a regular hour long stop, dont get that from the guy selling out of his shed! well from that guy i normally buy all my gear and my tyres from there and stop by whenever im near by. so a friendly service in the shop helps sell your stuff just the price trying to match the internet sells is hard.

And my night job I work for city link in the central sorting hub remembering my first cbt and seeing how we deal with the parcels I would never buy a helmet online (im a loader/unloader not sorter so im not throwing your parcels across the building, I only drop them off a forklift).

[G]

Originally Posted by paiste

Just interested, but why don't you fancy buying online?

Mainly because I have never tried on two helmets that have felt the same, even when they are the same size and model. So I like to try them and be sure I'm comfortable in the exact one I'm buying.

I don't buy much off the Internet generally unless I can pick it up myself personally anyway.

Originally Posted by G

Mainly because I have never tried on two helmets that have felt the same, even when they are the same size and model. So I like to try them and be sure I'm comfortable in the exact one I'm buying.

I don't buy much off the Internet generally unless I can pick it up myself personally anyway.

understandable where lids are concerned i'll buy anything else but them online just can't be sure of sizing till you've actually got it on your noggin.

Originally Posted by G

Mainly because I have never tried on two helmets that have felt the same, even when they are the same size and model. So I like to try them and be sure I'm comfortable in the exact one I'm buying.

I don't buy much off the Internet generally unless I can pick it up myself personally anyway.

Fair enough, that makes sense.
I was always against buying off the internet incase they got damaged in the post, until someone asked me how I thought they got to the shop!?

Originally Posted by G

Mainly because I have never tried on two helmets that have felt the same, even when they are the same size and model. So I like to try them and be sure I'm comfortable in the exact one I'm buying.
.

Maybe you should buy a good helmet next time G?

All my Shoei helmets have been the same size

Bikersworld in Daventry was closed yesterday too. Can't say's as I blame them TBH.

Paiste that was going to be my point exactly.

Petevtwin650 All of the arai vipers Ive tried on have felt exactly the same. though other helmet manufacturers may be different

ShopAddict I dont think that HG is a charity I went to the shop to buy a helmet and NOT just to try it on as you suggest, when I asked the shop assistant if he could offer a special xmas price I also told him that I would be looking to buy a battery charger, we had also spoken that I would need other items of clothing to go with the bike he said that was the best price he could do. I still ended up spending £40 on the battery charger and would not hesitate to spend more money in his shop again. What I will not do is pay £110 over the top on a single item because he has a premises where I can try the item on, he also has the option to have an Internet shop like everyone else, he also as part of a chain of stores may possibly have greater buying power than the "Man in the shed" (all hyperthetical).

I hope that your comments about you dropping palletts of helmets wasnt true.

Happy New Year