Hein gericke

[ogden]

The rumours elsewhere now seem to be about cashflow problems and unpaid suppliers, and the 30% deal being rapidly followed by the "buy two get one free" offer does rather look like there's a concerted effort to turn stock into cash as quickly as possible.

I really wish I was in the market for a truckload of bike kit right now. Not least because I like HG and I buy into the whole support-your-local-shop thing.

Nah mate. We had the posters for the February "Buy 2" offer printed mid January. They postponed the start of the offer because of the success with the 30% deal. The new year saw some price increases which have countered the 30% off meaning margin wasn't affected.
As I've already stated there has been some cash flow problems but for very specific reasons.
It really is a shame people have nothing better to do than gossip and jump to conclusions. ALL businesses are suffering at the moment due to the continued "panic" about the recession. The current economic crisis means that people sit at home using computers to trawl through websites trying to see who is out bidding who and where to go for the best deal. Get off your arses and enjoy some good old fashioned customer service right on your high street. The HG shops will always give you a better deal than their website!

I'm glad they're not going under, as I said previously I buy all my gear from them. However, it's fair to point out issues people have been having with them, in case there was a problem. I find it funny that people think its gossip, I mean yeah I get my rocks off gossiping about a bike store!? Lol.

I've never had an issue with them before, so their customer service at the moment is definitely not up to their usual standard, so yes that gave me pause.

[ogden]

Originally Posted by Amanda

Nah mate. We had the posters for the February "Buy 2" offer printed mid January. They postponed the start of the offer because of the success with the 30% deal. The new year saw some price increases which have countered the 30% off meaning margin wasn't affected.

That doesn't disprove anything, it just suggests it's been a long time coming.

Originally Posted by Amanda

The current economic crisis means that people sit at home using computers to trawl through websites trying to see who is out bidding who and where to go for the best deal. Get off your arses and enjoy some good old fashioned customer service right on your high street. The HG shops will always give you a better deal than their website!

On the contrary, I've been doing my best to prop up the economy with a spend, spend, spend approach. As I said up there ^^^ I'm more than happy to use my local shop - if you don't use it, you lose it - but I simply don't need any bike kit at the moment. If HG, Arai, Alpinestars and Daytona made stuff that fell apart a bit faster I might need to go shopping more often! Even 30% off isn't going to tempt me into spending five hundred notes on kit I don't need.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by Amanda

Get off your arses and enjoy some good old fashioned customer service right on your high street.

I enjoyed some very good customer service from the HG Slough branch today. Decided to buy the disc lock I've been promising myself for ages and after choosing the one I wanted the manager suggested I go outside and try it to make sure it fitted. It didn't! He then helped me choose again, made sure the price was no different, and I was a happy bunny. Top marks!!

[Bri w]

I like HG stuff, and their staff. Hope they don't go bump... I'll be doing my bit next week with new helmet, leathers, w/proof o/suit and maybe gloves.

Originally Posted by ogden

If Alpinestars made stuff that fell apart a bit faster I might need to go shopping more often!

<predictable mode>

They do.

[ogden]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

<predictable mode>

They do.

Heh. I've only got Alpinestars gloves, and they're fine.

[TheRamJam]

I can't fault my local HG Glasgow store at all. I bought my HG Journey Suit back in 2009 with sound advice from the kind folk that work there. I have to say its not put a foot wrong, its still in one piece, its still waterproof, and all fasteners and zips are intact. I also bought a pair of Alpine Stars 365 gloves. Again 3 years on and they still look great, still waterproof.

Last November I bought a Dianese leather 2 piece suit from them. Again the staff were very helful in helping me choose. I even sat on one of the staff members bikes to try out the positon and size, it was an SV

Although after trying out the leathers in the real world on my own bike I realised the bottoms were really tight. I took them back to the shop to see if they had the next size up. Unfortunately the didn't have any in stock but they kindly checked there stock and they had a set in one of there German stores. 2 weeks later i had my new leathers and they feel a lot better. I didn't have to pay an extra charges for delivery.

Its my go to store if I need anything or if am just looking as they do carry a good amount of stock. I regulary stop in even if its just a blether with Andy or Gary. I will also be there this coming Thurday to see Guy Martin

[MrMessy]

This info is direct from Hein Gericke UK Head Office:- They have had a change of management plus a problem with a supplier which as meant a delay in getting some of this seasons stock. It should be with them by the end of March. The offers they have been running have generated better than expected sales which coupled with the above as caused problems. The are putting things in place to deal with this including taking on extra staff for the telephone/web sales. I have been assured they are financially sound. I personally have recently bought items from their e-bay site and have prompt service and delivery. Do visit your local store and discuss your problem with them. Hope this helps