Evans Cycles

Yep, I don’t think it’s a viable business model.

Nothing about Evans is a viable business model, regardless of the current market.

workshop were unable to service bicycles without the components from Madison.

Yeah. Twigged that the other day when The Cut refused to service my Alfine. No kit. Can you get the kit? Nope.

That's even worse than it appears, I was able to get the kit from provision as they always have plenty of it when I was there.

Consignment basis could work but that's usually not the preferred method as the vendor finances the trader via their own balance sheet...

evans refused to take a £5 gift voucher I had the other week, saying it was just a temporary thing.
anyone know if they're accepting them now?

It’s all in the news, they’re accepting them as of last week.

Does anyone know if Evans price matches with Ribble cycles?

No, we don't.
What you after?
Might be able to sort you out.

^^This is exactly why retail is so fucked. You want all the convenience of going into a bricks'n'mortar store whilst matching the prices of an online retailer.

Not criticising, we all do it. But this is the nub.

all the convenience of going into a bricks'n'mortar store

I'm just going to point out that to me personally, there is barely any convenience left. I am currently looking for a store that stocks cycling shoes so I can try them on (btw, suggestions are welcome, specifically for large feet, UK 13+) - apart from that one thing, I don't know when I last felt like I needed to go to a physical store in the last ~5 years. Online retailers are so well stocked and fast these days that going to a physical store within their working hours feels like more effort now.

Or another example: my cranks failed one nice morning. Locked up my bike, got to work the old-fashioned way, went on Amazon, ordered new cranks, received them the next day. Sure, by going to a store I could have potentially bought new cranks the same day, but the risk that they don't have in store what I need and I just end up wasting time is too high.

Does anyone know if Evans price matches with Ribble cycles?

The number of the online store to Price Match has been drastically reduced, and those not on the list need to be local enough to qualify at the discretion of the store (says Lakeside can only accept Price Match if it within a 30 miles radius).

1 Attachment

Took time, but..

1 Attachment

Not angry, just disappointed

Apparently they had 3000 requests to get through soo I'm not surprised it's take this long

How do i find out the value of my card voucher?

That's easy, your card voucher became invalid at the end of October ;)

Come see me, Notting Hill, I'll have a check for you.

Awesome can we do nextweek?

Wont be in till Thursday or Friday. But sure.

Online shopping is getting too good; ordered a T5 torx screwdriver to open up a Garmin Edge 500 from RS Components for £2.70+VAT with free shipping at about 8pm on Tuesday night.
It was delivered at 8am Wednesday morning by Parcelforce.

I had a crc order that quick on their 3-5 day free service recently. Bonkers.

To a small workshop owner, this debate has been very interesting. My shop is busy pretty much all the time as we focus on fast, affordable repairs and other tangible 'bricks and mortar' products. This pays the rent, keeps customers coming in the door, but it does not seem particularly scalable. Save adding more mechanics and trying to take a greater market share, how would you break out of this? And where would you break to?

P.s We don't want to be a workshop for rich people. Inclusivity is key.

Inclusivity is key

This.gif

There's an article on Bikebiz revolving around indy shops that's worth a read.

Keep providing great service and yeah, your customers will be YOUR customers and if they want a bike they're more likely to return to you due to the positive experience they had.

No one sells products anymore, you've gotta give them a reason to return hence you're selling an experience, not a physical actual bike/part.

Our local shop fits stuff from online shops . Infact you can get it sent direct to them . Has a dhl drop spot click and collect for anyone local . Services the schools bikes that they now use for PE plus scouts brownies . Even a few bits of garden equipment and ladders.