I haven't set foot in a running store in at least 5 years

Do you want a prize.

I see. So which town do you reside in?

I prefer this logic to the OP's.

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/specialty-running-stores-sell-more-than-just-shoes

I went in one to pick up my number before some race, but I don't like small businesses so no way would I do it otherwise. It's pretty easy to figure out what shoes and clothes you want and Amazon will have them on my doorstep before I would think of going out for them. I don't have to drive from shop to shop if somebody doesn't have something I want. I go to Academy Sports once in a while but usually not for running stuff.

The problem isn't the running store itself, or the concept. The problem is salespeople.

Salespeople, prior to the internet, had the advantage of a disparity between (1) what information was available to the salesperson and (2) what information was available to the customer. However, this disparity no longer exists. Therefore, the sole function of a salesperson is now to talk you into spending as much as you possibly can.

Salespeople used to enjoy the esteem of being "experts," but this is no longer the case. As a result, when you assert your right to make an independent, educated decision, they get angry because it exposes the fact that they are useless.

Brick and mortar stores are no more than showrooms for items that are sold online. Their employees should accept this fact and either (1) seek alternate employment or (2) find a way to offer a service that customers actually want.

Old D2 Guy wrote:

I prefer this logic to the OP's.

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/specialty-running-stores-sell-more-than-just-shoes

Reality is somewhere in between. My local store is pretty good. I went in the other day at lunch to buy a new pair of shoes. I knew what I wanted. They didn't have them in stock. Salesperson offered to order the shoes for me to come and pick up later???? I drove back to my office and ordered the shoes for 50% off the store's price and got free 2 day shipping.

Based on that you may wonder why I say they're "pretty good." Well, most of the staff are pleasant. If you come in the door with no particular shoe in mind they'll take the time to fit you properly. They'll point out stuff that's on sale. They'll ask about upcoming races. i.e. engage in runner small talk. :-)

Bottom line. YMMV.

Are your local people that sales-y? The ones at my local store are all collegiate and ex-collegiate runners and they're basically just working there to hang out and talk running. When I go in for a pair of shoes I usually know what I want, and they might make some other suggestions, but it's basically no pressure at all. They're willing to match most online prices, so if they have what I want I'll support 'em as much as possible.

I totally don't get the person who said "I don't like small businesses." That's just a ridiculous statement. Or the mindset of a socialist. Either way, insanity.

That kinda sucks for people that don't live by a running store that adds to the community. My local store is awesome and provides a wonderful community for runners of all levels. I bought my first pair of shoes as a middle school runner and my local store provided Free Cross Country and Track Meets that the school would not provide. In high school the store paid for my team pasta parties before all of our big meets. When I went to College the same store provided me and 5 other local runners with $2500 scholarships. Although it didn't effect me I enjoy cheering on the professional runners that the store supports, it made the Olympics much more,fun. They have my business for life.

lrs wrote:

I totally don't get the person who said "I don't like small businesses." That's just a ridiculous statement. Or the mindset of a socialist. Either way, insanity.

I'm not a socialist at all, they make me uncomfortable. I'd rather find what I want and take it to the counter than talk to salespeople.

not for me wrote:

lrs wrote:

I totally don't get the person who said "I don't like small businesses." That's just a ridiculous statement. Or the mindset of a socialist. Either way, insanity.

I'm not a socialist at all, they make me uncomfortable. I'd rather find what I want and take it to the counter than talk to salespeople.

So the problem isn't the small business. The problem is that you are anti-social.

I get it. This is a reflection of society today, where it is assumed that any stranger who talks to you wants something and isn't actually interested in talking to you (i.e., the stereotypical salesperson).

Not all salespeople are bad. Some want to help, and genuinely have your best interests in mind. Unfortunately, many employers don't keep this type of salesperson around if they do not also meet objective metrics.

In other words, relationships with customers do not matter anymore. You used to know the clerks and checkers at your local grocery store. Now this is no longer the case.

Psycho-logist wrote:

not for me wrote:

I'm not a socialist at all, they make me uncomfortable. I'd rather find what I want and take it to the counter than talk to salespeople.

So the problem isn't the small business. The problem is that you are anti-social.

I get it. This is a reflection of society today, where it is assumed that any stranger who talks to you wants something and isn't actually interested in talking to you (i.e., the stereotypical salesperson).

Not all salespeople are bad. Some want to help, and genuinely have your best interests in mind. Unfortunately, many employers don't keep this type of salesperson around if they do not also meet objective metrics.

In other words, relationships with customers do not matter anymore. You used to know the clerks and checkers at your local grocery store. Now this is no longer the case.

I'm not antisocial at all. I don't think salespeople are bad, but they aren't working in the store to be my friend, but as you said, to make their quota. I don't need their recommendations to get running gear that I want.

Glad I live in a city with an established store. Track Shack is a great store with nice involvement in the community. They don't have a huge selection of shoes, but will order anything you want. Their prices, delivery time, and return policies are the same as most of the online stores so it isn't advantageous for me to get most things online.

Here is the deal on running stores. They sell at retail price. This is more expensive than you can buy at from runningwarehouse or other sites and keeps the price of running shoes, clothes, and gears artificially inflated. When things go on sale, they are still more expensive than online. Even if something is brand new, just came out, buying it online means no salestax so its still 4.5% cheaper to buy online in my state.Running stores cater to beginners. They offer 4-6 mile runs and track workouts at 7 minute pace from their stores (at least in my location). If there are always so many beginners coming into the store, the store has failed in its mission to get the local community interested in running. Would you buy a car from a dealership with a salesperson who said most owners only drive their car 5 or 6 miles a day and some days don't drive at all, and we have no idea how it would hold up after 2 months if say your commute were 15 miles?Some running stores sponsor races or even put them on, but most of these races don't offer a prize purse. If the store is successful, why aren't races it takes part in trying to attract the best runners?The only good thing I see about running stores is that some people who work at them will chat with you about running. I'd be willing to shop at a running store (and waste money paying more than I should) that financially sponsors local sub elites, but instead of doing that mine offers a discount to brand ambassadors that could be any fat guy off the street who wears clothing with the store's logo.

ya, runners world will def help you become a top runner /s

now most people know more than salespeople, or at least I do in regards to running shoes that work for me. If I'm buying from a running store, I just want the person to shut up and bring the shoes out.

the ones at my local store are hobbyjoggers. Some were competitive runners back in the day or competitive ultra runners. But it seems that to the owner, a 4 hour marathon is no better than a 230 in regards to who should be working there. I wouldn't want a 4 hour guy selling running products. Its clear he's not fit, knows little about running, and his advice may get you injured or out of shape.

I get my running shoes from Costco.

Just a matter of personal choice. Some of us like to support bricks and Mordor running stores.

https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=6075212

I turn off my ad blocker when I visit the running store's website to get info on upcoming races.

Lack of inventory and high prices keep me from going to them.

I'm not going to drive over there, find out they don't have my size, have them order it for me, wait for them to call me to say it's in stock, drive back over and try them on to see if I like them, and if they aren't right for me, repeat the process again. All while paying $30 more than I can get them for online and have them at my doorstep in two days max, with free returns.

Sometimes I'm willing to pay a premium if I need something that day and the store has it in stock but this is never the case with running stores.

Psycho-logist wrote:

The problem isn't the running store itself, or the concept. The problem is salespeople.

Salespeople, prior to the internet, had the advantage of a disparity between (1) what information was available to the salesperson and (2) what information was available to the customer. However, this disparity no longer exists. Therefore, the sole function of a salesperson is now to talk you into spending as much as you possibly can.

Salespeople used to enjoy the esteem of being "experts," but this is no longer the case. As a result, when you assert your right to make an independent, educated decision, they get angry because it exposes the fact that they are useless.

Brick and mortar stores are no more than showrooms for items that are sold online. Their employees should accept this fact and either (1) seek alternate employment or (2) find a way to offer a service that customers actually want.

You couldn't be more wrong. While not all salespeople are the experts they should be when working in a running store, the service they provide is infinitely more valuable than any information you can find on the internet or in a running magazine shoe review.

First of all, no online or print source can actually watch you run and determine what sort of support you need based on your biomechanics and other factors. Secondly, I've yet to read any print review that was completely accurate. I don't know who the heck tests the shoes for these media outlets, but they can never seem to accurately report width, cushion, traction or any other aspect of a shoe beyond its color. When you actually get it on your foot, it's always different than what was reported.

Look, I don't shop in running stores either. I've been at this game for 35 years and I know what works for me and what doesn't. But for beginning and casual runners (hobby joggers, I guess), running specialty shops are invaluable.

And about the only time you're going to get a snotty attitude from a "shoe guy' is when some clown walks in with his RW magazine or internet printouts that include all the "research" he's done. Trying to deal with that nonsense just wastes everyone's time.

Every time I go into True Runner in St.Louis the salesman knows nothing about the shoes. They never know the drop or durometer.