Make sure you take the time to get the proper fit , using the socks that you usally wear, before you steal them . Many running injuries are not because of force impact, but because of the rotational force required when you pronate.Sometimes when I need a pair of high quality cool max socks , I go down to the store , "use" a pair of sample socks , try on some shoes, then say "I don't want to buy" , leave the good coolmax socks on , then leave. My old ratty socks stay in there sock bin.
Well ArizonaRunner, you got a lot of advice;
As a runner, you must need something at that store. Try the shoes on, and buy a pair of shorts. Everyone wins.
I can look at this situation from a consumer, and retailer. I used to manage a small store, and it was always shitty when some ass would come in and try a bunch of stuff on, pull the "can you hold these" and never come back. I am not sure how many of these people purchased online, but im sure it happened. Here are a few things though...1st..we always gave a 10% discount anyways to just about anyone, which brought in a lot of business. This almost matched any price road runner could offer. Plus, you are dealing with people, so if there is a problem, you know who helped you and who to talk to. To many people treat specialty shops like their own little try on closet. I had a nasty bitch one time try to return a black sports bra after she got white deoderant all over it...all greasy and stuff. She couldnt believe I wouldnt take it back. I mean...would you buy some slacks w/ some guys ball powder on it? Then people will say "well, ill try these shoes, and if they dont work ill just bring them back" ...that is never a problem..but people who go through 3 pairs in 2 weeks...its not the shoe...you are getting old and probably suck at running. So I really think that going in and wasting someones time/money like that is really a jackass thing to do, having worked at a place like that. so much time goes into each customer (some way more then others), that you might as well just come in and try on shoes w/o recieving help, then buy them online...that is much better then having them analyze you and give you advice.
Running shoes are pricey, and now that i know how cheap you can get them (employee purchase programs..etc) there is no way in hell im paying 90 bucks for my shoes. I still get hooked up at the old store, but if i didn't...I'd buy shoes a lot less often. So i can see consumers wanting to get the best price..but don't be an ass and waste peoples time.
Well guess what everyone, I never did it and I never will, because to begin with i thought it was wrong, but was just checking, so in case it was normal, i could try it. Now that I know, everyone can stop posting on here and showing their hate towards it all, and let this thread move on. :-)
shoplifter. wrote:
Make sure you take the time to get the proper fit , using the socks that you usally wear, before you steal them . Many running injuries are not because of force impact, but because of the rotational force required when you pronate.Sometimes when I need a pair of high quality cool max socks , I go down to the store , "use" a pair of sample socks , try on some shoes, then say "I don't want to buy" , leave the good coolmax socks on , then leave. My old ratty socks stay in there sock bin.
Yeah, way to go. $7 is an awful lot of money, you know. That's one more trip to McD's that you can make. Good job.
I hear ya, and you have great points, Banky. Price matching would be a great place for local stores to start, in order for them to get my $$. Having worked in running shops myself, and having contacts in the industry, there is no way I could ever justify paying $84.99 for a pair of $84.99 shoes when I know what they go for wholesale, online, or on Ebay. And, I wonder how many people here who are bitching about "support the little guy" are also shopping at Costco, BJ's, Walmart, etc. to get the best deal over the local butcher shop or grocer--why is it "smart" to be an intelligent, savvy consumer in every other area BUT where I buy my shoes? I don't run local races the local store sponsors, I don't have kids who are benefitting from the local guy's sponsoring of the local XC series in the fall, he's not my personal friend, sooo....why SHOULD I support him? What makes this any diff., on a smaller scale, than test driving a car at one dealer who can't make me a great offer, then buying at another dealer?
Sure it's cold hearted--but the free market rules. Otherwise, the Nikes, New Balances, etc. everyone here doesn't mind wearing would still be made in the USA. And no one seems to mind that the free market put THOSE people out of jobs.
'nother name instead here wrote:
...Sure it's cold hearted--but the free market rules. Otherwise, the Nikes, New Balances, etc. everyone here doesn't mind wearing would still be made in the USA. And no one seems to mind that the free market put THOSE people out of jobs.
Yes you have some good points but if you go into a store, find the correct shoe for your foot and get sized for that shoe, you should buy from the store. If you already know what kind of shoe and size you want, buy on the internet. When you use a "brick and mortar" store's expertise and sales staff to help you find the right shoe (something the internet merchants cant offer and dont have to pay for) they earned your business, and deserve the sale.
Yes you have some good points but if you go into a store, find the correct shoe for your foot and get sized for that shoe, you should buy from the store. If you already know what kind of shoe and size you want, buy on the internet. When you use a "brick and mortar" store's expertise and sales staff to help you find the right shoe (something the internet merchants cant offer and dont have to pay for) they earned your business, and deserve the sale.
______________
If you do that when you buy a car, a 'fridge, etc., and are consistent, then I back up your sentiment 100%. A big part of my post was that people seem to be a bit holy about their local running retailer but I find it hard to believe their philosophy extents to the rest of the commerce arena. Another point, I think is fair to mention, is lower income people don't have the luxury of taking the higher ground--if you're in a family of six or seven with a total income of $30K--or less--and you're putting athletic shoes on three or four kids that are playing school sports, the last thing you are giving a crap about is the (perceived) rich white store running store owner who has the highest prices--you do what you gotta do, and if that means "using" the guy to fit your kids for the right size then shop on eastbay, the issue is decided by your pocketbook, not by "what's right".
That might be a good question the original poster has and unfortunately even a great man like myself can't give you the perfect answer. I'm sorry for that friend.
However, I have my own question concerning shoes. How come the all have to come in all of these wacked out color combinations? What the hell ever happened to plain old basic looking white shoes? Hell, if you're going to add colors you can't go wrong with red, white and blue but what the hell is going on with these damn ugly shoes out there? Does everyone love them that much? Just wondering. Thanks for helping an old legend out.
Of course most of the time I still wear my white, patent leather boots that zip up the side. They're the coolest just like me.
All you God damned store owners who had me show you a house and then didn't buy it -- COUGH UP you slimy bastards.
Once again confirming my theory that runners are the CHEAPEST bastards on the planet.
anti dunes runner wrote:
I agree with not buying shoes at a running specialty store and not buying them if they aren't right, I do have a problem with people who come in, try 15 different shoes on, with no idea of what they want in the first place, then "decide" to buy them online when the store employee has looked at their feet, running mechanics, etc... and found them a good fitting shoe that is in stock at the store.
I see my evil nemesis has reared it's ugly head again.
Your problem is you think you know what is good for someone else.
But you don't.
You're obviously only thinking of yourself.
As a finance professor, I am always interested in the business side of the small retail operations. A lot of times, I find that the owners are willing to share some of the details of their operation. Next time you are in your local running shop, ask the owner what they pay for rent on a monthly basis. Then ask them how many pairs of shoes they need to sell just to pay the rent. Of course, they also have to pay for lights, heat, garbage collection, water, inventory financing charges, bank fees, salaries, etc. Very few running shops are cash cows generating huge profits for their owners.
Personally, I believe in supporting the local running store, but I also know that I am in a position where financially the $10-20 difference is not a big deal to me. In my younger days, I was certainly much more price sensitive than I am today, and I was more inclined to use a catalog service.
My local running store hosts Sunday morning runs every week at 7 a.m. The owner has a rotating out-and-back courses with maps available for newcomers. He also goes out early to place water and gatorade along the course at 3 different locations. When everyone arrives back at the store after the run, he has free bages, juice, and water available. He charges nothing for the food or service. I would gladly pay him a weekly entry fee if he asked. He doesn't, so I view my payment in the form of my business and referral of my friends and colleagues.
This is why to never buy a pair of running shoes from a running shoe store.
The people who work there are jerks.
Well Polly, and all you others that think running speciality shops are rip offs. Let's set the course, there are 3 types of people in this world, 1: the people that don't run, never have run nor will they ever run. 2: the people who run, they run a couple of mile a week to stay in shape, what ever that means, but that's all. Then there are RUNNERS, those that have to run. They were put on earth to run and they get "it". That magic orb "it" you can't see "it", you can't touch "it" but if you are a runner you know what "it" is. At least in "our" town there is only one real running speciality shop and a handful of posers. Shoe stores, posers, and big box stores are an important part of the fabric of every community but when real runners are looking for the correct shoe a true running speciality shop is the only way to go! Our staff studies mechanics of running, the "construction" of the foot and how it works and the construction of each model of shoes and how they work with the foot. Did you know that 25% of all the bones in the body are contained in the feet? I myself am a USA Track and Field level 2 certified coach in endurance and sprint, hurdle, and relay and am currently working on my Level 3 certification. I have taken the sport science course twice since there is so very much information I like to review the material with those Ph.D.'s who work the challenges every day. In addition, I have over $1K worth of orthopetic and sports medicine books that I read periodically. Having a mentor who is one of the foremost orthropedic doctors in America, and consultant to at least 5 other national Olympic teams gives me a resource that most other shops don't have. I would put my knowledge against any shoe store or speciality shop in the land. Our staff is comprised of all runners, no footballers, baseballers, just runners. Our staff of 5 has 70 years of running experence. My contribution is only 34 years of training and studying running and running shoes. We have runners that come to see us that say they came because the "other" just don't care. We put every bit of knowledge and training into every pair of shoes we fit. We fit every pair. We watch our runners run on the treadmill and outside on the pavement. We can video tape the hard cases, and we have a host of sports medicine professionals that we can refer the athletes to if the situation warrants. Does your shoe store or on-line service provide that? If you don't want to be fit correctly then by all means please go to those other places if you want to be fit correctly then check a true running shop. Oh yea, we only charge MSRP and never more. We're only jerks when we are provoked.
was this one of those times.
hope you're not one of those who gets mad at customers who just want to pick out their own shoes...the owner here in my town will bug the living shit out of people when they come in, and piss a lot of people off b/c of that and also he is so high on himself with his "knowledge" that he'll get technical just so people think he's smart. not saying thats you though, you actually sound a hell of a lot more qualified then he is.
to bug the living shit out people.
Dunes runner:
Evil nemesis-what the hell is that, you think anyone besides me actually gives a damn what you think to be considered a nemesis. My problem is, I don't think I know what people want, as you say. It is when you go through the ringer to try all sorts of different brands of shoes for the customer, after digging through their life history of running/walking, and find them a shoe that they love, and feels great on their feet, and they try to get you to price match, and when you don't have the go-ahead to do so, they leave to buy online. As for only thinking of myself, to a degree I am, not for commission(which many shoe stores don't deal with anymore), but seeing a customer like that leave your store is frustrating after all the work you did to get them in the "right" shoe. It is kind of a selfish pride thing, i'd guess you'd say(and i'm sure you will you smartass), when someone comes in looking for a shoe and leaves your store without a shoe, it feels like a failure, even though they found exactly what they needed. Dunes runner, you seem like such a simple, petty person, why don't you climb out of the rathole that is called your brain and "listen" to what other people have to say instead of immediately bashing. I know, I am bashing you, but many people on this board feel the same way about your comments as i do. I have seen your crap on this board for the last 6 months or so, and have seen very little constructive criticism from you, just your little comments that are meant to piss people off.
Banky wrote:
I can look at this situation from a consumer, and retailer. I used to manage a small store, and it was always shitty when some ass would come in and try a bunch of stuff on, pull the "can you hold these" and never come back. I am not sure how many of these people purchased online, but im sure it happened. Here are a few things though...1st..we always gave a 10% discount anyways to just about anyone, which brought in a lot of business. This almost matched any price road runner could offer. Plus, you are dealing with people, so if there is a problem, you know who helped you and who to talk to. To many people treat specialty shops like their own little try on closet. I had a nasty bitch one time try to return a black sports bra after she got white deoderant all over it...all greasy and stuff. She couldnt believe I wouldnt take it back. I mean...would you buy some slacks w/ some guys ball powder on it? Then people will say "well, ill try these shoes, and if they dont work ill just bring them back" ...that is never a problem..but people who go through 3 pairs in 2 weeks...its not the shoe...you are getting old and probably suck at running. So I really think that going in and wasting someones time/money like that is really a jackass thing to do, having worked at a place like that. so much time goes into each customer (some way more then others), that you might as well just come in and try on shoes w/o recieving help, then buy them online...that is much better then having them analyze you and give you advice.
Running shoes are pricey, and now that i know how cheap you can get them (employee purchase programs..etc) there is no way in hell im paying 90 bucks for my shoes. I still get hooked up at the old store, but if i didn't...I'd buy shoes a lot less often. So i can see consumers wanting to get the best price..but don't be an ass and waste peoples time.
100% accurate.
We had one geriatric who was returning her fourth pair in 10 days (and everytime she came back we went through the whole gauntlet with her, 15+ pairs and such) and my owner told me to, "Give her her f***ing money and get her the f*** out of here."