Seen any democrats?
Seen any democrats?
is el K really a black kenyan? or is he a white kenyan who lives in kenya and britain?
Do you have a sales quota in your store? If so, what are the profiles of the easiest and worst customers?
What do you do when the boss isn't around on a really slow Sunday? Do you eat a dozen GUs? Take push pins and tape them onto the end of a roll of cardboard and use an Adam Goucher poster as a dart board? Stage a ridiculous fashion show? Stack all the old boxes that were left behind and pretend they are a high jump map?
That is what we used to do...
I like Adidas wrote:
The local running store near me in NJ stopped carrying Adidas. Why would and independent LRS cut out an entire brand which happens to be one of the most popular running shoe brands in the world?
I have no reason to shop there now. Why would they do that?
Potential Reasons:
1) They were not selling enough of them and decided the space could be better used to sell brands that do move.
2) Maybe the terms that adidas was offering were not good. For instance, maybe they decided to require payment in 60 days whereas others allow 90 days. That can be a huge difference especially if you are not moving the shoes fast.
Do you sell the noobie runner 1 piece of every type and style of equipment and clothing you have in the store? I see the new runners show up every spring and they've got it ALL and most seem to think they need to wear it all at once too.
hgeggegrr wrote:
Old Man Runner wrote:
What is the biggest profit item in your store? I know it's not the watches as those have almost no profit margin in them.
Like how much does a case of say Gu Energy Gels cost you versus how much do you sell them for?
An individual pair of shoes that retail for $120. How much does your store pay for those shoes?
I am not OP but when I worked at a running store for a hot second I was encouraged to tell people to get socks whenever they got shoes because they have the biggest profit margin. For that reason I only buy my socks in 6 packs from discount stores like ross, tj maxx, marshalls
Wow, you were asked to do something really unethical there.
aoxomoxoa wrote:
Luv2Run wrote:
What makes you think running store employees, often high school and college kids, know enough about running biomechanics to watch someone run for a minute on a treadmill and give advice based on that?
I'm not the OP, but I worked at a running store for 4 years at which we analyzed biomechanics using a treadmill. We also had a lot of college students working at our stores.
Essentially all that the person is doing is looking for whether the runner on the treadmill is overpronating or not. It honestly does not take too much training to see those things in 10-15 seconds on a treadmill. It's not exactly rocket surgery, so the age of the associate doesn't really matter in this case.
They aren't claiming to be on the level of a USATF coach or a PT, but it is enough information to know whether the runner needs a Brooks Ghost or a Brooks Adrenaline.
Okay, how much pronation is too much? I cannot remember who the elite runner is (maybe Don Kardong) who looked as if he was going to roll his ankle with every step. Yet had no issues.
It's still a crap shoot going to a running store to get fitted. I was a severe under-pronator, and a running store tried to sell me shoes for over-pronation. JHC.
Did find one store that fit me properly, now out of business. I go by online reviews...plus it's not like I am Olympic material and when it gets down to brass tacks, many shoes will work for most runners.
That said I plan to visit a new local store and give them a shot. But don't sell me crap just because you have to move stock. Find a way to make me your customer and you better know what you are talking about, I've run for longer than most of you have been alive.
I'd open my own store but I dislike most people, probably like me. :)
Been wearing Asics Nimbus, 2E.
Looking for a similar, lighter weight shoe. Not Nike, not ever.
Other choices? I've tried Adidas many times but most seem to run too narrow w/o a width option.
Describe the worst, most hideous, thoroughly repugnant feet you've ever encountered while on the job. And provide details.
Do you insist people use socks while trying on shoes? If not, do you understand how foot and nail fungus spreads? The health inspectors should shut you down.
i hate feet wrote:
Describe the worst, most hideous, thoroughly repugnant feet you've ever encountered while on the job. And provide details.
Once had a guy come in to try shoes. He was a well-kept, clean cut dude, but then minute he took off his shoes and socks....oh my God I can't even describe the smell wafting from his feet. Nothing appeared wrong with them but I have never smelled feet like his. My descriptions cannot possibly do it justice. My coworker and another customer were sitting on the bench on the other end of the wall, and after a minute or so, started glancing our way because THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG. My guy I was helping was completely unphased, I don't know how, maybe he was just used to it. Ended up not buying anything, and I had to defect out both pairs of shoes he tried on and toss the socks he used into the dumpster because I could not get the smell out. I had to febreeze the entire store afterward, open the front and back doors to get some air in (thank God it was a nice day) and put his defected shoes outside the back door because their sitting in our defectives bin was stinking up the whole back room. It was the weirdest foot issue I've ever encountered and it haunts me to this day.
Talk to me wrote:
theJeff wrote:
Why should I buy shoes from you, when I can get a better price - plus free shipping both ways - from Runningwarehouse?
Online shopping cannot provide you the same one on one service that running store employees can. Also what if you need to return shoe that you ordered online? That is about 1-2 weeks turnaround time if you want an exchange. Versus about 15 minutes if you exchange it from the store. Running Warehouse isn't also cheaper. 85% of their shoes will be MSRP price. Running stores don't up charge on shoes. Running stores mark shoes at MSRP price.
Anyone who's been running more than 10-15 years knows more than the high school kid at the LRS. Like blacksmith shops and home delivery of milk, running stores are going bye-bye. I'm out to buy a pair of running shoes--not pay the rent on your store. I got a pair of the 2018 Boston GoRun Ride 7's two weeks ago for under $33 online.....why the hell would I walk into a store and pay $90, possibly plus tax?
skylon69 wrote:
Talk to me wrote:
Online shopping cannot provide you the same one on one service that running store employees can. Also what if you need to return shoe that you ordered online? That is about 1-2 weeks turnaround time if you want an exchange. Versus about 15 minutes if you exchange it from the store. Running Warehouse isn't also cheaper. 85% of their shoes will be MSRP price. Running stores don't up charge on shoes. Running stores mark shoes at MSRP price.
Anyone who's been running more than 10-15 years knows more than the high school kid at the LRS. Like blacksmith shops and home delivery of milk, running stores are going bye-bye. I'm out to buy a pair of running shoes--not pay the rent on your store. I got a pair of the 2018 Boston GoRun Ride 7's two weeks ago for under $33 online.....why the hell would I walk into a store and pay $90, possibly plus tax?
To a degree I agree and understand. This is the case at many shops. Other shops however have some very seasoned experts who've made a life out of this. Personally I shy away from hiring the local high school and college kids not because they are not good workers, as most are, they simply haven't got the credibility, also they don't always tend to jive well with the elderly and the walkers; which is probably over half of my customer base at this point. Bottom line is someone who comes in and works with one of my staff who've been here for a decade would get a very different service than working with a young kid who just started, and I don't see that as being fair to the customer's dollar.
Also the local shops pay local taxes.
But I'm biased as I own a tiny local running store.
Luv2Run wrote:
hgeggegrr wrote:
I am not OP but when I worked at a running store for a hot second I was encouraged to tell people to get socks whenever they got shoes because they have the biggest profit margin. For that reason I only buy my socks in 6 packs from discount stores like ross, tj maxx, marshalls
Wow, you were asked to do something really unethical there.
Is that unethical? I think that's just called upselling. How is that any different from a fast food clerk asking if you would like to add fries and a drink to your order?
Current State of Affairs wrote:
Been wearing Asics Nimbus, 2E.
Looking for a similar, lighter weight shoe. Not Nike, not ever.
Other choices? I've tried Adidas many times but most seem to run too narrow w/o a width option.
New Balance 1080. I used Nimbus for many years until the 18. Tried the New Balance out of desperation because the Nimbus was hurting my feet so bad. Now on my 4th pair of 1080 and not looking back. The toebox is really roomy.
I need a neutral lightweight shoe that is very narrow. I like the Adidas Boston 5s but the 6s are wider and dont' feel as fast.
any ideas?
Tiger -> Fresh Foam wrote:
Current State of Affairs wrote:
Been wearing Asics Nimbus, 2E.
Looking for a similar, lighter weight shoe. Not Nike, not ever.
Other choices? I've tried Adidas many times but most seem to run too narrow w/o a width option.
New Balance 1080. I used Nimbus for many years until the 18. Tried the New Balance out of desperation because the Nimbus was hurting my feet so bad. Now on my 4th pair of 1080 and not looking back. The toebox is really roomy.
Thanks! I wore NB back in the early 90s and the cushioning lasted about 2 weeks tops. Moved on from there but I should give them another shot, have read some good reviews about this shoe.
explanation wrote:
Luv2Run wrote:
Wow, you were asked to do something really unethical there.
Is that unethical? I think that's just called upselling. How is that any different from a fast food clerk asking if you would like to add fries and a drink to your order?
It's not unethical if you ask the customer if they want to buy a pair of socks and they say yes; it is if you are hard-selling the socks to the customer after they say no.