This was my go-to shoe website. They have a great shipping/returning deal and awesome sales. Even their current models are usually cheaper than anywhere else.
This morning, I go on...boom, the same prices you find everywhere else and very few sales.
:(
For example, I've used the old Asics DS Trainer (17) and bought a pair for $50 earlier this year. They still have them, but now they're $70.
I'm not an expert but I believe there are multiple factors involved. Prices go up and down sometimes.
i do believe the prices to have gone up as well, which could be a function of more people learning of their site.
while one would think that greater sales at the same old profit margin should be enough to keep things going, when popularity increases, price tends to go with it. you'll hear things like greater infrastructure needs and so on, which can have some truth in order to fill increased demand, but mostly it's just greed.
I noticed it too. For quite a while there was never any need for me to look anywhere else, but I'm going to look around now and see if there is anywhere new, or maybe some of the older sites compare.
Most companies eventually get too greedy.
Once that happens, it is only a matter of time before they lose the majority of their customers and slowly go out of business.
It is much easier to keep a customer than find a new one and almost impossible to get an unhappy customer back.
I think with the newer models they are no longer able to give big discounts. Something in their buying contract with shoe companies prevent from blowing out shoe and giving an advantage over running shops. They use to get around it by calling them club prices or team discounts but shoe companies started getting to many complaints from shop owners. They also may be trying to recoup all monies lost from runners who abuse return policy.
WOOHOO!!! YES!!! That's great to hear! Stop being a cheapp@$$ and buy from a local running shoe store! Support your local business!
Shoe Store Guy wrote:
WOOHOO!!! YES!!! That's great to hear! Stop being a cheapp@$$ and buy from a local running shoe store! Support your local business!
tell my local shop to offer competitive prices and i'll be more likely to buy shoes from them. until then, i'll stick with running warehouse
Shoe Store Guy wrote:
WOOHOO!!! YES!!! That's great to hear! Stop being a cheapp@$$ and buy from a local running shoe store! Support your local business!
Maybe if the local running store priced more reasonably and employed someone other than slow witted, snotty louts like you who "expertly" recommend Kayano's to everyone who walks through the door, experienced runners would shop at them more.
Shoe prices seem to have gone up all around. First they hit around $100 full retail and now they are $120 or more.
If the shoe companies raise prices, RW has to do the same.
For the same reason that local shops can't compete with Walmart's prices, local running stores can't compete with RW: volume. If you move more product, you don't need as much profit per sale.
FWIW, I just bought six pairs of DS Trainers (17) at kellyrunningwarehouse.com for about $56/pair. Not sure if they would have your size, however. I have a 15% off coupon code I can give you (for orders >$125) if you want.
Can't complain I just snagged a pair of Pure Connect's for $46 with free 2 day shipping. I thought about the PureCadence but I want a lightweight shoe for a racing flat
hank hill wrote:
Shoe Store Guy wrote:WOOHOO!!! YES!!! That's great to hear! Stop being a cheapp@$$ and buy from a local running shoe store! Support your local business!
tell my local shop to offer competitive prices and i'll be more likely to buy shoes from them. until then, i'll stick with running warehouse
i'm all for supporting local business but you are paying for more than shoes there. you are paying for service and for someone to listen to you whine about your running injuries and how you plan to PR at you next marathon. I just want shoes and i don't want to have to pay the extra cash that goes along with services that i don't want.
wiked wrote:
hank hill wrote:tell my local shop to offer competitive prices and i'll be more likely to buy shoes from them. until then, i'll stick with running warehouse
i'm all for supporting local business but you are paying for more than shoes there. you are paying for service and for someone to listen to you whine about your running injuries and how you plan to PR at you next marathon. I just want shoes and i don't want to have to pay the extra cash that goes along with services that i don't want.
Like most people on this site, I dont need to talk to anyone about my shoes or injuries. I know what shoes I like and what shoes fit my feet well. I have run in the same type of shoe Nike Structure triax for over 8 years. I just need that same shoe cheap.
They did have a big sale just a few weeks ago, but I think all the prices went up to pay for the painkillers Joe needed because the Margaritas I made at camp caused a massive hangover.
that blowout sale was sickeningly sweet. sold out everything in hours, i only was able to get one pair of shorts (size small goes fast)
i generally just buy shoes from their liquidation section, and those are always low prices.
the funny part of this is, for me, running warehouse is my LRS
??????????? wrote:
I think with the newer models they are no longer able to give big discounts. Something in their buying contract with shoe companies prevent from blowing out shoe and giving an advantage over running shops. They use to get around it by calling them club prices or team discounts but shoe companies started getting to many complaints from shop owners.
This. The shoe industry acts very much like the TV, music or book industry. They are trying to protect their high prizes and preventing the buyer from having a good experience. Eventually, a new player will step up their game and shaken up the industry.
We all know that when you buy a $100 Nike shoe that BOM and production doesn't account for more than $15, the rest is marketing (mostly) and R&D and profit.
It's so much more then just paying for the person to listen to you and all that.
It's about keeping the money in your local economy and helping out the little guy. Sure you can get shoes for cheaper. But chances are those corporations don't even operate in the same state as you. Not to mention they don't give a Sh*t if you get the right shoe or care about your well being.
The money you spend at your local shop allows for the workers to go purchase whatever service it is that you sell. And to stimulate the local economy. The money also goes into the races you run, free group runs from the shop, allowing the store to open more locations possibly closer to where you live, and also allowing the store to carry more selection so you can see the stuff in person.
Also, not every shop is about "expertly recommending" Kayanos to every customer that walks in the door. I suggest you look into a different shop. I have been to and heard of plenty of shops that keep every shoe on their wall under $120 MSRP. They value customers being able to afford good shoes while still getting excellent customer service. The shop I work at marks all of our current shoes and apparel at MSRP. Previous years shoe models and previous seasons apparel get marked down.