[TwiggyHo]

Can anybody please explain how this bunch of cowboys has become successful?

Nobody who works in these shops has a clue about bikes, ask a simple question about a component, shoe or even a whole bike and they look at you blankly.

I stood in my local store for half an hour after asking about a road bike, they were trying to find someone who knew about it….they were ALL mechanics apparantly.

Really though, makes me want to open a bike shop…if they can make it work then I will be a millionaire within months!

Topic

[Pierre]

Not everyone who works out
Not everyone who works out the front in Evans will know more about bikes than you – they all have to start somewhere – but if you can speak to a supervisor, the manager or the workshop manager you’ll usually get better, more sound advice.

There are some very keen cyclists and some incredibly knowledgeable people working for Evans, and there’s usually at least one in each store. It’s worth asking around the shop to find out who’s the expert on the type of bike you’re looking for. Bear in mind that if you go in on a Saturday or Sunday the shop will probably have the highest proportion of part-timers, usually because that’s when it’s busiest and when they’ll have the highest number of customers who just want to buy inner tubes, pumps, lights, locks, etc.

I’ve worked for Evans in the past and I understand some of the criticism they get, but they’re a big company because they generally do what they do really well. It only takes a few disgruntled people who dealt with Saturday boys, who then gripe on forums, to start damaging their reputation. If in doubt, talk to the store manager – he (or she) will want to know if their customers aren’t happy with their staff, as would the manager of any other bike shop…

: P

[OldRidgeback]

Hmm, Evans is better than
Hmm, Evans is better than Halfords. I remember going in to look at some MTB’s and hybrid bikes in a free moment in the shop at Charing X. A salesman came up and asked me if I was interested in buying a bike and I said that I might be. He asked what I mainly used it for and I said ‘commuting mainly’. He then steered me towards some very ugly commuter bikes and in a very patronising tone suggested I’d be better looking at these instead. He was in his early 20s so when he was in nappies, I was one of the first people to ride an MTB up the Cares Gorge in Spain, which I told him. I then walked out. I can’t stand being patronised by some spotty oik.

I had another experience of poor service at the shop in Waterloo. Basically, I had a long wait to be told they didn’t have the part but when the staff member told me what part I was looking for, it wasn’t the same one I’d asked him for in the first place. I wasn’t impressed.

[radar]

Just reading this has made me
Just reading this has made me want to go and lie down in a darkened room.

Had a very very traumatic time in their Manchester shop. Needless to say I would never visit another branch ever! A friend wanted to buy a tourer recently and had seen one he liked in Evans, told him to go and look in Edinburgh Bike Coop instead. Needless to say he took my advice.

[ctznsmith]

I’ve had some good customer
I’ve had some good customer service/assistance in the one at Xscape in Castleford. The people I’ve spoken to in there have been knowledgeable and importantly clearly ride bikes in their spare time! 🙂

[Blackhound]

I have heard the one in
I have heard the one in Kendal is good, but also heard some horror stories.

[Jon Burrage]

I did just phone evans
I did just phone evans regarding some shimano shoes in the latest issue of 220tri, the guy was really helpful and phoned me back with more info re:stock and delivery dates. Maybe I just picked a bad day to go instore.

[therevokid]

hhhmmmm – Ordered aCharge
hhhmmmm – Ordered aCharge Knife for my long suffering
botty (and the Trek) yesterday and it arrived today !

[bikergal]

I ordered a pump online and
I ordered a pump online and got a pair of mudguards. When I rang them the guy on the phone was helpful and I got a replacement, but I could have done without his blaming the nationality of the people in the wharehouse! 🙁

[therevokid]

Evans online …. tick.
Evans
Evans online …. tick.
Evans in person …. oh dear god no !

They tried to sell me (for my son) a lid that was
at least 1 size, possibly 2 too large and were fairly
surpirsed when I showed them how to “judge” if it was a
good fit or not !!!!

[Hammy]

I’ve always found Evans all
I’ve always found Evans all right, better than Halfords at any rate, and let’s face it there are a fair few rubbish local bike shops around too – it all comes down to the quality and knowledge of the staff.

[Jon Burrage]

I went in recently to enquire
I went in recently to enquire about a felt ar4 (before i found one elsewhere) and they didnt know what it was, they assumed it was a bmx and were suprised when I told them felt also make road bikes.

[Author]

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