I'm in need of some new MTB shoes and so I stopped at a Specialized concept store - my mistake, didn't know the store went full Specialized as it used to be a normal bike shop that stocket other brands also. I walked in, spotted the shoe section and walked over there. Now this I could easily do by myself, but was approached by a sales assistant - fair enough it is their job, and so I said I just want a quick browse. She insited to assist me. OK, let's do it. I explain that I am in the market for something for general trail riding - not racing, and my budget is lower to mid level, so from zero to R1700 roughly. She looks at the wall of shoes and seem to consider what shoe would fit my needs. And then she hands me a shoe and says - this one is the right shoe for you, it is a good shoe, it is light and stiff and costs R3999. I look at her and think that maybe she did not hear the budget. I repeat the MAX R1700 budget and explanation, that I do not really race, this is recreational for me, and that the shoe needs to be comfy, hard wearing and basic, not a fifth of my bike's value. She looks at the wall again considering my options and hands me shoe number 2. This time it is not as nice as shoe number one, but great value and also pretty decent for what I need - and only R2799... I look at her with confusion in my eyes and repeat everything again - and that these are still too expensive. She now looks baffled and completely bewildered - a deer in headlights scenario. I take the situation into my own hands and point at the two shoes that actually semi fit into my budget and ask about them. I pick them up and hand them to her and ask if they have my size. She goes off and comes back with two wrong shoes - a shoe with laces - and the R2799 shoe again, and then one is at least one of the shoes I requested, but that's the wrong size. I end up frustrated and just say thank you for her efforts and leave. I made the mistake of walking into a specialized concept store without being wealthy enough it seems. I get back to Paarl, walk into a shop. I give the same explanation - and to my dismay they are also going full Specialized. The owned however shows me the shoes that fit in my price range and also shows me his Serfas that's being sold at half price. I happily rummage through the Serfas with is help until I find the right size and the price is rediculously good. I'm happy and say I'll take it. We check the box and unfortunatley the other shoe in that size is missing - nowhere to be found. As I sit pondering my luck, the owner walks off and brings me a pair of Specialized shoes and says that he will give them to me with a 20% discount to fit in my budget because he can not find the other Serfa. We find my size and I happily buy the shoes. I walk out a happy customer - not because of the discount, but because of a guy that listens and tries to help his customers. Customer service for the Win! Specialized concept stores - please take note.
