Sportsmans Warehouse

[DylanFH]

Hey guys, I want to find out what you think of Sportsmans warehouse service, specifically with regards to the cycling department, what prices are like and what you would like to see improve. This is also more valued at the fourways crossing store. And just a heads up we have a 700 square metre cycling specific shop opening soon in our fourways branch, it will include Merida and Trek with a fully qualified mechanic and more accessories than what you can think of. Watch this space!!!

[Tumbleweed]

Welcome to the hub. Here's a starter to give you some idea of what peeps think of Sportsmans: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/116171-sportsmans-warehouse/page__hl__sportsmans

[DylanFH]

Cool thanks. Read through them all now. A lot of work to do.

[Caerus]

Is this going to be happening at all the Sportsmans Warehouse stores nationwide?

[The Big Bad Norm]

Wouldnt trust my bike at Sportsman's Warehouse.

 

Will have to see a significant improvement in the abilities of the workshop before I would ever consider it.

 

If the price is the same as the price of my LBS no way is it going anywhere near S.W.

 

You should display with their pictures certificates that the workshop guys have all gone on an intensive training workshop etc in order to improve the public perception as most people I know would never consider taking even their kids bike to SW to be fixed.

Generally the only people that would take their bike to S.W are the ones that purchased them there in the first place.

[DylanFH]

Well our services, so i hear, are going to be considerably cheaper than all our competitors. look we not going to come and steel the show, we still have a lot to work on and you can do all the training you want, but it comes down to experience. Thats another reason im taking the guys out riding, so they can pick up difficulties in the field and wrk through them. its the only way to learn. Our mechanic has been with us 3 years now so he does know quite abit, but never as much as someone who has been riding for 3 years.

 

well we starting at fourways, we giving it a trial run and then will build at our next 5 biggest stores and take it from there. i been working through the night for the last two weeks to get the shop ready, tonight i move my bikes and accessories accross. 88 square metres of just accessories. we are going to have a huge variety of footwear, gloves, hydration packs, helmets, tools, tubes etc. so give us a chance and come have a look once its done. I can promise its different to all the sportsmans you have ever been in.

[DaleE]

Personally, I'd be happy to purchase anything that is a "low involvement" item from SW - i.e. anything that does not require much thought or products that I've used before and am simply replacing (tubes, gu, lube, branded clothing, etc).

Anything where specialist knowledge is required, I'd head for my LBS. My experience of SW staff is that they have all the products but no idea how they work.

For example, Id be happy to purchase a pair of First Ascent shorts there, but would never buy a Garmin unit from SW. I realise that SW are often cheaper than a specialist store, but the chance of getting the wrong thing is just too great.

If you can get your staff to be more passionate about cycling, and knowledgable, then you will be on to a winner with the prices you are able to offer.

[Beer4Recovery]

if you are going to stock Trek - bring in some AM machines

[TNT1]

Personally, I'd be happy to purchase anything that is a "low involvement" item from SW - i.e. anything that does not require much thought or products that I've used before and am simply replacing (tubes, gu, lube, branded clothing, etc).

Anything where specialist knowledge is required, I'd head for my LBS. My experience of SW staff is that they have all the products but no idea how they work.

For example, Id be happy to purchase a pair of First Ascent shorts there, but would never buy a Garmin unit from SW. I realise that SW are often cheaper than a specialist store, but the chance of getting the wrong thing is just too great.

If you can get your staff to be more passionate about cycling, and knowledgable, then you will be on to a winner with the prices you are able to offer.

 

So, um, the more money you are going to spend, the more you rely on someone else's input?

 

That's f**ked up.

[DylanFH]

Yeah but remember we have 33 stores in our chain, 18 outdoor warehouse and 2 Cape Storm, i only have influence on one store. And thats the store i will concentrate on and make a success. Our staff are constantly going to training and doing product knowledge but Staff turnover in a company like ours is high. Its reality, people now days are un reliable. Come and go as they please, therefore its hard to have someone there that knows everything, all the time. the best thing to do is when you go into any one of our stores is ask for a specialist in that specific department, or look for the guys wearing, cycling, footwear, garmin etc badges. they are specialists and have gone on extensive training on those specific areas. alternatively ask a manager or for an H.O.D. thats the best advice i can give. but we are really trying and its not always up to us at store level, but we do everything we can.

[Tri-coach]

If they have specials, will buy stuff if cheap, otherwise will stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TNT1]

If they have specials, will buy stuff if cheap, otherwise will stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Again:

 

So, um, the more money you are going to spend, the more you rely on someone else's input?

 

That's f**ked up.

[petatodd]

I only have influence on one store. And thats the store i will concentrate on and make a success. Our staff are constantly going to training and doing product knowledge but Staff turnover in a company like ours is high. Its reality, people now days are un reliable. Come and go as they please, therefore its hard to have someone there that knows everything, all the time.

There you've said it yourself. The LBS does not have this problem as the owner works in the shop.

 

When I spend money I like to know the guy I'm dealing with is going to be around come problem time or upgrade time. In your store the guy I deal with might not even be there by the time I go back to buy chain lube.

 

Most successful bike shops are run by cyclists for cyclists, guys who have ridden what I ride, understand what will work for the type of riding I want to do, know the trails I want to ride, know what works with what. I think it's highly optimistic to expect a shop assistant on the retail floor to know this stuff without actually getting out there with the customers on the trails. And not just riding with the boss once a week.

 

My personal experience of SWH is that they do not offer anything that can't be found elsewhere and their prices are normally more expensive.

 

By all means, fleece the unsuspecting public wanting to get into cycling but please leave us hubbers alone with an internet offering without internet pricing. The worst of both worlds. There is nothing that differentiates your offering for the above average cyclist. And no one on the hub is here because they no nothing about cycling.

[TNT1]

When I spend money I like to know the guy I'm dealing with is going to be around come problem time or upgrade time.

 

Like Checkers? Or maybe you mean P n P?

 

I still don't get this "I'm spending SO much money, you better be tell me what to spend it on and you better be right" attitude.

 

It's your money. Take responsibility for it

[petatodd]

Like Checkers? Or maybe you mean P n P?

 

I still don't get this "I'm spending SO much money, you better be tell me what to spend it on and you better be right" attitude.

 

It's your money. Take responsibility for it

No Bob, it's got nothing to do with "SO much money. Tell me what to spend it on." Probably like you, I don't ask advice. I ask for an opinion before I dismiss it if it doesn't confirm what I want to do.

 

It's also been ages since I went to PnP to buy bike stuff. No I lie, I buy Clean Green there. And engine cleaner in the yellow bottle to clean my chain.

[Stretch]

1. I dont find SW prices cheaper than what my irish blood can find

2. I will support a local shop before i support a national chain - so in my little dorp that puts SW about no 5 or 6 in the pecking order...just after cyclelab