rattlesnake Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I think that the only thing that the Specialised Concept Store in Melrose Arch specialises in is bad service! I went in there last week with a colleague of mine looking for a soft tail bike. The sales guys there (Ricky) said that they didnt have stock of a particular bike and that he would check at other stores for us and call me to let me know. One week passes - no call. My colleague went and bought a Scott from one of the more competent LBS' out there. I went into the concept store today and the same sales guy was there';1. When I asked why he didnt call me about the bike, he said "I was supposed to call you?" Äbout what" - this after I took the time to fill out my name etc on a piece of paper for him to get back to me. 2. The guy was completely unapologetic3. His breath smelt like something died in his mouth, seriously, move inside a 1m radius of this guy at your own perril.4. The store is extremely poorl;y stocked. And this is not the first time I have been in there and they havent had some of the basics. Bottom line, I will not shop there again and if I were you, I wouldnt either.If I ever need anything with a specialised brand name again, it wont be from the Melrose Arch store.
The Ghost Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I used to dream about getting Spez.Since my return to cycling I have seen really big issues with Spez in SA ; bikes arriving >4 months late, limited stock of accessories and poor after sales backup. I still look at their top bikes and drool a little, but I really don't see me buying one in SA any time soon.
Li Mu Bai Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I think that the only thing that the Specialised Concept Store in Melrose Arch specialises in is bad service! I went in there last week with a colleague of mine looking for a soft tail bike. The sales guys there (Ricky) said that they didnt have stock of a particular bike and that he would check at other stores for us and call me to let me know. One week passes - no call. My colleague went and bought a Scott from one of the more competent LBS' out there. I went into the concept store today and the same sales guy was there';1. When I asked why he didnt call me about the bike, he said "I was supposed to call you?" Äbout what" - this after I took the time to fill out my name etc on a piece of paper for him to get back to me. 2. The guy was completely unapologetic3. His breath smelt like something died in his mouth, seriously, move inside a 1m radius of this guy at your own perril.4. The store is extremely poorl;y stocked. And this is not the first time I have been in there and they havent had some of the basics. Bottom line, I will not shop there again and if I were you, I wouldnt either.If I ever need anything with a specialised brand name again, it wont be from the Melrose Arch store.Rather go visit Dangle in Crowthorne, if you want proper Specialised service. Ramrod, johannrissik, BenDL and 2 others 5
Aurora Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Would rather buy one and import it. Service locally is terrible. I ride a tarmac and do want the new one soon but will never buy it locally.
camerons Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I wonder what Specialized are up to....? We were promised this big turn around when they got rid of their distributor and moved to a direct model but it doesn't seem to have materialized.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I wonder what Specialized are up to....? We were promised this big turn around when they got rid of their distributor and moved to a direct model but it doesn't seem to have materialized. Unfortunately the direct model still relies on us hoomans in order to function. Bad staff = bad service. As simple as that.
rattlesnake Posted August 8, 2012 Author Posted August 8, 2012 Rather go visit Dangle in Crowthorne, if you want proper Specialised service. Thanks will do that!
camerons Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Unfortunately the direct model still relies on us hoomans in order to function. Bad staff = bad service. As simple as that. Sorry, I should have been clear. I was referring to product availability rather than service. I have had good service from Specialized in SA both at the local concept store and from Specialized themselves warrantying and item for me.
rattlesnake Posted August 8, 2012 Author Posted August 8, 2012 Sorry, I should have been clear. I was referring to product availability rather than service. I have had good service from Specialized in SA both at the local concept store and from Specialized themselves warrantying and item for me. they had some decent staff at that store up until recently, it seems like there was a mass exodus of sort....
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Sorry, I should have been clear. I was referring to product availability rather than service. I have had good service from Specialized in SA both at the local concept store and from Specialized themselves warrantying and item for me. yeah, that is a difficult one. Saying that, though, good staff go a long way to making sure that a certain item is sourced for clients.
jcza Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Agreed - staff are clueless and they always seem to be waiting for stock. Avoid.
1kTT Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 I had the single strangest experience in a bike shop ever at the Melrose Arch concept store. Went in on a Sat morning to but a carbon epic. They had one on the floor and I said please can I buy it. Sales man said "no I won't sell it to you, I can see you are not a podium contender and it's too much bike for you". Needless to say, a short heated discussion followed. Guy took my number and said he will call me back after "thinking about it". I kid you not. No phone call ever came. I bought the Specialised Epic bike from another shop a few days later and have been completely happy with it ever since. Great bikes, worlds worst service ever.
GrumpyOldGuy Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 I had the single strangest experience in a bike shop ever at the Melrose Arch concept store. Went in on a Sat morning to but a carbon epic. They had one on the floor and I said please can I buy it. Sales man said "no I won't sell it to you, I can see you are not a podium contender and it's too much bike for you". Needless to say, a short heated discussion followed. Guy took my number and said he will call me back after "thinking about it". I kid you not. No phone call ever came. I bought the Specialised Epic bike from another shop a few days later and have been completely happy with it ever since. Great bikes, worlds worst service ever. - You are kidding right.?
ThaStig Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 (edited) I had the single strangest experience in a bike shop ever at the Melrose Arch concept store. Went in on a Sat morning to but a carbon epic. They had one on the floor and I said please can I buy it. Sales man said "no I won't sell it to you, I can see you are not a podium contender and it's too much bike for you". Needless to say, a short heated discussion followed. Guy took my number and said he will call me back after "thinking about it". I kid you not. No phone call ever came. I bought the Specialised Epic bike from another shop a few days later and have been completely happy with it ever since. Great bikes, worlds worst service ever.Maybe he was trying to save you from making a frivolous and unnecessary purchase (tongue in cheek). A prize example of some salesman's condescending attitude and the overestimation of his expertise. I personally would've kicked him squarely in the nuts just to show that i have too much of a right foot for his nuts. Edited August 9, 2012 by ThaStig
The Ghost Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 I had the single strangest experience in a bike shop ever at the Melrose Arch concept store. Went in on a Sat morning to but a carbon epic. They had one on the floor and I said please can I buy it. Sales man said "no I won't sell it to you, I can see you are not a podium contender and it's too much bike for you". Needless to say, a short heated discussion followed. Guy took my number and said he will call me back after "thinking about it". I kid you not. No phone call ever came. I bought the Specialised Epic bike from another shop a few days later and have been completely happy with it ever since. Great bikes, worlds worst service ever. What!? No way! What a wucking fanker
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 I had the single strangest experience in a bike shop ever at the Melrose Arch concept store. Went in on a Sat morning to but a carbon epic. They had one on the floor and I said please can I buy it. Sales man said "no I won't sell it to you, I can see you are not a podium contender and it's too much bike for you". Needless to say, a short heated discussion followed. Guy took my number and said he will call me back after "thinking about it". I kid you not. No phone call ever came. I bought the Specialised Epic bike from another shop a few days later and have been completely happy with it ever since. Great bikes, worlds worst service ever. Hahaha! He would have received a rather sharp punch to the gut if that were me!
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