Charging for shoe fitting - a new trend??

[Llewellyn]

While I was waiting to be served in the bike shop I occasionally get small bits and pieces from, I noticed a sign that says they now charge $35 for shoe fitting because of "an increasing number of people coming and getting shoes fitted and then going off and buying them online". The fee is waived if customers buy the shoes from the store or if they don't have their size in stock.

Has anyone else found shops charging a fee for this sort of thing - are any of the people on here who are in the business imposing this sort of fee. What's the response from customers like??

 

[Benotti69]

While I was waiting to be served in the bike shop I occasionally get small bits and pieces from, I noticed a sign that says they now charge $35 for shoe fitting because of "an increasing number of people coming and getting shoes fitted and then going off and buying them online". The fee is waived if customers buy the shoes from the store or if they don't have their size in stock.

Has anyone else found shops charging a fee for this sort of thing - are any of the people on here who are in the business imposing this sort of fee. What's the response from customers like??

Can you blame them? Time is money. To spend 45mins with someone getting them the right shoe and fit then they take that information and purchase it somewhere else based on your efforts?

 

[STODRR]

Can you blame them? Time is money. To spend 45mins with someone getting them the right shoe and fit then they take that information and purchase it somewhere else based on your efforts?

I have no problem with that. I buy most of my stuff on line but I would never think to go to a shop to try stuff on and then buy on-line. If I get the wrong size I can send it back or eat the cost. I see it no different then them charging for a bike fit.

 

[al_pacino]

it's happening across many different sectors including electronics. Shops with actual trained staff who know what they are talking about were getting a bit ****ed demoing a camera only to see the customer then leave to order off Amazon.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

While I was waiting to be served in the bike shop I occasionally get small bits and pieces from, I noticed a sign that says they now charge $35 for shoe fitting because of "an increasing number of people coming and getting shoes fitted and then going off and buying them online". The fee is waived if customers buy the shoes from the store or if they don't have their size in stock.

Has anyone else found shops charging a fee for this sort of thing - are any of the people on here who are in the business imposing this sort of fee. What's the response from customers like??

Great idea. Sometimes I wish my phone number was a 1-900 number to charge for all the advice I give over the phone..so they can buy the 'correct' thing at the UK MO place.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Good idea for shops. Too many muppets wasting the shop's time trying on shoes and then going online.

 

[simo1733]

Fair enough to stop you from ordering online but a bit steep if you genuinely choose don't like the fit of their shoes.

 

[ElChingon]

Well the fix for that is to actually buy it which usually cancels out the fit charge and then return them.

 

[MR_Sarcastic]

I would walk out.
I have strange feet, that are hard to fit. Because of this, I'm not able to buy shoes over the internet (unless i'm replacing a current shoe with the exact same model). I'm lucky if 10% of the available shoe lines fit my feet.

 

[Notso Swift]

Good idea for shops. Too many muppets wasting the shop's time trying on shoes and then going online.

Quite a few muppets performing the fittings as well.
I am happy yo pay for professionals who do a job but they need to demonstrate value. I had an issue with some TIME CXpro that would leave me numb after about 90min (ie couldn't tell until an extended ride) and had a bloke tell me I should try DMT;s (that they stock - off course) MUPPET who makes TIME's shoes for them....

BTW, My shoes, Bont Vapours are from a brick and mortar shop,

 

[Race Radio]

BTW, My shoes, Bont Vapours are from a brick and mortar shop,

Bont has an online sizing tool that worked very well. No need to go to a shop and they have a crazy selection of sizes

 

[Llewellyn]

Great idea. Sometimes I wish my phone number was a 1-900 number to charge for all the advice I give over the phone..so they can buy the 'correct' thing at the UK MO place.

So what's stopping you?

 

[Llewellyn]

Quite a few muppets performing the fittings as well.
I am happy to pay for professionals who do a job but they need to demonstrate value. I had an issue with some TIME CXpro that would leave me numb after about 90min (ie couldn't tell until an extended ride) and had a bloke tell me I should try DMT;s (that they stock - off course) MUPPET who makes TIME's shoes for them....

Agreed, I have no problem paying a bit extra (for any goods or service) if they take a bit of time and the advice is good. But if it's someone who can't be bothered or knows less than I do then I'm just as likely to make my excuses and leave. Sorry, but my time is too valuable to me to deal with planks

 

[karlboss]

Agreed, I have no problem paying a bit extra (for any goods or service) if they take a bit of time and the advice is good. But if it's someone who can't be bothered or knows less than I do then I'm just as likely to make my excuses and leave. Sorry, but my time is too valuable to me to deal with planks

I give shops money for this type of service even if they don't charge me.

Even if they are planks who know less than me, but have a range of shoes and allow me to try them I think that is worth something.

For 45 minutes of "fitting" I'd say price would depend on the level of service. $10 if they leave me to my own devices to fish for shoe boxes etc, up to maybe I suppose $35 for excellent service.

 

[Benotti69]

Agreed, I have no problem paying a bit extra (for any goods or service) if they take a bit of time and the advice is good. But if it's someone who can't be bothered or knows less than I do then I'm just as likely to make my excuses and leave. Sorry, but my time is too valuable to me to deal with planks

If you cant tell a plank after talking to them for a few minutes. Stick to online purchasing where you have very little comeback and most likely have to pay the shipping cost to return products.

Online retailing only works if you know exactly what you want and the planks put the exact thing you ordered in the box.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

So what's stopping you?

Ever try to set up a 1-900 number?

I think the comment was about 'free' service that results in an online sale.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I bought my Bonts at my local shop. I had to buy the Sidis online, since the color I wanted was not available in the U.S.

The nice thing about buying the Bonts at the shop is that they could put them in the shoe oven right there.

 

[richwagmn]

Agreed, I have no problem paying a bit extra (for any goods or service) if they take a bit of time and the advice is good. But if it's someone who can't be bothered or knows less than I do then I'm just as likely to make my excuses and leave. Sorry, but my time is too valuable to me to deal with planks

So the overhead of having a shop, employing people, carrying inventory, etc is only worth a bit extra? Sounds like you don't want any local shops at all.

 

[richwagmn]

Don't manufacturers bare some responsibility for the price difference between online and local shops?

Take Trek or Specialized. I can't buy their cycling shoes any cheaper online than I can at an LBS. I don't know how or why this works but it does prevent some mega online retailer from undercutting the local guy.

Seems as if Speedplay is the same way. There's not a big difference that I've found between buying locally and buying online.

On the downside, the Specialized or Trek stores generally only carry their own brands (no Sidi, Bont, etc). What's preventing the other mfgs from protecting local stores from online competition?

 

[DirtyWorks]

Don't manufacturers bare some responsibility for the price difference between online and local shops?

The brick and mortar shop and the website are likely getting nearly the same price. The website works on less profit margin.

Both retailers sign an agreement that sets a price floor. It is not directly controlling price, (which is illegal) but effectively that is exactly what it is doing. It is standard practice in the U.S. with Apple, Sony, Nintendo, Adobe among many others.

If you as a bike dealer, sign with Specialized or Trek, it's an exclusive relationship for some categories of goods. If the retailer carried other shoes, then the local rep would let the home office know and that would probably bring a next-day letter from a Trek/Specialized lawyer to cease and desist and the legal pressure would mount from there.

Welcome to U.S. retailing. Consumers don't seem to care about this version of price fixing. And most consumers are too short-sighted to understand the value of their local shop. Meanwhile the local shop's profit margins are getting crushed by the manufacturers anyway.

 

[Llewellyn]

Ever try to set up a 1-900 number?

No, but if the telco's that you guys in the US have to deal with are anything like Telstra then I can sympathise with your comment

Telstra = lose the will to live while trying to deal with them

 

[Bustedknuckle]

No, but if the telco's that you guys in the US have to deal with are anything like Telstra then I can sympathise with your comment

Telstra = lose the will to live while trying to deal with them

hear hear..pay lotsa $ for mediocre service.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

The brick and mortar shop and the website are likely getting nearly the same price. The website works on less profit margin.

Both retailers sign an agreement that sets a price floor. It is not directly controlling price, (which is illegal) but effectively that is exactly what it is doing. It is standard practice in the U.S. with Apple, Sony, Nintendo, Adobe among many others.

If you as a bike dealer, sign with Specialized or Trek, it's an exclusive relationship for some categories of goods. If the retailer carried other shoes, then the local rep would let the home office know and that would probably bring a next-day letter from a Trek/Specialized lawyer to cease and desist and the legal pressure would mount from there.

Welcome to U.S. retailing. Consumers don't seem to care about this version of price fixing. And most consumers are too short-sighted to understand the value of their local shop. Meanwhile the local shop's profit margins are getting crushed by the manufacturers anyway.

Actually, in the US, no agreements are signed(not talking about trekspec-edstores, just an IBD).

IN the US, Once I receive some 'product', I can sell it for whatever I wish BUT if noticed by manufacturer or wholesaler, when it comes to buying more of that 'product', it is likely I will be cut off...they will not sell to me.

How it still works is some MO/Web based outfits buy in 'alternative' distribution channels that are not the 'norm'. AS in, they often go direct to bike makers or manufacturers with a suitcase of Euros, and buy direct. EPS off OEM Pinarellos comes to mind. Too many bike makers participate in unrestricted OEM resale. They get great prices, order 5000 'extra' groups, resell to MO/Web based places.

Also container filling. Big container is 3/4 full, price to ship is the same. Call MO place 'R', say, this price to fill container, cash, MO place says OK...and so it goes.