Forums >Gears and Wears>Retailers & E-tailers: the good, the bad, and the ugly
rectumdamnnearkilledem
Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to
remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.
~ Sarah Kay
An online retailer sells to customers, a local shop sells to people... granted there are good shops and bad shops, but I'm willing to bet every purchase/sale in a local shop means more to them than to an online retailer. The $10-$20 you save is usually lost in shipping anyway. Then again, sometimes saving 30-50% online is hard to pass up.
That said, I share your thoughts about the benefits of the local running store. This is particularly true for stores that employ experienced runners who have a lot of advice about the products... I'm always impressed when the sales-person is a runner and talks me out of buying the most expensive product, recommending a less expensive but better product instead. Plus, these local stores often serve as the foundation for the local running community, providing free race information, organizing fun-runs, bringing runners closer together... that's a really valuable community service.
Finder of good newts
It's hard to look down if you don't go up
Good: NBwebexpress.com -- After spending almost $120 on full-priced running apparel I found that all 4 items I had ordered went on clearance for an average of 33% off not even 3 weeks later. I contacted them to see if they might do even a partial price-adjustment and they refunded me the difference on the entire order...a savings of nearly $40.
Imminent Catastrophe
Mostly Good: roadrunnersports.com ... They seem to have problems (at least lately) with their computer systems, as there have been numerous foul-ups with my orders (delays, cancelled orders, coupons don't EVER work online), but when I call on the phone they always correct it ASAP and are very friendly about it (which really makes all the difference). They do send me a TON of email, but some of those emails have some pretty good deals attached (one time it was 40% off the entire purchase)!
"Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"
"To obtain the air that angels breathe you must come to Tahoe"--Mark Twain
"The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.
√ Javelina Jundred Jalloween 2015
Cruel Jewel 50 mile May 2016
Western States 100 June 2016
That, plus the spam and the hard-sell on the VIP membership and "special offers". I don't need the aggravation. It seems I am not the only one.
I've had several good experiences with Running Warehouse. Free 2 Day shipping and no problems after 3-4 orders.