What online running store do you order from? (Read 389 times)

I use Running Warehouse the most.

 

I go straight to the Liquidation page. I don't wait until I need shoes...I buy them when the style I like shows up on the liquidation page. I usually check it once a month or so.

 

 

I do, too. Thanks for the tip.

 

^This, naturally. But when I do go online, I more often than not just use Amazon. As I do for just about everything else. Someone can correct me on running-specific stuff, but in general there is not much in the world of products that cannot be found there, and typically at good prices. Minimizes the number of different accounts & passwords to keep track of.

Good call.  One of the things I like about RW, though, is they're generally pretty agreeable about returning/exchanging shoes that don't work for me, even if I've run in them (within reason).  I guess I haven't tried Amazon out on this yet - and really, their customer service is pretty spectacular, so maybe they'd do it - but RW makes it pretty darn easy, with a shipping label already printed out, right there in the package.  Only bad part is, while they do have free 2-day shipping (no "Prime" membership required, another plus), the return shipping drags on a bit.

My LRS is good about exchanging shoes if they've basically only been worn briefly on a treadmill or maybe a gym floor, and I've done this a time or two.  But if it's a shoe I've never tried before and they'd have to special-order it, I just order from RW (started this after a conversation with the LRS owner where he related to me that, while he is willing to exchange such items, it's enough of a time and money sink that he's cool with me buying online in that case).

roadrunner VIP costs $1.99 per year and you get 10% off all the time and free shipping with the 90 day wear them / return them deal.

For roadrunner, it says that you pay $24 for subsequent years, but I don't think we pay that.  For a family of 4, we get our money's worth with the $1.99 / year deal at roadrunner.

I was pretty big on RR for a year or so, for that exact reason...after that first year, they automatically charged my credit card $24 for the next year.  I wasn't too thrilled about that.  When I called, they were very quick to just reverse the charge, no arguments.  No offer to reduce the cost back down to $1.99, though, either, so I'm no longer a VIP.

I don't begrudge them the increased cost for subsequent years, though.  Two bucks for unlimited 10% off would be a pretty tough business model to maintain.  Though I bet it could be done without bumping up to $24.  And while asking permission before charging customers' cards.

One thing I will say for them, though, their in-house brand clothing isn't bad.  I don't like the build quality quite as much as some other "name-brand" running gear manufacturers, but for the price, it's not a bad option.  And, they pack a lot of features in together on some items, like my shorts of theirs that have Velcro side pockets and a zippered pocket and an inner key pouch, and tons of reflectivity.  For less than my Brooks Sherpa III shorts, which only have two of those things.

Just placed my first online order for shoes over the weekend from Running Warehouse!  I might do that from now on as I got a decent deal.  (about $10-$15 cheaper than my local running stores)  

I buy from my local guy.

If not sure what I want, LRS and Zappos - free shipping both directions even to Alaska (runningwarehouse charges shipping making it more expensive). REI had been getting some of my shoe business until last year. (better selection of trail shoes, esp. those with wider toeboxes)

If I know what I want, then it's whereever I find the best prices - most recently Amazon, in the past sierratradingpost, etc. I think Amazon bought Zappos a couple years ago.

My LRS seems mostly empty every time I go there (I am usually the only customer there when I go), so I feel very leery about shopping exclusively online.  I definitely want the place to stay in business.  The last time I was there, they spent a very patient half hour with me while I tried on numerous shoes to find something to alternate with the Virratas that I already own.  Ultimately nothing quite worked for me, and I left empty handed.  But the half hour was incrediblely beneficial in that it allowed me to narrow my search down significantly.  I am trying some other options that I found well priced on Amazon (and that weren't available at the LRS), but for my next pair of Virratas I am heading back to the LRS.  They'll most likely charge full price for a pair but so be it.