SweatShop-Finchley - Gear - Runner's World

ip(FeS2)

pirate

02/03/2004 at 15:21

A newbie runner went into SweatShop in Finchley yesterday looking for first pair of running shoes.-

The shop assistant just pointed them at a few shoes saying "these are stability, these are cushioning" etc- No attempt to explain what the terms mean. Assistant wasn't really keen to use the FootStrike pad, and said not to worry about over-pronation/under-pronation etc. She didn't explain the results of the FootStrike, all in all, not very impressive, and nothing like the Analysis I had when a SweatShop representative came to work.

Ishihara

02/03/2004 at 16:11

I went to the Sweatshop in Teddington on a busy Saturday and they were very helpful and patient. When I told them I was new to running they were happy to test me on the footstrike pad and explain which trainers are best for me.
I would try visiting them again, it may be that the shop assistant was having a bad day.

Numpty

03/03/2004 at 11:50

Sweatshop seem to blow a bit hot and cold to me. In my local shop they also seem very reluctant to actually use the footstrike kit. Are they charged for how many times they use it? However, they were very patient with me once I had gained a bit of knowledge myself and was able to go in and talk about things a bit more specifically. Not ideal for complete beginners I admit. The most help I got was when there was actually a guy from adidas in the shop. He really seemed to know his stuff about adidas and other makes and was very helpful.

venom

03/03/2004 at 12:29

Don't believe all the advertising about Footscan - it's really not all it's cracked up to be. A reluctance to use it could actually be a sign of good service...

Someone who knows what they're talking about can find out all they need to know just by watching you run for a bit and having a look at your old shoes.

I've generally had pretty good service in all the Sweatshops I've been to. Finchley did once sell me a 90 quid pair of shoes that I quickly discovered that I loathed, but they're apparently really good at exchanging in that case. Wish I'd known that at the time...

ip(FeS2)

pirate

04/03/2004 at 09:07

She didn't ask him to do any running up and down at all. Or give him any better advice than you'd expect from a JJB sports..

- I'm glad to see that it seems to be a (more or less) isolated incident though.

skipp

04/03/2004 at 09:38

I dont want to get AnnaJo in here all angry, but I have had good and bad service as well. I think the staff in the Fulham shop are complete crap, but I had excellent service in the covent garden shop. I live in Fulham so that shop would be very convenient for me, but I would never set foot in there again.

Fat Squirrel

04/03/2004 at 22:28

I got excellent service from Sweatshop in Finchley. I'd been having injury problems and they found me some really good shoes that sorted the problem out, and they were even reduced. They were so good, I ordered another pair by mail order. This was a few years ago when they first opened.

Cathryn

08/03/2004 at 13:58

I agree things are really hit and miss. I bought my new trainers in Finchley last week and the girl was really unhelpful in her attitude, but when I persisted in asking questions, she really did know her stuff. The manager there is lovely though and really helpful, so I always try to get him.

Jose.

08/03/2004 at 14:46

My experience says:

Harrods never bad service.

Covent Garden always good service.

Teddington, depends on the shop attendant. Brilliant service some times, careless and completely lack of enthusiasm a lot of more.

skipp

08/03/2004 at 14:51

Jose

You trying to get a spanking from AnnaJo?

Jose.

08/03/2004 at 15:01

if you are not up for it, then I should find somebody else to do it :o)

seriously, most of the times I'm very pleased with my sweatshop experience, a couple of times I've been serviced by teenagers who were not really customer favourites.

Meep-Meep

08/03/2004 at 15:10

Sweatshop at Next Generation club in Glasgow gave excellent service to my wife carefully explaining the different types of running shoes and watching her run on the treadmill.Spent well over an hour in the shop and never once felt hurried or forced into a decision. Also had first hand experience of Sweatshop in Milton Keynes - again superb,enthusiastic,friendly service. I would hope Finchley experience a one off !

SoVeryTired

09/03/2004 at 08:58

I can echo Meep-Meep's sentiments about Sweatshop MK - friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

Minks

11/03/2004 at 15:26

I was really pleased with the service I got from Finchley SweatShop. The guy who served me was extremely patient - did a Footscan, watched me run up and down the shop and on the treadmill, and checked my old shoes. I also tried on virtually half the shop's stock I think - I was in there for about 2 hours! I eventually bought a pair of shoes only to find that within two weeks they'd caused bruising all round the arch of my left foot. The manager agreed to swap them for me for another pair of shoes, which were more expensive than the ones I'd first bought - and didn't charge me for the difference.

I would go there again, but I think I'd also be wary of tempering the advice they give with my own experience. It's too easy to assume that other people are more 'expert' than you and that you should therefore take their advice. At the end of the day you're the one who has to run in the shoes, so make sure you feel comfortable with what you're buying.

annajo

11/03/2004 at 15:35

Thanks for all the posts, I have been keeping an eye on this thread and passing the feedback on, good and bad, to the relevant managers. Hugh, the managing director of Sweatshop, has also taken interest in your comments.
In the cases where people have received less than the high quality service we would expect you to receive at Sweatshop, please accept my apologies on behalf of the shop, and feel free to contact me further if you would like to.
I'm glad to read about all the people who have praised the service they have received from Sweatshop staff, thanks for posting your thoughts here.

Anna
Sweatshop

jennster

11/03/2004 at 17:22

the best running help i've ever had was in the runners need by liverpool street in london. the guy who helped me had infinite patience and actually video-taped my feet in about 6 different shoes. it was fascinating and i got a fantasticly-fitting pair of shoes for my difficult feet. i'd recommend it to anyone who wants good advice in london.

and, no, they didn't put me up to this. i'm just very happy with my shoes!

jennster

11/03/2004 at 17:24

ps. very bitter about an internet order with sweatshop that didn't arrive after a month of waiting and inquiring and apparently isn't on its way, ever. i cancelled the order after waiting forever.

annajo

11/03/2004 at 17:46

jennster, would you be able to email me the details? I would like to investigate into what happened there. sorry you didn't have good service

ip(FeS2)

pirate

12/03/2004 at 10:13

Annajo.-
It's great to get such personal service :-)
I'm torn between not wanting to get people in trouble, and wanting to make sure that beginner runners get all the advice and support they need...

Thanks for taking this up for us

Lindy.

Brooks the beast

12/03/2004 at 11:38

Tend to agree on the mixed reviews.

Only really been into the Milton Keynes shop.

Can't really say the service was good or bad it just seemed to be missing something which I can't quite put my finger on.

Agree Runners Need in Liverpool Street is good. Just behind where I work but took my wife in to gets some shoes as I couldn't work out what was best for her (typical).