grace3 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 If that store turns over 1.3m from now till it closes in 2016 (April) then I will eat your lycra shorts. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-804192 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlteenie Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 The observant cyclist will have noted that in the last 10-15 years Evans have adopted an aggressive policy of setting up near existing independents and trying (and often succeeding) to put them out of business... e.g. Ludgate Circus, Drury Lane, Gray's Inn Rd (didn't work on Condor), etc, etc. Their shops are selling machines, about as fun as car showrooms. Shop there and you won't have independent shops for long. Well-run independent stores may not be cheaper but you are more likely to build a relationship with their employees and benefit from that service at 5 to 6 when you turn up desperately needing help... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-805529 Share on other sites More sharing options...
taper Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I buy my tyres from Evans. That's about it. Hadn't heard that before Mlteenie, but wouldn't surprise me at all. The one next to Condor lasted just over a year from memory, so hopefully Balfe's and yer man in Bellenden can see them off Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-805570 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Mac Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Suzib Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> Such a shame East Dulwich is starting to become> full of chain stores. Well bikes need chains after all. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-805612 Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncang Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I'll be sticking with Balfe's because of the excellent, professional & friendly service, can't recommend them enough Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821444 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 We have a load of car garages and as cycling gets more and more popular it might surpass cars :)There's room for Kwik Fit and Turners Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vick Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I can't help wondering how long this branch will last. It's massive and in a random location Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactus Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Live opposite Balfes, but they let us down a while ago when we booked to drop off one of our bikes for a service before work. Partner turned up at 8am with the bike, guy in shop didn't open up and ignored partner and another guy waiting outside for at least 10-15 mins. Gave up, took the bike home and went elsewhere. Happy to have Evans on the doorstep now. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ukjoncollins Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 As a supporter of good, local businesses I welcome the Evans store. I went in to Balfes to get my gears indexed, had to wait 4 days, they charged me over ?60, didn't address the fact that the cable hadn't been installed properly and the gears went back out of line. Turns out it's incredibly easy to do yourself. Took me a quick Google and 2mins time to sort myself. Fuming at being ripped off by them. Evans staff have been nothing but friendly, helpful, reasonably priced and quick. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821712 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMadMoo Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I have to say, i do find Balfie rates for repair extremely expensive. +1 for doing it yourself! most bike maintenance is pretty straight forward. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821717 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balfe's Bikes Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hi all,Cactus, that sounds terrible I'm sorry we let you down like that. I'm not sure what happened but it shouldn't have. Let me know how I can make it up to you please?Jon, I've just pm'd you, sorry for your service I hope we can work that out.MissMadMoo, we are always happy to show people how to do their own jobs. I have to say that our labour rates compared with other shops are actually pretty reasonable. We keep an eye on local charges and never intend to charge too much. If you compare us to the chains we are hands down cheaper. Our parts are charged at rrp and we do not mark up.I can promise you that our services are some of the most reasonably priced around, just have a look at what we include: (http://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/pages/service_general.html)I'd like to say that all my staff and myself work really hard to provide a good service, I employ people who know and love bikes and we take feedback like this really seriously. But at the heart our business is a great workshop and the will to always do a job we can be proud of. Sorry to those of you that we have let down.Richard Balfe. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821722 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ukjoncollins Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Thanks Richard, I appreciate the message and offer. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveR Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I've always found Balfe's v reliable and competitive on price (which is not the same as cheap btw). I've used various Evans branches over the years and the quality has been generally good, but definitely not cheap. Competition is generally good for the consumer, but I do wonder whether Evans are going to cover their overheads in that shop. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelBel65 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I went into Balfe's recently for a new inner tube. Thoroughly nice guy showed me the best way to put it back inside the tyre which will save me time and money in future. Advice was free, inner tube a good price. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821742 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beulah Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 +1 for Balfeswe went in on the off-chance to look at folding bikes and the staff were v helpful friendly and let us try some out.I have also used Evans' price match system many times in the past - what's particularly good is that you can return online ordered stuff to any Evans store - others like CycleSurgery ask you to return by post. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821796 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Probably a bit of money in the employer cycle buy schemes (cyclescheme.co.uk).Balfes were listed when I got mine and checking the map Evans are too - and Rat Race Cycles in Nunhead. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/51514-evans-above-another-cycle-store/page/2/#findComment-821799 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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