George White, crap. Hein Gericke, great!

[gabriel_gs]

Just went over to George White in Slough to get some new trousers. Had bought a bike there a couple of years ago, so knw they had a clothing dept. They were pretty rubbish when I bought my bike, so I should have expected the service (or lack thereof) that I got.

Went upstairs to their clothing department and asked for some help. Not bought trousers for a few years so didn't really know what I was look at/for.

"What size?" was the curt reply to my request

"Uh, don't know probably large? 34" waist?"

"Yeah got nothing in large mate. Try downstairs".

No offer to help show me what the options were, just fobbed off. The department is cavernous, so 'no large' yeah right.

Uh.. ok, so I go downstairs where they had a few more options. Had to practically shout across the large downstairs showroom to ask if it was "Ok to try some stuff on" as no one made a move to assist.

"Yeah, go ahead" was the reply to my eventual request, not that anyone still lifted a finger to help. To busy having a chat by the front door to actually do their 'job'

I was clearly unsure as to what I was after, tried a couple of pairs on, but no one offered any help so thought sod 'em and left.

Amazed they're still in business with attitudes like that. Totally crap service. Will never go back.

Then on the way home, discovered Slough's Hein Gericke store. Warm greeting when I got in, immediately the guy asked if I like him to show me about, so when I said yes he started showing me styles, materials, really really helpful, not salesy at all - I even had another member of staff come up and offer me a cuppa.

Got a pair of trousers, love 'em, but more importantly understood what I was looking at and helped by really friendly staff. Even gave me advice on how to wash and care for them. Will definitely be goign back to GH Slough.

Top marks, Hein Gericke - Get stuffed, George White!

 

[Tank]

Have to say that I also visited Whites the other week when staying with some friends in Swindon.

I agree that the sales staff seemed 'slack' to say the least. My mate was looking for some boots and there was no approach from staff to him to offer advice or recommend any boots for him.

I think the place is way too large and it just does not have the 'personal' touch of the likes of HG and others.

Having said that they must be doing something right, the place is like a stadium!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

BIG Dave from the H-G shop in Reading told me that he would have to send my Cruise II jacket away to be 're-Gortexed' the fcuking cock

I like H-G stuff

 

[Rasher]

Did you meanthe GW outlet or main bike shop?

Outlet is like an autojumble, crap all over the floor, like them cheapo clothes shops you get selling seconds.

Bike store is better, I got asked if I would like help the other week when browsing the clothing and a member of staff was helpful, odd as when looking to buy a brand new ZZR I called 3 times and was told someone would call me back, they never did and I took my £8k elsewhere.

Went to Cheltenham HG last week, much better, but they specialise in clothing so should be good at it. Felt like I got good advice, although they started at the £1400 suit depsite me explaining I was looking for mid-level gear, before moving down to my £400-£500 budget range.

I was surprised how much decent textiles cost, you can get a decent leather suit these days with plenty of vents and stretch panels and built in armour from £300, £600 gets you great gear, was hoping textiles where similarly priced.

 

[gabriel_gs]

Having said that they must be doing something right, the place is like a stadium!

I think that's the issue - with such a large bike showroom (and really the only one within a good few miles) they obviously make enough on the bikes that the rest is lip service.

I won't be bothering to go back though. Costs nothing to be polite to customers... less to even acknowledge them!

 

[Monsieur]

J

"What size?" was the curt reply to my request

"Uh, don't know probably large? 34" waist?"

"Yeah got nothing in large mate. Try downstairs".

I'm buggered then if 34'' waist is now classed as large

 

[sidestand]

I use MCA in Leicester these days
Staff are very knowledgable & helpful
And their Dainese gear is cheaper the the HG gear these days

A lot of that GW gear is tat anyway

 

[gabriel_gs]

Did you meanthe GW outlet or main bike shop?

Outlet is like an autojumble, crap all over the floor, like them cheapo clothes shops you get selling seconds..

It's the George White Showroom on Mill Road.

Funny, reading your reply made me think.. the main ground floor is the bike show-room - immacualate - shiney floor tiles etc

The clothing floor, upstairs is like a bad jumble sale as you said - reminded me of TK Maxx!

If they're not going to invest in the clothing, and my that I mean actually be courteous to customers, them why f**king bother?

 

[gabriel_gs]

I'm buggered then if 34'' waist is now classed as large

Well, unfortunatley, these days they do trousers in S, M, L, XL, XXL instead of regular "what size is your waist, sir" sizes

Why, I don't know.

Either way, 34" ain't large!


(at least I'll keep telling myself that!)

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

It's the George White Showroom on Mill Road.

Funny, reading your reply made me think.. the main ground floor is the bike show-room - immacualate - shiney floor tiles etc

The clothing floor, upstairs is like a bad jumble sale as you said - reminded me of TK Maxx!

If they're not going to invest in the clothing, and my that I mean actually be courteous to customers, them why f**king bother?

I'm pretty sure that you are talking at cross purposes here .... I believe Tank & Rasher are talking about George White (Swindon) which is their main place whereas you're talking about the Slough branch

In Swindon they have two bike showrooms (one is a dedicated Honda dealership) and across the road they have a big warehouse stuffed with clothing and accessories and behinmd that is the Autojumble building which is full with tacky shite that no one wants. Having said that I did pick up a pair of K1200/K1300 panniers that were locked and had no key for £10 from the autojumble bit. I sorted out the locks and sold them 3 weeks later on e-bay for £230 ...... Musn't grumble

 

[gabriel_gs]

Yea I'm talking about Slough.

Either way, their customer service sucks balls.

 

[Rasher]

So they are all like TK Max then.

The Swindon showroom is OK, over the road is a huge warehouse which is the outlet.

They mainly do Frank Thomas stuff and it is a bit naff, I tried a load of their leathers on a couple of years back and they were not designed for Humans. I reckon the do one size of legs for the jeans and then fit the different waist sections, I am tall and slim(ish) build and the thigh to ankle areas where far too big, it looked like I was wearing a space suit, the knee areas where so big I had to walk like I was riding a horse. Got an RS suit for similar money that was far better.

This year I bought an FT "Bone Dry" suit, the first time I needed it (in the Alps) the legs immediately pulled up over the boots when you sat on the bike and the crotch ripped, not good, had to be designed by someone who does not ride a bike and never tested the design with someone sat on a bike, or at least a sportsbike, may have got away with it on a GS.

For all of it's faults GW Swindon does have some bargains, although for the most part only in XXXS or XXXL sizes. But for those new to biking or on a budget worth a look, especially if your very small or very big. They also have some parts at very low prices.

Can't see me making size zero, but with Xmas coming up perhaps XXXL could be in my grasp.

 

[uncle dick]

H-G sell crap too.. My trousers have been worn 5 times and both zips are broken. Trouble is it's a 70mile round trip to return them.

You live and learn.

Dick

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I'd rather live 70 miles away from a dealer who will change them FOC than 1 mile away from a dealer who won't

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I see there is a new HG shop about to open on the A40 near Cassington.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Early December I believe

 

[Rasher]

I E-Mailed them at the weekend to ask if they have a date yet, but so far no reply.

The one at Cheltenham is pretty decent, but hoping the new one will open soon so I can drop in regularly and see if any bargains come up.

 

[The smudger]

Early December I believe

Get that mask out ready mate......