Evans provides a valuable service for souls affected by n+1. I went in soon after it opened and was sorely tempted by a discounted Tern folder. Fortunately the staff were so busy gossiping I failed to catch thir eye and left bikeless.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
MacDonald Cycles
(71 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Thanks CHdot for the Raleigh article.
Shop going since 1937, took over looking middle aged from his dad in 1982, his dad was still going at 75. Maybe the owner is 75 now himself?
They adapted to survive through the last recession but this time round maybe there is no successor?
Retail is cutthroat. people come into your shop, ask the questions they need then buy on the Internet? You carve out a niche then someone opens a new shop across from you to steal your business. You get undercut by big firms running loss leaders to put you out of business.
if you own the premises you have a chance. If you are renting it, things will be tough.
unclear why I am suddenly claiming insight here? anyway Support Your Local Bike Shop if you can.
Posted 11 years ago # -
For a really local mechanic I'd recommend http://www.wheels2wheels.co.uk. They even come to your door, which is real boon when your live a distance from a shop. It's run by one of the forum and he did a great job of building my bike.
Incidentally, swapping a new frame into an existing can be a great way to get a "new" bike.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I found the people at macdonalds quite helpful, but the stock was limited.
I agree with others about the poor service at Evans, the staff seem less than interested in selling anything never mind helping customers. I got a new bike there a few weeks ago and felt like I was inconveniencing the sales person by asking questions about it. He got a mechanic to check it over before I took it out - when I got home I realised the tyres were soft and the gears not indexing properly... Not sure I'm going to make use of the six week service either.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Even though the frame I was asking about had a price tag in 4 figures the young lady behind the till just couldn't be bothered, she didn't seem to have a clue, either about bikes or about customer service.
This would be the Ronde 'bicycle outfitters' I assume. Haven't been there so I can't judge too harshly but the general vibe they give off from facebook postings etc has turned me off them. Possibly you weren't the right sort of customer for them, their loss I suppose.
Oddly enough this reminds me of a thread over on Bikeforums I was reading earlier. Woman had gone into a shop looking at performance road bikes while wearing casual clothes and couldn't get the slightest bit of interest out the staff - they kept assuming she was really looking for a hybrid and didn't know what she was doing. She went back later with lycra etc on and suddenly they were taking her much more seriously.
With Evans, I've found them perfectly fine the few times I've been in, but they do have that sort of sterile atmosphere in there. Interesting what people are saying about the staff as I did happen across this job advert from them - worth reading the 'requirements', clearly something is going wrong...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Working in retail's a bitch. You have to be absolutely on the money every time a customer comes in or they never darken your door again. It's tough, especially when you simply can't keep stock levels even remotely comparable with the internetters (who, for the record, often seem to just pretend to have the stock, grrrr).
Rumours afoot tonight that Velo Ecosse is on its way out as well.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Rumours afoot tonight that Velo Ecosse is on its way out as well.
This would be a real shame but not a surprise given how quiet they always seem to be. VE have been my go-to shop for no-nonsense servicing for ages. I'd phone up EBC about getting a headset put in and they'd want me waiting a week/10 days/2 weeks and be charging quite a bit for it as well. Call VE and I get it put in the same day for half the price.
If they go under I'll have to find somewhere else. I can do almost all maintenance and parts fitting for myself except stuff like headsets and BB facing where there's no real alternative beside the correct tool and a person who knows how to use it.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Only two people from groups deemed a security risk are allowed into the store at any one time."
I've only been in there when it's been quite quiet so I've never spotted them turning denying anyone access until their pre-existing fellow-group-member quota finishes browsing.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Interesting how people have different experiences. I've only had really good service from Evans & Ronde. Velo Ecosse OTOH seem to act as if you are a nobody if you haven't shaved your legs, so it is the one shop I consistently avoid.
If you want no nonsence servicing I'd have thought Pedals would be a better bet.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Agree with stiltskin, experiences vary. To my shame I have never used Macdonald as VE/EBC/TBW are all closer to me but it's always a shame to see a good bike shop close down. And they wouldn't have lasted this long if they weren't doing it right.
VE I have found friendly and knowledgeable, sometimes lacking the size or exact item desired. EBC ok - good stock, advice quality varies, but workshop overbooked. Unless it's a 5 minuter and they will try to squeeze you in. Bike Works - good experiences here recently and now my go-to for mechanical help.Posted 11 years ago # -
I hope the rumours about Velo Ecosse aren't true.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I was happy to use Velo Ecosse when I lived in the area. The guy with grey hair seemed nice. Don't think I have ever used MacDonalds but never good to see an Indie bike shop go.
Posted 11 years ago # -
VE - I've been told it's currently shut but may re-open after some financial reorganisation.
I expect Pedals got some 'passing trade' from having VE so close.
Posted 11 years ago # -
http://edinburghcycleshops.wordpress.com/all/
Needs updating
Posted 11 years ago # -
In more ways than one!
Three 'new' bike businesses I haven't added. (Like to visit and take photo first).
Rumour of a new shop on Ferry Road - anyone noticed??
Posted 11 years ago # -
I didn't use VE much because I had a much closer alternative, but their workshop guys were always friendly and seemed to have a good supply of the sort of random "I don't suppose you happen to have a..." bits that even Bike Works didn't sell. Good selection of Continental tyres too.
Most of the kit was definitely aimed at the high end road market; Assos and Castelli and the likes. Also had some seriously high-end Pinarello road bikes.
I suppose that sort of business might suffer from the trouble of dealing in very low volumes of very high cost gear, it's the sort of thing people might be inclined to Google-around for the best price.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It's been interesting reading the coments on this thread. What I took from them:
- Folk will buy from Evans / A.N. Other big chain (eg. Halfords) despite bad or indifferent service, bike set up wrongly, etc. Somehow this is tolerated / expected in 'soulless' big chain stores.
- Folk will be completely put off a small independent retailer by bad / indifferent service, and not buy anything. Somehow this is 'personal'.
What's going on here? Is this 'the power of the brand'? Are folk just more comfortable with 'soulless' chain stores? Or is it that Evans et al have a certain bike that no-one else stocks (eg. Pashley) at the right price, so forget about service?
FWIW I always found the staff in MacDonald Cycles to be helpful. I never bought a bike there but I have picked up parts, accessories in the past. I used to enjoy browsing there while waiting for my son to come out of his drama class. Admired a few nice old frames in there but didn't fancy the prices. Sometimes browsed in Evans too, still not bought anything from them.
Posted 11 years ago # -
What's going on here? Is this 'the power of the brand'? Are folk just more comfortable with 'soulless' chain stores? Or is it that Evans et al have a certain bike that no-one else stocks (eg. Pashley) at the right price, so forget about service?
Its not a great secret; many people are price sensitve and if you're paying more, odds are indy shop is more expensive, you want to get a better service.
Frankly I’ll never put up with bad service but I’ll live with indifference in a big chain as its more likely I’m just browsing and I don’t like to waste small shops time and being left alone is a plus in Halfords/Evans. But when I want to buy something and am paying a premium over CRC then I’d like to feel I’m a valuable customer.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"What's going on here? Is this 'the power of the brand'? Are folk just more comfortable with 'soulless' chain stores? Or is it that Evans et al have a certain bike that no-one else stocks (eg. Pashley) at the right price, so forget about service?"
All of that (probably).
Clearly (some) people have 'relationships' with one (or more) shops - or individuals there.
There are some people who like 'impersonal' when shopping (not just bikes).
Obviously 'bad experiences' colour opinions. Somehow it's easier to 'excuse' badly trained staff in a chain - though it probably shouldn't be...
Posted 11 years ago # -
I think the people who have bought from Evans either bought before they realised the service was awful, or actually had good customer experiences.
I don't buy from any store if the service is awful.
Posted 11 years ago # -
There are some people who like 'impersonal' when shopping (not just bikes).
Seems to be most people. Otherwise we'd all be going to the local independent butcher, grocer, baker, ironmonger, etc. rather than the supermarché or out of town box shifter. Most UK high streets are dominated by chains too.
Some of that is down to price and range of choice, but the rest? Partly advertising/marketing. A lot is not much to do with the customer: business models, financing, economies of scale, etc.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Of course, Evans was an LBS until fairly recently. It expanded quite a bit then was taken over by a Private Equity company and expanded enormously since.
Posted 11 years ago # -
A huge amount is down to opening times as well (though Bicycle Works bucks this). Supermarkets are open till all hours (and beyond). Porty has a fantastic butcher in Findlays, but I can only use it at the weekends because during the week it's impossible for me to get to during opening hours. But use it I do at the weekends, as well as the nice independent beer shop, and Earthy (what counts as 'independent' and 'chain' - Earthy has three shops now...).
But during the week? If I can I'll get stuff in my lunch hour (today I'm heading to Real Foods in the hope they have a specific type of pasta and some broccoli), but otherwise my choices after 6, when I get home, are sorely limited. And I know Asda will have what I need (and in fairness Asda always seems to have really nice people on the tills).
AND when it comes to a weekly shop and convenience... I don't even have to go to the supermarket, they'll deliver to me. Is that lazy? Well yes, but is it also a better use of my time so I can go about doing the things I enjoy on a weekend escape from the office? Hell yes!
There's a place for both, and I do lament the passing of independent stores, but there has been a serious evolution in the way we shop - to big chains and the internet - that independent stores have to try and grasp. Whether that be through better opening hours; more reliance on the internet; or really really pushing being a more personal experience that people will enjoy (my lunchtime coffees are spread around various little independent stores around here, despite the attentions of Starbucks and Costa - sold on the actual product being better, the spaces being nicer and more comfortable, and the staff being more 'human').
I'm waffling now, but a prime example of people wanting a de-personalised shopping experience? Self service checkouts.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I like self service checkouts because I don't get embarassed as I clear my wallet/pockets/tables of loose change. The staff in the local co-op are very friendly, but they must think that I do nothing but drink, as that's mostly what I buy there.
On the other hand, I get up nice and early on Saturday and get 90% of my week's food shopping from Farmers' market, where I normally have a grand chin-wag with the stall keepers, and because of that I can now get special orders of some of the more arcane foods (e.g. hearts and kidneys, black or blue potatoes) that I like and are hard to source in most local shops.
These days with the ubiquity of the internet, I'm likely to buy accessories for my bikes that way - bits are bits, and I can comparison shop without hoofing it all over town and spending a lot of time. I'll buy bikes in the shops though - fitting a bike is like fitting clothes, something else I don't buy across the internet.
The advent of the internet is still causing ripples and unfortunately specialist retailers are probably going to be the biggest casualties.
Posted 11 years ago # -
These days with the ubiquity of the internet, I'm likely to buy accessories for my bikes that way - bits are bits, and I can comparison shop without hoofing it all over town and spending a lot of time.
I agree with that. Of course many internet retailers on fleaBay are LBSes, often in smaller towns or obscure corners of larger ones. They have seen there's a market for certain components and sell either difficult to find NOS items or standard items cheaper sometimes than even CRC can manage.
Internet not always cheaper (Amazon or Wiggle often quite pricey) but as WC surmises, convenience and breadth of choice are king. Internet 'always open', even at 2am if you want to order then...
I do still buy stuff from my LBS (Eastside Bikes) but I mainly get my bikes serviced there (the trickier jobs like bearings, mostly).
Oh and I can't stand self-service tills in supermercados. The terminals are just dumb, there's always some niggling wee issue like you haven't placed items in bag, something scanned incorrectly, etc. Takes more faffing around than a real till operator. I tried it but never again. Apart from anything else, why should I do the supermercado's job for nothing? Maybe I'm not easily embarrassed by the contents of my wallet but give me a human being on the till any day, however zoned out they may be.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
Internet not always cheaper (Amazon or Wiggle often quite pricey) but as WC surmises, convenience and breadth of choice are king. Internet 'always open', even at 2am if you want to order then...
"For me internet is where most components are sourced.Regardless of price, I just don't have the time, work, then add 3hrs+ a day cycling to/from work means out of the house from ~7am - ~7.30pm. Weekends are most definitely not for running round bike shops for bits, unless it's a replacement for something that is broken and needed for Monday.
WRT buying my Pashley from Evans, that was definitely a 'it's in stock, and I can have it soon' decision. Mentioned before that we bought my wife's Pashley in Nicholson's in Dundee, service there was excellent. I would have had to wait 6wks if I had bought mine there too. I wish I had waited the 6wks though, and it would have been the same price as some brands just don't allow discounting by the big shops.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It was only the day before this thread started that I was in the attic and came across my Giro Air Attack in its limited edition Greg Lemond Z team design. Only when I looked at the price sticker on the box did I remember it had come from MacDonald's.
It always seems a bit disingenuous to be sorry about somewhere closing whilst saying you didn't really shop there much (if at all) but I feel the same. When shopping for my current road bike, I did go in there as they were a Bianchi stockist, and was offered a test ride of the Via Narone I was interested in. It was really only a dislike for the Campagnola Ergopower thumb shifter compared to Shimano's Ultegra STI which put me off taking the ride, otherwise they might have had a sale. I probably only shopped there a handful of times and whilst I did get a bit of the 'in-crowd' vibe about the staff, I would never say they were anything other than helpful when approached.
I haven't found too much bother with either Evans' or Velo Ecosse's staff either.I prefer to approach the staff rather than the other way around and that is a key difference between different customers (and different shop's approaches to business). At Evans, I got good advice on a Gilet and in VE I got good advice on overshoes with a suggestion of an alternative without having it pushed on me, even though it may have been a better margin for them. I like EBC and they have been my longest-standing LBS of choice - the bigger problem there tends to be finding someone free to serve you and sometimes it's hard to know who actually is free. But everyone I've dealt with has been polite. I do miss Big Ged being in the store (and seeing his gigantic bike chained up across the road!) I did say hi as I passed him on the return from a long ride one day last year, presumably heading home from the Dalmeny HQ.
Bike shops in general seem to have an air of a club atmosphere. I suppose it depends what club you appear to be in!
Posted 11 years ago # -
My issue with McDonalds in Musselburgh was that I tried really hard to support them. I bought bikes and components there. I went in every weekend for six weeks to see if my frame was fixed before accepting that they probably couldn't ream threads. I go up to the point of (in fact way beyond) being a dupe when I buy stuff from LBSs but I persist. I spent nearly £30 over the online price for cycling shoes at EBC because I felt a loyalty to them from back in the days when James Towlson was the shop manager.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@cyclingmollie are EBC not still doing their price match? You find it cheaper they match it? Or indeed in my experience they google the bib shorts and found them cheaper and matched it.
Posted 11 years ago #
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