Whilst not that familiar with the inner workings of the UK bike business, I can't say that I'm impressed with what I've seen so far and here is one example.
Recent experience got me thinking about the difference between some bike shops in reality when you visit them and the impression given by their website.
The website portrays them as being an Aladdin's Cave, full of good quality (and expensive!) European style bikes, accessories and tools. Nice pictures, videos etc.
Which is what I thought I was visiting recently when I went to London to buy my next bike.
All I can say is that the site is a lot better than the shop. Expecting to see at least one of these particular bikes, there were none. And nothing of anything else either, just display models for customers to try out before ordering - if you wanted anything, you had to order and wait. They might deal in these bikes, they just don't stock them. I enquired about visiting another branch (they're opening a chain) but was told they wouldn't have one either. There were a few Brooks saddles and accessories but not much else. The shop itself is about the size of my lounge - not very big - not for a bike shop anyway. Might have explained the fact that there was next to nothing in there...
Now two things: one, this shop isn't the first disappointment: another (London) shop that imports high end German bikes didn't have much either when I visited and didn't seem to know much about a particular model I enquired about. Two, having an attractive website to draw customers has to be a lot cheaper than having a large premises especially in London with high rents and business rates.
But it's no good attracting customers to your shop only for them to be disappointed when they get there...
A good thing I didn't travel only to visit that specific shop; past experience has taught me to shop around, and I'd made a list of others to visit, which I did, finding the bike at the next shop over £100 cheaper than at the first shop. Still had to order it though...
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