65 replies to this topic

[michelinman]

Just thought I'd share this experience I had today.

I went into the new Rebel store in Sydney today, under the new Apple store, on the corner of King St and George St.

As I descended two flights of escalators to get to the shoe section, my heart sank when I saw the shop full of staff, and myself being the only customer looking at shoes. I knew I was in for a tough time.

Within 5 seconds I was approached, and when I told the staff member what I was looking for, he took me directly to the most "expensive" section of the shop, where all the "best" shoes are. Yeah right.

I told him I was after a neutral mens running shoe, that I can train in. Preferably with some good support, and most of all light. So he gives me an Adidas racing shoe.

Thanks mate, but no thanks. Did you hear me? Or were you listening to the black rapper who was yelling over the stereo system?

After he showed me two more pair of shoes that were similar to the Adidas racers, I said thanks but I'll just wonder around.

Well my suspicions were right, when he started dancing to the rapper right next to me, and then another guy came and joined him, as I was looking at shoes. Now I understand these guys were having fun, as I like to do at work with friends too, but there's a right place and time, surely???

Another thirty seconds as I wandered over to the specials, and the same bloke has finished his dance and comes back to me, and says "we have these for you as well", pointing to the shoes I was looking at.

Dimwit, I think I found them by myself, that's why I'm looking at them.

I can't remember, but I think I grunted, and he wandered off, only for his mate to now come and ask me if I was OK??? Are you kidding me?

Seriously I couldn't stand being in the shop any longer, and left with cash in hand vowing to forever more, always be fitted at a proper running shop.

Appreciate the quick service guys, but even monkeys can be trained to ask if people are OK!!!
Actually providing them with the support, fitting and guidance they need is a different matter entirely.

Adios Rebel

[walshy2]

yep, I only shop at Rebel for shoes if I know what I need. I have played dumb at times and had some of their folks telling me blatent untruths about shoe structures etc (like they were just making it up)

[soyboy]

that's life in the big city for you. best decide what you want before you go there. with so many staff there it's just like selling at a supermarket to them.

[Phoenix]

The best thing about rebel is that they have a large range of gear and it's usually well stocked. I go there only under emergency conditions or when I can't find something somewhere else e.g an aqua belt; body glide...

Otherwise they're generally overpriced.

[Beki]

You got fast service at Rebel??? Clearly you have never been to the one in Bondi Junction - they seem to go out of there way to make themselves scarce! I avoid it like the plague and as said in this thread previously only go there if it is unavoidable. I have been known to queue up to buy something only to get so annoyed with the crappy that I have dumped whatever I picked up on the counter and walked out empty-handed

[Twopennys]

I remember a couple of years ago asking for Bodyglide once and got directed to the aquatics section where the happy to please Store Manager showed me a box that contained a long sheet of plastic that you cover with soapy water and take a run and a dive at!

After thanking him for his brave effort in interpreting my request I told him that what I was actually looking for was a lubricant that you applied to your nipples and nether regions to avoid chaffing - the very same Store Manager then assured me that Rebel stocked no such product and had never stocked such a product - he very helpfully told me the name of a running store about 23 suburbs away that I'd need to go to for such a specialty item.

Browsing around - right in the middle of womens running socks and voila - Bodyglide - heaven knows what the store staff thought it was for!

Cheers, 2P

[Littlesim]

Step 1
Get fitted at a shoe store that has staff trained by a podiatrist. Buy one pair.
Step 2
Get online and buy three more pairs from the US and pay half the price

Lame supermarket style chain avoided
Money saved
Specialist business given some support

Edited by Littlesim, 06 August 2008 - 10:00 PM.

[MizukiNoguchi]

Hello Mr Sensitive, hope you have recovered from your 'shocking experience'. I'm gonna head to Rebel tomorrow, sounds like a fun environment for shopping, thanks for the heads up.

[Shoesandsox]

I gotta say I haven't had a bad experience with Rebel. Although like others I don't go in there to ask questions. They do have good sales and if you know what you want they usually have it in your size or can get it for you. If there's one advantage to the "Lame supermarket style chain" it's economies of scale and large reserve stocks.

[undercover brother]

if you need advice regarding running shoes.
go to a store that can give that advice.
ie. a running shoe store
ie. not rebel

[Colsy]

I saw Nimbus 8s for sale in Rebel last week for $189.

Bullshit!

[Ellie80]

I had a couple of shoes recommended by the podiatrist and I went to rebel to try them on (because i knew my running shop didn't stock Nike). I tried on both and couldn't decide, but literally for the 5 minutes I as deciding, the girl who was assisting me stared at me. Not just hovering helpfully nearby... staring. I kept checking that I hadn't had a wardrobe malfunction but no... I think it was her interpretation of service. Quite the opposite to normal, but equally disturbing.

I bought the Nikes just in case she followed me into a dark corner of Bondi Junction and stared at me some more...

[AngelicOne]

I'm pretty sure that Rebel offer to beat other places by 10%

So shop around for the exact shoe that you want, and find the best price ... then go to Rebel and they'll beat that price by 10% I've done that before, but it was a couple of years ago, but I'm sure they'd still offer the same "offer".

Having said that, this overseas buying on the net thing sounds like the go.

[JeffP]

I was in Rebel the other week buying some fins for a Adventure Race and was checking out their Gu prices. Noticed a tub of Powerade powder for $27. Was very sure I pay less than that at my local Woolies for the same thing so checked on the way home, yep only $11 for the same thing.

[Colin]

michelinman, on Aug 6 2008, 08:12 PM, said:

I told him I was after a neutral mens running shoe, that I can train in. Preferably with some good support, and most of all light.

According to another thread here that shop was selling the Nike Pegasus for $99.... it was voted best shoe by RW editors last year.

cheers

[Lakeside]

But really what did you expect from a place that it staffed predominantly by school and uni students? Not knocking them, I worked at similar places through my school/uni years.

The only question I ever ask them is "do you have the Asics 21XX in a 7.5?"

I once deigned to enquire about bodyglide there once only to feel like a dirty pervert. Didn't help when I tried to explain the product "it's this lubricant in a tube that you rub on your.......oh forget about it". I left feeling

I now only ask for bodyglide in my local bike shop.

[Littlesim]

Shoesandsox, on Aug 6 2008, 05:26 AM, said:

I gotta say I haven't had a bad experience with Rebel. Although like others I don't go in there to ask questions. They do have good sales and if you know what you want they usually have it in your size or can get it for you. If there's one advantage to the "Lame supermarket style chain" it's economies of scale and large reserve stocks.

These 'economies of scale' do not make up for the fact I can buy a shoe online for US $59.95 that will sell in a large chain style store for AUD 169.95. The disparity is a farce! If you like lining the pockets of distributors and local franchise owners then go for it.

As I said, I would advise going to a store that has staff that actually run, have a basic understanding of foot biomechanics, and will not think you are a complete tool for wanting to try on 5 different pairs of shoes to get close to the best choice for your own feet. After being fitted correctly buy the shoes at the inflated price we pay in Australia for sports shoes out of respect for the store.

If you really like that model of shoes, order of few more pairs online for up to less than half the price, combine postage costs and save a shed load.

Repeat the process in about 18 months time...

[Bellthorpe]

Or three months time ...

[tank girl]

I like to offer advice to people at Rebel Sport when the salespeople are doing the hardsell on the most expensive shoe... such as, "Oh, if you like that shoe, you may also like the New Balance 903, they are quite similar but tend to fit wider feet," or, "Oh, you could get the Kayanos, but if you're only running 5km a few times a week you can really just down-spec one model and you'll probably find them lighter and more comfortable."

I also take the opportunity to educate cocky salespeople - not the ones who admit they don't know, but the ones who try to bluff me. I bring up such topics as the responsiveness of Mizuno shoes and how a firm feel does not necessarily indicate that there is less cushioning.

Occasionally I see new shoes, and I ask them for the shoe supplier's product catalogue so I can see where it fits in with their other shoes (that I am familiar with).

[Littlesim]

Bellthorpe, on Aug 7 2008, 03:57 AM, said:

Or three months time ...

Hardcore

[vstaR]

Michelin, I think to be fair to the Uni students at Rebel (and most other major Retail outlets), sometimes they suck and sometimes they're great.

Like most others on this site, I only purchase shoes from the US (strangely the price differential gets right up my nose too!) and have done for a couple of years now, but my last running shoe shopping experience - when I didn't know what I wanted and was seeking knowledgeable advice - was in the Rebel Mid-City Centre store. The guy who served me wasn't a runner (I didn't doubt when he told me he was a basketballer - this also helped with getting the boxes from the above-shelf storage!), was VERY close to being of Uni student age, but was well versed in running/feet types/range of shoes on offer.

While I now solely wear a different brand/model, the model he suggested has stacked up in every 'bible' I've read since (eg Runner's World Shoe Guide etc) as being totally appropriate for my feet, gait and mileage.

But yes, I've had a few fun conversations re bodyglide and Gu with Rebel staff.

(I may get a bit controversial here)
However, in answer to some of the other responses here re podiatrists, my experience is that many around Western Sydney only push a few brands and models, regardless of the body composition and required use. Over the last few years, friends, family and work colleagues who have sought advice from a podiatrist always come back with the same shopping list, to the point where I can rattle the 4 models off before they open the piece of paper they've been given. The only exception is for heavy, flat-footed males who seem to always be recommended to buy Brooks Beast.

Are Podiatrists influenced to support certain brands in the same way some GP's always push a certain brand of antibiotic?

While the Kayano is a very good suggestion for a mid to high-mileage runner (and I swear by them!), I question whether my 60yo couch potato work colleague who wanted a comfortable shoe to walk around his block each night really needed to spend $259 on a shoe that would do 10-15k's a week.

I do know that there are some highly recommended Podiatrists on CR, and I'm certainly not painting all with the same brush. My point is that as with Retail staff, sometimes even the 'experts' can be hit and miss.

[miners]

Further to 2P's experiences and others with bodyglide at Rebel, a few years back I found that bodyglide was being displayed in the cricketing section of the Tuggerah Westfields Rebel store. And I kid you not, when I explained to the staff what the product was actually for, I was told that they thought it was for 'rubbing on the cricket bats'

[dropbear]

miners, on Aug 7 2008, 10:10 PM, said:

I was told that they thought it was for 'rubbing on the cricket bats'

What the...?

Maybe they were confused with Bodyline. Innocent enough error.

db.

Edited by dropbear, 07 August 2008 - 10:16 PM.

[reet]

if i remember correctly retail workers under the age of 21 dont get paid enough to know their product. I remember spinning a whole lot of fairy floss when i worked in retail...luckily i was selling pens and nearly no one was passionate about pens enough to catch me out.

[dropbear]

reet, on Aug 7 2008, 10:38 PM, said:

I remember spinning a whole lot of fairy floss when i worked in retail...luckily i was selling pens

What...you twirled fairy floss onto pens?

[reet]

yes magical isnt it?

haha... its another way of saying ...I LIED! *gasp*

I know what you are thinking "what lies could one possibly spin about pens?" well... all my fountain pens had solid gold nips, barrels of steel and refilable chambers where only the highest quality ink would float until it was ready to write your pultzer prize winning novella...admit it...i just sold you a pen....

[SallyL]

Come on guys what do you expect. Rebel is just like any big department store. They have some good stuff but you really need to know what you are after or forget it! Its hard enough for stores these days to get 'any' staff let alone ones with an interest in what they are actually selling. Maybee if rebel payed experienced sporting proffesionals ridiculously high wages to work there, then they would be forced to put their prices up..... not real practical. I suggest if you are after advice on a product you do your bit to support small business and shop at places like 'Athletic Edge' and 'The Runners Store'. Thats what I do!

[Colin]

SallyL, on Aug 8 2008, 12:04 AM, said:

I suggest if you are after advice on a product you do your bit to support small business and shop at places like 'Athletic Edge' and 'The Runners Store'. Thats what I do!

Tried to support them once, but (experienced runner/Strider) at Sydney Running Centre told me " Nike don't make any good running shoes, so we don't stock them...Asics is the best" , when I enquired about the price of the Pegasus.

Why pay $230 for crap advice that most of you trust to be good advice, when you can pay $150 for no advice or at least crap advice that you know is crap.


Edited to remove name of salesman and correct name of shop.

Edited by Colin, 08 August 2008 - 10:27 AM.

[BEN-HUR]

Hi Colin - I don't think it is fair to personally name someone like that. Besides, I am sure the person in question doesn't work at the shop you named.

Kind regards,
BEN-HUR

Edit reason: thought I should remove the name in the quote myself.

Edited by JoggerKev, 08 August 2008 - 11:09 AM.

[Amjan]

BEN-HUR, on Aug 7 2008, 11:58 PM, said:

Hi Colin - I don't think it is fair to personally name someone like that. Besides, I am sure the person in question doesn't work at the the shop you named.

Kind regards,
BEN-HUR

Edit reason: thought I should remove the name in the quote myself.

I agree. In any event, I have always received excellent advice from that person, about a range of shoes. He is my friend, so I have an interest in sticking up for him, but I was buying shoes from him long before we became friends.

[Colin]

Its not about him, just an example that the specialist running shops don't always give good advice and often push the product that gives them the best deal.

At the time of our converstaion he was happy to be quoted on it.

...or do we only bag people who can't stand up for themselves?

Thanks Amjan for not moderating...there has to be consistency, but for the moment I will remove his name...will have a think about it.

cheers

edit:

BEN-HUR, on Aug 8 2008, 09:58 AM, said:

I am sure the person in question doesn't work at the Athletic Edge.

My mistake and apologies to Aths Edge, the shop in question was Sydney Running Centre at Edgecliffe Shopping Centre... I bought my Asics Landreth there (good shoe btw). The person I spoke to is correct, and whether or not he is a great bloke is besides the point, the advice was crap.
The point was about specialist shops vs big retailers.

Edited by Colin, 08 August 2008 - 10:34 AM.

[BEN-HUR]

vstaR, on Aug 7 2008, 09:25 PM, said:

(I may get a bit controversial here)
However, in answer to some of the other responses here re podiatrists, my experience is that many around Western Sydney only push a few brands and models, regardless of the body composition and required use. Over the last few years, friends, family and work colleagues who have sought advice from a podiatrist always come back with the same shopping list, to the point where I can rattle the 4 models off before they open the piece of paper they've been given. The only exception is for heavy, flat-footed males who seem to always be recommended to buy Brooks Beast.

"many"!! - strange how I'm not aware of the practise you are alluding to. I very much doubt that Podiatrists would have any vested interest in 'pushing' a particular brand &/or model unless they were getting some form of incentive for it - which I very much doubt would exist. If it did - I think I would have been targeted before now due to my involvement in running & podiatry. The situation probably is that a couple of Podiatrists recommended a brand(s) &/or model(s) in say a 'neutral' or 'stability' category as examples of shoes that were suitable for the individual & you have probably taking the advice given out of context. I can't speak for the podiatrists in question.

vstaR, on Aug 7 2008, 09:25 PM, said:

Are Podiatrists influenced to support certain brands in the same way some GP's always push a certain brand of antibiotic?

No! - the situation is vastly different due to the prescription base recommendation of the advice given. For example I could recommend a runner buy the Nike Free 3.0 - now he or she doesn't have to purchase that shoe if they don't want to. Whereas a G.P can recommend an antibiotic such as achromycin via a script & in most cases this is what I would get unless I am offered a cheaper generic variety by the pharmacist. I can't go to the pharmacist & ask for another type of class of antibiotic or drug as I am binded to some extent by the script given. For this reason it is advantages for drug companies to send out (in most cases pretty females) reps along with some perks when promoting their companies drug. I have worked in large medical centres & out of G.P rooms - you'll be surprised at the amount of promotional pens, mugs, plates, staplers, hats, mouse pads & anatomy models there are.

I personally rarely recommend a brand or model - in fact I can't remember the last time I did so. I just recommend characteristics to look for in a shoe based on the individual's biomechanical assessment. I advise to try a few different shoes based on these characteristics & then purchase the shoe which feels more appropriate to yourself i.e. individual feel & fit. Thus it could be a Nike, Asics or a New Balance shoe.

[gogirl]

Ellie80, on Aug 7 2008, 08:30 AM, said:

I had a couple of shoes recommended by the podiatrist and I went to rebel to try them on (because i knew my running shop didn't stock Nike). I tried on both and couldn't decide, but literally for the 5 minutes I as deciding, the girl who was assisting me stared at me. Not just hovering helpfully nearby... staring. I kept checking that I hadn't had a wardrobe malfunction but no... I think it was her interpretation of service. Quite the opposite to normal, but equally disturbing.

I bought the Nikes just in case she followed me into a dark corner of Bondi Junction and stared at me some more...

I just got stalked in Rebel as well. The woman wouldn't go away. I knew exactly what I wanted, went in there started looking and next thing the sales woman pops out of nowhere offering me three different types of a simular product. I politely said "No thanks" and she turned up a few minutes later with more in different colours..

I must have given her the "leave me alone" look because she never came back.

Edited by gogirl, 08 August 2008 - 02:10 PM.

[RunLikeForrest]

I agree that the workers in Rebel aren't being paid enough to really give a stuff what product you buy... I mean, seriously, for between $7 and $18 (absolute max) can you expect more?

But yes, I do know that feeling of feast or famine in there. Either 5 staff members converge on you, or you wander around for 20 mins looking for a member of staff!

I'm still tossing up as to whether the shoes I got from athlete's foot (I think?) are really suitable for what I need.... as a beginner it's hard. Once you know what you want then it's easy to be aware when you're being fleeced. As a n00b, I'm more likely to be ripped off, and I won't know until 15-20 km later! *sigh*

[undercover brother]

i went into rebel a while back to buy a fit ball and one of those little wobbly discs that your feet sit on.
got the ball but the guy had NFI what i was talking about with the foot thing.
went next door to the 5 dollar shop and got a hot water bottle intead.

Edited by undercover brother, 08 August 2008 - 02:59 PM.

[Bellthorpe]

So you do your balance exercises on a hot water bottle?

Do make sure the stopper's fully screwed in.

[Wheretonow]

AngelicOne, on Aug 7 2008, 08:52 AM, said:

I'm pretty sure that Rebel offer to beat other places by 10%

So shop around for the exact shoe that you want, and find the best price ... then go to Rebel and they'll beat that price by 10% I've done that before, but it was a couple of years ago, but I'm sure they'd still offer the same "offer".

Having said that, this overseas buying on the net thing sounds like the go.

I wonder if they would give the overseas price less 10%?

[undercover brother]

Bellthorpe, on Aug 8 2008, 03:02 PM, said:

So you do your balance exercises on a hot water bottle?

Do make sure the stopper's fully screwed in.

whilst sitting on the ball.
and i'm pretty light!
pop!

[CantPaceIt]

RunLikeForrest, on Aug 8 2008, 02:55 PM, said:

But yes, I do know that feeling of feast or famine in there. Either 5 staff members converge on you, or you wander around for 20 mins looking for a member of staff!

I try to make sure I know what I want when i walk in there. Most of the time the staff won't leave you alone, sometimes I just walk out. The other day I was looking for a singlet, after rejecting the countless offers of help I finally asked one person a question. After I selected my singlet and was browsing in the shoe section, the staff member followed me there asked me if i was going to buy it, then he put a sticker with his name on it over the tag. So they must have some incentive program for the staff, that's why they stalk you.

The best place I've found for shoe advice is Running Science at Rozelle. They are helpful without being pushy and it's pretty cool watching yourself on the treadmill camera. Only I didn't know I was so hairy!

[reet]

The best place I've found for shoe advice is Running Science at Rozelle. They are helpful without being pushy and it's pretty cool watching yourself on the treadmill camera. Only I didn't know I was so hairy!
quote

what does the treadmill camera do, how does it work...? is is like the footlocker technology?

Edited by reet, 08 August 2008 - 05:00 PM.

[CantPaceIt]

I'm not familiar with what footlocker do, though it's not like Athletes foot technology.

Basically you just hop on the treadmill without shoes, walk for a while and jog a little. A camera watches you from about the calf down. You can see it on a video screen infront of you. Then it comes down to the skill and interpretation of the staff as to what your feet and ankles are doing, for example they worked out that my right foot collapses more than my left. They then try to match a shoe for you which you can try out on the treadmill. They also let you return shoes.
What impressed me about them was the product knowledge of the staff and the fact that they told me the shoes I was using were appropriate instead of trying to sell me the most expensive pair as some places do.

CPI

[Spectre]

CantPaceIt, on Aug 8 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

After I selected my singlet and was browsing in the shoe section, the staff member followed me there asked me if i was going to buy it, then he put a sticker with his name on it over the tag. So they must have some incentive program for the staff, that's why they stalk you.

I've also had that experience at Rebel in Bourke St Melbourne. Young staff member almost jumping out of his skin to put his sticker on the $15 pocket sized bicycle and ball pump I was going to buy. After this and a number of other less than pleasant experiences I don't go in there anymore. It's a shame because if you went back about 10 years ago at Rebel you were allowed to browse in peace but there were still a few people about to ask for help to find stuff. Now they also own A Mart and have converted their old store in Melbourne Central to a Rebel as well.

[BoneyChic]

CantPaceIt, on Aug 8 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

After I selected my singlet and was browsing in the shoe section, the staff member followed me there asked me if i was going to buy it, then he put a sticker with his name on it over the tag. So they must have some incentive program for the staff, that's why they stalk you.

I had the similar experience the other day. I went into Rebel with the intention of buying GU gels. I knew exactly what I wanted and where they were. I picked out the gels that I wanted and was walking back toward the register. The guy working in the area was more concerned with a piece of equipment on the floor and the fact that the lights kept going off. He approached from behind and said "excuse me". When I turned around he grabbed the gels off me to put the stickers with his name on them on my gels. When I asked why he did that, his response was that he had to. When I got to the register, I noticed the girl scanned the sticker as well as the price one. I questioned her, as to why, she told me that it was an incentive scheme. I said that the guy never helped me or was even interested in me while in his department. She then voided the sale and rang it up again without scanning his name sticker. Normally I wouldn't have cared less, but the way he took the gels off me - there was no way he was getting credited for that sale.

[cate m]

undercover brother, on Aug 6 2008, 08:37 AM, said:

if you need advice regarding running shoes.
go to a store that can give that advice.
ie. a running shoe store
ie. not rebel

Go to Athletic Edge at Randwick. Great prices!!

[Spectre]

BoneyChic, on Aug 8 2008, 07:18 PM, said:

He approached from behind and said "excuse me". When I turned around he grabbed the gels off me to put the stickers with his name on them on my gels. When I asked why he did that, his response was that he had to. When I got to the register, I noticed the girl scanned the sticker as well as the price one. I questioned her, as to why, she told me that it was an incentive scheme. I said that the guy never helped me or was even interested in me while in his department. She then voided the sale and rang it up again without scanning his name sticker. Normally I wouldn't have cared less, but the way he took the gels off me - there was no way he was getting credited for that sale.

What absolute hide! I'm pleased he missed out on his "incentive", he doesn't deserve any reward at all treating customers like that.

[freespiritfitness]

Colin, on Aug 8 2008, 01:21 AM, said:

Its not about him, just an example that the specialist running shops don't always give good advice and often push the product that gives them the best deal.

At the time of our converstaion he was happy to be quoted on it.

...or do we only bag people who can't stand up for themselves?

Thanks Amjan for not moderating...there has to be consistency, but for the moment I will remove his name...will have a think about it.

cheers

edit:



My mistake and apologies to Aths Edge, the shop in question was Sydney Running Centre at Edgecliffe Shopping Centre... I bought my Asics Landreth there (good shoe btw). The person I spoke to is correct, and whether or not he is a great bloke is besides the point, the advice was crap.
The point was about specialist shops vs big retailers.

Wow, while you're having a think about it and getting the name of the store correct you might want to consider the damage an ill thought out post can do to a small retailer even if it's only up for a short time before somebody sets you straight.

Steve at Athletic Edge in Randwick is probably the most well informed running shoe fitter I've come across. In addition he stocks a great depth of high end running shoes including flats, spikes etc.

I can only imagine the shitfight that would have ensued had you been slandered like that!

[cate m]

Go to Athletic Edge at Randwick. Great prices!!

[rodthehornet]

In reality Rebel is just the sporting version of Big W/Target/Bunnings. It has a multitude of sports (not just running). I dont expect an expert in every sport to be working in Rebel, just someone that can find me the item I am after in my size/price range.

If I am after advice/guidance with what I want, I do my research before I set foot in the store. I am sure most of us do the same thing either here or on the net. Just think it is a tad unfair to be heaping scorn on the kid on the minimum wage because he doesnt know his pronation from his supination.

Having said that, I wish there were more experts on men's underpants in Big W.

Hornet

[MissPinkyInSydney]

I agree that Steve from Randwick is awesome....great service, really helpful and certainly knows his stuff!

Re. Rebel, I often go into the Miranda store to look at clothes (and wish I could afford them!) and I have never been hassled by any of the staff there. I have never seen those "commission stickers" either. I love being left alone with my shopping so this works well for me. If staff hassled me I would probably never return again!

[FakePlasticTrees]

I've mentioned it before but Rebel stores have a 3 question policy with me. Once a third person asks if I require help I say too much (or something similar) and leave the store.

Speaking of mentioning things before, each time one of these big store v's speciality store threads comes up I always expect to hear Colin's story. So I'm surprised he got the store name wrong. I agree that the comment is pretty stupid considering Nike do make some very good running shoes. Has the person in question had a change of attitude to the brand?