38 replies to this topic

[pastyboy]

I was kind of amazed to hear a prime-time radio ad this morning advertising adidas running shoes and the fact that you can return them within 28 days and change them if you are not satisfied. 28 days is a long time, and I wonder how many miles I could inflict on a pair in 28 days... My local running shop always offered this kind of service, mainly because they realise that they have to keep customers satisfied to keep them coming back.

So I was wondering what CoolRunners thought of this campaign to advertise shoes. Do you think it will actually get people to buy adidas? Would a 28 day trial entice you to try out their shoes (you can, within 28 days, swap them for anything else in the store). Is now a good time to be advertising running shoes? I would have thought it isn't a good time - most of the big races and fun runs are over for this year.

Oh, maybe I'm just a bit cynical, but maybe it's a push for christmas shopping ideas for people?

So which shoe company ads really work? Nike and New Balance always seems to have great photography which catch my eye, Asics seems to have far too much information in their ads in magazines for my interest, Brooks has small column inch ads that seems pretty dull.

Pasty

[Louie]

I think people on this forum would not be influenced by any sort of shoe advertising. We have all been around long enough to have our preferred brand and know what we like.

If you’re running enough, 28 days could be enough for any pair of shoes. I guess they suspect people will buy and then be too slack to go back unless they are really having troubles with the shoes.

[vat]

Interesting tactic - I guess if it's convenient to return the shoes quickly and change over to the shoes you were going to buy anyway I'd give it a whirl - I'm pretty confident I'd work out if I liked them or not in one or two runs.

If it was some pain in the backside arrangement where you had to send the shoes back to Adidas and wait for a voucher to come in 4-6 weeks, forget it.

It'd take a lot to lever me out of my Asics, though.

[turtle]

I went to a well known sports footwear chain in the weekend and bought a new pair of Asics and they said the same thing - if I'm not happy to bring them back and they'd exchange for another pair (with receipt). They encouraged me to try them out and said you didn't know until you ran in them. Thought it was great service - don't know what it would be like if I took them back though. Theyv'e been great so far.

[BOOF]

All I can say is Mr.G doesn't want to be one of there customers he requires a new pair after 28 days :P

[Luckylegs]

I'd like to know what they do with the returned, 28 day worn shoes; do they go back on the shelf? Hope not....some poor customer could end up with shoes many times 28days worn! :unsure:

[runrtom]

Hi Pasty. My reaction is that they must be pretty desperate to make sales if they offer this sort of deal. Why can't they sell their shoes based on the usual marketing/selling practices of precise fitting, brand awareness, quality perceptions, store customer service, price etc..

Have they run out of ideas and strategies to compete against other shoe manaufacturers on things like comfort, style, efficacy, value for money etc..??

I think most people can see through this stunt and know that ultimately it is we, the consumer, that pays for the cost of returned shoes assuming they can not be resold.

I don't think regular sportspeople are sucked in by superficial short term promotions like this. As I read in a post a while back - just look at the size of the marketing departments and budgets of some megacompanies like Nike and compare it to the relative budgets on R & D.

I prefer to support the companies and brands that consistently provide quality products without all of the marketing hype.

While Brooks may lack some of the marketing pizzaz of Nike etc... I have run in Brooks shoes for 5 years now and although I have tried other brands, find their shoes to be of top quality.

You can often judge a good product/service by the lack of this promotional type advertising ie.. the business is so busy that they don't need to attract more customers.

[Jogger]

I have a very low opinion of all the makers of running shoes.

Over the years I have worn successive models of Adidas, Nike, Asics, Brooks, Saucony, New Balance etc. Every year they bring out a new version of the same model and I will keep wearing them, then the gooses totally change the build of the model but keep the same name. When I complain to the shop that the new version is different it is "oh yes version 6 is totally different build to version 5".

I am then FORCED into a new make/model that fits, and usually that will keep me going for another couple of years until they pull the same stunt.

It appears that all the manufacturers are as guilty as any other as they all operate the same.

I will be guided by what fits best not what is the best deal of the week. My feet are worth more than that.

But then I am sure that the 28day trial isn't targetted at the serious end of the running market, but at those people that fancy getting a bit of fresh air this summer, and that might be swayed into purchasing due to a good deal.

[ingrid]

I wonder what the Dept. of Health would think of this? I mean feet can get pretty sweaty, especially in summer, and 28 days running some of the distances cool runners do, I certainly wouldnt want to be putting those ones back out for sale!!!

[Phantom Strider, retired]

If I were

1.interested in buying similar priced/featured shoes from manufacturer A, B or C

AND

2. prepared to pay full RRP

AND

3. 'A' offered me 28day return


I would certainly go for 'A' in the first instance.

BTW, I don't think a company like Adidas would be stupid enough to risk their reputation by letting retailers put those returned shoes back on the shelves.

[freespiritfitness]

this is a cool thread, i've not heard these ads but i guess they are aimed at people like most of us who stick with a brand 'cos we know and like it.
adidas are not really known to be a 'serious' runner's shoe so maybe they're after that market.

i doubt they'd put em' back on the shelf !

kev is spot on about companies changing the build etc in a model which retains the name.
if i find a good pair of shoes i'll usually go back 2-3 weeks later and buy 2 more pair and rotate them to avoid this problem.

i'm currently running in a pair of magic racers which were trashed after 2 weeks ! so i would have liked the opportunity to go back and swap them !! in fact i would have just KEPT swapping them every 28 days !

i've yet to see an ad that influenced my buying decision in running shoes but then again i used to buy the 'bondi's 'cos i liked the colour scheme and i bought the magic racers after i saw a pair fly past in the sydney 1/2 and liked the colour also!
not the most discerning buyer i know.

i'd be interested to hear what steve howard has to say about this subject.

[vat]

Admittedly I'm not from a marketing background, but I can't think of how else, short of giving shoes away, you'd break into the 'serious' running shoe market. I know a couple of the more 'fashionable' brands have been popping up at various running clubs showing off their wares.

[RunWolf]

I'm in the market for a new pair of shoes. If anyone offers me a free pair for 28 days I'll take them for sure. I think it would add to the motivation to run, just to see how many kms I could clock up before taking them back on the 27th day.
:D

[CRL]

I think an offer like this might be just enough to sway someone who was perhaps thinking of trying a new pair of runners, but not quite prepared to take a gamble on what could end up as another expensive pair of gardening shoes. To the consumer it comes across as a pretty low-risk way to try out some new shoes. And if they DO happen to like the Adidas ones, then they may be a long term supporter of the brand too.

[Sueruns21]

I don't know about this offer ... I would imagine that they have a lot of fine print about the condition of the shoes if and when they are returned. Just my cynical two cents :rolleyes:

[BUOYAJ]

Pastyboy,
I am sure that there would be Terms and Conditions associated with this free 28day trial offer. I would certainly check it out first before going any further, ie read the fine print.
Approx 6-8 years back a shoe company came out with a similar trial offer and a friend took it up but had problems after the 3rd time back, questions why etc etc. However I will ask my friend on the details and repond soon.
Happy and safe Running, Joe :) :) :)

[andrevski]

can anyone tell me where in Sydney we can get hold of a pair of these 28 day shoes ?

when I was in high school in the early 70s & wore dunlop volleys (with the green stripe ) I can remember being jealous of the few kids at school whose parents could afford to buy them the Adidas Rome, the height of high tech sports shoes.

so I'd be more than happy to give the current models a few weeks to prove themselves.

thanks B)

[Jogger]

Using Pastyboy's link, the website says:

" We're so confident in our technical running shoes that we make you this offer:
Trial them for 28 days after purchase. Run in them on gravel, sand, mud, asphalt, grass and concrete. Do your worst. Then if you're not completely satisfied, return them within 28 days and swap them for anything else in the store. Of course once you've run in them, the last thing you'll want to do is give them back. But that's another story. "

Sydney stores participating in the deal are:

INSPORT
Address: 413 GEORGE ST, 2000 SYDNEY
Telephone: 02-97446617 OFF

ADIDAS CONCEPT STORE SYDNEY
Address: 455 GEORGE STREET, 2000 SYDNEY
Telephone: 02 9268 0722

THE VILLAGE SPORT
Address: 247 DARLING ST, 2041 BALMAIN
Telephone: 02 9818 5909

MYER/ GRACE BROS
Address: 436 GEORGE ST 2000, 2000 SYDNEY

REBEL
Address: CR BAY ST & BROADWAY ST, 2009 BROADWAY
Telephone: 02-92115511

Melbourne:

MYER/ GRACE BROS
Address: 295 LONSDALE MELBOURNE, 3000 MELBOURNE

ROWE & JARMAN
Address: SHOP LG42 MELB CENTRAL, 3000 MELBOURNE
Telephone: 03 9662 4044

MSD
Address: 370 CHAPEL STREET, 3141 STH YARRA
Telephone: 03 9827 3008

REBEL
Address: 296-300 CHAPEL ST, 3181 PRAHRAN
Telephone: 03-95101515

SPORTSMART
Address: 387 HIGH STREET, 3070 NORTHCOTE
Telephone: 94821833

Brisbane

AMART
Address: 78 QUEEN STREET, 4000 BRISBANE
Telephone: 07)3229 9311

SPORTSPOWER
Address: 138 QUEENS ST, GLADSTONE**
Telephone: 747835744

REBEL
Address: 91-112 QUEEN STREET, 4032 CHERMSIDE
Telephone: 07-32217894

SPORTSCO
Address: 1015 SANDGATE ROAD, 4012 TOOMBUL
Telephone: 07)3266 9204

INDENPENDANTS
Address: 14 LAMBERT ROAD, 4068 THE SHOE CO.

Canberra

S'MANS WAREHOUSE
Address: SHOP 24 / 37 BUNDA STREET, 2601 CANBERRA
Telephone: 02 6230 1837

S'MANS WAREHOUSE
Address: 20 WHYALLA ST, 2609 FYSHWICK
Telephone: 02-6280 4800

S'MANS WAREHOUSE
Address: CR NETTLEFOLD & COHEN STS, 2617

BELCONNEN
Telephone: 02 6251 1485

REBEL
Address: WESTFIELD SHOPPINGTOWN, 2617 BELCONNEN
Telephone: 262534755

REBEL
Address: KELTIE STREET, 2606 WODEN

[RunWolf]

Hi All
Just thought I would point out that the list of stores kindly put up by Kevin isn't entirely complete. There are a number of other stores throughout Syd including Pauls warehouse and it appears all the stores in the chains of Rebel, Insport, Sportscene and TAF are participating. I might even venture into one myself and see if I can get a free pair for the Christmas period.

Might even be worth having another CR Challenge: How many km's can you do in 28 days.

[CRL]

Thanks for the summary Kevin. Interesting to see Myer/Grace Bros in the list. In my experience, they've got a pretty good returns policy anyway, so I would imagine they wouldn't be too phased by being a part of this sort of promotion.

Out of interest I contacted Adidas to see what would happen with returned shoes. A customer service representative will be in touch .... I'll keep you posted.

[CRL]

Hey lonewolf, we posted at the same time! Don't we have to hook pinkies and make a wish or something??

I love the idea of a CoolRunning 28-day Adidas challenge. Would it be wrong for all CRs to go out, rack up the km's and exploit Adidas for our own amusement....?

[Dang]

If you return the shoes as unsuitable for your needs you may as well sue the retailer for selling you a faulty product .Choose , say a racing shoe if you are really heavy & do a marathon in it causing yourself an injury.If the retailer or distributor fail to disclose the proper uses for the shoes in writing you could sue them ?A flat footed runner with shin splints could buy a soft neutral model & end up injured.A free pair of shoes & $? for damages.For the retailer to take the shoes back implies an error occured in the first place , unless the shoes disintergrate. ;)

[Jogger]

The list of stores was from the adidas website of particpating stores (I actually entered sydney, to a radius of 50km) so if they left stores out that's their issue. Not not everyone who sells adidas is guaranteed to do the 28-day deal. I then searched on brisbane, melbourne, canberra. I didn't search on Perth, Adedlaide, darwin etc so its not a definite australian list.

As for Dang's last comment : the less sue-ing of people that happens in this country the better. I feel that along with fast food it is one of the worst american-isms to have imported. It is THAT attitude that is helping to kill the sport.

[freespiritfitness]

what kevin said.

[Dang]

So its ok to mislead a retailer & return shoes fraudulantly ? Tongue in cheek re suing but the coolrunners who are going to cheat Adidas are not good citizens.Who condones this scam ?

[Jogger]

Dang - agree with you there - honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. Do the 28 trial, but be honest.

For myself, its hard enough finding the "right" shoes. Now I think I have them I ain't chancing my luck with a different pair unless I have to do.

[Jumper]

The shoes are only $10 ex the asian factory where they are made.

I think its a good offer for anyone worried about parting with $250, and not sure about changing to another brand of shoe.

I buy in the $19-$60, as the expensive shoes don't last any longer for me. I resoled some brooks at 600 kms (3 weeks training for me).

Yes, I agree, no suing by australians.

[freespiritfitness]

bloody hell jumper, you're running 200k a week in re - soled $ 20 shoes?
better call maccattack !

[karisma]

We have seen the advertisement and wondered whether the trial only applied to the Supernova and Response models pictured....and I just made a phone call...and....

it does literally!!... also including a style called Climacles which the store I rang didn't stock!(so think I have just found some small print!!)

there are only certain models of running shoes that this advertisement applies to!!....

and I was just going to tell you of the Addidas shoes that boyfriend and I have run in and like..for me Ozweego(forefoot cushioning), and he Attune(neutral,70kg male)...but doesn't seem quite applicable anymore!!

I agree with a lot of the previous comments about runners and their shoes, I myself am very fussy, if only it was as simple as picking the ones that come in the nice colours!!...

Do like some of the Adidas brochures tho!

the runner with band-aids on his chest, and the girls keeping look out whilst their friend finds a tree...

and the slogan, "Runners are different", hard to forget, but doesn't make me want to buy just any shoe, Runners may be different but when it comes to shoes I don't think too many of us are too different in the fact that we are very particular and like to stick to what we know and trust!!
:)

[PEEKIE]

There is a full page ad in the new edition of runners world. I may have even been tempted to try a pair of Cairo's, too bad it only applies to specific models of their shoes.

[roodrunner]

what a great sales pitch!be sure to return your shoes by early Jan.Most people will be wrapt up in the new years celebrations or away on holidays.
Also people will be attracted by the crowds scooping up on the bargains,being chrissie time and all,there won't be many returns,after all they would be targeting people that are wanting to get into running , as Loui said most seasoned runners know what they want. B)

[miles]

I think the 28 day trial is a great idea for adidas to attempt to get back into the market for serious runners. I have worked at a sports shoe shop and you would not believe how many people come in and say they want asics and not even LOOK at the other brands (alternatively, there are also people who are like that about Brooks shoes). They say that no other shoes suit them or they get injured in them, but the fact is that shoes vary so much WITHIN a brand, and even the update of a shoe can be so different that they are taking a risk anyway (eg. asics 2080's to 2090s are very different shoes). I challenge people like this to give adidas a go and try them out. I used to be of those people who would only wear asics, but after trying the adidas supernova cushions, they are the best pair of training shoes I have ever had.

The reason there are only certain models on the deal is beacuse they are the top models that they are most confident about and are their better shoes. Anyone who tries the cheap stuff on is bound tp bring them back straight away. And they are targeting the serious runners.

I think it is a great idea by adidas, and hopefully more people will 'think outside' asics and brooks.

[cjr]

I just went to buy a new pair of shoes today, and ended up with the Adidas Supernova (without the return offer I wouldn't normally even have looked at Adidas, but they actually felt really good)
The guy in the shop said that they would take them back no questions asked, in any condition and issue a refund immediately. Apparently Adidas have a great deal of faith in their new shoes, and have run this offer in several European countries, with less than 1% returns and their martket share increased substantially as a result.

[Elsapuppy]

I used to wear Asics Nimbus and when in need of a new shoe in december took advantage of the Adidas offer. I'm now an avid convert to adidas having been very impressed with my supernova cushions for the past 5 months. My next shoes will certainly be adidas. As a new reader of coolrunning I must say I'm a little worried about the mentality of some readers for them to even contemplate that a major shoe company would place returned shoes on to the shelf, how thick are these people!

[Darkie]

There you have it. Elsapuppy is converted. If he buys just 3 pairs a year, 3x28 day returns are covered by him alone. If not for the deal he wouldn't be a client. Get a few more converts and the 28 day returns will be comfortably made up for over a period of time. As Jumper said they cost about $10 exAsian factory so the whole exercise costs the manufacturer nothing. Doesn't even require fine print and they are dumb if they haven't applied it to all models because we become naturally suspicious. It's nothing more than clever marketing for long term custom, and the responses on this thread would indicate they might just get a few more, provided the shoes are ok.

[rustic]

I tried a pair of the Adidas supernova controls, and took them back at the end of the 28 day period after a decent workout.

I didn't have a problem with the shoes or the brand so much - and the trial did enough for me that I would certainly consider adidas shoes in the future - it just happened that this particular model wasn't quite right for me. Anyway, the store took the shoes back without any hassles, and I ended up with a pair of Brooks Adrenalines (I had been tossing up between the two at the time of purchase). One happy customer, and although I didn't keep the adidas, I do have a new respect for them as a manufacturer.

[Rhino]

I would be tempted to trial a 28-day shoe. I am concerned that I am not running in the correct shoe (pronation, cushioning etc) and this tiral would help someone like-myself find a comfortable runner wihtout trialing/purchasing 3-4 pairs of shoes.

[MikeIafeta]

Alas, I wish I had come across this thread this morning before I went out and bought my first ever pair of runners. $19.95 from Big W.

Took them for their first run tonite. The soles of my feet were so sore from the pounding that I might as well have been running in bare feet!!!

Needless to say, "I won't be doing that again in any hurry".

"Live And Learn" ... I guess.

Boy, I have got a lot to learn about running!!!

[Steve 'The Footman']

As a specialist running store retailer I can asure you that the shoes do not go back on the shelf. We have had only five pair returned out of maybe 200 sold since January. While still not up with the leading brands the Adidas Marketshare certainly improved. Regardless they needed to have some good shoes in order to make this offer a success.