29 replies to this topic

[Obi-Wan]

I just wanted to thank Steven Howard for his generosity and all the crew at Athletic Edge for all their help.

I received my Adrenalines (CR 5km challenge prize) last night in the mail (actually good old Aussie Post just left them at my front door - how annoying) and they look fantastic and feel great. They were only sent the day before so how's that for great service. The staff there were very professional and friendly and I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone.

I was hanging out to give them a whirl but unfortunately during yesterday morning's 5am training run I went over on my ankle and now need a few days for it to clear up. I'll be right by the weekend so Adrenalines, here I come.

Thanks again guys you're all legends!!! :)

Nandis

[karisma]

I too would like to thank Athletics Edge, in particular Steve Howard for the pair of shoes I have just ordered : Mizuno Waverider

The service I received and the knowledge of the salesgirl was incredible, considering it was all just over the phone!!

She(I really wish I could remember her name)was very professional and spoke to me about my running style and the distance I ran, she even went so far as to ask if I got sore calves when I told her that I was a forefoot runner!! I didn't ask her if she was a runner <_< though she certainly knew an awful lot about running and shoes in particular.

I'd highly recommend a visit to Athletic Edge to anyone in Sydney, if that was just their phone service I can only imagine that their actual one on one service would be fantastic :D

[catch me if you can]

where is athletic edge?

[Jogger]

No website but:

Athletic Edge
48 Frenchmans Rd
Randwick
NSW 2031
ph: (02) 9399-3669

athletic.edge@optusnet.com.au

[runningunlimited]

KevinTiller, on Feb 27 2004, 11:04 PM, said:

No website but:

Athletic Edge
48 Frenchmans Rd
Randwick
NSW 2031
ph: (02) 9399-3669

athletic.edge@optusnet.com.au

does anyone know their instore trading hours, and whether or not they are open on Sundays

[BlueBel]

runningunlimited, on Mar 25 2008, 09:21 PM, said:

does anyone know their instore trading hours, and whether or not they are open on Sundays

From memory, he is open 10 till 5 weekdays and open on Saturdays. He used to open Sundays but due to a growing family, now has a day off.

[tim]

http://www.athleticedgeonline.com.au

I did not have the best experience with them. They took over a week to send me my shoes and when i emailed them to give feed back i did not receive a reply. The shoes are fine and I will give them another try though cause I guess everyone has a bad day. But I think businesses need to reply to their customers.

[BEN-HUR]

The Athletic Edge is a great running store & Steve is a top bloke. He has a good knowledge of the footware & the type of runner it suites.

BlueBel, on Mar 25 2008, 09:26 PM, said:

From memory, he is open 10 till 5 weekdays and open on Saturdays. He used to open Sundays but due to a growing family, now has a day off.

For a while they were closed on Sundays but they are now open on Sundays for a short period - from about 10.00am to about 12.00pm - so you have time to finish your long run in Centennial Park for the short drive up the road. Best giving the shop a call though as I don't think the times are fixed for Sunday.

[Bellthorpe]

tim, on Mar 25 2008, 08:32 PM, said:

I did not have the best experience with them. They took over a week to send me my shoes and when i emailed them to give feed back i did not receive a reply. The shoes are fine and I will give them another try though cause I guess everyone has a bad day. But I think businesses need to reply to their customers.

A business needs to reply to its customers without exception. To fail is an unforgiveable sin.

[Vurt]

Bellthorpe, on Mar 26 2008, 12:03 AM, said:

A business needs to reply to its customers without exception. To fail is an unforgiveable sin.

Maybe there should be an 8th sin?

[miners]

Vurt, on Mar 26 2008, 05:15 AM, said:

Maybe there should be an 8th sin?

thought we were up to 37

[Rabbits]

I'm a big fan of Athletic Edge and always try and make my purchases through them if possible. Steve is a great bloke and is always happy to help. He absolutely loves his running and really knows his stuff from what I can tell.

I think it's a bit harsh to condemn the store because of one email that slipped through the net... especially when the store is run by such thoroughly decent people with a real interest in helping fellow runners.

I agree with the original title of this thread, 'Athletic Edge are Legendary', and I'd recommend the store to anyone who needs some new shoes or other running gear.

[Tim 2]

Why are all the good running shops in sydney in the eastern suburbs? Rhetorical question
Is there any good running shops west of running science in rozelle?

Tim

Edited by Tim 2, 26 March 2008 - 12:53 PM.

[Colin]

Tim 2, on Mar 26 2008, 01:52 PM, said:

Why are all the good running shops in sydney in the eastern suburbs? Rhetorical question
Is there any good running shops west of running science in rozelle?

Tim

Having a flash name and location, plus a few runners manning the shop doesn't necessarily equate to knowledge or good service.

I got some weird reponses from a fiarly good runner at an Edgecliffe shop of good repute when I looked for a Pegasus. "we don't stock Nike because they don't make any good running shoes" in other words, 'we get better deals on more expensive ASICS'.

If you know what you are after , go to anyone who stocks it and gives you the best service, whether that be Athletes' Foot or Sportsco.

In fact you may be surprised , when some of these franchisees are actually runners.

[tim]

Rabbits, on Mar 26 2008, 10:13 AM, said:

I think it's a bit harsh to condemn the store because of one email that slipped through the net... especially when the store is run by such thoroughly decent people with a real interest in helping fellow runners.

I was simply outlining the facts. There were 2 emails and poor turn around.

This was my experience and is relevant to the thread.

[slowmo]

Tim 2, on Mar 26 2008, 01:52 PM, said:

Is there any good running shops west of running science in rozelle?

South Side Runners, Sutherland - west (and a fair bit south) of Rozelle

slowmo

[Bellthorpe]

Rabbits, on Mar 26 2008, 09:13 AM, said:

I think it's a bit harsh to condemn the store because of one email that slipped through the net... especially when the store is run by such thoroughly decent people with a real interest in helping fellow runners.

It's not harsh at all. If you're in business you must answer all communications promptly and efficiently.

[rocky]

they've always been great to me, very helpful and will try to accommodate you in any way possible. i recommend this shop to everyone.

[Tim 2]

Colin, on Mar 25 2008, 10:26 PM, said:

Having a flash name and location, plus a few runners manning the shop doesn't necessarily equate to knowledge or good service.
If you know what you are after , go to anyone who stocks it and gives you the best service, whether that be Athletes' Foot or Sportsco.
In fact you may be surprised , when some of these franchisees are actually runners.

Agreed although i think athletes foot's footprint thing is rubbish as running is dynamic and standing on a pressure measuring pad is a static activity and does not equate to the same thing.
I will buy training shoes wherever they stock what i want including chain stores but find i have had much better range when looking for racing flats etc and usually better service when i've been to specialist shops. I have not been to running science i have just noted that it seems to be the closest to home. I was looking for somewhere convenient that stocks a few types of racing flats so i can try a few prior to buying as opposed to internet shopping.
I know enough about biomechanics etc to know when someone is spinning bull@%$# in order to sell me a particular product.

Tim

[Colin]

Tim 2, on Mar 26 2008, 04:45 PM, said:

Agreed although i think athletes foot's footprint thing is rubbish as running is dynamic and standing on a pressure measuring pad is a static activity and does not equate to the same thing.
I will buy training shoes wherever they stock what i want including chain stores but find i have had much better range when looking for racing flats etc and usually better service when i've been to specialist shops. I have not been to running science i have just noted that it seems to be the closest to home. I was looking for somewhere convenient that stocks a few types of racing flats so i can try a few prior to buying as opposed to internet shopping.
I know enough about biomechanics etc to know when someone is spinning bull@%$# in order to sell me a particular product.

Tim

The following was general advice/comment and not directed at those who know a bit more:

Colin, on Mar 26 2008, 02:26 PM, said:

If you know what you are after , go to anyone who stocks it and gives you the best service, whether that be Athletes' Foot or Sportsco.

In fact you may be surprised , when some of these franchisees are actually runners.

Agreed that the specialist shops may have a better range... but then again try finding the Nike Perseus (ladies Vomero) with the bunion cells and you only get it at certain AF's. (Or the entire Nike range as at the Edgecliffe shop).
I have yet to buy a shoe over $150, so specialist shops are not always the go.

There is a necessity for AF etc to have the marketing gimmicks like footprint.

Firstly it does give you relevant and true information about your foot type.. pretty much what we used to get off a sand footprint or a wet print, i.e. do you have a high arch (like my wife) or a fairly normal to flat foot (like me)? Those foot types do have different requirements and even a static print can show that basic info. People are not going to attracted into AF from Sportsco by having to wet the foot and stand on some paper.

Secondly, the market is to small in Australia to cater only for experienced or good runners like ourselves, there is no market for every AF type shop to be a "Running Science " type and so the general public do get bettter advice there than at Kmart etc. If we don't support or see a need for inbetweeners like AF (some with experienced owners) then all you will have are a couple of specialists making loads of money from very few and then Target/Kmart selling crap to the rest.

Edited by Colin, 26 March 2008 - 04:46 PM.

[Fossil]

I often go to Athletic Edge - great service - when I went for spikes last year, and after ages trying on various models, Steve decided he wasn't able to provide the best shoe for my needs and suggested some other shops. That's what I call service - I ended up with exactly the right shoes - now it's my 1st choice shop.

[negsplit]

Colin, the womens vomero is exactly that....a vomero, it is not given a seperate name. It has the bunion rings and should be available most places. The perseus was an athletes foot only shoe but had a slight post. The ladies percept was an early version of the womens vomero, and hence is no longer available.

[Colin]

negsplit, on Mar 27 2008, 04:05 PM, said:

Colin, the womens vomero is exactly that....a vomero, it is not given a seperate name. It has the bunion rings and should be available most places. The perseus was an athletes foot only shoe but had a slight post. The ladies percept was an early version of the womens vomero, and hence is no longer available.

Sorry, meant the Percept which is the shoe my wife runs in, and the best shoe for her ever, considering the pain she got from blisters on bunions etc. Knew the Perseus had a post, just a slip of 'typing'.
For the intent of what I was referring to I specifically referred to our experience of sourcing the Percept. At that time it was the "ladies Vomero' wasn't it? We could only get it at Penrith AF. The 'specialist shops' (other than Southside I think) did not stock it.
The Vomero 2 version (mens and ladies) is still not available all over

I knew the original Percept was the same as the Vomero 1, and could understand why the different name... only difference was bunion rings.

Now they are both the Vomero 2, but still the men's does not have the rings.

Shoe companies love confusing you with names don't they?

[negsplit]

Shoe companies love confusing you with names don't they?
[/quote]
Couldnt agree more.
No plans for mens vomero to have rings in the near future.

[Colin]

negsplit, on Mar 27 2008, 07:02 PM, said:

Shoe companies love confusing you with names don't they?

Couldnt agree more.
No plans for mens vomero to have rings in the near future.

Should have kept the Percept (or other less confusing) name for ladies then.

[runningunlimited]

Steven Howard is awesome, I bought some Zoom milers, rrp at $200, he sold them to me for $140.

[Long Arms]

Athletic Edge are the best specialist running shop in Sydney by a country mile. Steve Howard has been at it for a long time. He will always give his customers plenty of time and aloves a chat about running.


Long Arms

[run to the hills]

The first time I went in there he guessed my foot size by looking at it, then video taped me running in a pair of shoes he recommended for me, gave me a running type diagnosis and a hefty discount for just rocking up to his shop.

I drive 30 min and spend $10 in fuel to go to the shop for all my gear as I will still be miles ahead financially with the discount than I would be if I went to the local Rebel or Athletes foot.

Add to that the fact you get good advice from a person with significant experience in the field.

You can't compare that to standing on the foot imprint machine and some vague recommendation from a kid in Year 12 working part time. (Can't be too judgemental, I did that job too before getting a trade)

Won't go anywhere else unless in an emergency.

[haggis basher]

I have known Steve for over 12years. I actually worked at the shop for 3 years as a masseur before he took it over. Due to him having a large family, I had to vacate the premises.
I have stayed friends with him to this date.
I have bought most of my running shoes from him; if he couldn't get what I wanted, he would suggest some other shop! I have sent many of my friends to him, with not one complaint.
He is very knowledgable in fitness and training, and is always open to 'listen' to what others have to say.
Many times, I have ran down the street outside his shop in new shoes, with him videoing my style, then playing it back on the tv in the shop.

[SlowManiac]

Well I see that there are a lot of fans of Athletic Edge here but my experience was less than satisfactory.

I ordered a pair of Brooks Adrenalins GTS (as described on the website). I believe I had a reasonable expectation than they would be the latest model (GTS 9). They cost $160 so about mid range (by comparison another overseas site has GTS 9 for $120).

Well unfortunately I only noticed today after running in them for 2 weeks that they are GTS 7, almost 2 years out of date.

I phoned the shop to say well perhaps you should mention you are selling me a pair of shoes that is 2 years old and the guy kept asking me 'well are you injured?' and then said 'well thanks for the heads up' and basically ended the conversation. Apparently it was my fault - I should have know they were an old model because of the price.

He has now updated his website to show GTS 7.