MYSTERY SHOPPER | LOWESTOFT SPONSORED BY
Rouleur Ltd publishes the acclaimed cycling magazines Rouleur and Privateer. These are sold exclusively through subscription and IBDs only
Cat among the...
seagulls
Seemingly a two-wheel mecca and with no shortage of cycling shops to choose from, sleepy beach town Lowestoft has plenty to offer the cyclist cruising the beachfront. Mystery Shopper wants to step outside the comfort zone, though, opting for a cyclocross bike for jaunts in the country, over a beach cruiser for lazy days on the promenade…
Halfords
The winner of Mystery Shopper will receive Star Store Status and will win a display, magazine and book bundle from Rouleur Ltd – purveyors of exceptional cycling literature
10 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
SINGLE-LEVEL and on the smaller side for a Halfords, this store had just a few staff serving the entire store. As usual, Mystery Shopper left with mixed reactions, though could possibly have left with a strong review had it not been for a slow end to the visit. Upon entry to the cycles area I was promptly met on the shop floor and, based on my precise requirements, the assistant suggested I look at going down the buy and customise route. Recommending the slimmer profile off-road tyre and cantilever style brakes it seemed the assistant knew the cyclocross market. The best however, was still to come. As the discussion deepened a little, it was mentioned that some riders are turning to disc brakes for cyclorcross, indicating that the staffer had his finger on the pulse. Once I'd been seen to, I watched the same assistant
dispatch another customer with style and grace, quickly fitting a rear light, while discussing helmet compulsion. It all seemed very switched on until Mystery Shopper
approached the front desk with a further query. This time the assistant fled when she spotted my approach.
Mandarin Cycles
AGAIN LOCATED on a high-footfall (tyrefall?) road for cycling, Mandarin has an extensive stock for most, from beach cruisers, to a Cannondale 2012 hybrid that proved to be a great recommendation to match my brief. Two staff appeared shortly after my arrival and both
began tossing ideas between them, settling on the aforementioned hybrid. Weighing in with a model bang on budget and recognising the opportunity for a few bolt on accessories, the salesman guided me through the bike’s perks, followed by some good upselling work. Crucially and given my on-road requirements, the assistant explained the perks of a lock out fork and the specced tyre choice, as well as discussing frame clearance, should I modify the rig for harder off-road use. The conclusion put the icing on the cake nicely, with a small discount offered for a deposit by the weekend. This is a fantastic way to close a sale, even if it is at the expense of a slight margin reduction, which Mystery Shopper typically doesn’t encourage. A business card, complete with details and the two price points was supplied as a further temptation to bite on the discount.
BIKEBIZ.COM
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