Shame, i enjoyed going up there for a look around and it was always an excuse for a bit of a longer pop to the shop, i went there last week and got a right bargain pair of gloves, wish id bought two pair now :(
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Shame, i enjoyed going up there for a look around and it was always an excuse for a bit of a longer pop to the shop, i went there last week and got a right bargain pair of gloves, wish id bought two pair now :(
Personally i couldn't care less about the company. ever since i tried to buy my second bike I've disliked them. i have never liked the way the company was with younger riders and maybe just maybe if they let people test ride bike without having to jump through hoops they could have lasted a bit longer. personally just been cheep was never enough
still, gutted for the guys told not to turn up for work
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dabz
really? it was a **** location to ride to! Now somewhere like 3x Motorcycles in ringwood...there's a dealership surrounded by awesome riding roads right to the front door. [/quote]
Really???
Melksham, Calne, Lynham, Wootton Bassett GW's
Some nice twisty roads that way.
Really don't like riding to Fowlers
Real shame for the people who are out of a job but I personally didn't really like the place. Lots of people moaned about the sales or after sales service as being rubbish although I know that's not always the case. The bike selection was ok but I hated the way the salesman use to prowl and look at you like you were dirt on the floor and you shouldn't be on the bikes, you could sometimes get a bargain in the warehouse but the cafe was utter crap for service. The staff had faces on them like they really didn't want to be there or even serve you and it took about 20 mins to get a cup of tea ffs!
Much prefer Fowlers for a cuppa and a game of table footy with Alf! They also don't mind him zipping around on his scooter and sitting on all the bikes! ;D
Hope the staff find jobs elsewhere though.
Roxy x
Quote:
Originally Posted by si-moffatt
I agree... and also agree Shame for the staff
A real shame for all the staff, gutted for them :(
I've been throught the Administrator mill a couple of times before and it's a bit of a shock to find your place of work locked up, and you slung out on your arse, even though you knew it might well be on the cards.
And the fact that a bike shop, even thought it was of no real interest to me, has gone to the dogs.
Echo the sentiments already expressed – Just back from the festive break to lose your job must be really tough. :'(
I have bought two bikes from GW’s in recent years and found the staff very helpful and could not fault the after care service. Always enjoyed chatting to the young lass who worked at the service desk.
Looking at the bigger picture, sadly, I would not be surprised to see more household franchise names in the car and motorcycle industry go to the wall. At a time when most folk are taking a pay-cut or freeze, the cost of new cars and bikes appear to be increasingly out of the reach of many.
Doom and gloom I know, but 2012 is going to be a hard year for most sectors. :'(
I've only been to George whites a few times, I loved the feel of the place, there was a real buzz there, the park between the showrooms was always full with a vast array of different bikes.
I loved browsing the outlet store, always a bargain to be had!
So sad for the employees, out of a job ,must be hard to take. :(
Although I've got to agree with the comments about the cafe staff... miserable b*ggers ! ::)
This is tragic news not only for the staff but the biking community.
Don't care if you are fan of GW's or not it gives us the biking community less choice.
All these companies going on the high street sadly reminds me of a few years ago.
All the staff I met at GW were really nice, chatty and helpful
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dabz
really? it was a **** location to ride to! Now somewhere like 3x Motorcycles in ringwood...there's a dealership surrounded by awesome riding roads right to the front door. [/quote]
It might be a great ride, but I will never buy another bike or have it serviced by 3x. :( >:(
Realy? I've bought 2 bikes from them and was very well looked after. Only fowlers have been better for customer service in my experience of bike buying (and I've bought a fair few)
Gutted for the staff.
I bought nearly all of my kit from them - I found the staff knowledgable and friendly (and they always seemed very busy??)
Truly sorry for the staff.....
Personally I didn't like the place but I am sorry for the staff to hear it has gone down. :(
BB
Real shame, as said before, feel very sorry for the staff who were always very friendly and helpful.
Any suggestions on what I do with the vouchers I got for Christmas??? :-?
Yes real shame 61 out of 70 staff have gone. Must be terrible for George White as a person to see the business he built up over 50 plus years go under. Hopefully someone will come forward and take over some of the showrooms
+1. Sad day for the staff. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackbonnie
Shame. I liked looking around George Whites
Is that going to leave a very big hole in BSB Sponsorship? weren't they one of the major sponsors?
Me too, I used to enjoy the ride over there even though all those round-abouts and like getting the odd bargain :)
They were a sponsor but not one of the major ones and they only had a two year deal which expired at the end of last season anyway so hopefully wont have too much impact on BSB.Quote:
Originally Posted by Julie_S
Maybe they will only close some of the stores
To say i have never been a fan of GW,s is the understatement of the year,but will miss the honda mechanic as he took pride in his work and always done a great job on my bikes.......anybody know a decent honda mechanic nearby???
popped over swindon this pm,whole place closed with a note on the door,but no-one about..wonder if they'll have a sale/clearout..
I knew they were having problems for a while. Personally a real shame to see this big name and social meeting point go bust.
Hopfully someone will buy them out or something.
In the mean time Fowlers it is...
Very sad to see it go. I've spent many Saturday afternoons mooching around the place. Best wishes to all the staff, I hope they all get new jobs soon. I'll certainly miss the 2 young ladies who worked in the outlet centre ;)
Some of the customer service was p**s poor (my experience). :(Quote:
Originally Posted by JackieD
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanny
really? it was a **** location to ride to! Now somewhere like 3x Motorcycles in ringwood...there's a dealership surrounded by awesome riding roads right to the front door. [/quote]
Really???
Melksham, Calne, Lynham, Wootton Bassett GW's
Some nice twisty roads that way.
Really don't like riding to Fowlers[/quote]
Fowlers is a s**te place to ride to as well. >:(
Agree with most of that Roxy about Gw's. A couple of months back I test rode a GSX1400 but when I refused to sign up and buy due to rusty welds on the frame, the sales bloke totally ignored me after that. Before that though, we were virtually on first name terms. What goes around, comes around. :-/Quote:
Originally Posted by roxychick
Me too they were very pleasing to the eyes :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Joolzn
Sad loss, :( I enjoyed the blatt over there !!
Me too they were very pleasing to the eyes :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanny
[/quote]
your not wrong there ;D
Just been looking for a small bike for the wife on Bike Trader, and George White stock is still on it!! Does this mean they are still trading? There must be an awful lot of machines somewhere that some one is trying to sell!!
Not sure whether the food was better inside in the cafe or outside from the van?
Come to Triumph down the road!! Kettle is always on!
My friend has popped down the road to the Triumph dealer, friendly staff there too. Do they have small scooters?
Not in Triumph however i have nhew and used ones 2 doors down. Pop in and have a look.. :)
The eBay parts breakers shop is marked up as seller away and shows nothing avaliable to buyQuote:
Originally Posted by spanner347
Sad news indeed,will b strange not seeing all the bikes outside when i go past.As said before hopefully someone will step in but looks unlikely at the moment I think :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikkie1986
What's your coffee like?? Hope it's not nescafe :-?
The coffee machine inside GW's made nice coffee and it only cost 20p a cup :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by njl
The staff who formerly ran "gwbikespares" will shortly be trading as "jhbikespares".
The coffee machine inside GW's made nice coffee and it only cost 20p a cup :)[/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanny
I've never paid for a cup of coffee in several years of going to Triumph. In fact, whenever I fancy a coffee I call in there :)