Hein Gericke

[MrGrumpy]

Apparently Stockwell, Farnbrorough and Glasgow stores are still operating for some reason, though even those aren't accepting vouchers.
In Europe, 85 stores in Europe have been shut, but 54 in Germany are still operating (according to MCN anyway).

[DougL]

Their shops were badly presented, they would never price match and every time I went in the spotty yoof behind the till would address me as "geezer". Hardly a conducive atmosphere in which to shop.

[MrGrumpy]

Obviously depends on the individual shop - but I always found the staff in shops up this way to be pretty friendly and helpful.

I was never that impressed with the last version of HG - at the end of the previous version, all the stores had a closing down sale, so I went to look in the local store. The staff were so optimistic that the chain would taken over - which it was - but then they closed every store within 100 miles of me, so the staff lost their jobs anyway.

[Steve_D]

The problem Hein Gerice suffers from is the same one that doomed Jessops, its known as "showrooming".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22098575" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Got to admit, I tried on a Nolan helmet for size fairly recently at HG then bought it on line. True, it was about £30 cheaper but I was worried about wind noise. The shop said once I'd bought it I couldn't return it if not happy. Online, by law, you have 7 days (might be 14, not sure) to return anything so I did that. Bought the Bluetooth head kit for it from HG though and they tried to fob me off with a German kit with continental charger. Didn't want to get me a UK kit until I pressed them though.

Most, if not all, of their clothing, gloves and boots were own brand though so no chance of showrooming for clothing with them. They had a sign on the counter at the Gants Hill branch saying something along the lines of don't ask for a discount or a price match which I think was a bit arrogant - no wonder I rarely saw more customers than staff each time I went there.

[DougL]

I think the Gants Hill branch was really awful. On the other hand, the staff in Stockwell couldn't be more helpful.

[gn2]

Online, by law, you have 7 days (might be 14, not sure) to return anything

Which makes things even harder for the high street.

[Steve_D]

Thing was, when trying out the helmet, I said to the bloke in the HG shop that if I bought it over the net from HG, I would be able to return it if not happy and asked there and then if he would agree to sell it to me So that I could try it out immediately. I asked for just half an hour trial in which to return it (undamaged) if not suitable. He said no. I had no choice other than to buy it online but I would have preferred to buy there and then. Presumably it's still on the shelf as liquidated stock.

I know by law high street shops don't have to offer a refund or exchange if not happy with the purchase but I can't think of any that do apart from certain items such as earrings, underwear and opened CD's/DVD's etc. Schuh, the shoe shop chain, give you a whole year to get a refund on unworn shoes!

[alicethomas]

Curiously visiting my shop again.
New offer sighted: buy now, pay 6 months later - up to 3000€. Does this match insolvency.
Staff friendly (as always in my shop) and engaged with other customers.
Hoping for all, that business will continue!

Edit:
16 British HG stores shut down after a British investor suddenly withdraw 1.2 million. The European (continental) stores will continue.
Praise the greedy locusts!

[newscooter]

I have a suspicion that some of the shops may have been franchises. Never had anything in my size that I fancied so I'll not miss them much!

[spaceprobe]

Get Geared have announced they will honour Hein Gericke vouchers up to 50% of their face value on spends over £250.