For A New Pair Of Shoes

Remember my rantings of things not going my way a few days ago (or was it a week ago)? The treadmill technician has yet to come because I can't get away from work just yet so it's just running around the apartment's compound and carpark for me at the moment. But I got myself a new pair of running shoes. But the pain of finding that pair!

Zaini finally relented and drove me over to The Curve (Sunway Pyramid is a bit too far for us, Nick) because I wanted to check out some Brooks shoes that Nick had recommended. Got there, and there was a staff in the store and despite us being there for ten whole minutes and being really obvious about our intention to seriously buy a shoe (I didn't just want to pick a pair and ask for the size, I wanted some consultation too), the staff decided that his paperwork; which was strewn on a table was more important than us.

Then, we went to the next door Al-Ikhsan store. Not much selection there, and I think Alamanda's store have more options and more willing staff to help. But for a discount store like that, I wouldn't have minded if the staff there cannot be "technically" helpful. Same thing over at Nike Store - a staff tailed me everywhere but without saying a word or offering any advice (though I have to say, Nike store at Midvalley has nice staff, but they kept promoting the latest and most expensive shoes to me). Do I look like I can afford a shoe that cost more than RM500?

After checking out half a dozen sports stores (at Curve and MidValley), we decided to head to The Mines because a store there carry Brooks brand. Same thing over a few sports stores there but still, no shoes for me. I wasn't only looking to pick up a shoe and pay, I wanted a helpful staff who were willing to listen to my requirement and find me a suitable running shoes. Seems like I was asking too much. Zaini said so too. Well, maybe I am. But if a customer stands in front of a row of shoes, looking lost - a good sale staff would've or should have come to the rescue and ask what was it that the customer needed. No?

The final stop for me was the Adidas store at The Mines at Zaini's recommendation because he said that the staff there are really helpful. I plonked my butt on a seat and told the staff I needed a running shoe - long distance running, I have neutral arch, I think I have a slight over-pronation, yada yada and see whether he would try to make sense of what I'm talking about. Very helpful staff there although they weren't too sure what exactly I was looking for. They let me try a whole lot of shoes; the shoes there aren't all cling-wrapped!, and I finally settled on one. My very first Adidas shoes. (I have always been a Nike fan, OK).

I tell you, even if that brand/model isn't something I am looking for but the customer service is excellent and the staff nice to me, I would've ended buying things I have no intention in buying in the first place! And if the staff is snobbish or isn't helpful, I would not even buy the things I really want to buy at all even though they're having a sale or something.

Anyway, on a happier note, I got an e-mail feedback from Brooks about my experience and was informed that I could make an appointment with their sales consultant if I still wanted to, with discount to boot for the shoes I buy or they could come and meet me for some consultation too.and bring over some shoes for me too. I'll keep that in mind for my next purchase of running shoes. But instead of just walking-in to the store, I'll make sure I'll have an appointment first! Read about Brooks Malaysia consultancy service promise here.

And on another happy note, this new pair of shoes I got sure makes a lot of difference. It is so much more comfortable to run now. My run at Lake Garden this morning is the third time I'm running in my Adidas shoes. So far so good. ^^

My puny 6k target is almost there too! Maybe next week I'll try the whole 6k or more and in a decent time too.