In praise of Decathlon

[vernon]

The summer before last I purchased a Decathlon Triban hybrid tourer in Orleans when my Dawes Galaxy sapped a rear drop out. Less than a year later, back in France, the bottom bracket started to make grinding noises and I had it replaced at a Decathlon brach in Tours. My French was up to getting the bottom bracket replaced but not up to negotiating a warrantee repair and I paid the 43€ bill.

Back in the UK I contacted the UK Decathlon chain in late August and was put in touch with the bike services manager of the Sheffield Branch who failed to get a response from the national manger of their cycling operations but promise to resolve the issue. He was as relaxed about resolving the issue as I was about hauling my butt over to Sheffield.

Today I finally called in at the Sheffield branch and was very pleased with the outcome. I had the full amount of the parts refunded, had another £15 added to the refund and ended up paying £10 for a £49.99 work stand. Effectively a 43€ refund.

It's the first time I've been to a UK Decathlon store. The level of service and customer care certainly matches that of the French branches whose services I have used over the past two years.

 

[Coco]

That's good to know since I'm heading to France this year. Thanks for sharing.

 

[upsidedown]

I love Decathlon. There's an unlimited time limit for returns if you register with them and get a loyalty card, and they never argue, if you say something's no good you get your money back.

 

[vernon]

That's good to know since I'm heading to France this year. Thanks for sharing.

The Decathlon branches in France are brilliant. They have bike servicing departments which can and do deal with walk in repairs

I have:

Bought a replacement wheel and have them transfer the cassette from the old wheel to the new in Macon
Bought a new bike in Orleans with brilliant service
Had the bottom bracket replaced in Tours - they also took it upon themselves to adjust the brakes and tweak the gears FOC
Had a rear tyre replaced at Nevers

The service is always exemplary. Having said that, I've also used local bikes shops in France with equally pleasing results it's just that when you ask for a bike shop in France you nearly always get directed to a Decathlon.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Good Oh - nice to know Decathlon are an OK outfit. Never used one but I won't equate them to Halfrauds.

 

[ThePainInSpain]

Customer service is non-existent in Spain. Most shop staff are ignorant and useless. It angers me so much.

EXCEPT Decathlon, .............it is the only store we use that gives good advice, the staff are helpful, most speak at least some English (with my limited Spanish and their English we usually understand each other). There is usually a smile (non-existent in other shops).

I have bought a couple of things for my B'twin Rockrider (bought from decathlon) that were not the right fitting or some other problem, all have been taken back and the money refunded with no problem at all.
Try that in most stores in Spain and it's like trying to get blood from a stone.

We buy loads of stuff from there. They do a fantastic lightweight fleece, I have 5 and am always wearing one. Also a really good thermal base layer at only €6.95.

It is the only store in this area that I would recommend.

It's a pity other stores don't learn from their example, because the Malaga Decathlon is always packed out.

 

[Panter]

I'm a big fan of Decathlon, it's a fabulous store.

 

[MisterE]

The Decathlon nearest to me has moved to Wednesbury. This is a shame as the old store had great staff. I have only been to the new one once at the staff were pleasant and helpful, so can not comment but I do not envisage anything has changed, certainly not pushy sales on commission types.
I think the stuff they sell is very good quality for the price.

I think the company policy is to try to employ people who actualy use the stuff they sell.

 

[zigzag]

decathlon is my lbs, and i end up buying quite a lot from them. sevice is excellent and most of their stuff is good value. bike mechanics are average, but i rarely use their services, so it doesn't matter too much.
oh, and it's nice to receive gift vouchers (£3 or £6) every once in a while.

 

[krushavik]

I always pay a visit to Decathlon when in Majorca and always finish up getting a few bargains.

 

[fossyant]

They are very good.

I've got the folding Decathlon Workstand and the £50 one - the £50 is a cracker - very well built - you got a bargain there vernon.

I've never had a problem with them, even when a zip failed on a winter top (before I got my loyalty card) so no receipt. Had to buy another as the store couldn't help, but I wrote to the UK head office - voucher was dispatched for the cost by return.

Bought some of their better shorts where the chammy failed - took back, and learned they had had a bad lot and the whole lot withdrawn. Refunded.

My bib's I bought from them about 4 years ago have been perfect - used every day, no sign of wear or bubbling - can't say the same for an expensive pair of Altura bibs sadly....

Clothing has a 2 year guarantee. So get a card, tell them roughly when you bought it, and they have the details on screen.

Their summer £7.99 cycling tops are a bargain. Their 'Ultegra' quality brake pads are excellent - use these on all 3 road bikes, even the best one.

Oh and don't mention the pop up tents - love them, we have 2 and a 'BASE' unit.

 

[hobo]

If Halfords wanted to know how to run a good cycle shop, selling a good range of cycles and kit at a fair price with good service they should step into Decathlon.
I first stepped into one the other day and thought this is what Halfords should be like and how long have they been in the game?

 

[beanzontoast]

I'm a big fan of Decathlon - have bought boots, clothing, bike gear there. Just wish it didn't involve a round trip on the M1 to get to it!

 

[darth vadar]

"Their summer £7.99 cycling tops are a bargain".

They certainly are - I've got loads. A different colour for every day - well almost.

Only problem is their sizing - my summer tops are XXXL.

Even though I'm not small I ain't that big !!!!

 

[dellzeqq]

Great stock, great staff, great coffee. What's not to like?