I bought a HG GoreTex textile jacket whilst I was doing my Direct Access several years ago and I followed it up with a water resistant leather jacket. Both are damn fine jackets but Glidd is absolutely correct, they are not aspirational. Also when I went into the HG store there was loads of stock but very few customers, the writing was firmly on the wall.
Basically the rich are getting richer, the poor will always be poor and the middle can no longer rely on a comfy life. Welcome to globalisation.
Early in 2011 I went into the Hein Gericke shop at Gants Hill (near Ilford) to look at some Dainese 2-pce leather suits. Having picked the type I wanted, I considered buying one from the shop, but they didn't have my size in stock (surprise surprise). I asked if they could obtain a suit in my size for me to try. Answer no - I could order one to buy, not to try, and I would have to pay upfront first. So I ordered one from Dainese direct instead - the whole point of buying in the shop had been lost. Now of course they are shut down (surprise surprise).
Shops which are out of stock of something a customer wants usually hasten to get it in stock, with apologies, not insist on imposing an obligation to buy sight unseen. If HG followed the same policies towards all their other customers, as they presumably did, no wonder they are shut down.
I'm surprised the Gants Hill branch lasted as long as it did. No parking outside, if you parked in Burger King next door you were guaranteed a parking ticket when you came out.
Same experience with Oxford, you could tell it wasn't going to end well, however I also have one of their Goretex textile jackets, and they do make a very good (but bland) product, it's superb quality.
I have to say all my experiences of visiting Hein Gericke stores were all good. Especially Oxford:wink:
They're ok, sell plenty of cheap tat, but they also sell good stuff. They're Alpinestars stockists, not sure about now but they used to sell Dainese too.
Infinity have a shop in Dorchester On Thames (between Oxford and Wallingford) good selection of kit but all full price, very few deals
