Aldi Cycle Gear.

[Tom B]

From Aldi

Thank you for contacting Aldi Customer Services regarding the Garmin edge 500 computers. We appreciate the time taken to do so.

We are sorry to hear that you were unable to purchase this product on this occasion and for any disappointment this may have caused. We were unaware of the popularity of the item, we will certainly ensure this feedback is passed to the appropriate departments to ensure this does not happen again.

In regards to the stock allocation, I am unable to view the exact amount delivered, but I am aware most stores did receive two. We do not advise staff to reserve items as we believe this to be unfair to our customers. The feedback provided will go a long way to ensure our allocation levels improve on our future SpecialBuy releases.

As this product was one of our Specialbuy items, it was only available on a first come, first served basis whilst stocks lasted. I would like to advise that stock is not replenished and the item will not be back in stores unless the promotion is repeated.

Specialbuy products are usually repeated every 6 or 12 months, however we would recommend signing up to our newsletter for any Specialbuy promotions.

 

[ianrauk]

Standard bugger off letter.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Seems his a bit out of touch with his own stores, I reckon at least 3-4 cycling ones a year.

 

[totallyfixed]

I can confirm that all 5 stores within 25 miles of here sold out immediately. We wanted one, possibly two for training purposes, considering Aldi do not sell at a loss I would say they did not exactly have their finger on the pulse regarding probable demand. Two per store? Pathetic, and now their customer service lines are jammed up with people trying to find out where to get one. If I were them I would be ordering another big batch in asap.

 

[tmif]

There were 7 in the Hastings store at 11 am this morning... it seems a bit odd doesn't it.

 

[Apollonius]

The one at Bentley Bridge Wolverhampton still had two left at midday today. Oddly, they also had a 200 - presumably from the previous offer!

 

[Dirk]

Couldn't see any Garmins in Liskeard this morning; but they did have an excellent chocolate brioche.

 

[crazyjoe101]

The ALDIs here have them "round back" and you have to ask.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I got a Garmin, arm and leg warmers and a couple of gels to taste.

 

[PaulSB]

I'm happy with the bits and pieces I picked up - lights, base layer, socks always a bargain but have yet to try the bibs.

On the Garmin issue FB posts from cycling groups and clubs across the north-west report stores sold out in minutes though I did see one in Knutsford around 12.15. Four is the consistently quoted stock level often ALL purchased by person at head of queue. To me that's poor management on behalf of the store and selfish greed by the purchaser though I'll concede they could be for friends.

I know an Aldi supplier, the volumes for her products are enormous. As I understand it Aldi work on a 14% margin. If the email above is to be believed with around 600 stores Aldi felt they could only sell 1200. I find that hard to believe.

I didn't want the Garmin and would have gone regardless but I can't help feel this will make the Aldi talk negative amongst cyclists when previously it has often been very positive.

Poor marketing.

 

[bikeman66]

Two per store seems ridiculous, and hardly worth Aldi's time purchasing and distributing them to store. I thought I would struggle to get one at 8.30am yesterday, but in fact, they seemed to have quite a few. Either the promotion was just a ploy to get people into the stores and buying other stuff, or the Aldi purchasing department are a little detached from the situation. Bearing in mind their cycle promotions are usually very well received, they may have been inclined to think that cycling is bigger business than to allocate (apparently) an average of two Garmins per store. They've almost certainly missed a trick this time.

 

[Cuchilo]

How is it poor marketing? I think its genious! I bet the sales figures up for Aldi

 

[mr_cellophane]

Upminster had one on display. I find it hard to believe I bought the only other one in stock.

 

[cashy293]

I think its great marketing. Get a load of cyclists into the store looking for something that they probably never had stock in the first place. Whilst there, I'd imagine every single one of them would have a look at the other cycling stuff! I went in for a garmin, came out with a jacket, gloves and some Muc Off chain lube

 

[Tom B]

It drives footfall, which is great as long as you can convert footfall. When something like this happens you don't necessarily get the conversion and it can create a loss of trust. Confidence is something that Aldi lack in some respects with people suspicious of their off as it is different to the mainstream. The experience leaves a bitter taste.

SWMBO was so miffed about this that she promptly went next door to Morrison's for her grocery shop. so the point of the special buys driving other sales didn't work.

Places like currys and pc world, count people in and out, they are required to convert a certain amount of footfall to sales.I would expect other retailers are the same and as such these marketing exercises are produced, but they must work and lead to satisfaction.

Next time we probably won't bother getting up and going.