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Today, wheeling my commuter bike into a nearly empty Holland and Barrett to pick up some energy gels, I got told by a shop assistant that it is company policy not to allow bicycles into the shop.
I was told that I would be able to see this policy on the website, which, needless to say, I can't find it.
When asking for his details and questioning the policy, I got told by the supervisor who had come over that I was being aggressive and rude (I was not, I'd not even raised my voice) and was asked to leave the shop.
I have wheeled my bike into many shops in the past, this is the first time that I've had the slightest problem.
WWSTWD?
Tbh it's pretty arrogant to expect a shop to accommodate your bike imho.
They take up a lot of room and are an unstable liability.
So I'd, err, not do it again, and in the future pop my head in and ask 'is it ok if I bring my bike in?' and if they say no, then leave it outside, or if you want, find another shop that will.
WWSTWD?
Shop elsewhere? Maybe write to H&B's main customer service / complaints people in a non-aggressive way saying how disappointed you were with the attitude of the staff in that particular shop? Start a thread on ST maybe.
The bigger problem, of course, is that we don't routinely provide the infrastructure bike parking in shopping areas.
Fwiw I don't think it's that unreasonable not to allow bikes in a shop, but if the staff were as rude about it as you say, that seems poor, then again it's all quite subjective and we're only hearing your side of the situation.
WWSTWD?
Assume I can't, ask nicely if I can.
WWSTWD?
Not assume that I can wheel my bike around a shop without asking nicely first. And if they say no, not make a big fuss about it.
WWSTWD
Hammer frozen sugar pills into their carpet?
It's odd that you'd think it was reasonable to bring a bike into a shop, particularly one that sells food. I'd never have assumed that it was ok and if I absolutely needed to do it I'd at least have asked before I did.
Fair enough. Seems as if I was in the wrong then.
I've left my bike hidden round the back of shops when I've forgotten my lock before, as I'd never assume it okay to wheel it in.
I do see scrotes doing it in Tesco quite often though ;-p
If it makes you feel any better I regularly see people wheeling their n̶o̶n̶-̶r̶o̶a̶d̶-̶l̶e̶g̶a̶l̶ ̶e̶l̶e̶c̶t̶r̶i̶c̶ ̶s̶c̶o̶o̶t̶e̶r̶s illegal motorcycles around my local Aldi.
Unless it's a bike shop this is a very odd behaviour
Is Holland & Barrett actually Lebanon and you are the IDF?
You took fitness equipment into a lifestyle shop of course they didn't want you in there 🙂
Ha ha, I think that this thread is proof that we're aware of everyone else's madness but our own.
I may be going and eating some humble pie tomorrow.
I'm so clumsy in shops it would financially bankrupt me paying for all the stuff my handle bars knocked off the shelfs
I've done it once in my local photography shop when I forgot a lock but I'd not do it routinely.
However, it seems more reasonable that letting a dog in. Why would you let a dog go anywhere near a shop that sells things for human consumption?
I heard Holland welcomed bikes. Strange that they'd barr it.
Y'see ... I'm not sure there's a right/wrong answer about bikes in shops.
Filthy, muddy MTB? Nope. China/glassware shop? Nope. Very busy and/or small shop with narrow aisles. Nope.
Commuting home, without my lock, popping into the supermarket to pick up something for tea? Maybe. Bike-packing, no lock, petrol station or convenience store? Probably would ask to leave it just inside the entrance and in sight. Hardware/DIY/Sports shop - probably would.
I don't think wheeling a bike around a shop is very much different to wheeling a pram/buggy/wheelchair in terms of its physical presence and impact on other shoppers.
Mainly, it's about rule #1 and being polite/asking/not being an entitled dick about it.
Most H&B shops I've been into have had precisely 1 person in besides the staff....me. I would suggest that assuming the OP is telling the truth the only person breaking rule No. 1 here is the supervisor. If he had said excuse me sir, its not really ideal to have a bike being wheeled around the shop, perhaps you could leave it at the till and I'll keep an eye on it for you whilst you complete your purchase then I'd have agreed with him...but to ask you to leave seems not in the best interest of the business or the customer.
Unless it’s a bike shop this is a very odd behaviour
This. I'd never expect any shop other than a bike shop to be happy with me taking a bike inside.
WWSTWD?
Scuttle off and whine to some internet strangers?
I'd still ask first even if it was a bike shop.
They probably have a policy cos someone wheeled a bike covered in mud in.
The correct response by the staff would be ‘I’m really sorry bikes not allowed in, but if you tell me what your after I’ll grab it so you can be on your way’.
Or ‘come on in I’ll watch your bike’
Or ‘I’ll pop it out the back’.
It’s really not hard, but if they haven’t got that sort of brain for customer service I wouldn’t argue about it, asking to see the policy is a bit of a dick move. I’d just leave and push a couple of displays over on the way out.
I did it once after I bought a cheap* CatEye set from Halfords which instantly broke trying to fit it in the dark after unlokcing bike and reattaching all my stuff to rear rack, saddle bag etc. Rather than lock bike back up and remove everything I feared my get stolen if left on my bike, I wheeled it into the Halfords store and lent it against a stack of something on a pallet while getting a replacement. That felt barely acceptable, never made a habit of it. I know, cool story.
*but not so cheap I expected it to instantly break.
When asking for his details and questioning the policy, I got told by the supervisor who had come over that I was being aggressive and rude (I was not, I’d not even raised my voice) and was asked to leave the shop.
They missed a trick really, could probably have flogged him some CBD oil on the way out to help him calm down about getting ejected.
I hope you told them to take their wheat grass suppositories and .......er....
but to ask you to leave seems not in the best interest of the business or the customer.
It doesn't sound like the OP stepped into the shop and was instantly asked to leave and not come back. They were asked to take the bike outside and then...
When asking for his details and questioning the policy, I got told by the supervisor who had come over that I was being aggressive and rude (I was not, I’d not even raised my voice) and was asked to leave the shop.
If he had said excuse me sir, its not really ideal to have a bike being wheeled around the shop, perhaps you could leave it at the till and I’ll keep an eye on it for you whilst you complete your purchase then I’d have agreed with him
sorry I disagree with this thought, do you think they should provide some sort of valet service for peoples bikes? Shop staff usually have enough to deal with and taking responsibility for someone’s bike while they have a mooch about ain’t in their remit. Fair enough if they want to but fair enough if they don’t. Our workplace no longer provides bike storage for staff as someone’s bike was damaged and they blamed the company for not making the storage secure enough etc so they just pulled the plug altogether rather than deal with further liability issues. As for the OP, maybe the shop were concerned about liabilities if they agreed to a bike on the premises and why were you asking for his name and questioning him etc, they said no bikes, it’s their shop, you didn’t seem to accept this so they asked you to leave. Fair enough in my opinion.
This is the first time I’ve ever thought that anyone would find it acceptable to bring a bicycle into a shop. I don’t find it acceptable.
I think it was pretty unfair to expect to take a bike into a shop without asking, then challenging them after being asked to take out outside, then coming on the internet presumably to smear them. I worked in a shop for years and the level of entitlement amongst the public with things like this just made every day difficult.
The entitlement is baffling, then questioning the policy instead of apologising and getting your bike out of there is another level, as is asking the poor sod for his details like you want him flogged by head office or sacked, I kinda think his supervisor was right, and you don't have to raise your voice to be aggressive and rude. Time to ask yourself some questions, first one, am I being a .....
Hardly crime of the century though is it lol.
"asking the poor sod for his details like you want him flogged by head office "
Considering head office is probably the Kremlin this may be more serious than you think.....
https://www.ft.com/content/26c015d4-1c4e-4ff4-b6c1-e1a958744888
Edit - non paywall https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/02/two-uk-based-russian-oligarchs-have-shares-in-22bn-conglomerate-frozen
whats the general consensus on taking a pram or buggy into a shop? or one of those wheeled shopping baskets that old people use?
This is the first time I’ve ever thought that anyone would find it acceptable to bring a bicycle into a shop. I don’t find it acceptable.
Depends on the shop. On my old commute I sometimes stopped off at the local corner shop so no chance of ever getting a bike in there.
But I also sometimes stopped at an Asda on the way and routinely wheeled the bike in, parked it near the entrance, bought my meal deal and went on my way. Never once had any issues (although it was early in the morning, maybe they'd have said something if I'd have tried it on a busy Saturday...)
I'd never expect to wheel a bike around the shop with me but - assuming of course that the shop is a reasonable size, and is not a stockist of expensive artwork / fine bone china / etc - wheeling it "just inside" and asking if it's OK to just pop it there for a minute is seldom met with any complaint.
I used to do some food bank collection/delivery work on a community e-cargo bike, took that into the supermarket every time!
I heard Holland welcomed bikes. Strange that they’d barr it.
Deserves more credit!
Pram vs bike debate doesn't stand up, well technically the pram does stand up whereas a bike falls over probably knocking dozens of vitamin bottles all over the floor, a prams wheelbase and wheels are designed to move around tight spaces such as a small shop, if I managed to wheel my bike into my local Holland & Barrett I'd struggle to get it out again thus wouldn't dream of doing it but would go in with a pram without hesitation.
And this a great illustration is why Jeff Bezos is a gazillionaire, whilst High Streets are getting more and more empty across the land.
My reaction if I thought they were unhelpful would be to ****themorf and shop online with someone else (not at a Mike Ashley related company).
I’ve done it once in my local photography shop when I forgot a lock but I’d not do it routinely
Pictures or it didn't happen
f*ck em / kill them with kindness
Wheeling the Brompton into Greggs yesterday (Yes Greggs, where else can I get an omelette roll?), had some pillock from the back shout "NO BIKES IN THE SHOP" I responded that I can fold it up and carry it, he shouted "NO BIKES ON MY CLEAN SHOP FLOOR" (obviously the Brompton is oozing heavy fuel oil), followed by "LOCK IT UP OUTSIDE", I advised I don't carry a lock as it comes into the office with me. Anyway he mouthed something, I folded it up (outside) and held it whilst doing my order.
Surprised he didn't ask me to take my shoes off at the door.
I got told by a shop assistant that it is company policy not to allow bicycles into the shop.
I was told that I would be able to see this policy on the website, which, needless to say, I can’t find it.
When asking for his details and questioning the policy,
It sometimes gets on my nerves when people try to make things sound 'official'.
I understand that by making it sound like the order is coming from on high then it maybe lessens the chance of a random member of the public trying to convince the shop assistant why they are wrong (how I managed to work in retail without punching someone I'll never know) but referencing 'policy on the website' would make me say, 'Let's have a look at this official policy and see if we can't find any loopholes'.
In this hypothetical scenario I hate myself, the shop assistant, Holland & Barrett, and the world in general that has somehow conspired to force us into having these pseudo-legalese exchanges.
TLDR, you shouldn't have started questioning the official policy but the assistant shouldn't have been talking about policies available on the website. Everyone's a loser.
Next time, come prepared with your own legal arguments as to why you are allowed to have your bike in the shop due to idiosyncratic interpretations of admiralty or maritime law. Remember you are a Freeman on the Land (you also get a discount as you don't have to pay VAT)!
It right boils my pee when shops dont let me drive my car in to them (it could get stolen, and quite often you have to pay to park), yet they let people bring their shitty little dog things in
^ weird comparison, doesn't even make sense.
maybe lessens the chance of a random member of the public trying to convince the shop assistant why they are wrong
If the shop manager says you can't take your bike in, you can't take your bike in, it doesn't matter whether it's on the website or not.
^ weird comparison, doesn’t even make sense.
It does. I would love to drive my car in to a shop, get out, buy what I want get back in my car. But its not allowed. IMO bikes should not be allowed. And dogs !
If the shop manager says you can’t take your bike in, you can’t take your bike in, it doesn’t matter whether it’s on the website or not.
Indeed, which is why I said the shop assistant telling people there's an official policy that they can see on the website probably wasn't the best option. If it's an official policy and that's the only reason then let's have a look at it and see what it actually says. Maybe there are some loopholes...
Talking to someone like they are a human being is where I would generally start. Maybe I'd try the pseudo-legal official policies if they seemed determined to be an arse about it. Or I could just tell them to **** off.
robertajobb
And this a great illustration is why Jeff Bezos is a gazillionaire
Definitely. I'm always taking my bike into the Amazon app. Never had complaints.
I always ask if I can enter with a folded brompton, even put it in a trolley. The only place anyone said anything was an awful b and b.
Bit cheeky tbh just wheeling it in.
Depends what we by "into the shop". I often leave mine in the little bit between the outside doors and the doors into the shop proper, Innerleithen co op probably being a good example most on here will know. Not really any less nickable in there but less visible to passers by who aren't shopping. I don't wheel it round the isles with me though. Cafes we usually ask 'can we put these in the garden round the back please?' but we spend a lot longer in there than I do in a shop
It's only bike shops I've taken it into the shop proper, and then only if I need to show them something on the bike to indicate what I need.
@ poolman - I didn't paint the picture very well - This was a big ole Greggs!
You sound exceptionally polite though, even asking if an item you are carrying (i.e off the ground) can be brought in. Respect!
@ andrewh - the problem with the bit between inside/outside doors is that may be the primary fire escape, so that may not be universally liked either.
As with any of this, it's rule 1 stuff. Dumping a bike in an aisle, bringing one in covered in mud, a busy/narrow shop, etc, is daft.
Anyway I'm off, just about to drive my Ford Raptor into a Max Spielmann.
Firstly full marks to the op for this reply
Fair enough. Seems as if I was in the wrong then
And to zippykona for having a spare lock for customers.
I've occasionally got caught without a lock when wanting to nip into a supermarket and would then leave the bike just inside the entrance and carry the front wheel round with me while I shopped at very high speed indeed. Would have been too embarrassed to push a bike round but I have seen it done
Pictures or it didn’t happen
I'm waiting for this story to develop.
I was in a pub recently and they told me I couldn't take my bike into the empty beer garden. They said to lock up the bike at the front of the pub - this was due to a someone knocking over a bike and injuring someone who then sued the pub, the liability is too high for them.
What tyres for vinyl flooring and Banana pecan pie trail mix?
Seriously I don't think it has ever crossed my mind to take my bike into a shop (other than a bike shop).
Fair play to the OP for taking stock and reflecting on his actions though.
The OP should have turned up with two other cyclists, than as the 3rd they'd be free to enter.
I've wheeled my bike round a supermarket before when I've had to mid ride, debatable whether it should be allowed or not. On the one hand what's the problem? On the other it'd be a problem if more than a handful of people tried to do it at the same time.
Otherwise just take a lock. I figure expecting to take the bike in has the same sort of feeling as expecting to be able to park on the double yellows outside with hazards on because you're just popping in.
I do it all the time in supermarkets. Never had an issue.
I've never taken my bike into a retail shop
I did, however, stop at the chippy on the way back from a ride recently and try to order from the door. The lady said bring your bike in! I now seem to have developed a habit of lunch time ride via the chippy.
Pictures or it didn’t happen
I’m waiting for this story to develop.
Don't make a scene, like the OP did.
Pictures or it didn’t happen
I’m waiting for this story to develop
Yeah come on. No one likes being kept in the dark
Pictures or it didn’t happen
You don't believe him? Don't be so negative
You don’t believe him? Don’t be so negative
No no, quite the reverse
Just checking, is it acceptable to wheel your bike into Halfords or Decathalon? Might fall over and knock 100's of can of spray paint over?
It does. I would love to drive my car in to a shop, get out, buy what I want get back in my car. But its not allowed. IMO bikes should not be allowed. And dogs !
But i regularly ride round on my dog when i'm shopping as if it's a mobility scooter. Let's ban mobility scooters from shops then.
I once got escorted by security out of a huge shopping centre when i'd gone in to get something sorted with my phone account that couldn't be done online or on phone. It was the sort of place big enough to drive a car around. The staff in the shop didn't care. But then old mate turns up and says I can't bring a bike in.
Obviously, I tried my best "Do you know who I am?", told him in no uncertain terms that he'd regret it, "Don't you dare touch me!" "I know the owner of this global corporation, just wait until he finds out!" etc, etc. But no, I had to leave.
I always ask if I can enter with a folded brompton, even put it in a trolley.
My default with the brompton is put in a trolley, I have wheeled it around the local sainsbury or M&S with no issues but it’s much easier to just stick it a trolley.
Innerleithen co op probably being a good example most on here will know
Most on here will know - eh?
We used to call people like this “Ken” because they were f— ken annoying. I believe the modern (slightly sexist) term is a Karen.
I always ask if I can enter with a folded brompton, even put it in a trolley.
My default with the brompton is put in a trolley, I have wheeled it around the local sainsbury or M&S with no issues but it’s much easier to just stick it a trolley.
You know how people put their kids in the trolley and wheel them around the shop? Sitting in the trolley, kicking the sides with shoes which have got dirt off the pavement, dogshit, fagbutts, seagull kack,... And then the next user puts their artisanal sourdough loaf into that trolley, but it slides out of the s****y paper bag on to the bottom of the trolley, and then they wonder where they picked up that weird stomach bug which kept them off work for two days...
My default with the brompton is put in a trolley
That's rank. Please don't.
or is it in a bag in the trolley? In which case go ahead
I was brought up to lock my bike up outside. Bikes are outdoors, shops count as indoors.
If you happened to forget your lock then you may politley ask to bring your bike in, but expect them to say no.