Best Helmet Selection in TO

J

JulianK

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Hey guys.

Quick question: I'm from Ottawa but my son lives in Toronto. He just picked up a new, well used bike and I'm coming down next week to help him buy a helmet. Problem is that time is tight so I'd like to scope out a couple of places that offer a good selection in store. I'm not familiar with bike shops in TO so can anyone recommend somewhere where we can see the most available brands??

Thanks in advance.
 
I know brampton powersports has a decent selection of a couple brands. I'd likely go to gp as well though. They have a lot usually and they aren't horribly priced but as said there won't be any deals likely
 
Buying a $500 helmet (gta) for $200 (michigan) or a $600 (gta) jacket for $200 (michigan) is just smart spending.The GTA dealers put themselves out of business with the help of the Ontario Government.No time wasted imho.Where is Dennis Oleary to comment?
 
DemonPig said:
Greedy, indifferent, business mismanaging shop owners scared away decent shoppers.
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no..when people are coming in and trying on product and then buying online that's how the business suffers. Who exactly was greedy and mismanaged with their store? Mcbrides,cycle world, parker brothers, brampton cycle? Etc etc etc.
Yoiu think its greed ibecause a shop wants to make money on the business they have but you want it for free because you think it's over priced.
 
Wingboy said:
Buying a $500 helmet (gta) for $200 (michigan) or a $600 (gta) jacket for $200 (michigan) is just smart spending.The GTA dealers put themselves out of business with the help of the Ontario Government.No time wasted imho.Where is Dennis Oleary to comment?
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There is no way a 500 helmet here is 200 in the US or the jacket. Show me an example including the exchange rate
 
sonnythebull said:
no..when people are coming in and trying on product and then buying online that's how the business suffers. Who exactly was greedy and mismanaged with their store? Mcbrides,cycle world, parker brothers, brampton cycle? Etc etc etc.
Yoiu think its greed ibecause a shop wants to make money on the business they have but you want it for free because you think it's over priced.
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I went to Royal in Guelph yesterday, took them 10 min to give me a price on a tire (parts guy was polite though). There was no lineup. While looking at MX boots and trying them on for half an hour, not one single employee approached to me to help or ask a question. Youtube videos and online forums it is.

Same thing with Riders Choice. I was there for 15 min to ask about filter and tire price. Majority of the time was simply ignored, then even worse, the dude behind the counter walked away without even glancing at me to deal with another customer who just walked in. I was about to leave but another guy came out from the shop and helped me.

Today went to Yamaha in Oakville, they had one pair of MX boots on display, no one greeted me, no one asked anything.

As for Parker Brothers - my experience with them sucked. Never ordered the part I placed an order for. Lied about it. Then told me it's gonna be another 2 weeks or so. I ordered online myself for less. Are you surprised?

Or remember ENVY in Mississauga? Nobody gave a flip about customers there. Seemed like a social gathering for store employees. Nobody knew anything, nobody cared to know or check.
I am happy they went out of business. Deserved it.


I sell car tires for a living, they are also sold online so it's not an excuse. I know exactly what people want when they come in to the store. And that is good prices, good service, good selection. Nobody said about anything for free or not understanding that businesses need to make money. You just made those up.

In fact I plan to purchase my next tire from Burlington Cycle because their price is exactly the same as online and I'd rather give them my money.

However, if you personally enjoy being taken advantage off then go ahead.

As for those owners stuck in time - you don't fight the market, you adapt.
 
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DemonPig said:
I went to Royal in Guelph yesterday, took them 10 min to give me a price on a tire (parts guy was polite though). There was no lineup. While looking at MX boots and trying them on for half an hour, not one single employee approached to me to help or ask a question. Youtube videos and online forums it is.

Same thing with Riders Choice. I was there for 15 min to ask about filter and tire price. Majority of the time was simply ignored, then even worse, the dude behind the counter walked away without even glancing at me to deal with another customer who just walked in. I was about to leave but another guy came out from the shop and helped me.

Today went to Yamaha in Oakville, they had one pair of MX boots on display, no one greeted me, no one asked anything.

As for Parker Brothers - my experience with them sucked. Never ordered the part I placed an order for. Lied about it. Then told me it's gonna be another 2 weeks or so. I ordered online myself for less. Are you surprised?

Or remember ENVY in Mississauga? Nobody gave a flip about customers there. Seemed like a social gathering for store employees. Nobody knew anything, nobody cared to know or check.
I am happy they went out of business. Deserved it.


I sell car tires for a living, they are also sold online so it's not an excuse. I know exactly what people want when they come in to the store. And that is good prices, good service, good selection. Nobody said about anything for free or not understanding that businesses need to make money. You just made those up.
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You are right that service in Business is poor. What I will tell you is that it's mostly a reaction to customers demanding cheaper , cheaper and when the business reacts by going cheaper they then get the reputation as a price chopper and more cheapskates come in and keep hammering you until you can't stand it anymore, you look at your margins and have to hire morons for cheap who don't care. Now,the businesses that do well provide great service, stick to their prices and are continuing to thrive. Apex cycle for example. I live 1.5 hours from them but after my experience trying to buy and service a Panigale R and a polaris Rush Axys 800 from dealers near me ...I will only go to apex for everything even a simple oil change. They responded and were awesome and I didn't ask for 1 cent discount because the service was perfect,
in my business from day one we focused on product quality and service and price was the last thing discussed. We have grown 300 percent in the last 4 years, I have 27 employees, 1000's of customers and we have 98 percent customer satisfaction and no one hassles about price because we service them to death. My competition are mostly the " I'll get the cheapest price for you" crowd and they have customer and employee turnover that is unreal.
All the businesses I deal with and have seen do extremely well lately are the ones who set their price do not discount and provide great product and service, the ones who cater to the cheapskates fail or are miserable.
i still blame the customer demands , discounts,air miles, cash back, 2 for 1 pizzas....but the business owners should have put their foot down on this crap years ago. Now they can't stop it because customers expect it
 
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GPBikes had a Scorpion textile jacket at the Jan show 4 yrs ago for $575.I bought the same jacket for $199 from STG.I think the dollars were about the same.But the burden put on the Cdns in taxation is a factor.
 
sonnythebull said:
You are right that service in Business is poor. What I will tell you is that it's mostly a reaction to customers demanding cheaper , cheaper and when the business reacts by going cheaper they then get the reputation as a price chopper and more cheapskates come in and keep hammering you until you can't stand it anymore, you look at your margins and have to hire morons for cheap who don't care. Now,the businesses that do well provide great service, stick to their prices and are continuing to thrive. Apex cycle for example. I live 1.5 hours from them but after my experience trying to buy and service a Panigale R and a polaris Rush Axys 800 from dealers near me ...I will only go to apex for everything even a simple oil change. They responded and were awesome and I didn't ask for 1 cent discount because the service was perfect,
in my business from day one we focused on product quality and service and price was the last thing discussed. We have grown 300 percent in the last 4 years, I have 27 employees, 1000's of customers and we have 98 percent customer satisfaction and no one hassles about price because we service them to death. My competition are mostly the " I'll get the cheapest price for you" crowd and they have customer and employee turnover that is unreal.
All the businesses I deal with and have seen do extremely well lately are the ones who set their price do not discount and provide great product and service, the ones who cater to the cheapskates fail or are miserable.
i still blame the customer , discounts,air miles, cash back, 2 for 1 pizzas....but the business owners should have put their foot down on this crap years ago. Now they can't stop it because customers expect it
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And that's the thing. If you can't beat the price, beat them in other ways. We've come to some sort of an understanding even though I still blame owners more. :)
 
Wingboy said:
GPBikes had a Scorpion textile jacket at the Jan show 4 yrs ago for $575.I bought the same jacket for $199 from STG.I think the dollars were about the same.But the burden put on the Cdns in taxation is a factor.
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Show me online not in your dreams
 
DemonPig said:
And that's the thing. If you can't beat the price, beat them in other ways. We've come to some sort of an understanding. :)
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never beat the price always be the best and the customers wont think about the price first or at all.
yes..I am your hero
 
Having lived in Ottawa, gp bikes will be the closest store comparable to the Good Times store located in Ottawa. As stated above its in whitby
 
Regarding online shopping - how would you expect to be treated if you walked into a restaurant with your own steak then haggled about how much it would cost for them to cook and serve it ?
The same applies to authorized dealers and independent accessory and repair shops - they are selling a convenience and a service as much as a nut and bolt product.
They have rent, salaries and bills to pay - and if you choose not to do business with them that's certainly your right and privilege.
Just don't complain about it when there's a problem or you're presented with something you can't do yourself....
 
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