| NEEDLE
SPORTS -
What
the outdoor trade says about us: |
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"(Nationally)
the stores which consistantly please include George
Fishers and Needle Sports in Keswick, and
Wild Trak in Newcastle. All three shops offer good
retailing standards, a good meet and greet process,
and a level of product knowledge that is definitely
of the highest quality.
When
it comes to specialist retailers operating in the
climbing world, I reckon that Needle Sports
and Wild Track can't be beaten at this moment in
time. They offer a good selection of specialist
stock which is well displayed, a wealth of user
knowledge courtesy of the shop staff, and a store
you can easily walk around without bumping into
things which aren't other customers!
Needle
Sports does get busy at times, but that in itself
is a good sign as it shows that others are of the
opinion that the store is getting it right. It appears
to be first port of call for quite a few people
when they head into the Lakes and there are times
when some legends of the mountaineering world can
be seen parting with their cash or handing over
their plastic."...
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The
Phantom Shopper
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(Outdoor
Review is a trade magazine for the Outdoor Industry.
The Phantom Shopper regularly checks out gear and
clothing shops incognito and reports on their staff,
service and other ascpects. The quote above was from
an article published in 2002 entitled "Ten Years
of the Phantom Shopper".)
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In
an article in the April 2004 issue of Trail, entitled
Live Here! which rated various places in
the UK for their attractiveness to hill-goers, Ambleside
and Keswick tied in first place for gear shops.
However Trail noted:
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The
Battle for Gear Central: |
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Keswick
and Ambleside boast a cracking 18 gear shops
each, but we reckon Keswick pips Ambleside
to top spot in this category. Why? Two reasons:
1. George Fisher This is what every
gear shop should be: huge and beautiful, housed
in the famous Abraham photographic shop. These
days it's full of kit, has a great bookshop
and is one of Lakeland's best places for a
cuppa.
2. Needle Sports Not a big shop, but
every item in it is chosen with love. When
you walk in, you can tell it's owned by experts:
so, if you want advice, this is the place
to come.
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Keswick
also ranked 2nd overall in the UK as a place to
live. We should point out that, at the time, we
had never advertised in the magazine, and didn't
even stock it!
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OUTDOORSmagic Readers Awards 2005/6:
BEST SPECIALIST OUTDOORS SHOP
Winner - Needle Sports, Keswick; Runner-Up - Gaynors, Ambleside
"Interestingly our best regarded bricks and mortar shops both come from the Lakes, suggesting that for spot-on service, Cumbria's the place to go. Keswick's Needle Sports took the crown over Gaynors though, well done."
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CLIMB MAGAZINE Feb 06
needlesports.com Although primarily a climbing gear portal there's also lots of excellent free back-ground stuff on this site. Proprietor, Stephen Reid studied art once and his graphic design flair marks this site out as more than just a shop window Highlights include a beautifully illustrated photo-guide to the esoteric climbing of Galloway, a useful section advising how to get back down off Napes Needle (should you ever suffer the misfortune of finding yourself up there) and an interesting exposition on Ken Wilson's contribution to climbing literature. Plus the site hosts the wacky Nuts Museum, there's a quirky section on rocks that look like faces and one of the most thorough lists of links to useful climbing-related sites; there's at least a trillion.
Defining phrase: ‘Entertaining and educational'.
Personality: Lord Reith (except a jollier and nicer version).
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Needle
Sports has regularly featured in the running
for the prestigious Outdoor Retailer of the
Year Award. This is awarded annually by Go
Outddoors (previously COLA), the outdoor
industry's trade organisation. In 2005 we were
once again one of 21 finalists from all over
the UK - we haven't won outright yet, but we
are still trying! |
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NEEDLE
SPORTS -
What
our customers say about us: |
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My
order arrived today - excellent quality and even more
praiseworthy service. Many thanks. My order was only a
small one for you (£13.00) but I am impressed with
how it has been dealt with. Hope to do more business with
you in the near future. Regards, M.S.
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Just
a note to say how impressed I am at the quick service
from yourselves. I.B.
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I just wanted to write a quick note to thank you for the
speediness of your service. I placed an order only yesterday
and my new gear arrived by midday today, all this with
free postage. There are hundreds of companies out there
who could obviously learn from you. Thank you again and
be sure that I shall use you in future. Yours gratefully,
R.R.
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Just
wanted to say thanks for the prompt service - the two seperate
items I ordered from you recently both arrived in one working
day - and were exactly what I needed. When I phoned you
I found your staff both knowledgeable and helpful - a rare
combination I also wanted to congratulate you on your web
site -as a sometime web-designer I know how much work goes
into creating and updating such a site - I find yours both
very informative and easy to negotiate (and buy from!).
I have particularly valued the Via Ferrata info and links
- I guess someone has an interest in it. Many thanks, and
congratualtions, N.E. |
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Just
wanted to say thanks for getting my order despatched so
quickly. Its been a pleasure buying my gear from you.
I see absolutely no reason not to use you in the future,
as well as spread the word about your great prices and
service. Thanks again. M.M. |
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Appreciate
the quick turn-around on my order. Less than 24 hours
- that absolutely rocks!, for want of a better expression.
Cheers guys, R.F. |
I'm
sending this brief email to thank you for your prompt and
efficient service over the weekend. I ordered a Black Diamond
Moonlight and a Thermarest Chairkit online late on Friday
night and was amazed to see them arrive with the first post
Monday morning. I have purchased many items online from
eight different retailers in your field and no one else
has come close to your turnaround, including those that
charge up to £6 delivery on top of the product cost.
I'm very happy with my purchases and will be recommending
your store to my many friends and workmates that share my
outdoor interests. Well done on your efforts and you just
bought your store a swag of free advertising of the best
kind!! Cheers, P.G. |
I
thought it was about time I wrote and congratulated you
all on what an outstanding service you provide. I have visited
the shop on a couple of occasions and found you all to be
extremely helpful and knowledgeable. For the most part though,
I use the internet, and it never ceases to amaze me how
fast you process the orders and deliver them. Most notably
was ordering at 11am and having the goods at my door before
8am the following day! For Free! What more can I say? Keep
up the excellent work. D.C. |
Just
to let you know that I received everything OK. No delays
- I actually received it on the 2nd December with no Custom's
hold ups or charges. So next time we should use the same
system and carrier service. The Scarpa Phantoms are very
comfortable - tested already in the snow outside Beijing
at -10c. Thanks for your help, N. |
Just
a quick message to say how impressed I am with your efficiency
and courtesy and that many companies certainly have a lot
to improve on to achieve even half of the service you provide,
I will without a doubt be ordering from you in the near
future. Excellent. MB. |
I
have used Needle Sports twice only, the first time it was
a sling, at £1.60, the second occasion a bunch of
stuff, £116. On both occasions the website worked
flawlessly, the items have been top notch, I am well pleased
with every item you sent. The delivery is always swift!
Advice over the phone has been valuable and informative. Congratulations
on being a really professional service. I will naturally
return to you again and again in the future because of these
very reasons.
How refreshing to deal with a competent knowledgeable friendly
company! Kind
Regards D. |
I
would just like to say that I am very impressed with the
service I have had from Trevor at Needle Sports and from
Rab Carrington Limited. I ordered a custom bag on Tuesday
and just opened the package today (Friday). I can't wait
to use the bag next week in the Pyrenees. The pack size
and weight are exactly what I needed. My poor 20 year old
synthetic Caravan will be relegated to friends sleeping
on my sofa. Thanks to all. J.B. |
Just
a quick note to thank you for the excellent service I have
received from Needle Sports.
Just by coincidence I had a Camp One stove (£50) also
develop a fault, which was purchased from Cotswold Outdoors.
I had to write two emails before I got a reply. I was promised
a refund, this resulted in telephone calls too.
This is in complete contrast to the service I received at
Needle Sports!!!
I shall be recommending (as I already do, I often pop in
with friends to advise them on jackets etc.) Needle Sports
everytime. Thanks again, R.C. |
I
just wanted to write to say how fantastic the service I
have received from your shop has been. It was my first order
with you and even though the order was small, it was dealt
with an exceptional level of service. I haven't experienced
service like this before in four years of using mail order
shops. Many thanks, RS |
Dear
Needle Sports, I'd just like to compliment you on the standard
of service i have received. I ordered an MSR pot over the
phone on Tuesday afternoon and was stunned to recieve it
on Wednesday morning - by courier no less. I can't thank
you enough. PH |
Bit
of feedback - excellent speed of service as ever (I'm always
really impressed with the way you get things out promptly),
but could you stop putting staples in envelopes for those
of us who have a habit of fishing around in the bottom to
make sure they've got everything out? (although on the plus
side, the shock woke me up - so my boss thanks you...) Cheers,
BT |
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Dear
Needle Sports,
I recently found your website after searching for 'Mammut
Rope'. I was only browsing for a 30 metre rope for indoor
lead climbing. I found your website easy to use and the
information about the products left me knowing everything
I needed to about the products I looked at. In the end
I ordered a Beal Edlinger II 35 metre rope and an Outdoor
Designs ropebag, and as I'm one of those people that wants
something straight after I ordered it, I paid the £3.50
Priority Postage (already impressed with the pricing and
free postage and packing).
My
order was placed at 23:00 hours on Tuesday 7th June and
requested delivery to my place of work, personally I was
thinking that I might get it Friday if I was VERY lucky
but Monday was the day I expected it to show. I can only
say that I was seriously impressed when I arrived at work
on Thursday 9th about 13:30 hours to find a large parcel
sat on my desk!!
I can only say that I have been massively impressed with
Needle Sports. I strongly believe in 'first impressions
last' and my impression of Needle Sports is very good
and I have already recommended you to a fellow climber
at work!
Thanks again and I look forward to ordering from you again
in the future
Regards MS
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Thank
you very much for the A1 service. A delight to do business
with you - straight forward ordering service, easy to navigate
web site and exceptional delivery. Well done - only wish
everyone was as easy to deal with.
No doubt my son will have plenty more ideas as to how I
can do business with you again !!! |
Dear
Sir
I wish to make a complaint.
You are far too efficient!
Thanks...
S. |
It's getting a bit boring now. There must be a chink in the customer services armour somewhere.
I have been shopping at Needle Sports, in person and on-line, for over 10 years. Never once has the customer service been anything less than excellent. TT |
I don't know what they put in the water up there, but it makes a
refreshing change for a company to deliver such excellent service!
I've already recommended you to my friends.
RL
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Needle Sports,
Not an order I'm afraid, but I thought it would be worth dropping you a line.
I've just received my latest order (some climbing slings), which arrived intact and on time, as always.
I just wanted to congratulate you on your excellent service whenever I've used your website and placed an order. I'm currently thinking about a POD rucksack…
Your site stands alone in my opinion, because it doesn't appear to be attempting to sell me the product. The site advises on the best product, and that's pretty rare. Your text and descriptions aren't just lifted from the manufacturer's websites. It's the next best thing to talking to someone in the shop (and I do come in when I'm in Keswick, but it's a bit of a trog from Weston Super Mare).
I noticed the section in your order form, asking how the website can be improved, and I had nothing to write. However, I can say that the above is the reason that I keep coming back.
Keep up the good work,
GC
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With
many thanks and grateful acknowledgements to all those
who have taken the trouble to email us!
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