Clas Ohlson Newcastle Today-nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!

[rancid badger]

I had some spare time today, so set off for Newcastle, intending to "touch base" at LePrevo but then decided that I'd check out the new Clas Ohlson store on Northumberland street while I was in the town.

I found the place no bother, more or less opposite Fenwicks, and decended the escalator into what turned out to be a total aladdins cave.

I wandered about for quite a while, looking for the much talked about "own brand" mora clippers and other similar tools but drew a complete blank. There were numerous cheap multi-tools and literally dozens of stanley type knives, as well as a selection of folders but no mora's or anything similar could I find

So I decided to call it a day, rather dissappointed but then I thought; stuff it I'll ask someone!

I spotted a bloke,of a similar age to myself obviously an employee, in white shirt, with an id tag on a tape round his neck. I stopped him and asked about the Clippers, whereupon he looked totally bemused. I then explained that a clipper was a fixed blade utility knife, at which point the penny dropped.

"Oh!" says he; "You have to ask at the counter for that sort of thing, they don't like to have that sort of thing on display and they keep them in a seperate room"

All that was missing, was the phrase I've included in my thread title! I asked him if he was joking but he assured me he wasn't. I then got a bit annoyed to be honest and I told him I was looking for tools not porn or "adult toys".

He simply repeated that they kept "that sort of thing" seperate, because its a bit touchy! I replied yes but what about the utility knives

He smiled and offered to show me what they had, but to be honest, I'd had enough of being made to feel like some sort of perv or freak, so declined his offer and left.

I kind of understand the logic behind the policy but if Clas Ohlson think it's right to sell fixed blade knives at all; Then display them honestly and openly in your store, alongside all the other potentially lethal "weapons" don't try to fool "the public" by keeping them hidden away

As I was walking back towards LePrevo, I started thinking about the rights and wrongs and frankly couldn't really find any real "rights"




Anyway, I called into Leprevo and got some nice hide to make a cover for my new "kindle"

cheers

Steve

 

[cbr6fs]

Can't say that sort of reaction i'd bother me. but i'm a bit thick skinned.

Do they keep kitchen and folders in this room as well?
If not unless it's some sort of new regulation it's a bit pointless really.

 

[Shewie]

Ooh leather kindle case

I've been there myself Steve, I didn't really mind asking the guy on the counter but he had to ask another two staff until somebody actually knew about them. They'd only been open a few weeks then and it's been a lot easier since, it tends to be the same bloke on the till and he knows what I after when I turn up.

Stick your head back in there after Chrimbo mate as you can pick up some decent boaty/outdoorsy stuff, they're a bit seasonal with their stock I think.

 

[Ian S]

I've bought various Moras from the Clas Ohlson in Manchester - yes, you have to ask at the counter, but I have had no problems in doing this (and I love their prices....).

Cheers

 

[rancid badger]

Oh I'll be back in, no doubt about that! The stainless marine stuff is great

To be honest the guy was just doing his job, I could easily have gone along with him but I was really just browsing anyway. That said I'd probably have come away with a few of the own brand clippers.

It did get me thinking about double standards though; happy to sell fixed blades as tools but only in a furtive and covert manner, thereby not upsetting "the public".

I guess, if nothing else, this policy does allow the assistants to weigh up exactly who is buying the knife, are they over 18 for a kick off? though age aside, whether that's necessarily a good thing or not is obviously open to debate.

I wonder if you can pre-order, then collect in store like Argos etc?

Anyway; Rich, Leather Kindle case here we go! It remains to be seen how it turns out but I'm buxxered if I'll pay £20 + for a piece of mass produced, chrome tanned tat from China or Vietnam when I can bodge up something myself I just need to decide whether it's going to be a dangler, belt or neck carry!

cheers all

Steve

 

[rik_uk3]

Knives are high profile, outdoor knives in the public eye are 'Rambo' tools so its common sense not to leave them on a shelf in a self service store I would think. Perhaps a notice would help?

 

[cbr6fs]

Are ALL knifes kept "behind the counter" though?

To be honest i could go to the kitchen and pull out several knives that are many times more deadly than my bushcraft knives.

 

[spoony]

they keep the small more whittler knife in a room, out the way. but walk around and they have bear g survival knife hanging in the camping section, and the axes are next to the chain saws lol

 

[rancid badger]

Knives are high profile, outdoor knives in the public eye are 'Rambo' tools so its common sense not to leave them on a shelf in a self service store I would think. Perhaps a notice would help?

Thing is Rik, I can go down to my local Tesco's and pick up kitchen knives straight off the shelf. They are enclosed within a rigid plastic moulding, with a cable tie securing it but it's not exactly difficult to get to the knives if you chose to do so.

You're right though; it's a public perception issue. Clas Ohlson also sell one of the "Bear Grylls" knives,as well the Mora "bushcrafter" etc etc. so I suppose it does make sense to keep anything "controversial" well under control if you can.

On the question of "all knives behind the counter?"; No.

They've got loads of stanley knives, folders ( SAK type) and multi-tools on open display, it does appear that Riks hit the nail on the head with the "rambo" perception I think.

cheers

Steve

 

[Prawnster]

The shop in Liverpool has them on display in a nice locked glass cabinet. When I bought some recently the shop assistant let me handle the ones I wanted and then put them behind the counter for when I was ready to check out. I think that's probably the most sensible way of selling them. Buyers have to ask to handle a knife but at least it stops shoplifters just walking out with one.


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[rancid badger]

The shop in Liverpool has them on display in a nice locked glass cabinet. When I bought some recently the shop assistant let me handle the ones I wanted and then put them behind the counter for when I was ready to check out. I think that's probably the most sensible way of selling them. Buyers have to ask to handle a knife but at least it stops shoplifters just walking out with one.


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Now if they'd had them displayed like that up here, I'd have been quite impressed!.

It's the covert, furtive side of the set-up up here I don't much go for, it just smacks of trying to hide the fact that they sell them at all.