Comments on: Where can I subscribe to a running-shoe-replacement service? http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/ Strategies for Internet citizens Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:03:43 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Rick Cleary http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-127163 Rick Cleary Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:31:50 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-127163 This isn't a service, but it's a new product that automatically tells you when to replace your shoes, it's called the Shoe Odometer. The Shoe Odometer is a small electronic device that attaches to the laces of your shoes. It automatically counts down the percent of remaining wear. You get to adjust the number that it counts down from. It also measures miles, steps and stride rate. The miles function is not a GPS, but it is accurate for your every day training run. I'm a high school running coach that was frustrated that my runners sometimes got hurt from running in shoes that were worn out. I've had nothing but great feedback from everyone that has purchased one. We also laser etch your emergency identification info on the side of the SO. I have a lot of info on the website: www.shoeodometer.com I'd be glad to answer any of your questions. This isn’t a service, but it’s a new product that automatically tells you when to replace your shoes, it’s called the Shoe Odometer. The Shoe Odometer is a small electronic device that attaches to the laces of your shoes. It automatically counts down the percent of remaining wear. You get to adjust the number that it counts down from. It also measures miles, steps and stride rate. The miles function is not a GPS, but it is accurate for your every day training run. I’m a high school running coach that was frustrated that my runners sometimes got hurt from running in shoes that were worn out. I’ve had nothing but great feedback from everyone that has purchased one. We also laser etch your emergency identification info on the side of the SO. I have a lot of info on the website: http://www.shoeodometer.com I’d be glad to answer any of your questions.

]]> By: Land of Zoho Creator » Better Customer Retention with Zoho Creator and LetterMeLater http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122847 Land of Zoho Creator » Better Customer Retention with Zoho Creator and LetterMeLater Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:36:45 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122847 [...] Udell recently  wrote an interesting blog “Where can I subscribe to a running-shoe-replacement service ? “ which as I see it amounts to a simple way of fostering Customer Retention. This is a [...] [...] Udell recently  wrote an interesting blog “Where can I subscribe to a running-shoe-replacement service ? “ which as I see it amounts to a simple way of fostering Customer Retention. This is a [...]

]]> By: Jon Galloway http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122820 Jon Galloway Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:42:29 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122820 I sent this link to website support at http://www.roadrunnersports.com, the only company I'd think might get what you're saying. Interested in what kind of reply I get back from them. I sent this link to website support at http://www.roadrunnersports.com, the only company I’d think might get what you’re saying. Interested in what kind of reply I get back from them.

]]> By: Missing the cluetrain « Jon Udell http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122815 Missing the cluetrain « Jon Udell Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:22:08 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122815 [...] this humorous anecdote but Mike Caulfield reminded me that it’s too funny not to share. After musing about a subscription service for running shoes, I walked in my local store, bought a new pair, and invited them to notify me in [...] [...] this humorous anecdote but Mike Caulfield reminded me that it’s too funny not to share. After musing about a subscription service for running shoes, I walked in my local store, bought a new pair, and invited them to notify me in [...]

]]> By: Scott http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122711 Scott Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:56:24 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122711 This comment really stuck in my head over the weekend... I re-discovered that the Sport Tracks software lets you enter equipment when you upload from a GPS. They even have the concept of setting "default" equipment, so you don't have to re-select each time. But since I just discovered this, I would like to go back and reset my last few months of running to use my newly entered equipment, but there doesn't seem to be a "batch" way to do that (like you can do in iTunes, etc.) :-( This comment really stuck in my head over the weekend… I re-discovered that the Sport Tracks software lets you enter equipment when you upload from a GPS. They even have the concept of setting “default” equipment, so you don’t have to re-select each time. But since I just discovered this, I would like to go back and reset my last few months of running to use my newly entered equipment, but there doesn’t seem to be a “batch” way to do that (like you can do in iTunes, etc.) :-(

]]> By: Jim Yates http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122704 Jim Yates Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:25:23 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122704 "...I really want is to regard the running shoe as a commodity I can replace on a subscription basis. I wonder what else belongs in this category: ..." Come on Jon, you are sitting in front of one and you work for another. Not that it should be that way. Think about it. “…I really want is to regard the running shoe as a commodity I can replace on a subscription basis.
I wonder what else belongs in this category: …”
Come on Jon, you are sitting in front of one and you work for another. Not that it should be that way. Think about it.

]]> By: Bill http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122701 Bill Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:05:45 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122701 Hi Jon - off topic, but are you going to the Microsoft MIX08 conference next week? Hi Jon – off topic, but are you going to the Microsoft MIX08 conference next week?

]]> By: scott http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122697 scott Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:34:10 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122697 MotionBased also let's you pick equipment used when you upload... but shoes seem so unique I think these tools should make it explicit: specifically pick your shoes, let you set an expiration number of miles and notify you. I'm just at the point now where I have to try to synthesize miles from Garmin Training Center and Nike+ (for my treadmill runs) to figure out if I'm close to needing shoes or not. I wholeheartedly agree about keeping the shoes current - I had nasty ITBS last year and don't want to repeat it! MotionBased also let’s you pick equipment used when you upload… but shoes seem so unique I think these tools should make it explicit: specifically pick your shoes, let you set an expiration number of miles and notify you. I’m just at the point now where I have to try to synthesize miles from Garmin Training Center and Nike+ (for my treadmill runs) to figure out if I’m close to needing shoes or not. I wholeheartedly agree about keeping the shoes current – I had nasty ITBS last year and don’t want to repeat it!

]]> By: tecosystems » links for 2008-02-29 http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122693 tecosystems » links for 2008-02-29 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:19:27 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122693 [...] Where can I subscribe to a running-shoe-replacement service? « Jon Udell amen. hurt my hip and leg last year with worn out shoes. related, i just learned of Amazon’s Prime enabled subscription service for groceries and so on: subscriptions rule. (tags: runningshoes subscription service jonudell) [...] [...] Where can I subscribe to a running-shoe-replacement service? « Jon Udell amen. hurt my hip and leg last year with worn out shoes. related, i just learned of Amazon’s Prime enabled subscription service for groceries and so on: subscriptions rule. (tags: runningshoes subscription service jonudell) [...]

]]> By: Tony Baer http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122686 Tony Baer Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:56:19 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122686 I'm a bit conflicted on this one -- as your proposition makes a lot of sense. Running shoes are exactly the kind of product that lends itself to subscription. Yet, given production irregularities, running shoes are the type of item that I absolutely must try on before committing, and when it comes time to replacing shoes, I've often found that the new year's version of the same model doesn't fit as well as the last or vice versa. But combine service-oriented updates with the level of no-questions-asked returns policy of an LL Bean would work for the customer. However, given the modest volume of business for most running shoe stores, I'm not sure that they could afford to deliver LL Bean-grade service. I’m a bit conflicted on this one — as your proposition makes a lot of sense. Running shoes are exactly the kind of product that lends itself to subscription. Yet, given production irregularities, running shoes are the type of item that I absolutely must try on before committing, and when it comes time to replacing shoes, I’ve often found that the new year’s version of the same model doesn’t fit as well as the last or vice versa.

But combine service-oriented updates with the level of no-questions-asked returns policy of an LL Bean would work for the customer. However, given the modest volume of business for most running shoe stores, I’m not sure that they could afford to deliver LL Bean-grade service.

]]> By: Patrick Foley http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122684 Patrick Foley Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:51:46 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122684 I've complained about this myself ... I think restaurants call it maintaining a "par value" or something like that. Groceries online is fairly silly, but for things that I replace all the time (razor blades, shampoo, tea, coffee, vitamins, etc.), that's what I'd want. I've seen it done for coffee and vitamins. I wonder why Amazon hasn't done it larger scale. By the way, I had IT band problems a couple of years ago and got these: http://www.biocorrect.com/. Changed my life. If you find a reason to come to GR (launch 5/13), you should visit the local MS office and get some biocorrect running orthotics ;-) At any time, the guy who makes those recommends 1 of about 3 shoes ... the orthotics replace the insoles, so it lessens the differences between models between years, too. I love mine. I’ve complained about this myself … I think restaurants call it maintaining a “par value” or something like that. Groceries online is fairly silly, but for things that I replace all the time (razor blades, shampoo, tea, coffee, vitamins, etc.), that’s what I’d want.

I’ve seen it done for coffee and vitamins. I wonder why Amazon hasn’t done it larger scale.

By the way, I had IT band problems a couple of years ago and got these: http://www.biocorrect.com/. Changed my life. If you find a reason to come to GR (launch 5/13), you should visit the local MS office and get some biocorrect running orthotics ;-)

At any time, the guy who makes those recommends 1 of about 3 shoes … the orthotics replace the insoles, so it lessens the differences between models between years, too. I love mine.

]]> By: Bob Bickel http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122683 Bob Bickel Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:48:30 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122683 There is a cool application on Facebook called Runlicious. It allows you to log your miles - and select which pair of shoes you are using that day (accomodating Larry's post above). If this app were available for my little running store (www.runningco.com), then I could either send you an alert, email or even a pair of shoes when you got to a limit that you set. This application is one of the reasons we started up Ringside Networks (www.ringsidenetworks.com) - but you'll have to wait a month to see how that works... Bob Bickel There is a cool application on Facebook called Runlicious. It allows you to log your miles – and select which pair of shoes you are using that day (accomodating Larry’s post above). If this app were available for my little running store (www.runningco.com), then I could either send you an alert, email or even a pair of shoes when you got to a limit that you set. This application is one of the reasons we started up Ringside Networks (www.ringsidenetworks.com) – but you’ll have to wait a month to see how that works…

Bob Bickel

]]> By: John Roberts http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122682 John Roberts Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:44:17 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122682 I've found that RoadRunnerSports (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/) does some of what you ask. I don't know about the scheduled re-order, but they will tell you when a shoe you've ordered before is being discontinued, and offer you the chance to stock up before it disappears. I’ve found that RoadRunnerSports (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/) does some of what you ask. I don’t know about the scheduled re-order, but they will tell you when a shoe you’ve ordered before is being discontinued, and offer you the chance to stock up before it disappears.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122680 Mark Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:54:22 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122680 Ahem... I suspect that underwear subscribers would latch on to this. Believe it or not (yeah), I have heard women more than once complain that they cannot duplicate size, fit, comfort, etc., in bra products. And I know that when I find underwear I like, the line has invariably disappeared the next time I go back (in a year or so) for replacements. Same thing goes perhaps for trousers, where you really like the pocket layout and ergonomics, but fail to duplicate it when you go shopping for a new pair sometime later. Funny enough, a student whose thesis committee I was on presented this running shoe subscription idea last year at Art Center of Design in Pasadena, CA. Not sure what became of the idea, but he viewed it as more than homework problem. Ahem… I suspect that underwear subscribers would latch on to this. Believe it or not (yeah), I have heard women more than once complain that they cannot duplicate size, fit, comfort, etc., in bra products. And I know that when I find underwear I like, the line has invariably disappeared the next time I go back (in a year or so) for replacements.

Same thing goes perhaps for trousers, where you really like the pocket layout and ergonomics, but fail to duplicate it when you go shopping for a new pair sometime later.

Funny enough, a student whose thesis committee I was on presented this running shoe subscription idea last year at Art Center of Design in Pasadena, CA. Not sure what became of the idea, but he viewed it as more than homework problem.

]]> By: Larry http://blog.jonudell.net/2008/02/27/where-can-i-subscribe-to-a-running-shoe-replacement-service/#comment-122679 Larry Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:29:28 +0000 http://blog.jonudell.net/?p=337#comment-122679 I usually buy 2 or 3 pair once I find a shoe I like. It's a great hedge against model changes which seem to happen so often. I also run alternating 2 pair. The shoes have a good chance to dry out from one run to the next which makes them more confortable and they seem to hold up longer although I usually don't leave in service after 6 months. They make great kick around shoes after that, but I have so many! I usually buy 2 or 3 pair once I find a shoe I like. It’s a great hedge against model changes which seem to happen so often.

I also run alternating 2 pair. The shoes have a good chance to dry out from one run to the next which makes them more confortable and they seem to hold up longer although I usually don’t leave in service after 6 months. They make great kick around shoes after that, but I have so many!

]]>