bike geeks vs. "they" Rant (locals)
09-01-13, 04:56 PM
#1
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bike geeks vs. "they" Rant (locals)
Sometimes, things just get out of hand, and rather than get out the AR-15, I just say no.
So, I want to say no a few times:
No, just because I gave you a new box of wrap, you are not entitled to my parts box.
No, just because I sold you a Selle Italia SLR for $20, I'm not giving you your money back after 2 months and 400 miles because you use cheap shorts and no Body Glide over 2 days of 100 miles per day and your ass is chapped.
No, just because I have 3 sets of wheels for sale, you don't get a huge discount because "I'm not using them."
No, just because I have 2 cassette tools, it's not OK to keep one of them. I have two because you didn't bring it back, Beavis.
No, 9:45 on a Saturday night is not when I want to fix your bike, with my tools, my time, and my parts.
No, just because you paid $900 for a $1200 bike, I'm not throwing in red tires because you think they're cool. Same with pedals.
No, my supply of cables does not fall off of trees into my garage. I pay for them just like you.
No, your flat tire is not the fault of the tube I gave you. Next time, buy one.
I'm glad you're out there riding. Now leave me the hell alone.
So, I want to say no a few times:
No, just because I gave you a new box of wrap, you are not entitled to my parts box.
No, just because I sold you a Selle Italia SLR for $20, I'm not giving you your money back after 2 months and 400 miles because you use cheap shorts and no Body Glide over 2 days of 100 miles per day and your ass is chapped.
No, just because I have 3 sets of wheels for sale, you don't get a huge discount because "I'm not using them."
No, just because I have 2 cassette tools, it's not OK to keep one of them. I have two because you didn't bring it back, Beavis.
No, 9:45 on a Saturday night is not when I want to fix your bike, with my tools, my time, and my parts.
No, just because you paid $900 for a $1200 bike, I'm not throwing in red tires because you think they're cool. Same with pedals.
No, my supply of cables does not fall off of trees into my garage. I pay for them just like you.
No, your flat tire is not the fault of the tube I gave you. Next time, buy one.
I'm glad you're out there riding. Now leave me the hell alone.
09-01-13, 05:04 PM
#2
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No question, you need manager. ;-)
J
J
09-01-13, 05:36 PM
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Whew, I'm glad I didn't do any of that when I bought stuff from you lol
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09-01-13, 09:29 PM
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We auto mechanics have a saying: "No good deed goes unpunished". 
09-01-13, 10:01 PM
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What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Robbie, have a beer. Relax in a nice air-conditioned room. Go for a ride. All of the above, but not in that order. Have the beer last.
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With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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09-01-13, 10:52 PM
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But Robbie I need an emergency dose of awesome where else am I supposed to get it?
09-01-13, 11:29 PM
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Seriously, I think I hear the guys who run my shop say stuff like this about 10x a day. A woman today tried to return a Garmin bundle for a full refund and brought back the head unit and hr strap. Uh, lady you're missing some things including some marbles.
09-01-13, 11:44 PM
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expecting the general public to act responsibly or even civil-ly is hopelessly optimistic.
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09-02-13, 12:01 AM
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Hey Robbie,
Can I get some more free stuff And when you get a chance, can you fly out to Toronto? I think I'm having issues with taking the pedal off my non drive side. It just doesn't want to move.
Can I get some more free stuff And when you get a chance, can you fly out to Toronto? I think I'm having issues with taking the pedal off my non drive side. It just doesn't want to move.
09-02-13, 12:12 AM
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Yup, and a failing one at that if he starts replying yes
Hang in there, Robbie!
DD
Hang in there, Robbie!
DD
09-02-13, 12:28 AM
#12
Wrench Savant
You forgot:
No, just because you have some fancy 6-month-old suspension fork (or insert any other new-fangled suspension/hydraulic brake stuff) that does not work and you are not happy with the service/price the local dealer provides, that does not mean that I have to track down the brand-specific proprietary parts, have them overnighted here, and fix rebuild the miserable thing if I don't want to.
No, just because you have some fancy 6-month-old suspension fork (or insert any other new-fangled suspension/hydraulic brake stuff) that does not work and you are not happy with the service/price the local dealer provides, that does not mean that I have to track down the brand-specific proprietary parts, have them overnighted here, and fix rebuild the miserable thing if I don't want to.
09-02-13, 04:38 AM
#13
Death fork? Naaaah!!
At least I get paid (albeit pitifully little) to deal with such.
Top
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09-02-13, 05:02 AM
#14
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I've pretty much moved to only working on the occasional flip or stuff that interests me. Bikes ain't a job, I have one of those already. And so do you, IIRC. This means I occasionally tell people "no." Fortunately my actual work taught me to do that long ago.
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09-02-13, 06:29 AM
#15
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Ahhh college students have returned from their summer hiatus. 
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-02-13, 06:56 AM
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I loaned a freewheel tool to a now former friend. He returned it broken and refused to pay for it, blaming me for the breakage. because I didn't show him how to use it. Of course my reply was that if he didn't know how to use it, he should have asked. That was the last tool I ever loaned out.
09-02-13, 07:24 AM
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I loaned a freewheel tool to a now former friend. He returned it broken and refused to pay for it, blaming me for the breakage. because I didn't show him how to use it. Of course my reply was that if he didn't know how to use it, he should have asked. That was the last tool I ever loaned out.
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09-02-13, 07:38 AM
#19
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How do you find such people? I guess I live a charmed life, because I don't remember people being that obnoxious with me. Maybe some are and I've just forgotten! Bad memory has its uses.
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09-02-13, 07:48 AM
#20
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No, just because I have the tools and experience to do it in my sleep, doesn't mean you have a free source of service for your abused and neglected ride.
I feel for you. Trying to balance being the patron saint of cycling and not being exploited, is a fine line.
I don't get involved with anyone's ride until I've known them for a while and determine whether they are a leech.
I feel for you. Trying to balance being the patron saint of cycling and not being exploited, is a fine line.
I don't get involved with anyone's ride until I've known them for a while and determine whether they are a leech.
09-02-13, 08:15 AM
#21
Senior Member
I once sold a set of seatbelts for $25 from one of my 'parts car' classic Mustangs to a Mustang guy at work. Six months later he brought them back in to work and wanted his money back - he sold the car that he bought them for and had never installed them. Not my problem. Then he claimed that I was a 'poor businessman' for not refunding his money.
I do try to repay-in-kind any favors from friends so as not to be a leech for constantly asking favors. I can't paint cars worth a damn, but I'll help my buds do mechanical work and bodywork on theirs in return for his spraying mine.
I do try to repay-in-kind any favors from friends so as not to be a leech for constantly asking favors. I can't paint cars worth a damn, but I'll help my buds do mechanical work and bodywork on theirs in return for his spraying mine.
09-02-13, 02:25 PM
#22
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Weirdly, the meanest/weirdest/awfulest people I've met when dealing with bikes was when I was giving stuff away. Years back, at the beginning of the fixie craze (late 90s here), I gave away a basement full of old road bikes I had found over the years, first come, first served... I had people screaming at me because "their" bike frame was gone when they got there. I gave away a working Huffy road bike I found in the trash and a Ross MTB once, and the fury was remarkable... next time I give stuff away, the "buyer" is going to be made to make a donation to a local dog rescue orgainization.
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09-02-13, 04:30 PM
#23
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Funny your should mention that. I've sent stuff gratis to BF members once or twice and never heard a word of thanks. It takes all kinds, even in BF.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
09-02-13, 04:44 PM
#24
Fresh Garbage
09-02-13, 05:30 PM
#25
aka Tom Reingold
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I've heard similar stories from other BFers. This is a terrible shame. It makes me more sad than angry.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.