Originally Posted by MNebiker

After re-reading your rant I have come to the conclusion that you have just attacked my basic character and implied that I am probably stupid and uncaring. I realize the anonymous nature of the internet makes it easy to take a cheap shot, but somehow I take offense at your comments.

Let me point out a few things to you:

1. I was treated quite decently by the store. The manager respected me and my work. He understood the build quality issues, but he was in a bind and was pressured to comply by the regional manager. I've been in management positions, so I know how that stuff works. No job I ever held in 50 years was ideal or stress-free. It's the nature of a work environment - unless you are your own boss most adults will deal with things by either quitting to find the "perfect" job or just deal with things and go on. (Or maybe they go postal . . . . ?)

2. I was retired. This was not a career. But I needed something to help fill empty hours, and the job was good for me, kept me in touch with younger people. I rode for years, so it was a good fit and I liked selling bikes and helping people. Since my time was flexible, I worked whatever shift was needed, gave the store 100%, even with the normal management issues and retail nonsense. I tried my best to make the customer happy, not for the good of the store but because it was the right thing to do. (But - No matter what they say, the customer is not always right.)

3. If you read my post you would note that I mentioned my standard for bikes - safe enough for my only grandson. Does that sound like someone who "...truly does not care much about anything?" I was raised with a work ethic, a conscience, and a sense of personal responsibility. I may not be happy with the pay, customers, management, store policy, etc. -- but they hired me to do a job and I did it....as I did for 50+ years.