@Liz - whatever, I was merely suggesting someone could start a new topic on wheels...
it's all very clever attacking a man's character when he is not here to defend himself, I think I will print this thread and take it in to the shop and allow him to comment...
@recombodna - "RULES No personal insults. No swearing."
I think you just broke both...
In fact this whole thread has pretty much descended into a personal insult directed at ONE vendor who could claim defamation
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
obtuse vendors
(43 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Wasn't anyone watching Ghana cream Serbia? (have had a soft spot for the Black Stars since we saw them play Japan at Easter Road before the last Cup).
Anyway, not sure saying you don't like someone, or even that they're curmudgeonly counts as defamation. Could be wrong though - no expertise whatsoever in that sort of law.
But, quite agree with Mr Spytfyre, the thread does seem to have descended a bit below what we might wish for...
Posted 13 years ago # -
Following sound advice of Mr Freewheelin. and many tales above, I have replaced front wheel with very caved rim. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres went on using my thumbs but I now have quite sore thumbs.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Quoting GEMBO;
"Mr F was quite funny when I phoned to see if my bike was ready for collection [I stress he did adequate repairs in very quick time]. "ah, right, the Tricross," he said "I've made some notes." There then followed lengthy disection of the faults of the bike and by implication ME. Now don't get me wrong, the faults are accurate."I'm somewhat concerned as to how the vendor, and time served mechanic, "implied" that you were at fault? presumably sparking this bordering on (if not entirely) defamatory thread...
if a second-opinion has resulted in potential faults being identified, and then described in detail as to their nature. then SURELY the problem should be with the vendor you purchased the bike from, and not the vendor who took the time to identify these faults?
or perhaps the problem is more personal in nature, in that it identified a lack of knowledge and experience on your part? and you're taking the hump because YOU never spotted these issues.
and the experience is highlighted since I'm a mechanic myself with nearly five years under my belt, and there's plenty *I* don't know. before you decide to question my credentials of course.
Posted 13 years ago # -
There are ways of telling people that they've got something wrong without making them feel like an idiot, or even letting them know you think they're an idiot.
Yes, a good mechanic/retailer needs to tell customer if something is wrong, but there are ways of doing this that don't embarrass them.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@SRD
I couldn't agree more, the problem occurs when the recipient thinks they know more than they actually do, this alone is a cause of embarrassment, and in any environment this is going to happen occasionally.
some individuals respect others for pointing out things they missed, some take offence and feel they're being slighted.
personally I respect someone who gives straight and direct answers, having extensive retail experience I find that 98 times out 100 the customer does too. but you can't get it right all of the time.
I'm not out to defend or defame either party, I'm more interested in getting to the root of the problem, since this thread has the feel of a bruised ego rather than a poor retailer.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Blackmagick: Yes, but I guess I am also reading this in a particular way. As (a) a woman and (b) a pretty totally uninformed bike user (conforming to stereotype that others are working mightily to demolish), I am inclined to say something like 'gee there's something funny with my gears' (or whatever). Now, that doesn't mean I want to be condescended to, or treated like an idiot. It just means I am admitting my ignorance. I also like to have the problem and the fix explained - again in a way that I can make sense out of - I like to think I'm not stupid, just not particularly expert in the mechanics of bikes. So, while I don't claim expertise, that still doesn't mean I want to be made fun of (or worse - have work done that doesn't need to be done/parts recommended that aren't needed).
Posted 13 years ago # -
@spytfyre. I was agreeing with Liz when I said THAT would also work.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@recombodna - interesting I see T**T - so is there some auto editing?
Posted 13 years ago # -
You know how it is .....you've just spread some butter and marmite on your toast ....you're typing and the f***er slips off 2 keys at the same time and before you know it you've inadvertantly offended someone.........er...
Posted 13 years ago # -
my apologies SRD, my response is really a generalisation based on my own experience, and was in no way targeted at a specific individual.
I guess what might have been misleading is that I started with "@SRD" when I guess I should really have said "in response to SRD"
what I will say tho is;
the fact you understand the limits of your knowledge but express an interest in the workings of things, means you're open to learn.my response was directed towards "person A" who thinks they know everything, and when confronted with "person B" who knows MORE than they do, the easiest avenue for "person A" to follow is; "clearly "person B" doesn't know what they're talking about! I read on the internet somewhere... etc. etc. etc." we've all heard it before.
Posted 13 years ago # -
BlackMagick: No need top apologize. quite understood that you were responding to particular type of case. Was merely trying to highlight the other end of the spectrum.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@BlackMagick - you touch on an interesting general issue in the worl of bike maintennance - know it all customers. Indeed the world of all service industry. There was an earlier string so not sure if my whole context came across. I am a fan of Mr F and very nearly encouraged Recombodna to return to the shop. The faults of the tricross are legendary - judder on carbon forks with canti brakes, tricross then went for v-type which are incredibly spongy and have gone back to a touring style canti. Following my dealings with Mr F I did approach original vendor and back to provider. Specialized who make distinction between a fault and a 'characteristic'. Mr F's thought provoking and robust analysis of my bike did prompt me to this course of action. I salute him. Plus I spotted someone with my Mark 2 Tricross had retro-fitted canti on back brake.
Posted 13 years ago #
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