Parts-Buying Rant

All -

This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect
the innocent.

So I decide to rehab one of my bikes, because I don't have a job, & it's better than sitting around
picking my nose & looking at porn sites all day.

Thus, I order a bunch of stuff, including a fancy-shmancy freewheel from MOBS (Mail Order Bike Shop)
A. Everything is fine, except the freewheel is out of stock & it's not known exactly when it'll be
in. The place doesn't want to split the shipment, to save on freight costs. And the freewheel is
out. And the freewheel is still out. So I decide that the freewheel is less critical than the other
items in that particular order, so I Google for the freewheel, find it at MOBS B. On Tuesday, I
order the freewheel from MOBS B. On Wednesday, the order from MOBS A arrives, including the
freewheel. Now I can't get a tracking number from MOBS B so I can know when to expect the
(redundant) freewheel, plus I'll have to just return it and eat the shipping costs.

In addition, I order a new handlebar from MOBS C, and some other thing. I get the handlebar, but
decide that I really ought to try to save some money, as there is another doodad that only this
place has (MOBS C) that I really want. So I send the handlebar back. I order, from MOBS D, a cheaper
handlebar & new stem (because I need a longer stem). On Wednesday, the handlebar finally goes out
(the UPS store was slow -- hint, hint), but then I find out that the stem I wanted (to fit the
cheaper handlebar) is basically out of production. Thus, I need to order a different stem, which
takes a different handlebar. The handlebars that fit are all for timetrialing which I'm not into.
This new handlebar is only $2 less than the one I sent back, & it'll have to be ordered.

<long exhale>

Phil

 

><long exhale>
>
>Phil

Now you know why some of us have a garage full of parts.. <g>

Keep em and you'll use em sometime.

jon isaacs

 

Etaoin Shrdlu <[email protected]> writes:

>All -

>This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect the
>innocent.

> ... long painful story about mail order confusion with dealers (A),
> (B), (C), and (D) elided ...

Just one question. have you every heard a catchphrase to the tune of,

"patronize your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop !!"

- Don

 

but what do you do when the local bike shop is ALWAYS full retail and a penis with ears in addition!
You go on the web! I don't blame the guy for trying, why are you?

"Donald Gillies" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]... Etaoin
Shrdlu <[email protected]> writes:

>All -

>This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect the
>innocent.

> ... long painful story about mail order confusion with dealers (A),
> (B), (C), and (D) elided ...

Just one question. have you every heard a catchphrase to the tune of,

"patronize your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop !!"

- Don

 

"Etaoin Shrdlu" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> All -
>
> This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect the
> innocent.
>
> So I decide to rehab one of my bikes, because I don't have a job, & it's better than sitting
> around picking my nose & looking at porn sites all day.
>
> Thus, I order a bunch of stuff, including a fancy-shmancy freewheel from MOBS (Mail Order Bike
> Shop) A. Everything is fine, except the freewheel is out of stock & it's not known exactly when
> it'll be in. The place doesn't want to split the shipment, to save on freight costs. And the
> freewheel is out. And the freewheel is still out. So I decide that the freewheel is less critical
> than the other items in that particular order, so I Google for the freewheel, find it at MOBS B.
> On Tuesday, I order the freewheel from MOBS B. On Wednesday, the order from MOBS A arrives,
> including the freewheel. Now I can't get a tracking number from MOBS B so I can know when to
> expect the (redundant) freewheel, plus I'll have to just return it and eat the shipping costs.
>
> In addition, I order a new handlebar from MOBS C, and some other thing. I get the handlebar, but
> decide that I really ought to try to save some money, as there is another doodad that only this
> place has (MOBS C) that I really want. So I send the handlebar back. I order, from MOBS D, a
> cheaper handlebar & new stem (because I need a longer stem). On Wednesday, the handlebar finally
> goes out (the UPS store was slow -- hint, hint), but then I find out that the stem I wanted (to
> fit the cheaper handlebar) is basically out of production. Thus, I need to order a different stem,
> which takes a different handlebar. The handlebars that fit are all for timetrialing which I'm not
> into. This new handlebar is only $2 less than the one I sent back, & it'll have to be ordered.
>
> <long exhale>
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>

Thanks for another subtle ad for shopping at one's friendly neighborhood well-stocked competent LBS!

--
Andrew Muzi http://www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April 1971

 

returning something you later realized you could use is like ... well, you know.

"Etaoin Shrdlu" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> All -
>
> This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect the
> innocent.
>
> So I decide to rehab one of my bikes, because I don't have a job, & it's better than sitting
> around picking my nose & looking at porn sites all day.
>
> Thus, I order a bunch of stuff, including a fancy-shmancy freewheel from MOBS (Mail Order Bike
> Shop) A. Everything is fine, except the freewheel is out of stock & it's not known exactly when
> it'll be in. The place doesn't want to split the shipment, to save on freight costs. And the
> freewheel is out. And the freewheel is still out. So I decide that the freewheel is less critical
> than the other items in that particular order, so I Google for the freewheel, find it at MOBS B.
> On Tuesday, I order the freewheel from MOBS B. On Wednesday, the order from MOBS A arrives,
> including the freewheel. Now I can't get a tracking number from MOBS B so I can know when to
> expect the (redundant) freewheel, plus I'll have to just return it and eat the shipping costs.
>
> In addition, I order a new handlebar from MOBS C, and some other thing. I get the handlebar, but
> decide that I really ought to try to save some money, as there is another doodad that only this
> place has (MOBS C) that I really want. So I send the handlebar back. I order, from MOBS D, a
> cheaper handlebar & new stem (because I need a longer stem). On Wednesday, the handlebar finally
> goes out (the UPS store was slow -- hint, hint), but then I find out that the stem I wanted (to
> fit the cheaper handlebar) is basically out of production. Thus, I need to order a different stem,
> which takes a different handlebar. The handlebars that fit are all for timetrialing which I'm not
> into. This new handlebar is only $2 less than the one I sent back, & it'll have to be ordered.
>
> <long exhale>
>
> Phil
>

 

"Jake Bellows" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> but what do you do when the local bike shop is ALWAYS full retail and a penis with ears in
> addition! You go on the web! I don't blame the guy for trying, why are you?
>

I don't know of any qulaity LBS that would charge full retail on a build kit, grouppo, or even on a
moderate parts order. I don't know of any quality LBS that charges full retail to repeat/friendly
customers.

Real shops know the money isn't in a stem and a freewheel, it's in the life-long bond riders make
with that one particular shop. It's in that guy or gal coming in once a month for ten years, sending
his friends in for $300 hybrids, telling his co-workers to get their 12-year-old Schwinns overhauled
there, cuz they do good work.

Maybe you get treated like a stranger because you're of the mentality to walk around calling people
"penises with ears."

Chris

 

KBH wrote:

> returning something you later realized you could use is like ... well, you know.

Er, I confess I don't know. Could you please elaborate?

>
>
> "Etaoin Shrdlu" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > All -
> >
> > This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect
> > the innocent.
> >
> > So I decide to rehab one of my bikes, because I don't have a job, & it's better than sitting
> > around picking my nose & looking at porn sites all day.
> >
> > Thus, I order a bunch of stuff, including a fancy-shmancy freewheel from MOBS (Mail Order Bike
> > Shop) A. Everything is fine, except the freewheel is out of stock & it's not known exactly when
> > it'll be in. The place doesn't want to split the shipment, to save on freight costs. And the
> > freewheel is out. And the freewheel is still out. So I decide that the freewheel is less
> > critical than the other items in that particular order, so I Google for the freewheel, find it
> > at MOBS B. On Tuesday, I order the freewheel from MOBS B. On Wednesday, the order from MOBS A
> > arrives, including the freewheel. Now I can't get a tracking number from MOBS B so I can know
> > when to expect the (redundant) freewheel, plus I'll have to just return it and eat the shipping
> > costs.
> >
> > In addition, I order a new handlebar from MOBS C, and some other thing. I get the handlebar, but
> > decide that I really ought to try to save some money, as there is another doodad that only this
> > place has (MOBS C) that I really want. So I send the handlebar back. I order, from MOBS D, a
> > cheaper handlebar & new stem (because I need a longer stem). On Wednesday, the handlebar finally
> > goes out (the UPS store was slow -- hint, hint), but then I find out that the stem I wanted (to
> > fit the cheaper handlebar) is basically out of production. Thus, I need to order a different
> > stem, which takes a different handlebar. The handlebars that fit are all for timetrialing which
> > I'm not into. This new handlebar is only $2 less than the one I sent back, & it'll have to be
> > ordered.
> >
> > <long exhale>
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
> >

 

kissing your sister or something...

"Etaoin Shrdlu" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> KBH wrote:
>
> > returning something you later realized you could use is like ... well,
you
> > know.
>
> Er, I confess I don't know. Could you please elaborate?
>
> >
> >
> > "Etaoin Shrdlu" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > > All -
> > >
> > > This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect
> > > the innocent.
> > >
> > > So I decide to rehab one of my bikes, because I don't have a job, &
it's
> > > better than sitting around picking my nose & looking at porn sites all day.
> > >
> > > Thus, I order a bunch of stuff, including a fancy-shmancy freewheel
from
> > > MOBS (Mail Order Bike Shop) A. Everything is fine, except the
freewheel
> > > is out of stock & it's not known exactly when it'll be in. The place doesn't want to split the
> > > shipment, to save on freight costs. And the freewheel is out. And the freewheel is still out.
> > > So I decide that
the
> > > freewheel is less critical than the other items in that particular order, so I Google for the
> > > freewheel, find it at MOBS B. On Tuesday,
I
> > > order the freewheel from MOBS B. On Wednesday, the order from MOBS A arrives, including the
> > > freewheel. Now I can't get a tracking number from MOBS B so I can know when to expect the
> > > (redundant) freewheel,
plus
> > > I'll have to just return it and eat the shipping costs.
> > >
> > > In addition, I order a new handlebar from MOBS C, and some other
thing.
> > > I get the handlebar, but decide that I really ought to try to save
some
> > > money, as there is another doodad that only this place has (MOBS C)
that
> > > I really want. So I send the handlebar back. I order, from MOBS D, a cheaper handlebar & new
> > > stem (because I need a longer stem). On Wednesday, the handlebar finally goes out (the UPS
> > > store was slow -- hint, hint), but then I find out that the stem I wanted (to fit the cheaper
> > > handlebar) is basically out of production. Thus, I need to order a different stem, which takes
> > > a different handlebar. The handlebars that fit are all for timetrialing which I'm not into.
> > > This new handlebar is only $2 less than the one I sent back, & it'll have
to
> > > be ordered.
> > >
> > > <long exhale>
> > >
> > > Phil
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>

 

knowing who packs what would be useful knowledge?? anyone know?? I mean if the phone voice packs the
order that is mostly one deal but if the order passes through four cretinous layers of baboonnery in
six states then that's another deal. Frankly,in one instance,i am amazed at getting anything for the
$$$ let alone the right parts in the same year but what do I know? Yet they're reliable.I don't have
enough money to give them.But sometimes,I wanna go out there and... People manufacture gizmos of
incredible complexity made from parts fabricated in the planet's farthest reaches like people in
China make stuff and sell it here so I hear. That's because if the people in China screw up the
order they get dragged out back and shot.Not that i want you to think Ima nazi or anything you know
but here the supers cower in fear that the wharehouse baboons won't show up on Tuesday.

 

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (g.daniels) writes:

> but here the supers cower in fear that the wharehouse baboons won't show up on Tuesday.
^^^^^^^^^^

Do you mean "warehouse", or "whorehouse"?
^^ ^^^

Here, the warehouse baboons live in fear of being told to not bother coming in on Tuesday, until
further notice.

cheers from a warehouse baboon, Tom

--
-- Powered by FreeBSD Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn
[point] bc [point] ca

 

> God forbide they charge a price to keep the lights on and pay the owner
$5-$6
> bucks an hour for the 55-60 hours he is in there each week......

You're only working 55-60 hours/week? You guys in Colorado really are a bunch of lazy ski bums,
aren't you? :>)

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

 

"A Muzi" <[email protected]> writes:

> Thanks for another subtle ad for shopping at one's friendly neighborhood well-stocked
> competent LBS!

I've seen friendly, competent LBSs and well-stocked LBSs, but rarely have they been the same store.
If anyone knows of one in the western suburbs of Portland, Oregon (Beaverton, Hillsboro), I'd be
happy to hear about it.

And when I tried to buy an item that the friendly, competent LBS didn't have in stock, they wanted
to charge me retail + $10 shipping (for a 90mm stem) to get it there in a week. Performance had it
to me in THREE (3) days for quite a bit less money.

Someone a while back asked if the bike shop owners paid full retail at a local travel agent when
they fly to InterBike; an apt question..

Sam

 

[email protected] (Donald Gillies) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Etaoin Shrdlu <[email protected]> writes:
>
> >All -
>
> >This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect the
> >innocent.
>
> > ... long painful story about mail order confusion with dealers (A),
> > (B), (C), and (D) elided ...
>
>
> Just one question. have you every heard a catchphrase to the tune of,
>
> "patronize your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop !!"
>
>
> - Don

They're usually friendly as they steal money from your pockets.

 

On 19 May 2003 10:44:47 -0700, [email protected] (Michael Pearlman) wrote:

>> "patronize your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop !!"
>They're usually friendly as they steal money from your pockets.

Ah, you're a Communist then? All property is theft?

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. http://www.chapmancentral.com (BT ADSL and
dynamic DNS permitting)
NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
work. Apologies.

 

[email protected] (Michael Pearlman) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> [email protected] (Donald Gillies) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>> Etaoin Shrdlu <[email protected]> writes:
>>
>> >All -
>>
>> >This rant is directed solely at me. All mail-order service names have been changed to protect
>> >the innocent.
>>
>> > ... long painful story about mail order confusion with dealers
>> > (A), (B), (C), and (D) elided ...
>>
>>
>> Just one question. have you every heard a catchphrase to the tune of,
>>
>> "patronize your friendly neighborhood bicycle shop !!"
>>
>>
>> - Don
>
> They're usually friendly as they steal money from your pockets.

Right you are Michael baby, why don't you order from someone like Performance, you know how
dependable they are.

 

so, how is evryone doing today?

 

"g.daniels" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> so, how is evryone doing today?

Wow! This is your shortest post, ever! And you only misspelled and failed to cap one word I am
impressed with your progress. <G

 

did Etaoin Shrdlu get on the road? has si campo replaced the fuel injection? will AMUZI ever go
home? does the 70,000 miler wear a funny helmet? what is dav thmpsen,s problema? and who has been
screwed lately? do your 7-ll's have Afruican Rats dressed in camos at the counter singing" Dixie" ??
these are questions of significant importance dave and hould nbot be trifled with.

 

"g.daniels" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> did Etaoin Shrdlu get on the road? has si campo replaced the fuel injection? will AMUZI ever go
> home? does the 70,000 miler wear a funny helmet? what is dav thmpsen,s problema? and who has been
> screwed lately? do your 7-ll's have Afruican Rats dressed in camos at the counter singing" Dixie"
> ?? these are questions of significant importance dave and hould nbot be trifled with.

No problema. I was just hoping that you had learned enough English and acquired the minimal writing
skills to string together a coherent sentence, so more than .002% of the population could
understand you.

Other than that, your musing are amusing, and I am beginning to understand them. (He shudders, as a
shrill scream issues from behind the door)