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Main
Date: 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29
From:
Subject: Good customer service experience
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As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
my price range.
I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
a little over two grand.
I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
us here regularly.
Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 09:29:10
From: SlowRider
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Sep 27, 9:12 am, "Bill Sornson" <as...@ask.me > wrote:
> I don't recall Mark EVER starting a political thread or even subthread. His
> sin was daring to REPLY to the neoliberal (should be a word) crap posted by
> MANY others.
Neoliberalism is a real term (for starters, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism),
but I doubt it's what you had in mind. (I've just broken my own rule
about posting off-topic drivel, but I thought you'd be interested.
Now back to my usual drivel...)
This summer I bought a Salsa Primero after test-riding several
frames. I love the bike, but I also loved switching from large bike
stores to a small independent dealer. He's an excellent builder and
gives the same time and courtesy to every customer, whether it's a
newbie with the used Trek 1000 or a hot-shot with a $7000 time-trial
machine.
- JR
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 09:25:53
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Sep 27, 10:08 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Sep 27, 4:23 am, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote:
>
> > Bill Sornson wrote:
> > > Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
> > > assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
> > > to express a conservative viewpoint.
>
> > If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
> > them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.
>
> > The neocon crap _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
> > Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
> > the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.
>
> All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
> fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.
IMO, I don't see evidence that Mark Hickey is using the proceeds from
his business to "support fascists". Other than that, his political
opinions have naught to do with his company. YMMV.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 15:08:20
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Sep 27, 4:23 am, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com > wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:
> > Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
> > assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
> > to express a conservative viewpoint.
>
> If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
> them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.
>
> The neocon crap _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
> Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
> the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.
All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 08:48:15
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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landotter wrote:
> All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
> fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.
The neocons are so brainwashed they have no idea what they support. It's
"Rush/Bush said it, I believe it, and that settles it." You have a
better chance of deprogramming them through compassion and understanding
than you do through not patronizing their businesses.
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Date: 29 Sep 2007 13:29:13
From: Dennis P. Harris
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:48:15 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, SMS
<scharf.steven@geemail.com > wrote:
> The neocons are so brainwashed they have no idea what they support. It's
> "Rush/Bush said it, I believe it, and that settles it." You have a
> better chance of deprogramming them through compassion and understanding
> than you do through not patronizing their businesses.
>
why give them more money to contribute to their favorite wingnut
causes?
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 09:24:38
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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SMS wrote:
> landotter wrote:
>
>> All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
>> fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.
>
> The neocons are so brainwashed they have no idea what they support.
> It's "Rush/Bush said it, I believe it, and that settles it." You have
> a better chance of deprogramming them through compassion and
> understanding than you do through not patronizing their businesses.
Total projection. Code Pinkers and Daily Cozzes will still vote DEM, even
though just last night they ALL said they'll leave troops in Iraq until
2013! (Or at least won't pledge to take 'em out.)
Your side is the one being led by the nose and taken for granted.
Conservatives got fed up in '06 and didn't vote or changed; your side NEVER
does.
HTH
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 06:00:48
From:
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
On Sep 27, 4:02 am, NO_SPAM_TO_dphar...@gci.net (Dennis P. Harris)
wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
>
> smokeystrodt...@gmail.com wrote:
> > Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> > saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> > important as the product you are buying.
>
> Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
> off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
> do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
> Lamebrain.
>
> I'll give my business to folks who believe that the Constitution
> means what it says, not someone who defends unconstitutional
> actions by someone who thinks that 9/11 means that the President
> can ignore laws passed by Congress in accordance with the
> Constitution.
>
> =================================================================
> "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
> temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
> --- Benjamin Franklin
>
> NO_SPAM_TO_dphar...@gci.net
> http://www.ejuneau.net
FWIW, I'm aware of Mark's politics, but don't believe that such things
should interfere with business. My wife and I have a small business
and politics and religion are two topics that are kept completely
separate from it. We stay aware of current events and vote in all
elections, but that's our own private business.
Smokey
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 01:02:53
From: Dennis P. Harris
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
smokeystrodtman@gmail.com wrote:
> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> important as the product you are buying.
Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.
I'll give my business to folks who believe that the Constitution
means what it says, not someone who defends unconstitutional
actions by someone who thinks that 9/11 means that the President
can ignore laws passed by Congress in accordance with the
Constitution.
=================================================================
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--- Benjamin Franklin
NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net
http://www.ejuneau.net
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 08:14:05
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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Dennis P. Harris wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
> smokeystrodtman@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
>> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
>> important as the product you are buying.
>
> Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
> off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
> do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
> Lamebrain.
>
I won't buy insurance from Progressive or see a Sean Penn film. GUESS I
SHOWED THEM! LOL
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 02:19:17
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
Dennis P. Harris wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
> smokeystrodtman@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
>> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
>> important as the product you are buying.
>
> Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
> off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
> do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
> Lamebrain.
LOL, sometimes you have to separate someone's politics from their business.
While I don't like neocons any more than the next person, Mark does seem
to be importing a good product from Red China, and selling it at a fair
price.
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Date: 29 Sep 2007 13:27:33
From: Dennis P. Harris
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:19:17 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, SMS
<scharf.steven@geemail.com > wrote:
> While I don't like neocons any more than the next person, Mark does seem
> to be importing a good product from Red China
and that's another problem. i've had it with cheap chinese
products. it's time to bring the work back home. i'm willing to
pay more for american craftsmanship when i can find it.
in spite of the price, since i'm old enough i'm only going to buy
one more high end bike, i'm considering roark. one reason is
that it will be custom fitted and set up exactly as i want --- a
fat tire (fewer flats) Ti touring bike with Ti couplers that i
will be able to take on a plane without any excess baggage
charges.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 06:27:14
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com > wrote in message
news:46fb7543$0$14106$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> Dennis P. Harris wrote:
>> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
>> smokeystrodtman@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
>>> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
>>> important as the product you are buying.
>>
>> Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
>> off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
>> do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
>> Lamebrain.
>
> LOL, sometimes you have to separate someone's politics from their
> business.
>
> While I don't like neocons any more than the next person, Mark does seem
> to be importing a good product from Red China, and selling it at a fair
> price.
I figure that most of the parts I put on a frame will be sourced from
another company. I have Japanese drivetrain, Australian wheels, Japanese
tires, Japanese handlebar, Italian bar tape, a German rack, and an English
saddle. The LEAST I can do is buy an American frame. Gunnar allows me to do
that at a reasonable price. Their frames are not much more expensive than
Habaneros---and they're made with American made steel, to boot. Good steel,
True Temper OX Platinum. True, it's not titanium. But steel is real. :-)
Mike
spewer of cliches
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 07:41:15
From: marian.rosenberg@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
On Sep 27, 8:54 am, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1190853680.152197.327660@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sep 26, 6:05 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> >> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
>
> >> > As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> >> > Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> >> > surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
> >> > I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
> >> > my price range.
>
> >> > I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> >> > testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
> >> > was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
> >> > I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
> >> > a little over two grand.
>
> >> > I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
> >> > and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
> >> > websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
> >> > long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
> >> > detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
> >> > obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
> >> > customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
>
> >> > Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> >> > saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> >> > important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
> >> > Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
> >> > us here regularly.
>
> >> > Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
>
> >> The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
> >> Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make
> >> good
> >> salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
> >> economies.
>
> >> Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard
> >> for
> >> the environment.
>
> >> But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
> >> Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide
> >> quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
> > to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
> > purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
> > get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
> > shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
> > that usually (but not always) calmed them down.
>
> > One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
> > great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
> > service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
> > commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
> > think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
> > businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
> > like Mark's.
>
> > I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
> > but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
> > Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.
>
> > Smokey
>
> I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice bikes----and
> easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.
In fact, if you look at the 'It's HERE" thread that I just started
about my recently arrived Habby, you'll find that Habaneros are _more_
affordable than similar (but slightly lower quality) bikes made by the
same fabricator (they make frames for a number of brands) and sold in
China.
I found out quite by accident because I recognized the company on the
shipping slip.
-M
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Date: 26 Sep 2007 17:41:20
From:
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
On Sep 26, 6:05 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> > Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> > surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
> > I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
> > my price range.
>
> > I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> > testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
> > was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
> > I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
> > a little over two grand.
>
> > I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
> > and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
> > websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
> > long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
> > detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
> > obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
> > customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
>
> > Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> > saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> > important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
> > Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
> > us here regularly.
>
> > Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
>
> The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
> Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
> salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.
>
> Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
> the environment.
>
> But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
> Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
that usually (but not always) calmed them down.
One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
like Mark's.
I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.
Smokey
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| | |
Date: 26 Sep 2007 20:54:35
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
<smokeystrodtman@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1190853680.152197.327660@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 26, 6:05 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
>> > Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
>> > surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
>> > I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
>> > my price range.
>>
>> > I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
>> > testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
>> > was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
>> > I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
>> > a little over two grand.
>>
>> > I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
>> > and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
>> > websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
>> > long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
>> > detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
>> > obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
>> > customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
>>
>> > Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
>> > saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
>> > important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
>> > Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
>> > us here regularly.
>>
>> > Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
>>
>> The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
>> Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make
>> good
>> salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
>> economies.
>>
>> Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard
>> for
>> the environment.
>>
>> But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
>> Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide
>> quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
> to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
> purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
> get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
> shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
> that usually (but not always) calmed them down.
>
> One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
> great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
> service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
> commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
> think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
> businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
> like Mark's.
>
> I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
> but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
> Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.
>
> Smokey
I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice bikes----and
easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.
But you would totally be happy with a Gunnar Sport. I am. :-)
|
| | | |
Date: 26 Sep 2007 21:12:00
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
Gooserider wrote:
> <smokeystrodtman@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1190853680.152197.327660@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>> On Sep 26, 6:05 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>>> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>
>>> news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
>>>> Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
>>>> surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium
>>>> frames. I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be
>>>> way out of my price range.
>>>
>>>> I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
>>>> testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without
>>>> fork) was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and
>>>> found that I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur)
>>>> campy group for a little over two grand.
>>>
>>>> I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his
>>>> frames and information on my special needs. I went back to some
>>>> other bike websites and was surprised to see an e-mail
>>>> notification pop up not long afterwards. Mark had already gotten
>>>> back to me with a long detailed e-mail that completely answered
>>>> all my questions. The man obviously pulls some long hours, yet he
>>>> took time out for a potential customer who was not even expecting
>>>> a reply for another day or two.
>>>
>>>> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the
>>>> funds saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just
>>>> as important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate
>>>> people like Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share
>>>> their knowledge with us here regularly.
>>>
>>>> Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
>>>
>>> The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is
>>> that Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those
>>> workers make good
>>> salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
>>> economies.
>>>
>>> Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages,
>>> disregard for
>>> the environment.
>>>
>>> But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good
>>> product. Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and
>>> oranges.- Hide quoted text -
>>>
>>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>> You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
>> to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a
>> Kawasaki, purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some
>> would really get in my face about it. When I pointed out their
>> Japanese forks, shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese
>> Screaming Eagle parts, that usually (but not always) calmed them
>> down. One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of
>> the
>> great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
>> service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
>> commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
>> think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
>> businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
>> like Mark's.
>>
>> I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
>> but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
>> Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.
>>
>> Smokey
>
> I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice
> bikes----and easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.
Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.
So much for Tim's free speech speech...
> But you would totally be happy with a Gunnar Sport. I am. :-)
Gunnars are lovely bikes, indeed.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 02:23:09
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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Bill Sornson wrote:
> Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
> assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
> to express a conservative viewpoint.
If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.
The neocon crap _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 08:12:06
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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SMS wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:
>
>> Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
>> assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because
>> he dared to express a conservative viewpoint.
>
> If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
> them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.
But that was the very point. As a business owner, why stick around when
someone repeatedly lies about you? (Last straw IIRC was Flogger saying that
Mark favors torture or something like that.) End result is that two or more
CYCLING newsgroups lost a valuable contributor...and even the off-topic
political crap is diminished because a knowledgable participant has been
shut up not with counter-argument but with flat-out character assassination.
Repeatedly.
> The neocon crap _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
> Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
> the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.
I don't recall Mark EVER starting a political thread or even subthread. His
sin was daring to REPLY to the neoliberal (should be a word) crap posted by
MANY others. Brandt can post a blatantly biased political link -- not even
designating it "OT" -- and no one dares speak up. Yet he flames others for
posting ride reports in the "wrong" cycling ng.
Bullies and hypocrits. Bullies and hypocrits.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 01:05:27
From: Dennis P. Harris
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:12:00 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, "Bill
Sornson" <askme@ask.me > wrote:
> Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
> assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
> to express a conservative viewpoint.
>
he was OFF TOPIC for this group.
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Date: 27 Sep 2007 08:04:13
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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Dennis P. Harris wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:12:00 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, "Bill
> Sornson" <askme@ask.me> wrote:
>
>> Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
>> assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because
>> he dared to express a conservative viewpoint.
>>
> he was OFF TOPIC for this group.
ROTFL
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Date: 26 Sep 2007 23:15:43
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
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On Sep 26, 6:05 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> <smokeystrodt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> > Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> > surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
> > I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
> > my price range.
>
> > I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> > testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
> > was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
> > I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
> > a little over two grand.
>
> > I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
> > and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
> > websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
> > long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
> > detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
> > obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
> > customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
>
> > Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> > saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> > important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
> > Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
> > us here regularly.
>
> > Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
>
> The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
> Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
> salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.
>
> Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
> the environment.
>
> But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
> Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.
Can't you get the Gunnar from Mark? I do believe in buying American
made stuff due to those exact reasons. Embarrassingly enough, my fave
ride is Chinese. No knock on the Chinese, but on the cringeworthy
labor practices. That said, everything is made in China, so what's
another object? :-P
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Date: 26 Sep 2007 19:05:55
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Good customer service experience
|
<smokeystrodtman@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1190831129.073202.184160@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
> I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
> my price range.
>
> I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
> was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
> I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
> a little over two grand.
>
> I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
> and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
> websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
> long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
> detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
> obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
> customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.
>
> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
> Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
> us here regularly.
>
> Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman
The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.
Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
the environment.
But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.
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