A dishonest LBS owner...
07-25-09, 10:08 AM
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A dishonest LBS owner...
...told my wife's friend that her vintage Schwinn was too old to be repaired! And that she should give it to him!
The full story: my wife hosted one of those home parties for a friend selling ready-made gourmet food kits, and so there were a lot of women around our place for food tasting, and I was conscripted into service to help set up, open doors, etc. Otherwise I would never have heard this story.
One of the guests was an dear old friend of my wife's whom we haven't seen in awhile. In the conversation "what's new" inevitably led to my new hobby of refurbishing older bikes. She then told me this story: her husband had persuaded her they should both have new his-and-her bicycles to celebrate their 50th birthdays. Their new neighbor owns a LBS that he opened only a couple of years ago. He was behind the idea of the new bikes.
But my wife's friend resisted her husband's argument, because he wanted her to get rid of her old bike, and she "just couldn't" get rid of it. "I bought that bike myself with money saved from my fifty-cents-an-hour babysitting job when I was twelve years old," she said, "and I just can't let go of it."
It's been hanging in the garage for twenty years, and she only knows that it is a coppertone Schwinn three-speed bought in 1970, and "something" is wrong with it. She asked the kindly neighbor who owns the LBS and wants to sell them new $300 bikes if he could fix it, and he told her "No, it's too old to fix," and furthermore, he should give it to him.
Unsatisfied, she went to the local high-end bike shop that caters to triathletes, and that owner told her NO, we can't fix your bike. But he gave her the name of a place that would, but the address "was way out in Timbuktu,", she told me, so she wasn't going there.
Barely able to contain my righteous wrath at these LBS owners, I set her straight. i said her bike most certainly COULD be repaired, it certainly IS worth keeping, and I would be happy to help her, no charge. And I praised her for her good taste in preferring vintage. She was SO delighted. Just the prospect of having her own bike again was enough to put a big smile on her face.
This is a woman who has raised four children into adults, one with a life-threatening disease, and volunteers all her spare time to church and school. And she is very trusting. To think that someone would try to connive her out of her childhood bike.
Then she told me this neighbor LBS owner once was an employee of a bike shop in a wealthier suburb, where the clientele included players from the local NBA franchise; their clients bought a new bike every year. He figured he easily could run his own shop, and opened one in my town -- and after a year or so, discovered the clientele here is not quite so prosperous. He's dropped his line of expensive bikes and resorted to selling parts on eBay, she said. I told her that's what he intended for her bike -- strip it and flip it.
As for the exclusive LBS owner, he was effectively telling her he didn't need her business. That's fine, but he could have been just a wee bit more helpful.
SO. I am just waiting for her to decide on a convenient time for me to show her how to fix her own bike. And I am so pleased to have saved a bike from an uncertain fate for the one who appreciates it the most.
The full story: my wife hosted one of those home parties for a friend selling ready-made gourmet food kits, and so there were a lot of women around our place for food tasting, and I was conscripted into service to help set up, open doors, etc. Otherwise I would never have heard this story.
One of the guests was an dear old friend of my wife's whom we haven't seen in awhile. In the conversation "what's new" inevitably led to my new hobby of refurbishing older bikes. She then told me this story: her husband had persuaded her they should both have new his-and-her bicycles to celebrate their 50th birthdays. Their new neighbor owns a LBS that he opened only a couple of years ago. He was behind the idea of the new bikes.
But my wife's friend resisted her husband's argument, because he wanted her to get rid of her old bike, and she "just couldn't" get rid of it. "I bought that bike myself with money saved from my fifty-cents-an-hour babysitting job when I was twelve years old," she said, "and I just can't let go of it."
It's been hanging in the garage for twenty years, and she only knows that it is a coppertone Schwinn three-speed bought in 1970, and "something" is wrong with it. She asked the kindly neighbor who owns the LBS and wants to sell them new $300 bikes if he could fix it, and he told her "No, it's too old to fix," and furthermore, he should give it to him.
Unsatisfied, she went to the local high-end bike shop that caters to triathletes, and that owner told her NO, we can't fix your bike. But he gave her the name of a place that would, but the address "was way out in Timbuktu,", she told me, so she wasn't going there.
Barely able to contain my righteous wrath at these LBS owners, I set her straight. i said her bike most certainly COULD be repaired, it certainly IS worth keeping, and I would be happy to help her, no charge. And I praised her for her good taste in preferring vintage. She was SO delighted. Just the prospect of having her own bike again was enough to put a big smile on her face.
This is a woman who has raised four children into adults, one with a life-threatening disease, and volunteers all her spare time to church and school. And she is very trusting. To think that someone would try to connive her out of her childhood bike.
Then she told me this neighbor LBS owner once was an employee of a bike shop in a wealthier suburb, where the clientele included players from the local NBA franchise; their clients bought a new bike every year. He figured he easily could run his own shop, and opened one in my town -- and after a year or so, discovered the clientele here is not quite so prosperous. He's dropped his line of expensive bikes and resorted to selling parts on eBay, she said. I told her that's what he intended for her bike -- strip it and flip it.
As for the exclusive LBS owner, he was effectively telling her he didn't need her business. That's fine, but he could have been just a wee bit more helpful.
SO. I am just waiting for her to decide on a convenient time for me to show her how to fix her own bike. And I am so pleased to have saved a bike from an uncertain fate for the one who appreciates it the most.
Last edited by DavidW56; 07-25-09 at 10:12 AM. Reason: typos
07-25-09, 10:22 AM
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Good for you! That really is the crass end of the bike business.
Around here, I fear that the "volunteers" and employees of the local co-ops and charities cherry pick all the good bikes and parts, and only sell the scrap.
Around here, I fear that the "volunteers" and employees of the local co-ops and charities cherry pick all the good bikes and parts, and only sell the scrap.
07-25-09, 10:43 AM
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I can't jump on the bandwagon to criticize the LBS.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
07-25-09, 10:57 AM
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I can't jump on the bandwagon to criticize the LBS.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-25-09, 11:00 AM
#5
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IMHO, the LBS owner should have taken a few minutes to explain the economics of fixing the bike to the OP's friend. He should have said something like "yes, your bike can be fixed up by doing A, B, and C, but that will cost approximately $xx.xx." He could also have suggested that she take the bike to the local non-profit community bike kitchen for repair as an alternative.
The OP's friend could then decide whether her sentimental attachment to the bike was worth spending the money to get it fixed.
The OP's friend could then decide whether her sentimental attachment to the bike was worth spending the money to get it fixed.
07-25-09, 11:02 AM
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IMHO, the LBS owner should have taken a few minutes to explain the economics of fixing the bike to the OP's friend. He should have said something like "yes, your bike can be fixed up by doing A, B, and C, but that will cost approximately $xx.xx." He could also have suggested that she take the bike to the local non-profit community bike kitchen for repair as an alternative.
The OP's friend could then decide whether her sentimental attachment to the bike was worth spending the money to get it fixed.
The OP's friend could then decide whether her sentimental attachment to the bike was worth spending the money to get it fixed.
It's a bit like owning an older car, such as my 1996 Audi A4 2.8Q. It's fine if you do much of your own work, as I do, but it starts to get too expensive if you pay for every repair and maintenance operation.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-25-09, 11:05 AM
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It might not have been worth it to the LBS owner to fix the bike, but then to suggest that she give it to him for free is where he crossed the line.
07-25-09, 11:11 AM
#8
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An *honest* guy in his position (based on the facts above) might have said:
- Unless your bike really does have tremendous sentimental value, you'd be happier on a new bike, which I could sell you.
- Since I now have a sideline business stripping bikes and selling the parts on eBay, if you buy a new bike form me I'll harvest the parts off your old bike and sell them on eBay, we can split the proceeds 50/50.
07-25-09, 11:17 AM
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I can't jump on the bandwagon to criticize the LBS.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
I just got through overhauling my daughters 1991 Trek 830. If I had taken it to my LBS, they probably would have charged me the cost of a new one. That would have made absolutely no sense.
I spent about 20 hours working on it and about $75 on parts, including new brake lever/shifters. If I wanted to sell it, I doubt I could get $150 for it. We do this stuff for fun, not for money.
07-25-09, 11:21 AM
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David - when you get the bike for repair, post here with a list of what needs servicing. I'm curious.
-Kurt
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07-25-09, 11:24 AM
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There's a world of difference between saying that something "can't be fixed" and that it's not economically sensible. This isn't semantics. One is a lie; the other is potentially good advice.
The mass produced, made in Taiwan, $300 hybrid that he probably wants to sell her has a huge advantage over her old Schwinn in that it the Schwinn probably has steel wheels and, if they live in a hilly area, better gearing. He should've explained that to her. Would only take two minutes, and potentially earn him a loyal customer.
I have no problem with the high end store that sent her somewhere else.
If he told her that it couldn't be fixed, he's a shyster.
The mass produced, made in Taiwan, $300 hybrid that he probably wants to sell her has a huge advantage over her old Schwinn in that it the Schwinn probably has steel wheels and, if they live in a hilly area, better gearing. He should've explained that to her. Would only take two minutes, and potentially earn him a loyal customer.
I have no problem with the high end store that sent her somewhere else.
If he told her that it couldn't be fixed, he's a shyster.
07-25-09, 11:39 AM
#12
Senior Member
Anything can be fixed to a point. Most of us in this forum probably have a replacement part available
for anything that might be broken. The braking might be better on the alloy rim, but whether a cheaply
made single wall no eyelet rim is even half as durable as any almost any steel rim, is completely debatable. Bikes like that only see rain for a brief instant or two, and even then only on accident.,,,,BD
for anything that might be broken. The braking might be better on the alloy rim, but whether a cheaply
made single wall no eyelet rim is even half as durable as any almost any steel rim, is completely debatable. Bikes like that only see rain for a brief instant or two, and even then only on accident.,,,,BD
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07-25-09, 11:50 AM
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I can't jump on the bandwagon to criticize the LBS.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
The point is not whether a steel bike can be repaired, but rather if there is a valid reason to do so. Bike shops need to continuously explain to customers that repairing most of the wheeled toys that you find in most people's garages simply don't make economic sense. This wastes a lot of valuable time for the shops with no chance of converting their shared knowledge/time into earnings. Plus, in the end, most "customers" simply don't get it (which is also why they bought a wheeled toy instead of a real bike in the first place). It is therefore much simpler to say that you "can't" fix the thing, especially when it is highly unlikely that you will be losing a potential/existing customer in doing so.
Personally I would not say that repairing the bike is not possible, but rather counterproductive from an economic point of view. The customer is then obliged to determine on their own whether there are affective or emotional reasons that trump economics. From my experience, non-economic reasons rarely if ever trump money when deciding on fixing a bike and in those cases the customer usually spouts these emotional reasons right off the bat.
Whatever the case, being polite just does not take that much time. One of the first questions I would ask is how do you see yourself using the bike when its repaired?
Way back at the bike shop customers would come in with dreadful bikes, and want them fixed up. Often it was just taking a small amount of time to understand the customer's expectations to advise them on what to do in a constructive manner. Is the point of view of the shop a retailer who happens to sell bikes or a retailer who enjoys cycling?
07-25-09, 12:01 PM
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Same here - and what model Schwinn is it? I have a spare derailleur, cabling, and possibly other stuff to donate.
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07-25-09, 12:03 PM
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I find it a bit odd that more cyclists are not interested in restoring and riding older quality steel bikes. I spend a fair amount of time hanging out on several different bike forums and the overall concensus (not here) is to ditch the old bike for a new model. All of this is coming from the same people who preach the environmental advantages of biking and the need to be "green". What on earth is green about selling a high quality bicycle for a newly manufactured piece of plastic that surely won't survive the test of time like the older bikes? How can a group of people preach being green and promote a disposable society at the same time?
I can't count the times a person has asked about touring on a vintage bicycle without the majority of people responding that it would be more economically feasible to buy a new bike, in my opinion that is just not true.
I understand the need for a LBS to sell new bikes and make money but in general there really is an attitude among cyclists and bike shops that older is out dated and no longer adequate.
I guess the good thing is it leaves more vintage bikes to those of us in the minority to play with, and RIDE.
OK, I've vented, now I'll go for a ride on my old, outdated Trek and have the time of my life, down tube shifters and all.
Your mileage will vary.
I can't count the times a person has asked about touring on a vintage bicycle without the majority of people responding that it would be more economically feasible to buy a new bike, in my opinion that is just not true.
I understand the need for a LBS to sell new bikes and make money but in general there really is an attitude among cyclists and bike shops that older is out dated and no longer adequate.
I guess the good thing is it leaves more vintage bikes to those of us in the minority to play with, and RIDE.
OK, I've vented, now I'll go for a ride on my old, outdated Trek and have the time of my life, down tube shifters and all.
Your mileage will vary.
Last edited by Bruce Enns; 07-25-09 at 12:10 PM.
07-25-09, 12:14 PM
#17
Novist senior member
Na this bike is to old to be fixed, just let me have it and I'll dispose of it for you. Thats how I got my Paramount. No thats not right.
07-25-09, 12:21 PM
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I have owned Schwinn's from the 60's and '70s, single speeds, 3 speeds, 5 speeds, 10 speeds, Varsities and Continentals among others. Other than that I don't know much about Schwinns, but is a 1970 Schwinn 3 speed "vintage" or just old? Maybe the guy thought he was doing her a favor by saving her a trip to the dump.
07-25-09, 12:27 PM
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As the owner of an antiquarian bike, a 1975 Peugeot something, I have to take exception with the LBS owner. My local LBS, Rob and Charlie's-Santa Fe, NM, is a great place that is more than happy to work on a bike no matter what the age and they are reasonable in their prices, too. BUT, if there is something that is not worth fixing they will honestly tell me which I really appreciate since I am a NOOB. They offer alternatives and guide me to the best decision. Of course, I like to do alot of the work myself, if I can and have the Coop to help. Recently I am considering rebuilding some wheels. R and C's said it might not be worth it and a new set of wheels would be fairly in expensive. But I may do it anyway. I'll get the spokes and any other supplies from them, you can bet on it. I didn't mean for this to be an advertisement but there you have it. I'm sorry the rest of you don't have Rob and Charlie's
!
!
07-25-09, 12:30 PM
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Bikes: A beautiful columbus steel frame, 1986 Schwinn Voyageur touring bike, Currently Undergoing Overhaul
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I find it a bit odd that more cyclists are not interested in restoring and riding older quality steel bikes. I spend a fair amount of time hanging out on several different bike forums and the overall concensus (not here) is to ditch the old bike for a new model. All of this is coming from the same people who preach the environmental advantages of biking and the need to be "green". What on earth is green about selling a high quality bicycle for a newly manufactured piece of plastic that surely won't survive the test of time like the older bikes? How can a group of people preach being green and promote a disposable society at the same time?
New touring bikes are crazy expensive, maybe because it is still a niche market.
07-25-09, 01:25 PM
#22
brain damaged bovine
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: back on the dental floss ranch, wielding zircon encrusted tweezers
Posts: 625
Bikes: Schwinn wrecked ol' Probe 1x2, 84 Bianchi Limited,Cannondale F400,Raleigh 20 folder,78 Schwinn LeTour III Fixed Gear,Redline Conquest Pro,71-73 Gitane TdF,Gitane Grand Sport de Luxe,78 Raleigh Super Course,80 Schwinn World Sport
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I have owned Schwinn's from the 60's and '70s, single speeds, 3 speeds, 5 speeds, 10 speeds, Varsities and Continentals among others. Other than that I don't know much about Schwinns, but is a 1970 Schwinn 3 speed "vintage" or just old? Maybe the guy thought he was doing her a favor by saving her a trip to the dump.
07-25-09, 01:26 PM
#23
Banned
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David,
I guessing that this is a Breeze, or similar model. The cost to fix one up is greater than the worth, even in my market.
Honestly, free is about the right price, no more than $10 if the paint and fenders are good.
The LBS owner was wrong to try to get it for nothing in order to flip it, but if he said something along the lines of 'It's not worth fixing, but I'll take it off your hands', well then, that's okay.
The alternative is he could have charged her over $200 to refurbish a $100 bike.
I guessing that this is a Breeze, or similar model. The cost to fix one up is greater than the worth, even in my market.
Honestly, free is about the right price, no more than $10 if the paint and fenders are good.
The LBS owner was wrong to try to get it for nothing in order to flip it, but if he said something along the lines of 'It's not worth fixing, but I'll take it off your hands', well then, that's okay.
The alternative is he could have charged her over $200 to refurbish a $100 bike.
07-25-09, 01:52 PM
#24
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,525
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
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David,
I guessing that this is a Breeze, or similar model. The cost to fix one up is greater than the worth, even in my market.
Honestly, free is about the right price, no more than $10 if the paint and fenders are good.
The LBS owner was wrong to try to get it for nothing in order to flip it, but if he said something along the lines of 'It's not worth fixing, but I'll take it off your hands', well then, that's okay.
The alternative is he could have charged her over $200 to refurbish a $100 bike.
I guessing that this is a Breeze, or similar model. The cost to fix one up is greater than the worth, even in my market.
Honestly, free is about the right price, no more than $10 if the paint and fenders are good.
The LBS owner was wrong to try to get it for nothing in order to flip it, but if he said something along the lines of 'It's not worth fixing, but I'll take it off your hands', well then, that's okay.
The alternative is he could have charged her over $200 to refurbish a $100 bike.
I had a neighbor drop off a kid's Trek to me yesterday. She bought it at a garage sale, knowing it needed work (she got it really cheap). She took it to a shop and was told "it couldn't be fixed". So she said I might as well have it, maybe I could get some parts off of it? I will have less than two hours into it, and it will be ready to ride, but not perfect. Then I will give it back to her.
07-25-09, 02:31 PM
#25
Junior WHAT?!?!
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This is why most court cases here BOTH sides of a story. Here we have heard only hers - and second hand at that!
The LBS knew of, and gave her, an address of a place that would work on old Schwinns. Pretty damn nice, if you ask me. Many wouldn't go to even that small amount of trouble, (and really, they shouldn't be EXPECTED to. It's nice but not mandatory)
The neighbor - well that has been discussed pretty well, but, although she likes her old bike, is she going to be well served by riding a fussy old bike? Unless she puts way more in it than it's likely worth she will continue to have little problems from time to time and apparently neither she nor her husband are bicycle mechanics on any level.
Best solution - new $300 bike, save the old one to look at, for sentimental reasons.
I think the strain of helping out w/ the food show was to much for the OP. I know I would've snapped had I been forced to help host one. Have a tool show- tell you wife she's gonna have to demo torque wrenches.
Don
The LBS knew of, and gave her, an address of a place that would work on old Schwinns. Pretty damn nice, if you ask me. Many wouldn't go to even that small amount of trouble, (and really, they shouldn't be EXPECTED to. It's nice but not mandatory)
The neighbor - well that has been discussed pretty well, but, although she likes her old bike, is she going to be well served by riding a fussy old bike? Unless she puts way more in it than it's likely worth she will continue to have little problems from time to time and apparently neither she nor her husband are bicycle mechanics on any level.
Best solution - new $300 bike, save the old one to look at, for sentimental reasons.
I think the strain of helping out w/ the food show was to much for the OP. I know I would've snapped had I been forced to help host one. Have a tool show- tell you wife she's gonna have to demo torque wrenches.
Don