Originally Posted by stinkyonions
You have to realize that Kai only runs Momovelo on the side of his other day job. He is one of the most friendly people I have ever talked to about bikes and I am quite glad he has taken up shop in Berkeley. I remember reading previous threads on the same issue and I think it has to do with his limited amount of time. I received top notch service when I went into his store when I was home. However, I have read similar things about online ordering and I would also be quite upset if that happened to me.
Many people order from him based on his prices to only save a dollar or two on a Brooks saddle which makes him run out of stock on items quickly sometimes when people can get it the same day for $5 more down the street. You have to remember it is only his 'hobby job' and he has a real dayjob that comes first.
Then he shouldn't phrase or word his copy like it's all he does. If you're running a business and people like that business, then you should
be all business. He doesn't need to be defended and not everyone knows his story, which is anything is an excuse. When your order something and pay with your earned money, you expect something, that's how business works and frankly it sounds like Momo does bad business. If he says upfront and center, "Hey, I do this on the side, etc." and gives times or approximations of when he'll actually send stuff out (if at all it would seem) then okay, you can cut him some slack. But don't set up shop if you can't deliver. That's just weak. You build up a bad reputation.
I like Momovelo, like the way he think/writes about bikes. I like the stuff he "sells". Unfortunately, I'd never order anything from him because it seems like he can't do business (and it seems he isn't anymore), even simply or courteously.