Originally Posted by
BengeBoy
+1
I would think that any retailer or manufacturer of outdoor/camping/mountaineering/bicycling gear gets these requests on a daily basis.
I would think it would be surprising, however, for someone to get a business proposition on the phone and then find the proposed deal publicized on the Internet. You offered BG a business deal. He turned you down. Then it shows up on the web as a comment on his phone manners some years later?
Is it really appropriate to offer someone a business deal in a (presumably private) conversation and then publicize the rejection of that deal as a comment on their consumer-facing customer service and/or bicycles?
I'd like a chance to respond to Bungeboy's question of whether or not my post is appropriate. I'd
believed that was the point of this thread, which began with Alan K asking: "So basically I'm just looking for feedback about Bruce Gordon's bicycles and dealing with the man himself. I'd like to hear both positive and negative feedback. All coherent input is appreciated."
But now I wish I hadn't commented on Mr. Gordon. Was I too hard on him? I hope not. I enthused over the bike, and said his unwillingness to fix my cracked tube was understandable. Was it inappropriate to tell other forum members? This is what worries me. I don't know. If I was dealing with Mr. X of Trek customer relations, and I'd received the same response, would anyone care if I posted the anecdote? Or is it because Mr. Gordon is a hard-working individualist who's devoted his life to building nice bikes, and my story may not help his business? I think the latter is the case, despite my pleasure with the bike.
One more thing: I'd thought of the bike forum as members answering other member's questions. I hadn't really considered the impact of what Mr. Bungeboy describes as a business deal "publicized on the Internet." Now I do, and I regret it. Sorry.
Yours,