Not responding to an inquiry, even with "I'm too busy to take on other jobs right now, it would be X weeks(or months) until I could take your order" is pretty unforgivable for ANY vendor in ANY industry, cottage or otherwise.

No matter the quality that kind of business conduct is a killer for me.

Especially when it's such an easy issue to fix, it's called using vacation mode, however the message that you post is not that your away, but rather your very busy and due to the volume of email, that you will respond in person at your earliest opportunity. People can be amazingly tolerant when they know what is going on, they can be amazingly intolerant when they don't. You can include even, that new orders taken today, will be for shipping on a certain date, even if that date is in December, and that if the customer is in a hurry to call and give the phone number to call.

funny thing is JR usually will eventually find posts in this forum with his handle (or the word "decals") and pipe up...my dealings were a long time ago, but very good back then, maybe success has changed things.
Anyhow, here's another thot: if all you want is a single-color (white) of something like the plain block-serif type of the Pinarello, you should be able to get anybody with a plotter-cutter to spit those out, you don't need a decal maker with his special printer. You'd probably want to set up the artwork and make sure they use a very thin high-grade vinyl with some kind of carrier to keep the spacing correct when you set in on the tubes. I'd be sure to flood the tube with soapy water when applying.

GB,

Do you have contact info for Greg Softly?

gtsoftley@ozemail.com.au -- Greg has an extensive catalog and is very cordial, but as someone already said, when you want something custom, it can take awhile, and you may need to gently remind him. And be patient.

JRrestore is a stand-up guy, and my hat's off to him.

People should try to understand that this is a sideline sort of thing, that it takes time and there's very little profit in it, if any; that people have personal lives, and that your stupid decal for your stupid old bike doesn't rate as a world-class priority.

I don't see any point in emailing him before going to his eBay store to see what he has in stock.

http://stores.ebay.com/Cyclomondo

Greg provided all of the decals for my Raleigh Competition and they're first rate. When I told him that he had mistakenly sent me a "Professional" instead of a "Competition", he immediately sent me the correct decal and a $10 bill.

This is the busiest time of year for bike decal makers. Greg told me that he has trouble responding to all the emails he gets and that he prefers to just send one email when he ships the decals. That doesn't mean that you'll wait months to hear from him.

People defended another decal maker the same way just before you joined Bike Forums. It turned out that he had spent the decal money on meth. I think it's understandable that some of us are wary of decal makers that exhibit flakey behavior.

indeed. seems like a lot of people give frame builders and painters free passes too. there's no excuse for poor communication, imo.

Your feedback helps
 

Hi everyone, I’m sorry if I offended any of you. Your feedback helps me see areas that need to be improved when doing business. I like the suggestions that Wogsterca made concerning emails, that will be the first item on my do list. Thanks again for your input, I’ll make it a priority to serve you better.:)

Wow....

JR, that was a pro response.

JR is good people. Would definitely use again.

I have used at least 6 different suppliers of decals and have just received some one off water slide decals from JR. They were delivered in 6 weeks and are precisely to my designs. Cyclomondo like most other decal makers does not make water slide decals and by comparison to those who do, JR was quick and cost effective. If my single experience with JR is anything to go by, I will likely send all my future business either to JR or Cyclomondo.

I know what you're referring to. I don't see anything in the feedback here that suggests that JRrestore ever took money and then didn't produce. When I have criticized people about lack of responsiveness without knowing the back story (which is really none of my business), I often find out that they've been dealing with something that makes me embarrassed. Or maybe he's just having a life, which everyone is entitled to. People are habitually overoptimistic in the planning stage (both consumers and producers), and think things can be done in a lot shorter time than required, or convenient. As an old guy, and I hope a tolerant one, I've come to accept that as part of the human condition, both in my vocation and my avocations. Relax, it's just a hobby, particularly at this end of things. If you're frustrated, just go ride your bike without the bloody decals!

Unless you planned on clearing over them, at which point assembly is not an option.,,,,BD

+1

I'm not offended...I just want to order some decal sets!

Last I heard, you were ready to post the Pinarello set that evening...

PLEASE let me know when you are ready to make some...

I'm not offended...I just want to order some decal sets!

Last I heard, you were ready to post the Pinarello set that evening...

PLEASE let me know when you are ready to make some...

I did not accuse him of doing anything.

Do what you want and I'll do the same. Okay?

I just got an email from JR that my Super Sport decals have been shipped today. That was fast!

+100!

Nick at H.Lloyd can often source original decals rather than repros - and rare ones at that, in the original fixing method (water slide, varnish fix, and so on). Fantastic service, really knowledgeable, reasonable prices for a top quality product, clear instructions. I've ordered several sets and have not lost a single decal by following the instructions. Can't praise them enough.

Greg Softley at Cyclomondo in Australia produces superb quality vinyl reproductions that are easy to use but if you've got a very old frame you just can't beat the authenticity of H. Lloyd IMHO. YMMV.

UPDATE:

Looks like a guy that has good business practices to me...

Pleasure doing business with you JR.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...m/DSC_4191.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...m/DSC_4192.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...m/DSC_4194.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...m/DSC_4197.jpg

I got some Velocals for my Holdsworth last year. The first time I tried him I got no follow up after an initial response. Then I complained in a thread like this one and ended up hearing back from him via PM and got everything in a relatively short time with good interaction. I think he probably makes so little money on each set that it can't be much more than a hobby and he has bills to pay like the rest of us. What's fifty bucks?...nuthin! Any way, the decals were great as the final product shows. I preen every time I'm out on it, which is very often. PS: I'll never have a "grail" bike cuz I got mine 37 years ago.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...h-Sunny-50.jpg