Velocals... SLow as Xmas!?
 

I ordered some decals (TREK and Schwinn) from JR at Velocals over a mopnth ago. Emailed him LAST week about where they were. He said he mailed them and would send another set Priority, with tracking No.) I have yet to recieve the decals, let alone a tracking number. Anyone else had this kind of problem? I NEVER had the post office lose a parcel or letter.

Is there anyone else who provides a decal servive for 70's-80's vintage Schwinn & TREK. I'm about to just give up an ask for a refund. for $40-50 I'd expect more

Well, JR can sometimes be slooow, but I've never not received what I've ordered from him.

+1 - and he's great if there are any problems....

Mark

It's weird. He did email me back today about the decals. He sent a tracking number for the second set (At least as he says). The electroning shipping info was for the 10th, but the "Process through sort facility says Oct 16th Anaheim, CA. Does it take them a week to sort **** in California??? Or are they too worried about the Gov's wife's cell phone useage while driving to send mail.???? I thought Georgia was slow... We can ship stuff or have it in 2-3 days here. I mailed a box to SWITZERLAND 2 years ago and it was there in 10 days !!!

My headset from NY is working on 6 days. My order from Niagra took 6 for them to ship..it'll probably take another 6 to get here.

I cant speak for JR but I'm sure he doesnt have decals in stock sitting on a shelf. Your decals may have been the first of their kind for him.

Very high quality work and well worth the wait.

He's a little slower than cyclomondo. They both are very good to work with.

JR is more amenable to creating custom stuff, and if you create it in a standard format he can use, he'll produce the decals.

I've had excellent service from both, to date. I'm waiting on a set of custom decals I created, and can update when I get them.

UPDATE: I'd given up looking and ordered a head badge decal, sight unseen, from VeloCals on 10/2/09, I think. On 10/3/09, I created some decals using MS Publisher, almost the same as the OEM decals on the bike. On 10/4/09, JR replied with a mockup. I ordered and paid. On 10/12/09, he double-checked to see if I still wanted the head badge decal I first ordered, or the new one I created. I chose the new one. They shipped 10/14/09 and I got them today, 10/19/09.

Sure, it feels like Christmas. The decals are top-notch, nearly identical to the OEM's.

I just can't figure him out. I contacted him about a repro set as well for my 73 Legnano. I took photos and measurements as he requested. very quick e-mail responses while giving him the info. THREE WEEKS LATER I receive an e-mail with an invoice attached. No mock ups or rough art. contacted him about example art and he replied 4 DAYS LATER saying, "once you pay I'll send a proof file for you to check". So I paid last week because I really wanted to trust him and his eBay feedback is 100% for a few hundred. I STILL HAVEN'T heard from him even after I've paid! No confirmation e-mail, no status update, nothing.

E-mailed him today wondering what's happening. Really not expecting much response.

Frustrating.

Once he got mine to me I was happy with the work, but He Needs to do something about his PR work. If it's just him and he's a one man show with a job wife and kids... then I could cut him some slack, but he should let people know that he's busy, even if it's just a short note. If anyone does the same work and is better at the business end, he'll lose out to them IMHO... and so it goes

At least he didn't take the money and run like the previous decal guy.

Who was that?

It took 2 months to get mine but it was worth the wait.

IME over the last year, JR is slow slow slow slow slow slow slow but the consensus is that it's well worth it.

This guy is KILLING me. He won't even reply to a simple e-mail! "His work is well worth it..." that's ridiculous. It's not like it takes a production process or graphic design and rendering to reply TO AN E-MAIL letting someone know where things stand. Especially when you pay the man what he asks. Bashermax said it best: for $40 or $50 I'd expect more.

He's definitely active judging by his eBay feedback. I'm starting to get really sour. Whether his work is top notch or not. I'm sure there is someone out there that CAN deliver. An ALPS printer might not be a bad idea after all.....

Dear Newbie, patience is a virtue.

^ Patience is a virtue ... but $50 is $50. If advance payment is required so this decal fellow can protect his artwork post release then a similar courtesy should be offered in exchange for the buyer's investment in the form of a speedy turn around or at a minimum regular updates.

As a freelance artist I simply use a watermark on all proofs and only charge a deposit on projects that require an excessive time commitment early on.

I ordered from Velocals. He was a bit slower than I expected -- arrival time was about 12 days which isnt so bad.

I am very impressed by the quality of JR's decals and will order again.

I'd rather order from him than that Cyclomondo psychopath. That Aussie has a mental disorder than comes out in full force if you are not satisfied with your order. I learned my lesson and will never engage in a transaction or any form of communication with Cyclomondo. I'd rather wait an extra 3-4 days than deal with a foul-mouthed, rage-issue loser like Gregory Softley who will freak out on you if he makes a mistake and forgets to include a decal with your order (even when you politely ask for the left-out decal and offer to pay for shipping again).

JR, on the other hand, sent me an extra decal for practice and a hand written note thanking me for my business.

JR does great work, but take the estimated delivery time he gives and add two weeks. It is worth the wait, but order well in advance of sending your frame to the painters. :thumb:

That being said, I recommend his work, highly: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=543532

I've ordered from both and have been pleased.

JR's communication can be spotty but then again why rush the restoration on a 30 year old bike. To me, it get's done when it get's done, as long as it's done right. The work he did for my '72 Newest was unbelievable. I had photographed all the art work and provided measurements and I was pretty thrilled that he felt good enough about them to put them on his website.

JR's packaging is much nicer, it's nice to have the decals in glassine envelopes secured in a tidy box
(with a thank you note).

Cylcomondo's order showed up in a small envelope with no cardboard stiffener for protection. However, the decals were awesome and undamaged so I'm happy. I'll be placing another order in a few days.

So, JR, if you read this, drop me an email when you get the chance, let me know how you're doing. And Greg, a little cardboard next time, the work is great!

Scott

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback & constructive criticism. I apologize for the slow responses & the flustration you’ve experienced. I will use your feedback to help me improve my customer service. I intend to better my communication skills and respond in a timelier manner. :)
JR.

JR does do nice work! (the MII was made by SSSink)
The original WC decals had the chrome edge, but the SSSink decals had black, so I went with the ones JR made.
MAGNIFICO!!:thumb:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/...eccfe68865.jpg