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The general public's ignorance of bicycles

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The general public's ignorance of bicycles

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Old 01-30-09, 12:44 PM
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The general public's ignorance of bicycles

Today I went to Staples to finish up packing a Shimano Tiagra shift/brake lever that I had sold. A friend of mine is the Copy/Shipping Center manager at this location, which is next to the post office by chance. The store's general manager saw the shifter laying on the counter and started screaming, "GUN! GUN! THIS ***** HAS A GUN!"

Someone pressed a silent alarm. The police were quick. My friend was instantly pissed. Real guns were drawn, and I was handcuffed. The police couldn't figure out what it was I put on the counter. My friend, finally yelled to them, "It's a bicycle shifter and brake lever. Completely harmless."

After examining the "evidence", the cops then turned to the panicking manager.

To the mods: this post isn't about guns, but a real event that happened to me earlier the day I posted.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:45 PM
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Whaaaaaaaa?
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Old 01-30-09, 12:46 PM
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No shortage of clueless people in this world.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:46 PM
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Pics AND mugshot or it didn't happen.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:48 PM
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Could someone explain to me how this can look like a firearm?

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Old 01-30-09, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Cue
Could someone explain to me how this can look like a firearm?

I don't see it.

Then again, I'm not a doodie head.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:54 PM
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It's not ignorance with bicycles, it's the general public's fear and ignorance of anything firearm related. Thank the media for that.

Up to you, but you could definitely raise some complaints with Staples higher management and get something for your 'inconvenience'. I would have seriously been pissed. Seriously pissed.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:57 PM
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Almost hard to believe.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:58 PM
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Sounds like the manager has been losing too much sleep and is paranoid.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by dieseldan
today i went to staples to finish up packing a shimano tiagra shift/brake lever that i had sold. A friend of mine is the copy/shipping center manager at this location, which is next to the post office by chance. The store's general manager saw the shifter laying on the counter and started screaming, "gun! Gun! This ***** has a gun!"

someone pressed a silent alarm. The police were quick. My friend was instantly pissed. Real guns were drawn, and i was handcuffed. The police couldn't figure out what it was i put on the counter. My friend, finally yelled to them, "it's a bicycle shifter and brake lever. Completely harmless."


after examining the "evidence", the cops then turned to the panicking manager.

to the mods: This post isn't about guns, but a real event that happened to me earlier the day i posted.
and......
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Old 01-30-09, 01:00 PM
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Color scheme similar. Maybe.

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Old 01-30-09, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by wanders
Color scheme similar. Maybe.

Yeah, color scheme... maybe one could see that, but it's a stretch... a BIG stretch... especially for someone to yell "GUN" in a public place, AND follow that up with a silent alarm.

Sorry for the incident. Crazy.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:05 PM
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I would get a copy of the police report and a lawyer. That has to be worth a few bucks.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by JBBOOKS
I would get a copy of the police report and a lawyer. That has to be worth a few bucks.
Do you live in So Cal?
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Old 01-30-09, 01:10 PM
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Maybe you got Punk'd.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DieselDan
. My friend, finally yelled to them, "It's a bicycle shifter and brake lever. Completely harmless."

.
Thank god he didn't yell "it's a brifter" that would have confused the hell out of everyone.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:10 PM
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I tried to ship a Mavic wheelset once and someone screamed "explosives!"
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Old 01-30-09, 01:17 PM
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someone made a mistake that caused you no harm, cost you no money, and incovenienced you some. you'd be crazy not to sue.

that is a silly story that is funny, nothing more, nothing less.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by DieselDan
Today I went to Staples to finish up packing a Shimano Tiagra shift/brake lever that I had sold. A friend of mine is the Copy/Shipping Center manager at this location, which is next to the post office by chance. The store's general manager saw the shifter laying on the counter and started screaming, "GUN! GUN! THIS ***** HAS A GUN!"

Someone pressed a silent alarm. The police were quick. My friend was instantly pissed. Real guns were drawn, and I was handcuffed. The police couldn't figure out what it was I put on the counter. My friend, finally yelled to them, "It's a bicycle shifter and brake lever. Completely harmless."

After examining the "evidence", the cops then turned to the panicking manager.

To the mods: this post isn't about guns, but a real event that happened to me earlier the day I posted.
Im curious what did you do from the time he screamed it was a gun until the police showed up? Did you just stand there? point it at anyone?
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Old 01-30-09, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Thank god he didn't yell "it's a brifter" that would have confused the hell out of everyone.
you could yell that in most bike shops and no one would no what you were talking about. I hate the term brifter, not sure why, but it's among my most hated words.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Jynx
Im curious what did you do from the time he screamed it was a gun until the police showed up? Did you just stand there? point it at anyone?
damn that's a fantastic response. arid... very
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Old 01-30-09, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Cue
Could someone explain to me how this can look like a firearm?

Star Trek phaser?

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Old 01-30-09, 01:31 PM
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Hot glue gun?
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Old 01-30-09, 01:35 PM
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Every one of us has done embarassing things in our lives. The manager should say they are sorry. Maybe you will get a gift card.

Glad no one was hurt. Treat the people involved the same way you would like to be treated if you made a mistake.
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Old 01-30-09, 01:40 PM
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This story is missing a lot.
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