Well, I have to chime in off of that long Chicagoland tri-shop thread and I am starting with a new post because I don't want this to be buried deep on the old one.
I have known Bill and Val, after just walking in the store cold, for a good number of years. They have attended an Ironman viewing party at my old apartment and in the late 90's they came out to my 8th grade classroom during a midwinter mini-session we were having to talk about bikes, fitness and recreation. They brought a van full of bicycle eye candy with 'em. I have sent customers, including former students, to them over the years. I like them both alot. I like individualists/iconoclasts. They help move things forward.
I think I also might have been one of the very first to show them what might be coming down the road in their business when I brought in a new bought- at-a-discount-over-the-web QR frame and asked him to build it up for me. This was over 7 years ago when all this on-line stuff was still pretty new. I'm not sure Bill was too happy with me that night, but he built it up very well and I think it got him thinking about how to deal with this new thing called the internet.
Over the years I have heard people with stories about "Wild Bill". I have heard about frustrations with the the help out in Elgin, whether it is a standoff-ish thing or a perceived arrogance or what. I can't discount things I hear from people I consider friends, but I also know that if you can, as Dan points out, "get into" what Bill is all about, he'll do whatever he possibly can for you. He has provided me quick turn-around when I needed it, a bike case for Kona when I needed it, wheel deals when I needed them and on and on. Maybe you think that as a customer you shouldn't have to be the one to "get into" what the owner is all about...that it should be the other way around. Well, maybe you are right, but I'd still ask you to give it a shot, because I think it will be worth your while.
I think some of this angst over MB is because of a sense of divided loyalties when people move on. It was a shame when Rich left the store because Rich was an integral part of the shop. It was a shame when a mechanic named Bob Olson moved on because Bob is the best wrench in the world, at least this part part of the world. People move on for a variety of reasons and when they go you are torn abit about it. I like Rich and I hope to see his new place soon. I take my bikes to Bob when they need work. I still buy from Mission Bay, maybe even that new Kestrel I've been coveting, because I like them. I don't know if they get "mad" that I do business with all of them, but I doubt it, because they're adults. I remain loyal to all of them because they have been good people to me.
My guess is Bill has read all of this stuff and will agonize over some of it and be proud over alot of it. The guy has soul and loves the sport. Bottom line? Give 'em a shot. Or give them another shot.
Mark
I have known Bill and Val, after just walking in the store cold, for a good number of years. They have attended an Ironman viewing party at my old apartment and in the late 90's they came out to my 8th grade classroom during a midwinter mini-session we were having to talk about bikes, fitness and recreation. They brought a van full of bicycle eye candy with 'em. I have sent customers, including former students, to them over the years. I like them both alot. I like individualists/iconoclasts. They help move things forward.
I think I also might have been one of the very first to show them what might be coming down the road in their business when I brought in a new bought- at-a-discount-over-the-web QR frame and asked him to build it up for me. This was over 7 years ago when all this on-line stuff was still pretty new. I'm not sure Bill was too happy with me that night, but he built it up very well and I think it got him thinking about how to deal with this new thing called the internet.
Over the years I have heard people with stories about "Wild Bill". I have heard about frustrations with the the help out in Elgin, whether it is a standoff-ish thing or a perceived arrogance or what. I can't discount things I hear from people I consider friends, but I also know that if you can, as Dan points out, "get into" what Bill is all about, he'll do whatever he possibly can for you. He has provided me quick turn-around when I needed it, a bike case for Kona when I needed it, wheel deals when I needed them and on and on. Maybe you think that as a customer you shouldn't have to be the one to "get into" what the owner is all about...that it should be the other way around. Well, maybe you are right, but I'd still ask you to give it a shot, because I think it will be worth your while.
I think some of this angst over MB is because of a sense of divided loyalties when people move on. It was a shame when Rich left the store because Rich was an integral part of the shop. It was a shame when a mechanic named Bob Olson moved on because Bob is the best wrench in the world, at least this part part of the world. People move on for a variety of reasons and when they go you are torn abit about it. I like Rich and I hope to see his new place soon. I take my bikes to Bob when they need work. I still buy from Mission Bay, maybe even that new Kestrel I've been coveting, because I like them. I don't know if they get "mad" that I do business with all of them, but I doubt it, because they're adults. I remain loyal to all of them because they have been good people to me.
My guess is Bill has read all of this stuff and will agonize over some of it and be proud over alot of it. The guy has soul and loves the sport. Bottom line? Give 'em a shot. Or give them another shot.
Mark