Here’s the score for today:
Checked on following products for a customer:
Nice. Makes it easy to sell bikes when none exist.
Hey Tom (or anyone for that matter) , is it possible that many of these vapor-products get bought up by the big guys (Excel Sports, Colorado Cyclist etc, etc), in back room deals before you even have a shot at acquiring any of them? Kinda like an unexclusive exclusive buying agreement?
Also, what’s the point of having a US Importer if there’s nothing to import?
Nope, those guys don’t have the stuff either. We check consistently.
I would suggets that the Mavic Win Tech wireless computer is close to vaporware. Have been trying to buy one for 10 days. On line retailers say they ordered 100 and got 25. Some show it shipping after January 5 if then. Got a buddy headed to the UK tomorrow (he is a roadie) and have asked to him to see if there are any in the UK.
fal7
I feel your pain. Right now I am in an industry selling things that are only a twinkle in a product manager’s eye while their credit department is on their knees at the bank and the owners of the companies are on the phone to Taiwan begging and pleading and promising.
Did any of you see the Fedex commercial where the Asian fella walks through the bicycle factory in a tyraid in Chinese, spouting and yelling and carrying on, then he goes in the office to the younger guy and goes ballistic and the guy just says a bunch of Chinese stuff then says, “Fed Ex” and the the guy walks out of the office?
That is our reality. They are saying:
“The American bicycle companies have no money. Bin Ladin and Hussein have stolen it from them. They are not paying us. Where is our money from the American bicycle companies? When will it get here? How will it get here?”
That’s when the guy says “Fedex”.
At least that;s my guess.
Hey Tom, what would happen if I buy this frame right now, with express shipping, think I’d get it in 2 days?
Maybe I should give it a shot? Wonder what Excel would say???
Position Title: Bounty Hunter
Position Description: Responsibilities include locating and apprehending elusive “Vaporware”. Position requires extensive travel. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate experience in the areas of corporate espionage, expedited customs clearing procedures, Value Added Tax (VAT) avoidance and a comprehensive competency in all facets of bicycle manufacture/assembly/marketing. Candidates with proven experience in aerodynamic wind tunnel testing will be given special consideration. Demonstrated experience of bicycle fitting or developing and maintaining inter-gender relationships can be substituted for aerodynamic experience.
Contact Tom Demerly for further details
“The American bicycle companies have no money. Bin Ladin and Hussein have stolen it from them. They are not paying us. Where is our money from the American bicycle companies? When will it get here? How will it get here?”
That’s when the guy says “Fedex”. "
That’s hilarious. I know what you mean. If only the bike companies spent as much money on product as they do on glossy ads and pro-team sponsorships.
I’ve seen them. There are a couple shops in the MI, OH, IN area that have them in stock.
regards,
-SD
Here’s the score for today:
Checked on following products for a customer:
Nice. Makes it easy to sell bikes when none exist.
Strange! There are several of these European frames already available over here in Europe. But it is very difficult to get US bikes (Litespeed/QR for example) in Germany.
regards,
Frank
Problem solved. I’ll take the bounty hunter position b/c I have a theroy. The bikes destined for the US and then bikes destined for the EU go through the bermuda triangle. There the compasses get screwed so the head south past Argentina. Only after entering the Pacific do the realize the error. Next its past the S tip of africa back through the triangle up to greenland for some reindeer burgers b/c they are hungry by now. Finally off to the proper ports. they get lots of overtime pay and you bike only comes 14 weeks late.
I’ll need a nice well equipped 62 foot yatch, blender to make margaritas, and a big expense acct in addition to a free bike and salary to find your frames.
Hi Bavarian_Frank, and Happy Holidays to you.
I’m kind of not surprised by your comments. I figured the new, cool, Euro stuff would be available on your side of the pond before ours, and thet our stuff would be late in getting to you guys. That makes sense to me somehow.
At any rate, have a great Holiday in Bavaria. Other than Bora-Bora, I can’t think of a better place to spend it!
Hi Bavarian_Frank, and Happy Holidays to you.
At any rate, have a great Holiday in Bavaria. Other than Bora-Bora, I can’t think of a better place to spend it!
Thanks and happy x-mas to you (and all other slowtwitchers), too. I’ve read you had some fun riding with our German national champion the “Norminator”. Nice guy, isn’t he?
regards,
Frank
I ordered a new bike seat from my LBS.It will take a while he said . Will my butt have change shape before it arives ? Should I have got a different seat knowing it will take so long and my ass will have changed shape? Is their a F.I.S.T. fitting one can use for this Vaporware seat problem.This is not a laughing matter is important to the well being of my butt.
Stadler rules. I am embarrased to admit this, but after looking at his Look frame I came back and bought a Look frame, and three more for the store.
Stadler is a class act and a strong guy. It was an honor to ride with him.