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Comments - 2011 Year End Awards, Part II
January 03, 2012
I like Outside magazine. I don't look to them for any cycling insight as you mention, but they do offer great fiction, travel coverage, general gear porn and beautiful photography.
- Andy, Long Beach, CA
December 30, 2011
We all know Brendan's blog is actually not the "word of the lord!" I accept your apology Travis and wish you the best for 2012.
- Richard, New Haven
December 30, 2011
@travis How do you still have a job??
- Puzzled, Purgatory
December 30, 2011
I'm posting this where I can. The customer in question is a mutual customer of ours.
Hello and Thanks,
I appreciate all of the thoughtful input on this subject. I will not be charging the "corking fee". Unfortunately I wrote and published this policy/letter/note/whatever you want to call it when I was in a very emotional state (I get pretty personal and passionate about this stuff). I had one single customer that was being relentless about my prices and services. I let it get the best of me, and I shouldn't have. I'm very disappointed in myself for writing and publishing the note on Facebook, and wish I could take it back. I've obviously deleted the note from Facebook, but I'm sure it will live on in internet forums such as this. I only had an issue with one customer - not all of them. I let my emotions take over without thinking, or sleeping on it. Everyone makes mistakes, and unfortunately for me, this one was huge. I suppose it created some thoughtful discussion, which is good. I've made a promise to myself (and hence to my customers) that I wouldn't post anything without at least sleeping on it. It's a tough economy, and I've been trying to stay afloat. I had a single customer get the best of me (unintentionally) at the wrong time.
Thanks again,
Travis Evans
- Travis, Laytonsville, MD
December 29, 2011
Love your year end awards, thank you for putting them together. In turn, CC gets, hands down, my own "best of" award for favorite bike retailer site. No other site has been more educational to me regarding equipment features and "all other things cycling" in addition to providing a superb selection of quality products. Kudos to CC for creating a superior and differentiated alternative compared to most other online retailers, including the UK-based ones, that feel so anonymous and interchangeable.
- Happy, NYC
December 28, 2011
@John. Feel you man. When CC was in LR they could 'almost' be considered a local bike shop that gave back to their community. However, that was NOT the case. Wait, they did hold an in-house sale for friends and family and 'sponsor' a few races. Like you, I've also followed this blog for insight and inspiration. Unfortunately, it's always been about the bottom line for them even though CC started with a dream between 2 friends. I still think about the effect they've had on our economy and workforce. I only hope their kids don't grow up to be as greedy. Happy New year.
- N, LR
December 28, 2011
Bait and switch. You bait us with a few of your recent favorite bike blogs to distract us. Enjoy your retirement from active blogging. Your blog is what got me interested in CC and your products. Your blog is what educated me on the bike industry. Your recent blog posts sent me to Chain Reaction. Saved a bundle. I will enjoy it while I can. Pending state & federal internet tax legislation is like the snowball rolling down the hill. Don't worry old friend - I'll be back. It sucks you left Little Rock.
- John, Claremore, OK
December 28, 2011
Edward is correct, that sign is on State Hwy 248 looking west towards Park City. You can see the slopes of Deer Valley to the left of the sign and PCMR to the right. Jupiter Peak is directly behind the sign, if that landmark were visible it would make it easier to know what you're looking at.
- Kent, Park City, UT
December 28, 2011
I like that sign
- Luke, Chicago
December 28, 2011
Thanks for the props, Brendan.
- Gary B., Mountain View, CA
December 28, 2011
I'm fairly certain that sign is located in Park City, Utah (well on the outskirts of PC) and you are looking at Park City Mountain Resort in the distance. The kids of Competitive Cyclist now call Utah home.
- Edward, Salt Lake City
December 28, 2011
In a world filled with greedy (former) CEOs whom use their voice to complain about the lack of regulation and law enforcement of online businesses in a MARKET ECONOMY; "Chavanel turns down Business Class flight to Argentina." This, my fellow friends is fu cking PRO! http:// www . cyclingnews . com/news/chavanel-turns-down-business-class-flight-to-argentina
- Oscar, Chicago
December 28, 2011
Where is that sign?! I'll venture a guess that it is somewhere around Monument, CO or Black Forest, near Colorado Springs (and the Olympic training center). But you gotta tell us.
- Matt, Denver
December 27, 2011
I miss Andy Clark. Can you bring him back for 2012?
- lonely , bored
December 27, 2011
Wow! An extra 20% over the $100+ dollar job that I can do in under an hour! The reason these bike shops are going under are because they are losing high volume customers that have had RD limit screws stripped out multiple times because they are too lazy to properly adjust the derailleurs. Chains that snap apart because they can't properly reinstall a chain pin. And charging car tire prices for tubulars and making a complete mess out of which takes me 3 hours with no mess but 3 days for them because the glue has to age like fine wine...
Shame on you CC for being critical of anythind disadvantagious to yourselves, but having no problems whatsoever for selling Litespeeds for an extra grand over what your corporate bedfellows at Real Cyclist is currently doing? I'd like to hear reports on how local bike shops in Little Rock are now doing?
- MO, SODAK
December 27, 2011
Natalie from Yay Cycling - thanks for giving the blog a mention.
- natalie, scotland
December 27, 2011
I feel like I know where that sign is. Does anyone know its location?
- Eli, Boulder, CO
December 27, 2011
Thanks for one of the better end-of-year recaps out there. Man, definitely agree with your comments regarding Outside Magazine, what a joke that bit of ranking promotion was. Guess even the low brow need their 15 minutes. Cheapened indeed!
- Karston, Dallas
December 27, 2011
Agree 100% that JRABS needs to get back to what ANY local business does best- customer service. Of course there are import laws & customs duties which need to be respected, but leave this to the proper authorities. Many US buyers from overseas sources do in fact pay the appropriate duties (often via the shipping co). How would JRABS feel if one of their customers ratted them to the state for sales tax collection violations (as can innocently happen in any cash business) or to IRS for (possible) violation of depreciation/expense rules (e.g. personal use of demo equipment). Let he who is without sin cast the 1st stone....
- John, Indianapolis
December 27, 2011
Report purchases from Wiggle to the feds? Lol!
- Richie, Tallahassee
December 27, 2011
you had me till RKP - that site is no Belgium Knee Warmers and it's clear Patrick is the weak link. He's like Shelley Long - he left, his work is poor and either go back or just go away.
- Tom, DC
December 27, 2011
@ALAN, MAUMELLE, 150K a year? Grow up! Talent like that doesn't move to Utah for 150k!
- Hi , Earth
December 26, 2011
Please leave wiggle alone. You make 150K year plus stock options. Comment on Cervelo's recent sale to Pon Holdings and your personal relationship with Phil White. Update us on CANYON and when you'll be carrying them. And thanks for not using 'PRO.' Love the ice cube picture and Merry belated Christmas!
- ALAN, MAUMELLE
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