Re: [CR]Cyclart, too long

All,
       As JB-Z points out; caveat emptor. That's a fact of life. As a licensed stockbroker, I would say that is of paramount importance. But I do say it "in a bad way". It's really good though. Fore warned is fore told.
      I believe that understanding the nature of business is self evident; at its most fundamental: make money. Capitalism baby. Without it we are lost.
      Just @ every one who has met me would say that I also have a "strong" personality. Some would also say that I'm an a--h---. Another fact of life. I can live with that. As I've said for 27 years since I realized I could sprint:"so drop me". I always came around them.
       "How he likes to run his business". It don't make it right.Let me assure all that ethics 101 was attended by Andy Fastow,Ken Lay,Bernie Ebbers and the like. And yea, I've got a price to. I've compromised my morals. But my price is alot higher the any so-cal transplanted New Yorker. ( Yes, that was personal).
       My pop told me this(once I could understand it): "Don't screw anybody over if it ain't at least for a million dollars. Its not worth it." He was right. And then some. (and no, I haven't.)
      "Unique"- NOT.There are at least a handful of well run business's out in cycle land that have not only faculties but also the talent,desire,and experience to CORRECTLY restore anything that interests this list. And they are ALOT nicer at it.PERIOD. Don't delude yourself. And I've seen alot of great paint work on fancy cars come out of shops without even a paint booth. They were small. And dirty.
      My natural tendency is to do business by the golden rule. To my fullest capabilities.Charging for those services is what our"service"economy is based upon. My last year in "The Business", that's "Wall Street", I did $11 million in sales. I don't say that to impress you, but rather to impress upon you that I know how to do good business.Most would agree. Some don't.Fair monetary remuneration for said services is to be expected. However ,when fairness is out of the equation, then the company will go out of business. How's that for a prediction?
      Having been in the communications field, I have a fairly decent grasp of the English language, and its nuances. Italian too. When the initial estimate and the written one (the one ya get after ya sent the frame) differ by 30 to 50%, then some one didn't communicate..either through ignorance or lack of honesty. Yea but who? "Hey , the frames already there, sooo what the heck".
      Be careful to whom you ask what you want, cause ya just might get it. Or some thing ya didn't expect! READ: Bait and switch. I've read all the sales books, so I can recognize "the pitch". Most can't.
      I am , in fact very glad that your experience w/Cyclart was satisfactory to you and that you are "happy with the result". Perhaps you might use stronger adjectives to describe you experience, given the opportunity. I know other people who would. I would.
      As for my own Frejus experience w/Cyclart: Sent them a chrome road bike that needed among other things the head tube to be repainted as the orig. translucent blue had been removed (she was naked but for the chrome!) Said I wanted the blue to match my chrome Frejus track(light translucent blue/slight shade of green. I was VERY specific.). Got her back. Unwrapped her and my eyes feasted on the beautiful dark translucent blue that now dressed her headtube and downtube panel. Called Calif. ASAP. The response to as to "why" ,was that he "matched" it to another Frejus on his premises. One with a dark blue head tube. Really nice . But not what I paid for or Cyclart was contracted for.
       Joe, for you to describe any of my experiences with Cyclart as "recent" and "unhappy" precludes that you have a degree of knowledge and information concerning my experiences. That,in fact, is not the case, as I have not discussed my situation with you. At least I don't remember. But a'm a gettin old. And crotchety. But please don't speak for me.
      Esspecially, please do not write off my experiences to "miscommunication ". My situation did not "escalate from miscommunication". My "dispute" as we might agree to term my Alvin Drysdale/Cyclart drama, was concluded with me a go'in to San Diego and confronting a certain cycleartist and demanding my frame back. I laid out cold hard cash to bring the situation to a quick conclusion. For the record: the workmanship , or lack thereof ,is self evident upon inspection. Two quite prominent frame builders who frequent this list both examined the frame and quickly(I'd say less then nano seconds but I could be accused of exaggerating) came to the same conclusion: the work performed on the frame was consistent NEITHER with what I was billed for,had contracted for, or would , by any stretch, be considered work done "in a workmanly manner as accepted methods in the industry". (billed for bead blast,3 or 4 coats of high build primer and filling of dents and tap/face BB so that an alignment check could be done. The frame was in fact given a bead blasting, one coat of black powder coat and some pink bondo was shmeared on the chain and seat sstays. Made me ssstuter just to think about it!).Shmear: to apply a light coating; as in cream cheese on a bagel in the morning w/ your coffee. Talk about a wake up call. And sorry, but the face/tap was also b.s. Maybe she'll tag along to on of the BVVW meetings or other love fest for all to ogle. Form your own opinion.
      That, writing the aforementioned situation off to miscommunication, does not address the true problem,. And It insults me , which I am sure is not your intention.
      The real problem is questionable business practices. Att the best. At the worst,
   immoral and illegal business practice. Should it be tolerated? I won' stand for it.
      My recommendation is to any one who is dreaming of that bike; ask everyone you can what their experiences were. Call and talk to the people who you might be contracting to do work. If possible , go and visit. Decide what you want; period correct or smooth as glass(usually don't go hand in hand. Sure some times personalities clash. Some times, a very hard effort will be made to rip you off. Caveat emptor baby. Remember,Tempus fugit,time is fleeting. Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. And I don't have time in my life to deal with rip offs. But I did. I learned. IMHO: save yourself heart ache. Can anyone else learn from my experiences? Just call.
      I would prefer any further communication take place off list as not to stretch the good and tolerant nature of our list master. I would forward same to all who ask.But if ya'all want me to, I'll keep a goin.DB?
      My fingers are tired. Not as fit as my tongue. And Sally is t'd off as I caressed the key board alot more then...well... Just my story and I'm stickin to it. ciao, with the greatest sincerity, JohnT.Pergolizzi N.Y.C.,U.S.A.