Re: [CR]A few words about bike painting/restoring

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "John Pergolizzi" <jtperry@worldnet.att.net>
To: <CyclArtist@cox.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <024b01c3de3a$6a5dafa0$c1c96f44@HOME>
Subject: Re: [CR]A few words about bike painting/restoring
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:20:15 -0500


Apologies in advance to all listmembers who are just as tired of reading this drivel as I am reading and writting it. But my hand is forced. And to Listmaster Dale ; if I'm named, I'll have to let the facts out.

Jim Cunningham wrote: " One rare exception goes to the heart of what triggered this particular thread. John Pergolizi balked at paying more than the original estimate price for a VERY rusty frameset. An extreme case and rare exception. John also had another problem I must apologize for. He sent a Paramount with a very poor refinish on it. When the frame arrived the job looked like a go. Because the finish was thick, and we wanted to be sure there was no extreme rust prep required, we scraped a few spots to confirm that there was no serious rust pitting on this one. Our mistake. We should have, and have ever after, ASKED before doing this. After some time, John decided against doing this particular job and asked for it to be returned. We send it out, forgetting the he did not know about the scratches. When he reported terrible scratches on the frame from a box he had just opened, we forgot about the scratch test and guessed he was talking about shipping damage and offered to repair. I'm sure he could see it was not shippping related and perhaps he thought we had damaged the paint in spite. Years later he's mad at us. I admit a mistake in not asking before our scratch test, and in not asking if he needed that touched up prior to shipment... "

There are two issues. First: The story of the "very rusty frameset" which will be dealt with via a private e-mail to Cyclart as per the request of the listmaster. I've just not sent it yet. All who want a copy, I will forward it. It is the response to the last weeks repartee.

Secondly: The 1960 Paramount, which is also addressed in the private e-mail response; just to let every one know: the paint was professionally applied by an auto body shop. It was flawless, not " a very poor refinish". NOT THICK, but well applied imron fine light metallic blue. Best auto body shop job I'd ever scene. To your own admission, Cycleart, Jim, you never asked me to "scratch" my frame and never asked anyone before me("and have ever after, ASKED before doing this"). Lucky me. Again. I wouldn't go through with the job cause I was quoted a different price for luglinning/pinstripping after the frame was sent then before I sent it. The cost "$225.00 !!!!!! Just for luglinning ($75.00)/ pinstripping($150.00) !!! I admittedly did not discover the damage for almost a year as I never took her out of the return shipping box as I was slightly occupied restoring our newly purchased house. (What a story that is!). I was NEVER "offered to repair" as You now seem to remember to have offered. I never believed that the scratching ,which was not minor but quite extensive, was done "in spite" as you, Jim/Cycleart puts it. The scratches were each about 3/8 of an inch wide and 1 3/4 inches long; both seatstays, both chainstays, and some on each of the major tubes. I simply chalked it up to experience. Therefore, this is fabrication of fact. I have maintained that my issue has never been one of "too high expectations", or of wanting get more value then I pay for or have contracted for. My issue has been one of purposeful deceit and lack of respect for the customer. So now "Year's later he's mad at us" is a very clever statement. It offers a simpleton explanation and is a way of manipulating others to misunderstand and categorize the situation. I am not mad, I'm enlightened! Up untill this post, I had never been offered an apology, privatly or publicly. NOT accepted. I wouln't let Cyclart paint the INSIDE of my Ferrari's bumpers (or Campagnolo wheels).

John T.Pergolizzi New York, New York But still from Brooklyn P.S. I do not agree with any ones mother "if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all. It is silence that allows bad stuff to go on. Shape up Jimmy, or ship out! I will not let my friends suffer. I will refute fiction with fact. And any way It is good. It's the TRUTH. At least that's what happened to me. And more then once.

t