This is one reason I read the list postings so infrequently any more. If anyone has a question or comment on anything I have done or am doing, they can feel free to ask me in person. Thank you Mark, Kevin, Peter, and Jerry for your kind comments. As Mark has said, we wouldn't have been in this business for 23 years if we were out to screw anyone.
Here are the facts in Michael Allison's case, just to set the record straight: He bought a used, and admittedly damaged frame from me in an ebay auction. I plainly spelled out the nature of the damage (dented chainstay mainly) in words and pictures, and sold it as is, for a fairly low price. He said he wanted to restore it so I offered to do that, and would fix the chainstay and do a nice paint job on it, which I did. I quoted him a price, and while I did give him a wrong number in one email later, I quickly retracted it after he pointed it out, and the original quote was honored. When it was done, I sent him pictures, and he at first said he thought it looked fantastic, but then later wrote to me saying he didn't like having the columbus decals on the fork blades, and could I take them off. The decals were clear coated so it would have meant stripping the fork and starting over. I asked if he could live with it that way because I would make no money on the paint job if I had to repaint it, and that if he didn't want it that way I would gladly refund his money (he had not paid for the restoration yet, only the frame from the ebay listing). No reply after two weeks. I wrote again saying that from his lack of response, I assumed that he didn't want it and would go ahead and put it on ebay and send him his money back. Still No reply. So I waited another week, then put it on ebay and it was immediately snapped up on buy it now. A couple days later I got a check from Michael for the restoration, with no knowledge he was sending it. I sent Michael's check back plus a refund of his entire payment to me earlier. He is out nothing, except he doesn't have a nice Colnago frame because he waited too long to act on it. The new owner by the way, raved about it and is quite happy. You can see the before and after pics of the frame on my yahoo album page. Ask me for the link if you are interested.
I restore a lot of frames for myself and for others, and occasionally put them on ebay as I have right now. I like doing it and our shop does a great job of it. You won't find better work anywhere. Anyone who has gotten a new or restored frame from us knows this. I have over 50 bikes myself and take great pride in riding them and showing them. I have always put the customer first and given them every benefit of the doubt.
have a nice ride
Bob Freeman Elliott Bay Bicycles 2116 Western Ave Seattle, WA 98121 206-441-8144 Home of Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles
In a message dated 3/28/2006 12:05:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 09:34:06 -0800 (PST) From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> To: Mark Bulgier <Mark@bulgier.net>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR]Beware - Shameless ebay promotion Message-ID: <20060328173406.73338.qmail@web82212.mail.mud.yahoo.com> In-Reply-To: <9327C3B25BD3C34A8DBC26145D88A90702CE8D@hippy.home.here> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Precedence: list Message: 2
And as was stated in a completely separate matter a couple of weeks ago, if one has a problem in dealings with a list member, one should go to Dale first before going public on the list. If dissatisfaction with a list member is based only on past dealings, I think these should be communicated to Dale or to likely bidders offlist. Personally, I've never before heard any complaints about Bob, and Davidson is a respected business.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Mark Bulgier <Mark@bulgier.net> wrote:
Michael Allison wrote, about Bob Freeman:
> Beware of this guy!!! Last year I bought a Colnago frame from
> him. [snip]
> Finally when the job was finished and I paid him, he returned
> my check, saying he thought I did not want the bike. [snip]
> How many bikes/frames has he sold that are not what he claims-??
Michael, I'm trying to reconcile this with what else I know about him, especially the glowing reviews other CR members have given him. Without knowing all the details, it's easy to imagine this all could have sprung out of a couple of misunderstandings. Not saying its your fault, Bob no doubt could have handled it better, but he's no crook. I worked at his and Bill Davidson's shop Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles years ago, so I'm not unbiased. We had our differences (why I quit) but I never saw any shady dealings, and you don't stay in business as long as they have in the little fishbowl of the Seattle bike scene if you cheat people. Full disclosure: I have no business or other relationship with Bob or Davidson anymore, we're not friends, I don't even shop there (not my neighborhood, and I have friends in the bike biz who get me deals).
Just so we're clear, shouldn't your first line have been you TRIED to buy a Colnago from him? Sounds like you were out $0.
Your last sentence, framed coyly as a question, is calling him a liar and a cheat - pretty strong words, without any evidence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like: (1) you weren't cheated (except, I suppose, of your time) (2) you have no knowledge of anyone else being cheated (3) you're calling him a cheat anyway
I'm inclined to think you throw strong words about a little too lightly.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA