It happens from time to time but, in my experience, it isn't routine. I've had occasions to send along a bit for a project to a CR member in need and have been rewarded by a direct off-list thank you and, in some cases, an message to the list without disclosing me as the provider that the needed part had been obtained and that the CR list is a great thing. That type of person is more than likely to do the same in the future when someone else needs assistance without seeking compensation.
If it is a small item that I have no immediate need for a project, I generally request that the recipient do a good turn in like fashion down the line rather than pay fair market value or shipping. I've had folks do this for my benefit and it certainly restores one's faith at least in that subset of humanity that is the CR list.
Now, if I can just get my 27.2 Record titanium seatpost from the CR listmember who needed it in the worst way for a building up one of a series of specially commissioned project/show KOF bikes a couple of years ago, I'll feel a whole lot better. My 2000 full Record 10 but otherwise KOF Mondonico EL-OS has been sitting with a damned champagne cork in the seat tube and collecting dust ever since I loaned it to him. Emails unanswered and a business card with contact info and Record Ti seatpost written on it as a reminder that was politely tendered at the Cirque last year also yielded no response. While I should probably just stuff any old 27.2 post into it and JUST GET OVER IT, I haven't been able to do so yet.
Charlie Young
Honey Brook, PA
USA
Mark vented a bit regarding good deeds gone thankless:
> Now I'm just about to let loose with a full on RANT here - twice in the
> last
> month I have responded out of selfless goodwill for the sport and the
> people
> in it and supplied list members not known to me with GOOD PARTS.