I've used Argos a couple of times for the painting of my 'own frames'.......such as the blue & red flam frame some of you guys may have seen last week at the 'Cirque'........and which Dale now has for sale at his shop.
I think I know what you mean Charles.....its excellent work, yet you can tell its 'hand done' and not perfected by some robotic machine......always coming out indentical and flawless.
As for the timescale, I have no comlaints here.........perhaps been in the trade helps...I don't know?............. I did have a problem with a diferent painter in the UK a few years back when he kept my frame for over 18 months before I threatened him with court action to retrive my property.........I eventually got it back and all he'd done was put it in primer!.........so this frame went to Argos, and they turned it around in 3 weeks.........sadly, my choice of colours just did't work and the frame remains unused! [eventually I'll get round to having it resprayed something simple like dark green flam!]
Talking with Gary, he did say he was scaling down actual frame builds to concentrate on the renovation side of the business.........
cheers
Kevin Sayles
Bridgwater Somerset UK
> Nic wrote:
>
> literally, a few pounds a day towards the considerable cost! Argos seem to
> be inundated with work, mostly renovations and it is only Gary Needham who
> does the frame repairs and new builds, they also have Mark who seems to do
> admin and another chap who is a very talented paint sprayer and also some
> guy kept chained up out the back who they sometimes let out to assemble
> bikes. 10 months is unreasonable I think but the wait would be worth
> it...
>
> Nic Henderson
> Croesyceiliog
> UK
>
> _____________
>
> I've had Argos paint two frames for me now, both purchased in the UK,
> taken straight to Argos for refinishing, then shipped to the US. I was
> extremely happy with both experiences, and I'd do it again. Result was
> exactly what I wanted, or better. It did take 5-6 months as I recall, in
> each case, but I was not in any hurry. I did call or post Mark regularly
> to check on where I was in the queue and how things were going. I think
> it's important to communicate with Mark regularly, preferably by phone, if
> you want your project finished in a reasonable amount of time.
>
> I can easily see where a small operation like this, however commercially
> oriented, could be overwhelmed by work, given their fair pricing and pro
> job. So you have to nudge them a little to get your place in line.
>
> Interesting thing about Argos paint: it's not flawless, but it's not
> flawless in all the right ways..if that makes any sense. Somehow, there
> is a peculiar authenticity to their work that makes it especially
> attractive to me. And especially on UK bikes. It's not bad work at all,
> it's quite pro. I suppose it's a bit like the persian rug-makers who
> always leave a flaw or two in the weave..makes the rug more human, and
> does not offend Allah, who is the only entity allowed to be perfect, if I
> understand the concept properly.
>
> I doubt any of this occurs to Mark and Gary <g> but it's there in the
> work, I think.
>
> Charles Andrews
> Los Angeles
>
>
>
>
> "Somebody has to be tireless...
> or the fast buck operators would
> asphalt the entire coast, fill every
> bay and slay every living thing
> incapable of carrying a wallet."
>
> --John D. MacDonald