Good customer service experience

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
my price range.

I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
a little over two grand.

I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
us here regularly.

Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
the environment.

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
my price range.

Quoted message said:

I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
a little over two grand.

Quoted message said:

I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
us here regularly.

Quoted message said:

Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
the environment.

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.

Can't you get the Gunnar from Mark? I do believe in buying American
made stuff due to those exact reasons. Embarrassingly enough, my fave
ride is Chinese. No knock on the Chinese, but on the cringeworthy
labor practices. That said, everything is made in China, so what's
another object? :-P

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
my price range.

Quoted message said:

I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
a little over two grand.

Quoted message said:

I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
us here regularly.

Quoted message said:

Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local economies.

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard for
the environment.

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
that usually (but not always) calmed them down.

One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
like Mark's.

I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.

Smokey

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
my price range.

Quoted message said:

I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
a little over two grand.

Quoted message said:

I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
us here regularly.

Quoted message said:

Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make
good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
economies.

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard
for
the environment.

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
that usually (but not always) calmed them down.

One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
like Mark's.

I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.

Smokey

I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice bikes----and
easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.

But you would totally be happy with a Gunnar Sport. I am. :-)

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

> As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium
> frames. I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be
> way out of my price range.

> I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without
> fork) was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and
> found that I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur)
> campy group for a little over two grand.

> I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his
> frames and information on my special needs. I went back to some
> other bike websites and was surprised to see an e-mail
> notification pop up not long afterwards. Mark had already gotten
> back to me with a long detailed e-mail that completely answered
> all my questions. The man obviously pulls some long hours, yet he
> took time out for a potential customer who was not even expecting
> a reply for another day or two.

> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the
> funds saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just
> as important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate
> people like Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share
> their knowledge with us here regularly.

> Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is
that Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those
workers make good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
economies.

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages,
disregard for
the environment.

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good
product. Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and
oranges.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a
Kawasaki, purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some
would really get in my face about it. When I pointed out their
Japanese forks, shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese
Screaming Eagle parts, that usually (but not always) calmed them
down. One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of
the
great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
like Mark's.

I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.

Smokey

I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice
bikes----and easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.

So much for Tim's free speech speech...

Quoted message said:

But you would totally be happy with a Gunnar Sport. I am. :-)

Gunnars are lovely bikes, indeed.

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> As some of you might have read here, I'm considering purchasing a
> Gunnar Sport frame and building it up next year. Yesterday while
> surfing this newsgroup I came upon a link to Habanero titanium frames.
> I have actually always wanted ti, but thought it would be way out of
> my price range.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I was really surprised at both the prices, appearance, and quality
> testimonials for Mark Hickey's frames. A touring frame (without fork)
> was $849, plus $40 postage. I did a bunch more research and found that
> I could build such a frame with a mid-range (Centaur) campy group for
> a little over two grand.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I sent Mark an e-mail last night with questions I had about his frames
> and information on my special needs. I went back to some other bike
> websites and was surprised to see an e-mail notification pop up not
> long afterwards. Mark had already gotten back to me with a long
> detailed e-mail that completely answered all my questions. The man
> obviously pulls some long hours, yet he took time out for a potential
> customer who was not even expecting a reply for another day or two.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
> saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
> important as the product you are buying. I also appreciate people like
> Mark, Peter Chisholm, and Andrew Muzzi, who share their knowledge with
> us here regularly.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Smokey "dreaming of new ti" Strodtman

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The difference between the two companies(if it matters to you) is that
Gunnars are made by American craftsmen in Wisconsin. Those workers make
good
salaries, work in a safe facility, and contribute to their local
economies.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Habaneros are made in China, with all that entails. Low wages, disregard
for
the environment.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But Mark is, by all accounts, a super guy who provides a good product.
Comparing the two companies is like comparing apples and oranges.- Hide
quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

Quoted message said:

You bring up a good point, one I have considered quite a bit. I used
to catch hell from my Harley riding buddies because I rode a Kawasaki,
purchased at the dealer where I was service manager. Some would really
get in my face about it. When I pointed out their Japanese forks,
shocks, instruments, carburetors, and Taiwanese Screaming Eagle parts,
that usually (but not always) calmed them down.

Quoted message said:

One of the main reasons I'm considering a Habanero is because of the
great things I've heard about their quality and Mark's customer
service. I found some old posts where Peter Chisholm and Andrew Muzzi
commented favorably on them. I value their opinions a lot and don't
think they would give good reviews arbitrarily. Being a small
businessman myself, I like the idea of supporting a small business
like Mark's.

Quoted message said:

I would love it if I could afford a $3,000+ ti bike made in America,
but that just isn't going to happen unless I hit the lottery. The
Habanero seems like a worthy substitute.

Quoted message said:

Smokey

I agree that Mark is a nice guy, and Habaneros are really nice bikes----and
easily the most affordable Titanium bikes on the market.

In fact, if you look at the 'It's HERE" thread that I just started
about my recently arrived Habby, you'll find that Habaneros are _more_
affordable than similar (but slightly lower quality) bikes made by the
same fabricator (they make frames for a number of brands) and sold in
China.

I found out quite by accident because I recognized the company on the
shipping slip.

-M

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying.

Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.

I'll give my business to folks who believe that the Constitution
means what it says, not someone who defends unconstitutional
actions by someone who thinks that 9/11 means that the President
can ignore laws passed by Congress in accordance with the
Constitution.

=================================================================
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--- Benjamin Franklin

[email hidden]
http://www.ejuneau.net

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:12:00 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, "Bill

Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.

he was OFF TOPIC for this group.

Dennis P. Harris said:

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying.

Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.

LOL, sometimes you have to separate someone's politics from their business.

While I don't like neocons any more than the next person, Mark does seem
to be importing a good product from Red China, and selling it at a fair
price.

Bill Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.

If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.

The neocon [censored] _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.

"SMS" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dennis P. Harris said:

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying.

Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.

LOL, sometimes you have to separate someone's politics from their
business.

While I don't like neocons any more than the next person, Mark does seem
to be importing a good product from Red China, and selling it at a fair
price.

I figure that most of the parts I put on a frame will be sourced from
another company. I have Japanese drivetrain, Australian wheels, Japanese
tires, Japanese handlebar, Italian bar tape, a German rack, and an English
saddle. The LEAST I can do is buy an American frame. Gunnar allows me to do
that at a reasonable price. Their frames are not much more expensive than
Habaneros---and they're made with American made steel, to boot. Good steel,
True Temper OX Platinum. True, it's not titanium. But steel is real. :-)

Mike
spewer of cliches

On Sep 27, 4:02 am, [email hidden] (Dennis P. Harris)

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:25:29 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying.

Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.

I'll give my business to folks who believe that the Constitution
means what it says, not someone who defends unconstitutional
actions by someone who thinks that 9/11 means that the President
can ignore laws passed by Congress in accordance with the
Constitution.

=================================================================
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--- Benjamin Franklin

[email hidden]
http://www.ejuneau.net

FWIW, I'm aware of Mark's politics, but don't believe that such things
should interfere with business. My wife and I have a small business
and politics and religion are two topics that are kept completely
separate from it. We stay aware of current events and vote in all
elections, but that's our own private business.

Smokey

Dennis P. Harris said:

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:12:00 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc, "Bill

Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because
he dared to express a conservative viewpoint.

he was OFF TOPIC for this group.

ROTFL

SMS said:

Bill Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.

If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.

The neocon [censored] _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.

All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.

SMS said:

Bill Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because
he dared to express a conservative viewpoint.

If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.

But that was the very point. As a business owner, why stick around when
someone repeatedly lies about you? (Last straw IIRC was Flogger saying that
Mark favors torture or something like that.) End result is that two or more
CYCLING newsgroups lost a valuable contributor...and even the off-topic
political [censored] is diminished because a knowledgable participant has been
shut up not with counter-argument but with flat-out character assassination.
Repeatedly.

Quoted message said:

The neocon [censored] _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.

I don't recall Mark EVER starting a political thread or even subthread. His
sin was daring to REPLY to the neoliberal (should be a word) [censored] posted by
MANY others. Brandt can post a blatantly biased political link -- not even
designating it "OT" -- and no one dares speak up. Yet he flames others for
posting ride reports in the "wrong" cycling ng.

Bullies and hypocrits. Bullies and hypocrits.

Dennis P. Harris said:

Quoted message said:

Habanero definitely has a future customer as soon as I get the funds
saved up. I really think the person you are dealing with is just as
important as the product you are buying.

Well, I was considering Habanero, too, until he started spouting
off-topic rightwing nuttery in a bicycle newsgroup. I just won't
do business with folks with dittoheads who just parrot Rush
Lamebrain.

I won't buy insurance from Progressive or see a Sean Penn film. GUESS I
SHOWED THEM! LOL

landotter said:

All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.

The neocons are so brainwashed they have no idea what they support. It's
"Rush/Bush said it, I believe it, and that settles it." You have a
better chance of deprogramming them through compassion and understanding
than you do through not patronizing their businesses.

SMS said:

landotter said:

All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.

The neocons are so brainwashed they have no idea what they support.
It's "Rush/Bush said it, I believe it, and that settles it." You have
a better chance of deprogramming them through compassion and
understanding than you do through not patronizing their businesses.

Total projection. Code Pinkers and Daily Cozzes will still vote DEM, even
though just last night they ALL said they'll leave troops in Iraq until
2013! (Or at least won't pledge to take 'em out.)

Your side is the one being led by the nose and taken for granted.
Conservatives got fed up in '06 and didn't vote or changed; your side NEVER
does.

HTH

landotter said:

SMS said:

Bill Sornson said:

Too bad he was run out of here (and RBT) after repeated character
assassination by Flogittodeathlinson, among others. Why? Because he dared
to express a conservative viewpoint.

Quoted message said:

If someone is sensitive to what these trolls and spammers say about
them, then Usenet might not be a good place for them.

Quoted message said:

The neocon [censored] _was_ rather out of place in a bicycling newsgroup. A
Rainbow coalition member spewing similar garbage on the other side of
the political spectrum would be equally off-topic.

All kidding aside, I'd not give my business to a person that supports
fascists, no matter how sweet the sugary crust.

IMO, I don't see evidence that Mark Hickey is using the proceeds from
his business to "support fascists". Other than that, his political
opinions have naught to do with his company. YMMV.