#91
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#92
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"says one snark to another" |
#93
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Wish I hadn't experienced some of what Brent is going through...Agree with the Big Ups sentiment shared by others for his post here.
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Mr. Bob Dobalina |
#94
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This matter has personal ties to me that I won't reveal.
I wasn't on the board back then, but I doubt Dario was told he'd lost credibility, had to re-establish himself, and was compared to other builders of questionable repute, when he came back. Had it occurred, it might have been a "fair" topic, but it would have been in terribly bad taste. I doubt Brent would know me if he saw me. But when I go on a ride, I see his name on my downtube and think of my interaction with him each time. Some of the best experiences of my life have occurred while looking at that Steelman downtube sticker. I can't help but associate these good experiences to him. That's why we ride custom, handbuilt bikes-because they have a soul. Thank you Brent, for the happiness your product has brought me. I'm glad your back and wish you all the best. 30 more years!! |
#95
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What he went through, is going through, is serious ****, no doubt. With that said, it is reasonable to expect that some customer might not feel comfortable going with him for a bike project. I don't agree with them, I wouldn't flinch in sending him a deposit for a frame if I was in the market. He sounds like an honest, stand up guy and that is worth a lot to me. For others, they have a different comfort level. Stating that opinion though doesn't mean the man is being beaten down, but is an honest point factor in decision making. |
#96
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#97
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http://www.steelmancycles.com/prices...fork_stem.html
steelman's new price list... $5500 for lugged frameset http://forums.thepaceline.net/images/smilies/eek.gif |
#98
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#99
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.....
Last edited by SamIAm; 03-24-2012 at 07:29 PM. Reason: duplicate post |
#100
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And I reserve the right to pass on over the top pricing and patron builders with more reasonably pricing like Curtlo. Last edited by Earl Gray; 03-24-2012 at 07:54 PM. |
#101
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I know the new prices seem high. After my brain crashed and burned, and the decision was made to start over, some serious reevaluation was necessary to avoid a repeat. I have been doing this for almost 30 years and have sold a lot of bikes. Outside the satisfaction derived from seeing happy customers, the ratio of reward to hard work is out of balance. If you want to call me I will tell you the average bottom line on the schedule c for those years of work. It is embarrassing. Is it an evil thing if I want my wife and I to live on 60K instead of 21k? Most people in America make much more than a good frame builder and they don't work nearly as hard. If I don't sell bikes at the new prices, which are based on real costs and a decent wage, then it shows the market is unwilling to reward the skills needed to produce a top level product. I am not embarrassed by the prices because they are actually a fair value. You get a great bike and maybe I can buy some health insurance and start a small retirement account.
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#102
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Were the people refunded their deposit allowed to get back in line at the original price they were in contract for? If so, I see it as no harm no foul.
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#103
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Brent...what are your expectations at this point...meaning how do you think the new model is going to be received/ work out.
__________________
Mr. Bob Dobalina |
#104
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I have spoken to several frame builders that want and need to charge more, but feel the market will not accept the necessary prices. Is this a good situation? If a nice custom guitar or horn is 6k why can't a fine bike frame be in the same category? Nobody is getting rich producing labor intensive items, but a respectable wage is not too much to ask. |
#105
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(caveat: I'm not a lawyer) |
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