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#47
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#48
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I have wanted a steelman since 2000 but even the 525 was way out of my price range. |
#49
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According to his post in the VS he has had a change of heart and will stay in business and begin accepting orders again.
This is good news for folks that still want to purchase a frame from him. I am not even going to say anything about the customers whose deposits he returned because that would be negative. |
#50
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Steelman builds stellar rides
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First I put him on the list, then I take him off the list, now I have to put him back on??? Dude, make up your mind!! William |
#51
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Well said. Andreas |
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I already see some f'builder pedestal behavior going on. I could be totally wrong, but didn't he have a legal binding contract when he took the deposits? Giving it back was the right thing to do but then starting back up again? I wonder what would happen if this was any other business? I'm all for "finding balance" in your life or doing something different, but if you want to run a business, run a business. Especially if you are going to run the same business twice.
__________________
www.performancesci.com - Performance through science Last edited by Joachim; 03-15-2012 at 08:22 AM. |
#53
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I think it's acceptable to get a reasonable deposit. |
#54
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Well if anyone wants a bigger Steelman track frame, there's one on eBay right now...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-90s-...item4ab481491f |
#55
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#1 I'm not sure contract law applies, and think that it does not, but for kicks, let's say that it does. #2 Should he have kept the deposits, hired a bankruptcy lawyer, and let those who wanted their deposit back, hire their own lawyers and get in line with the bankruptcy proceedings? Then he could've re-incorporated and gone about making frames, just as he'll be doing today. It would be all legal and tidy that way. But unethical. #3 By accepting their returned deposit, they agreed to cancel their "contract". By all acccounts he closed his business and was done. This wasn't an attempt to extort those on his waiting list into paying more. I think the way he handled it was ethical and honest. I can't believe that people anywhere could suggest otherwise. I'd rather do business with ethical people, than those who use the law as cover for their unethical behavior. Legal, but unethical Last edited by mistermo; 03-15-2012 at 10:21 AM. |
#56
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Looks like his website was updated yesterday, there is a new "bike of the week" entry. Its stunning:
http://www.steelmancycles.com/Bike%2...he%20week.html |
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#58
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Framebuilders take note: a simple 1-2 page contract that spells out each parties' rights & responsibilities would address sooooooo much of the bad issues that surface during this type of conversation. Whoever does it, or announces that they already do, I think would really gain a lot of respect and biz for it.
Personally, other than dealing with maybe 2 or 3 long-established folks in the biz in the usual custom build "trust" process, I would never go the custom route without it. Too much headache otherwise. p.s. that blue & white Steelman is pretty darned sweet looking. Replace that seat binder bolt with a nice non-stripped one, would ya! Sheesh, details! Quote:
Last edited by 54ny77; 03-15-2012 at 10:43 AM. |
#59
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99.99999% of the time, when the framebuilder can't deliver and returns the deposit, the customer is cool with this. 99.99999% of the time, when a deposit it paid, and the customer walks from it, the framebuilder takes it no further. When seeking a framebuilder, I'll always choose the ethical guy first. If a builder wants to enter into contract negotiations, even a simple one, about a bike frame, then that's a dang good sign that I'm talking to the wrong guy. A few years ago, I put a deposit on a frame, then lost my job after it was built, but before it was delivered. I decided it was an excess I could do without. The builder found another buyer who was happy to take my place. With a contract, I suppose he could've sued me? As with Steelman, the situation wasn't ideal, but everyone walked away just fine, with no lawyers involved. And when the time comes, I'll be back. Last edited by mistermo; 03-15-2012 at 11:03 AM. |
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Unreachable for weeks/months, miss dates, string people along...send back deposits, people post your demise on your facebook site...then, "hey, I have had a change of heart" back open for business....check out my bike of the week!
Good luck with that business model. I like to see people put there demons behind them and I hope it happens, but some credibility needs to be reestablished.
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Mr. Bob Dobalina |
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