A new approach

Yesterday began the fist step in my new years resolution. Probably the only thing I really and truly don't like about Zoey is her inability to keep up with me on my bicycle for long periods of time. She runs beside me, and we can make it about 2 or3 blocks down the road but then she gets bored with it and I feel like I'm dragging her along.

And it's with that in mind that I got a basket installed on my bike. No it's not a tiny wicker basket like Dorthy had in the Wizard of Oz. It's a large steel basket with black wire coating that while still a basket at least is a basket that can hold stuff. It's weight limit is 30 pounds, so as long as Zoey doesn't grow anymore then I'm golden.

Although it was frackin cold yesterday, I had to venture out and test my bike and Zoey, to see if what I'm hoping is even possible. So I bundled up and away we went. Or away we tried to go anyway.

The whole basket install process had turned out to be more of a hassle then I planned for. I originally saw the basket I wanted at a story not far from my house, and although I didn't buy it at the time, I remembered that the store had it so I could go back at a later date. The only bad part was when I went back they were out of the basket that I wanted.

So after a lengthy discussion with a sales person I find out that they can special order the basket that I want. However, after looking at my bike, I was informed that they weren't capable of mounting it to my bike in it's current form. My front U brace had a suspension gadget on it and no where for the basket to attach. With that in mind I agreed to let them modify my bike and install a new U brace. It was a little more expensive then I had planned but not all that bad and in my mind it would be worth it.

AS the week goes by I wait for word on my bicycle, and finally on Friday afternoon I get a call from the technician working on my bike. As it turns out the part that they ordered to install on my bike so that I could have the basket that I originally ordered, wasn't compatible with my bike. But I was told that they could install a complete new front end and then the new U fork would fit and then they could install the basket. In my mind I'm thinking either they are trying to rip me off and think I'll pay for their stupidity, or they are insane, and either way it's going to cost me some mullah.

As it turns out I'm not sure which one it was, but after I complained to the tech, and then the original sales rep I got them to drop the labor charges and got the price down to around what I was told when I dropped the bike off.

Maybe it's just me, but if and when I work with customers on a day to day basis and I mess up an estimate I hope I remember not to try and jack them out of their money just because I wasn't smart enough to point out all the parts/costs in the beginning. That just seems like bad business. I know I have no intention of heading back to that store. But maybe that just rubs me the wrong way and I over-reacted.

At any rate I have a basket, and I have a Zoey and we are hitting the trails.... as soon as it's not so cold. LOL