RR: Fully loop 9-7 (chumba demo???)

[RacinJason]

Well said . You spoke my thoughts.
Customer service & public relations should be top priority.

Originally Posted by Magna_Graecia

Wow, so much hostility!

First, before I begin, I ride a XCL and love it and am thinking about picking up a set of the hubs if I can find some floating around, so I'm definitely not a Chumba hater. Also, Chumba's customer service is top-notch.When I was building my bike I had a few esoteric questions regarding chainline and whatnot, and I always got responses to my questions almost immediately.

HOWEVER...
Their public relations blows goats. Regardless of who set up the demo, when the guy doesn't show with the bikes, it's the brand that's going to take the hit. The perception is that CHUMBA screwed up, not the individual employee (who didn't bother posting a heads-up, I noticed). Especially on this board, where there seems to be some hard feeling towards the brand (I know nothing about it, I'm a relative newbie here), not showing up for demo will only make it worse.

My question is: why weren't other plans made? At least have SOMEONE drop over to the loop with a couple of bikes and an explanation; that would have gone a long way to instill a great deal of good will.

Like I said at the beginning, I definitely not a hater; mountain biking needs smaller companies to counter-act the sub-standard crap that most of the big guys are churning out and Chumba makes some good stuff, but pissing people off and then getting defensive about it seems like a good way to insure failure.

Just my $.02

[alank]

Originally Posted by RacinJason

I don't blame him for not showing up. With no RSVP'S he probably did see any reason to go. It might have been better if people actually RSVP'd and said hey See ya there,

I do see it irresponsible to have none show up at all. Even with out the demo bikes. Maybe just to say we ran into a problem the Chumba demo 4 runner spontaneously combusted or something like that.

That is only my opinion and we are all entitled to that.


Why would I care you might ask? Well I don't.
I just feel bad for the people that went to demo the bikes and got stood up.


Mistakes happen . I have went to see a headliner band and had them not even show up. MOTORHEAD in Las Vegas long drive for a no show.

No harm no foul everyone had fun and that is what really matters.

People who want to demo a bike will definitely get a chance. Let's meet everyone at Outdoor Dirt Demo this year! Or better yet, just PM me with the size and bike you want to demo with your contact info.

[dutch]

Originally Posted by alank

I agree for the most part. Most of the PR problems we've had on this board we're because of disgruntled past workers - or said people SPAMing the boards.

I personally believe that STR should not be used for promoting or attacking a company or person (and it seems like the mods have embraced this) - and I will likely ban any company-related posts from people related to the company in the future to make it easy on everyone.

-A.

In a perfect world, the internet would not be used for promoting or attacking a company, because it seems that many people will say a lot more when they're just a forum handle than they will in person. I've lusted over chumbas ever since I learned that it wasn't just half of a silly band name. Sorry you guys got a bit of a flame-job, hopefully the concerned will give you a call and at least state their concerns voice-to-voice rather than internets to internetzzzz.

Interwebs, proof that a world of information does not come for free (even if you steal your wireless internet from your neighbors).

[Matt13]

I dont know what you guys are so hostile about.

I drove to the loop without my bike expecting the Chumba guys to show up. So I went home having missed riding this morning.

Maybe its cause Disco said he'd give me a free EVO for my troubles...... Now that is customer service / PR!

[alank]

Originally Posted by dutch

In a perfect world, the internet would not be used for promoting or attacking a company, because it seems that many people will say a lot more when they're just a forum handle than they will in person. I've lusted over chumbas ever since I learned that it wasn't just half of a silly band name. Sorry you guys got a bit of a flame-job, hopefully the concerned will give you a call and at least state their concerns voice-to-voice rather than internets to internetzzzz.

Interwebs, proof that a world of information does not come for free (even if you steal your wireless internet from your neighbors).

Yup - the internet critics are usually the most vocal - but they sure don't seem to hate in person. I'd much rather have people approach me and say these things in person or even a phone call - but oddly that never seems to happen.

[Matt13]

Originally Posted by Magna_Graecia

Wow, so much hostility!

First, before I begin, I ride a XCL and love it and am thinking about picking up a set of the hubs if I can find some floating around, so I'm definitely not a Chumba hater. Also, Chumba's customer service is top-notch.When I was building my bike I had a few esoteric questions regarding chainline and whatnot, and I always got responses to my questions almost immediately.

HOWEVER...
Their public relations blows goats. Regardless of who set up the demo, when the guy doesn't show with the bikes, it's the brand that's going to take the hit. The perception is that CHUMBA screwed up, not the individual employee (who didn't bother posting a heads-up, I noticed). Especially on this board, where there seems to be some hard feeling towards the brand (I know nothing about it, I'm a relative newbie here), not showing up for demo will only make it worse.

My question is: why weren't other plans made? At least have SOMEONE drop over to the loop with a couple of bikes and an explanation; that would have gone a long way to instill a great deal of good will.

Like I said at the beginning, I definitely not a hater; mountain biking needs smaller companies to counter-act the sub-standard crap that most of the big guys are churning out and Chumba makes some good stuff, but pissing people off and then getting defensive about it seems like a good way to insure failure.

Just my $.02

ACtually, Matt aka Disco did call me this morning and told me that he had tried to make other arrangements............

I'm not hating on them or Matt because he was very appologetic about the whole thing......I mean, damn going home and having to watch Football this morning was just awful! Oh plus the free bike.....

[katonk]

Casual question, not a value judgment: Why is it that almost every thread Alank posts in gets locked, deleted, or heavily moderated? Not a personal attack, just a sincere question.

[Matt13]

Originally Posted by katonk

Casual question, not a value judgment: Why is it that almost every thread Alank posts in gets locked, deleted, or heavily moderated? Not a personal attack, just a sincere question.

They are just trying to keep the Chumbaman down!

[alank]

Originally Posted by katonk

Casual question, not a value judgment: Why is it that almost every thread Alank posts in gets locked, deleted, or heavily moderated? Not a personal attack, just a sincere question.

Well, a lot of the threads I end up having to interject because there were some unwarranted attacks by a few individuals on CHUMBA that went too far (a lot of them with suspect motives like associations with competitors or personal agendas unrelated to the business) - so I had no choice but to defend the company and correct mistruths.

I would really appreciate it if someone had a gripe with the company to do the respectful thing and call me up, e-mail me, or PM me, and we can talk about things in a constructive manner - instead of trying to bash the company on the forums and I think the mods would appreciate it too.

[DISCO]

Ok, so despite a little gas thrown on the board here (seriously guys, just chill and play nice) things are not perfect after three days on the job. There is a myriad of reasons which I will get to but personally I killed this weekend due to heath reasons. I had some lingering internal bleeding due to a barend to the gut last Monday, and I made it only worse by crashing again yesterday (saturday) while riding to autozone to pick up some parts for a lemon I picked up recently.

Ricky who started this thread never R.S.V.P. me with his cell or he would have been one of the people I called this morning to let them know that I could not be there. I was down in the garage at six trying to get the truck going, and wound up trying to have a Co-worker pick me up to go back to the office and get the rigs but it proved too difficult to get all cobbled together on short notice in my weakened state.

Jason and Chris, you guys crack me up, and I'll buy you both a beer anytime just as soon as my Thursday nights open up again (I'll even give Alan the receipts so you can relax on the Chumba dime). Another factor was that our Demo fleet is being re-built for Interbike. I managed to have our sales manager stay up all night and build all the sizes requested which is why he was knocked out when I needed a ride.

The fact is I over-promised and in the process of wrecking let some of you down, for that I am sorry. Although I had only one firm R.S.V.P. he was cool with a phone call to let him know I was healing and that he could drop by anytime and pick up a bike to spin at his leisure. Nobody is perfect but I would love to make it up to this board by giving you guys a sneak peek of our latest and greatest a week before Interbike. Thats right YOU kind folks will be the first people in the world outside our company to set eyes on what is up our sleeves.

The local community is very important to me, mostly because I can get honest feedback about how to make things better. It means the world to me and I am constantly in your debt for making me a better person in my private and professional life. If I could just work on the crashing a little bit, things will go a lot smoother for all of us in the future.

If the Mods will give me a hand putting a hose on this thread it would be much appreciated. Now I have got to get some rest to get up early enough to catch the bus to the office.

Happy Trails, and thanks to all for the support, camaraderie and input.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by katonk

Casual question, not a value judgment: Why is it that almost every thread Alank posts in gets locked, deleted, or heavily moderated? Not a personal attack, just a sincere question.

From my experience, we mods will usually receive a "reported post" from other members because the thread is full of personal attacks towards an individual/individuals. Those types of discussions should be handled via PMs or emails and not on a public forum. If someone had a problem with you about anything, wouldn't you pefer to receive a PM, email, or phone call or have a thread started about you.

There are guidelines to follow whn posting and more often than not when it comes to these Chumba threads, several rules are broken. POSTING GUIDELINES

Originally Posted by DISCO

If the Mods will give me a hand putting a hose on this thread it would be much appreciated.

Thanks for clarifying things Matt. If you still want me to close this thread, PM me. No one else needs to add anymore to this unless it is constructive or a ride report. Thanks.

Gene
STR Moderator

[Tmac]

Not sure what all the past drama is about but my experience with Chumba's customer service has been top notch.

I had a minor issue with my EVO a while back. I gave the shop a call and they went above and beyond to get me taken care of and back on the trail.

[Kid A]

vote here for discos post as post of the year. entire board is getting wack. disco healing vibes and good luck with the new gig

[Matt13]

2 questions for Disco about my new frame since he didnt address it in that long ass post.....

Can I get it in black and will it be shipped or should I just swing by today and get it?

[hoovermd]

It must really suck being a mod on this board!
I'm sure Gene just loves to come off work at 5AM and log on here before his AM ride

Folks, remember this IS a public forum but the rules are a bit different that those over at MTBR.COM.

I guess I don't quite understand how someone can get so fired up about a little thing like a vendor missing a Sunday demo. My life must be pretty simple... ride, work, eat sleep (oh and that other evening activity too) because I just don't understand the vitriol.

Trust me, I'd rather haul rocks on trail maintenance than moderate these boards.

[genusmtbkr5]

I'm going to repeat myself once again. If the next post isn't about the RR, IT WILL BE DELETED! If you have any other issues, PM Disco and I'm sure he will get back to you.

Thank you!