Question for REI customers
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dieselkarl
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« on: April 04, 2008, 07:51:40 PM »
Hi.  For those that haven't met me at a PMBA meeting or on a ride, my name's Karl and have been a PMBA supporter since the early days.  I also run the shop at the REI in Conshohocken.  I'm asking a favor of all folks that have shopped there and would like to have an input in what we carry.  Due to some solid performance increases over the years, the bigwigs are starting to hear my cries for more and better bikes.  But they want to hear from you as well.  We may have the opportunity to pick up an extra bike brand or two.  They would like to hear customer comments calling for this so they know there's a groundswell and not just an agitated, opinionated bastard with a wrench bothering them.  So, if you would be so kind, post a well thought out comment about this.  Thanks for your input.

Karl Scheuerman
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« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2008, 10:49:44 PM »
That's great news Karl! The store would no dought benefit from this.

It's no secret that I am a fan of Santa Cruz. They take pride in their bikes and it shows. The bikes ride great, and, are popular around here so you should have a good customer base.

(cashed in my divedend the other day and made out big time. Thanks REI)
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dirtmerchant
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« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2008, 11:15:40 PM »
Hey Karl, I forgot to mention that Jeff the Kona rep really wants to have REI carry Kona. I love Kona for the same reasons Tom likes Santa Cruz, they are a smaller company with some real cool ideas and great bikes. Kona bikes are solid and they would be a great benefit for REI I think. Anyway, that's my input, for better or for worse... Congrats on the good results!
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fishnchips
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« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2008, 11:48:23 PM »
Karl, great job; I reckon a lot of this decision is based on your dedication and your total commitment to provide the best for your customers. REI is extremely lucky to have you. It was pretty awesome to walk in last week and see the bikes taking over; from the door clear back to the workshop.

Ideally, instead of going after one or two companies and all their rides, it would be great if you could carry some select bikes from a bunch of companies and showcase some smaller solid brands. Even if you don't have every 'specific' model in the store you can educate customers by showing them more of what's out there.

First Id have to vote for Salsa if they come through on the Dos Niner like that. And I remember you had originally turned me on to them after testing out the El Mariachi.

If you need big names than Canondale and Fisher come to mind, and a lot of the guys use Geminis while Fisher was probably the first major company to put a 29er SS in production. (Maybe they go through authorized dealers?)

Like Tom, Kona popped into my head too; they even have a model called the Hoss specifically designed for Clydesdales. I'm definitely going to add a Kona to the collection in the future.

There's a huge contingent of SS 29er riders in the Wiss now, so keep that in mind.

There's also got to be another 10 companies I'm not thinking of at the moment, above is just what's hitting me tonight.

Again , well done. Thanks also for firing up REI to support PMBA. As a customer these many years I much appreciate your sound advice and 5-star service.
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Kelly
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« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2008, 06:50:15 AM »
I suppose I might have already run into you there.  I work at the IKEA service office over on alan wood and REI conshy is the closest place for me to go as far as shops that carry bike stuff.  Id like to see Kona or Santa Cruz, Id lean towards Santa Cruz because if I get a full susp frame this year it might be a blur 4x.  Both co's have great product lines and reputations also.
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« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2008, 07:16:21 AM »
hey Karl-

I remember you- I rode Fairhills w/you on the outdoor school stuff. I owned the orange & black Trek hardtail if you recall.

Same as most ppl's postings here, I think either Kona, Santa Cruz, Giant, or even maybe Rocky Mountain would be nice to see in REIs.

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gcrowe
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« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2008, 08:45:09 AM »
EMS carries Rocky Mountain (my personal favorite) and Salsa so I don't think REI could get a dealership with either of those due to the competition between the two chains and he proximity of local stores . But who knows, I could be wrong. Santa Cruz and Kona are both great choices though. IMHO Santa Cruz has it all over Kona in  cross country full suspension bikes but the Kona hardtails and the Unit 2-9 are great bikes. Plus Kona paint schemes are pretty sexy and sex sells!
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JDurk
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« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2008, 05:34:25 PM »
REI in Marlton had some Konas on the floor last time I was there
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Durb
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« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2008, 07:17:17 PM »
I ride a Jamis right now and am very pleased.  Their customer service is awesome and being in Jersey it would be a good fit for the Conshohocken location.  I also used to ride a Kona and I would love to see some Konas on your floor.  Other bikes off the top of my head that I would buy: Santa Cruz, Titus, Specialized.
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dieselkarl
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« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2008, 08:42:14 PM »
Let's fine tune this.  Why should I have other lines?  Keep it tight - bean counters will be reading the most pertinent comments.  I can't add brands REI doesn't allready carry - see REI.com for a list.  (although I will forward suggestions on other lines to the higher ups) and Cannondale is sturated in our area.   Thanks for the input and time.
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And I will remember your name and face
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With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
Durb
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« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2008, 12:52:47 AM »
what I saw on the website was: novara, marlin, k2, cannondale, and scott.  Of those I would say....?  I don't know, I'm not a fan of any really.  They're all nice...like my Jamis...but not sexy...like my Jamis.  If I had a money tree I'd pick a Santa Cruz or a Titus.  Just my opinion.  Hey, a Foes would be nice too!  Or Ellsworth!
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2008, 10:33:47 AM »
Scott has some very sweet bikes, and some very ahead of the time shock technology on their FS bikes. I would consider them the most high end brand out of the list.
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fishnchips
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« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2008, 12:19:42 PM »
I just noticed you have Ellsworth, and I've been drooling over the Evolve for a while.
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Kelly
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