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Hi Orgazoid, your post is intriguing so I thought it was good to reply.
Sorry if you didn't like the GIF. I'm a non smoker by the way, in fact, I barely drink. I'm that dull.
It was a longer Summer Sale than I'd have liked, but it was all so insanely busy this summer, that I just let it run. I'm confused how it is disrespectful or harmful, but that's why I'm replying, so you can reply back.
With the sample sale, which I decided to do online after so many requests on social and emails, so that it was accessible to a large number of customers, ironically. I'm a bit thrown because nobody does anything with the intention of it going wrong (if anyone does, my advice is run away from them). It did go wrong, which wasn't immense fun to watch and try to sort, and I hate having any ill feeling. So I offered a discount, unplanned, to say sorry. You have to react to the real world, and hopefully customers will appreciate your honesty and trying. Growing a small business is beset with problems. Its how you react that marks you.
I am VERY interested in building a brand. A brand represents your values and how you are perceived. A brand isn't a cynical corporate marketing ploy (though it can be). A good, decent brand can be ferreted out by clued up consumers. Our customers aren't stupid, and can smell BS. There's a lot of it about, after all. I hate those fake, loveless brands, be it cars, insurance or artisanal fishcakes in Waitrose. Vulpine represents more than just making stuff to me. Its about quality, inclusivity, enjoyment, creativity, honesty and attention to detail, amongst many things. Its also the hardest thing I've ever done, and because of that, I care about it deeply.
The non-cyclist get rich bandwagon thing admittedly gets my goat, because I've been a passionate cyclist since I pleaded to start racing aged 13, back in the dark (nobody was into cycling then) days of 1986. Discounting is a pretty silly way to get rich quick, and I haven't made a profit yet (which is normal for my type of company, so I knew what I was getting into), 6 years after leaving my job, 4 years after launching, so, umm, yea!
I'm most concerned by the photo problem though. Do you mean the Paul Calver Prints? When did this happen? Can I help? I thought we were up to date, as I checked in just the other day. Apologies if something has gone wrong. Can you give more info?
I give a very flying one, risking everything, along with Emmalou, to create a company I love and love working on. Be Your Passion, as they say. I still can't get my head round how anything I/we do is disrespectful. We just make beautiful things, designed with love and care, that you can ignore if you want to. Its totally your choice. But I'm glad you're an owner.
Hopefully its evident that I'm honest and open, and if not, no probs, I can't win them all! wail - weep
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@the_orgazoid
The "funny" gif in the mail did not sit with me well at all. My reply to Nick:
Nick
Smoke a doobie, sit back and smoke a large cigar, smoke whatever it takes.
I don't know any cyclists who enjoy "funny" gifs of cyclists crashing in such a fashion.
Much of the gear your supply is i think good stuff. You're just diluting the brand even more now, after the endless summer of sale, by first promising a sample sale and then offering a free gift because the sale did not happen. Can't you see this?
Especially after an expensive relaunch, where i hear talk that the gremlins had been ironed out. Whilst i am sure it is not true, you give the impression currently that you are more interested in building some form of spurious brand than you are about supplying quality gear to cyclists. In other words, another non-cyclist jumping aboard the UK cycling bandwagon, as a get rich quick scheme.
As i write this i am wearing one of your long sleeved cycling jerseys. It's soft, grips right and is perfectfor riding around the city. I am yet to attest to its longevity, although other gear i have had from you in the past remain in my favourite part of the wardrobe. That said, the refund my girlfriend is owed for the three sets of photos that arrived and then departed due to damage in delivery remains a moot point. I put this down to your own teething problems and thought that in time it would be addressed by your company. Still waiting....
I see that you've been on lfgss lately and pleading mea culpa. All very good words, but as we all know talk is cheap. Show us that you give a flying one, not by "funny" gifs or free gifts, but by treating your public with a modicum of respect.