Specialized OWNS Roubaix

^^Noted.

Mmmm... I think socialism and capitalism is what you are thinking of. Nothing wrong with capitalism (or have you never sold anything on this site?) There is something wrong with companies more powerful than governments choosing if and where to pay tax. There is something wrong with gross inequality.

Sorry, I feel I have to point out that 'selling a thing' doesn't make you a capitalist. Were Velocio to demand a fee for every sale made via the site, he would be a capitalist - extracting wealth by dint of controlling the social venue of economic activity.

has this been resolved yet?

Nope.

I now reckon that Specialized have gone beyond the point where they can respond to this in any good light. A good chance that they will just ignore this and hope it quietly drops from view.

That ^ certainly looks like the case at the moment. Not a peep from them since the story broke at the weekend. A lot of people seem to be quite intent on keeping it in the limelight (rightly). If Spec don't respond to it, more fool them. If I was them, I'd issue an apology, offer some kind of sponsorship to the Cafe owner and offer to make a donation to a charity of his choosing (considering he's a vet, and all that). IMHO.

He said on his Facebook page last night that he was back in discussions with the other party.

Maybe Specialized are waiting for a resolution before commenting publicly. Which is a risky strategy.

I just find it hard to imagine why, in the absence of anything else to say, they aren't coming out with a holding statement. Something along the lines of "we are reviewing the situation and will make a statement in due course".

Again it just looks like they have no interest in the opinions or values of their customer base. In the age of social media that is potentially very self-damaging. Also, it fails to recognise that by not responding this issue never actually goes away or properly fades into the background. It can never be dismissed as having been resolved. It leaves the door wide open for any blogger to include it in any commentary about Specialized. It also leaves the door wide open for any journalist, reporter or interviewer to present the question to any company representative at any time. It even leave the door wide open for their competition to cash in on the situation, to denigrate, parody and pillory.

It's already crippled their social media activities which, in the run up to Christmas, is a ridiculous thing to allow to happen.

It's already crippled their social media activities which, in the run up to Christmas, is a ridiculous thing to allow to happen.

I doubt 95% of Specialized's Christmas shoppers even know this is happening. It's hardly six o'clock news.

Very much this ^

I doubt 99.9% of Specialized's customers have heard of Roubaix.

.

Could have an interesting effect on staff morale though.

Or staff morals.

^^^^ Quite likely, but that isn't the point. Loosing the use of social media means that they can't compete in the seasonal marketing offensive that goes on in places like Twitter and Facebook. Absence from the saturation of marketing means that potential customers are having their attention caught by those who are putting their message out there. Specialized don't enjoy the sort of brand loyalty that Coke or Pepsi do, so far more choice will be exercised.

Also, Christmas is one of those periods were non-target customers are likely to be buying your stuff. These people are far more likely to be affected by marketing campaigns and social media is a part of that.

Roubaix is a stupid name for a bike shop anyway.

My old company has as a customer a client, headquartered in the Nordics, who make a very popular childrens toy which requires assembling after purchase, and subsequent re-assembly (if desired).

One of their highest priorities is dealing with IP infringement as they are TERRIFIED of becoming the next "Hoover", i.e. their name becomes the generic label for one form of plastic brick.

However, unlike Specialised they conduct themselves with a great deal of intelligence and circumspection- knowing that sending the legal equivalent of an armed Predator Drone after a 7 year old and his "look what I made at Christmas" website is not the right thing to do.

^^ Don't agree .. social media may be becoming more important for advertising but if you consider the typical Big S customer I'm guessing the Big S pitch to them is on the high street with concept stores

Roubaix is a stupid name for a bike shop anyway.

Yes, he should rename it asap. Nobody's ever going to hear about it.

I know, right!

offer to make a donation to a charity of his choosing (considering he's a vet, and all that)

So presumably some kind of animal rescue charity?

Could OOL get sued for his spesh tattoo?

Sounds like it's all sorted

https://www.facebook.com/CafeRoubaix/posts/428904813898918

Because of a conversation with Sinyard? Thought it wasn't his conversation to have. Whole think stinks.

Does any of this mean they'll start spelling their name properly?

/thread