tostringtheory
Member
- Region
- USA
@BigMozzaNZ - something I would keep in mind reading while reading this thread (putting on my well worn devils advocate attire). Not trying to excuse the lack of communication, but maybe to put a different light on it.
I think one of the biggest reasons so many people in here are frustrated, is repeated missed expectations. When I originally put in my order, the page was showing an ETA of 45-60 days. By the 75th day, I was beginning to ask "where's the bike?" - before that point, I had ZERO expectation of bike. After that, I had an expectation of bike, or status. I really didn't care which, I just wanted to have an update saying "hey, we know we are currently behind - here's what we have, here's potential holdups, here's what we're doing next, etc...". But I was getting nothing. When I finally did see/hear something (typically from the owner posting on this forum), new expectations were met - typically "within 2-4 weeks", which were then missed again with no updates. Even the latest update from the owner (in this thread, page 8 IIRC) was that they had an ETA for the last component of 12/4, and a potential shipping date of "middle of the next week". In retrospect, it's only a week and a half later than originally posted (assuming it ships and isn't just a red herring to quiet people).
All of this is to say that the original expectation of 45-60 days was completely missed, and more so for those before me it sounds like. However, now the order page is quoting a "4-6 month" time. AND, the company has (at least been saying that they've) been making changes to their process and hired a production manager, etc, decreasing delays and increasing throughput. Given the ETA from FedEx is correct (they still just show only a label), my bike will be received on the 22nd, almost 6 months to the day.
I'm not excusing their lack of communication. As a small business owner, it's absolutely insane to me to erode the trust of those of your clients that have given you actual money by not being as open as possible in communicating with them. They really could've taken this time to ramp up communication and form stronger relationships with their clients, increasing trust and brand loyalty.
BUT - /IF/ you were to put in an order NOW, and expect to have a bike within the six-month window, and they achieved that, then your experience would differ from those of us that were quoted (repeatedly) one timeline that was never achieved.
Do with that information/insight as you will. That's not to say I think people here shouldn't be frustrated. I believe that given the current lapses it's MORE than completely understandable and justified (though some on here seem to cross a line for me that I feel isn't even constructive/coherent/mature) that people are upset. Making actual changes NOW, even if not for me but for those after me, WW could evolve from the smaller fly-by-night seeming shop it is into something that could potentially rebuild/recapture trust. I know if I started to see a concerted and upheld effort to communicate it would re-invigorate my enthusiasm for them. But it's easier to remain enthusiastic with product in-hand than as a figment of someone elses imagination.
I think one of the biggest reasons so many people in here are frustrated, is repeated missed expectations. When I originally put in my order, the page was showing an ETA of 45-60 days. By the 75th day, I was beginning to ask "where's the bike?" - before that point, I had ZERO expectation of bike. After that, I had an expectation of bike, or status. I really didn't care which, I just wanted to have an update saying "hey, we know we are currently behind - here's what we have, here's potential holdups, here's what we're doing next, etc...". But I was getting nothing. When I finally did see/hear something (typically from the owner posting on this forum), new expectations were met - typically "within 2-4 weeks", which were then missed again with no updates. Even the latest update from the owner (in this thread, page 8 IIRC) was that they had an ETA for the last component of 12/4, and a potential shipping date of "middle of the next week". In retrospect, it's only a week and a half later than originally posted (assuming it ships and isn't just a red herring to quiet people).
All of this is to say that the original expectation of 45-60 days was completely missed, and more so for those before me it sounds like. However, now the order page is quoting a "4-6 month" time. AND, the company has (at least been saying that they've) been making changes to their process and hired a production manager, etc, decreasing delays and increasing throughput. Given the ETA from FedEx is correct (they still just show only a label), my bike will be received on the 22nd, almost 6 months to the day.
I'm not excusing their lack of communication. As a small business owner, it's absolutely insane to me to erode the trust of those of your clients that have given you actual money by not being as open as possible in communicating with them. They really could've taken this time to ramp up communication and form stronger relationships with their clients, increasing trust and brand loyalty.
BUT - /IF/ you were to put in an order NOW, and expect to have a bike within the six-month window, and they achieved that, then your experience would differ from those of us that were quoted (repeatedly) one timeline that was never achieved.
Do with that information/insight as you will. That's not to say I think people here shouldn't be frustrated. I believe that given the current lapses it's MORE than completely understandable and justified (though some on here seem to cross a line for me that I feel isn't even constructive/coherent/mature) that people are upset. Making actual changes NOW, even if not for me but for those after me, WW could evolve from the smaller fly-by-night seeming shop it is into something that could potentially rebuild/recapture trust. I know if I started to see a concerted and upheld effort to communicate it would re-invigorate my enthusiasm for them. But it's easier to remain enthusiastic with product in-hand than as a figment of someone elses imagination.
, looked at the details, they had to replace the label since it wasn't scanable anymore (guessing they were juggling with the package). On the plus side, it's now slated for delivery Monday instead of Wednesday, so I MIGHT actually get to see this thing before leaving town 
! 
