I got my shot at justice today and I thought I nailed it. Actually, I thought I took it to the rim strong, and should have got the basket and a foul. Unfortunately, the judge saw it differently. She gave me a foul and one free throw. Now I know how Calvin Johnson felt Sunday after they took his touchdown away. Calvin, stay away from Bike Tech, or you could really end up getting done wrong.
I took the owner of Bike Tech on East Warren Ave. in Detroit to Court last month because he sold my bike without telling me. You see, I took it there last fall for repairs, and didn't pick it up in a timely manner, which I readily admit. I was naive. After doing business there for eight years, buying an expensive road bike from the guy, getting all of my bikes serviced there (including, several times, the one he sold), spending (I estimate) nearly two grand there, and referring anyone who asked me about bikes or bike repair to his shop, I thought I was a loyal enough customer to be owed a little slack. Because I couldn't pick it up before winter, I left it at his shop until spring. I went to the shop and December and told one of the longtime clerks that I would pick it up when I could. So, to my amazement, when I went to pick it up the owner told me it was gone ... that he had sold it. And I was livid!
Not once when he called me about picking up the bike did he say "come pick up your bike or I'm going to sell it." Not once. Yet in court today, he claimed he did so twice. That upset me, because the only reason I took him to court was because he sold the bike without telling me. So, I repeat, DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH BIKE TECH ON EAST WARREN.
Last month, a small claims court magistrate ruled in my favor and awarded me enough to replace the Raleigh mountain bike I took to the shop for repairs. Rather than just admit what he did was wrong, the owner of the bike shop (yes, I do refuse to mention his name), decided to immediately appeal. That led us back to court today.
His argument was that he had the right to dispose of my property after 30 days. I learned after I came to pick up my bike that there was a disclaimer on the receipt that said "Not responsible for property left more than 30 days." My argument was that it did not indicate that property can be sold after 30 days. I think it is a valid argument, and I believe the judge did as well, because she told him he should consider adding it in the future.
The judge reduced the amount I won in court last month considerably, but at least I got something. That's where the moral victory comes in. He was hoping I'd end up paying him for the repair he did or the storage fee he claims I owe him. I am glad I got something, although I would have preferred to take it to the rim and slam dunk!
I'm really beginning to feel that I place waayy more on loyalty, -- be it customer loyalty or otherwise, than others around me. Eight years worth of patronage should have been worth more.
