Hi Agrid,

I know of you from another 2 wheeled forum, and can vouch for others on here that you aren't a troll.

I have had vastly varying experiences in that shop. It does seem like the person in question maybe does need to manage his blood sugar levels a bit better (through to be clear I am not suggesting he is diabetic!).

I use that shop because I am perfectly happy to buy second hand equipment and when I have gone in with my wallet open, I've always come out satisfied with gear I like and a good price. Another time when I was having issues with a sail I'd bought there, he went above and beyond by replacing a part I'd broken (by rigging it incorrectly - my fault) for free, and then giving me a demo in the shop of how to rig so that I wouldn't break it again.

Equally I've wandered in there with no specific purpose other than perhaps window-shopping for something I may want rather than need, and all I got was rudeness.
I also vote with my feet. When looking to buy a SUP a year or so ago, I got him on one of his grumpy days. I just went elsewhere to buy one.

I think it is just a character trait of that individual. Everyone in life has their quirks, and his that he can have grumpy days when he really doesn't customers in his shop. That's never good for business and I don't condone it, but it is his choice to scare away sales occasionally.

AUS1111 said..


...and a really really really smart operator would spell "utilise" correctly, and not rely on some stupid American spell checker.

AND, before you say "Well that's a pretty insignificant point you've raised there Chris", just remember that this entire thread, with commentators from as far afield as Queensland but not yet Ireland, concerns a conflict arising from the alleged mishandling of second-hand mast extension.

So don't bloody come at me with your "insignificant", and I know you haven't done yet but I'm just getting on the front foot.

I'm with Chris - this is important stuff, I'm interested to see how the panel reacts tonight on Q&A

The salesman gently reached around and relieved your snatch?

Dip916 said..
Hi Agrid,

Equally I've wandered in there with no specific purpose other than perhaps window-shopping for something I may want rather than need, and all I got was rudeness.
I also vote with my feet. When looking to buy a SUP a year or so ago, I got him on one of his grumpy days. I just went elsewhere to buy one.

I think it is just a character trait of that individual. Everyone in life has their quirks, and his that he can have grumpy days when he really doesn't customers in his shop. That's never good for business and I don't condone it, but it is his choice to scare away sales occasionally.

Well that's an interesting thought. When I walked in and saw him busy out the back I said something along the lines of "Don't bother with me, I'm just a time waster, my wife said I'm not allowed to spend any more money, I'll have a look around while I wait for the wind to come in." I thought it was an amicable comment.

In the scheme of things ( current contrived wars,poverty etc ) this does seem to be a storm in a tea cup situation.

Can see this thread surpassing the free stuff thread in the number of posts.

Good for a laugh - yes.

With the person in question more or less named - this thread needs to be pulled short of a amicable resolution.

petermac33 said..

It's a conspiracy...

Who needs 'Bold and the Beautiful' I just come here and read comments

I'm holding back on Greenies insensitive comment Mark. That boys going to push me over the edge one day.

R1DER said...

peguin said...
does the actions of the salesman just add character to the business?? Its a different experience from say a high street shop. All the windsurf shops are run by 'special' people. Never been to one with high street shop sales mentality and all the better for it. Last time i visited the shop in discussion we discussed the merits of board brands based on colour schemes. Performance and suitability not mentioned. Its very true as whilst I love the way my RRD 82 surfs, it really pees me off that its black and white when same board in other sizes are oranges, reds and blues. Its that insight that makes windsurfing salesman special.

Just curious, did you miss spell your user name when you first joined up?

No it's my name. Mr Percy Edward Guin hence Peguin.

peguin said...

R1DER said...

peguin said...
does the actions of the salesman just add character to the business?? Its a different experience from say a high street shop. All the windsurf shops are run by 'special' people. Never been to one with high street shop sales mentality and all the better for it. Last time i visited the shop in discussion we discussed the merits of board brands based on colour schemes. Performance and suitability not mentioned. Its very true as whilst I love the way my RRD 82 surfs, it really pees me off that its black and white when same board in other sizes are oranges, reds and blues. Its that insight that makes windsurfing salesman special.

Just curious, did you miss spell your user name when you first joined up?

No it's my name. Mr Percy Edward Guin hence Peguin.

Say g'day to Fat Cat for us!

Mark _australia said..

R1DER said..
I can just picture him doing the sneak and gentle take.

What you do in the shop is up to you, I'd rather think about buying windsurfing gear.

Retail has definitely changed. My Western Australian windsurfing discussion, posted in a Western Australian windsurfing discussion forum generated enthusiastic comment. Mostly supporting the proprietor. Even though my "smarty pants" comments were presented in such a way that only experienced local shoppers might know the store I was commenting on. However, some would prefer that I posted my comments in TripAdvisor; an international business review website, seen around the world that could potentially impact on existing and new customers.

Agrid said..

Mark _australia said..

R1DER said..
I can just picture him doing the sneak and gentle take.

What you do in the shop is up to you, I'd rather think about buying windsurfing gear.

Retail has definitely changed. My Western Australian windsurfing discussion, posted in a Western Australian windsurfing discussion forum generated enthusiastic comment. Mostly supporting the proprietor. Even though my "smarty pants" comments were presented in such a way that only experienced local shoppers might know the store I was commenting on. However, some would prefer that I posted my comments in TripAdvisor; an international business review website, seen around the world that could potentially impact on existing and new customers.

What a sad bitter threatening little Fnck you are, your pathetic threatening comment exposes the real you! and you've exposed your flawed personality publicly. Your a troll for sure! I second someones comment you should take up kiting.

Threats?! I can't see any threats in my posts and none were intended. Unless you think I am threatening to post a bad review on TripAdvisor just because some people on this forum were rude to me. That wouldn't be fair on the proprietor. It was another poster seemed to think TripAdvisor would be a more appropriate place to post.

I merely outlined my experience in a small, specific, local discussion forum. Overwhelmingly others seem happy with the business, but some responses suggest that the proprietor gets short with people who come into his shop without the intention of buying something. I think that's poor customer service so I won't go back. If anything, I've done the guy a favor by triggering a groundswell of support.

^^
I'm sure the media following Pell will look at this when they get back from Rome

No, no, no, that would have been a different Agrid, shopping all the way over in Oconnor. Where ever that is!