transplant
09-05-2008, 08:43 PM
So I have (had) about a 1 year old Park floor pump that started leaking air. Getting an MTB tire to 35 psi was an exercise in patience. Pump fast and air would be leaking out of the elbow bends by the guage. Slow and steady, eventually I'd hit the mark. But 110 psi on the road bike? Forget it. The pump would go to about 50 and quit. The place where I bought it wasn't sure how to warranty it. Strange, but OK, it happens.
Then I noticed a lock ring at the bottom had cracked and thought that might be the cause. Called Park, had a new lock ring sent, and tried her out. Great service on their end. Installed new lock ring. Still leaked air and didn't have enough oomph to hit 40 psi.
Today I walked into the lobby of Park, pump in hand. I mean, what the heck? I only live about 15 minutes from them and I'm always on the road for my job. I told the receptionist what was going on and asked her if they get people coming in all the time with faulty parts. Turned out I'm the first :banana: (trendsetter, you know).
She calls John, who comes out and listens to my story. He takes my pump and says he'll be right back. After about 10 minutes in the lobby looking at some great bike books, John comes back. He says my pump will now hit the 110 mark, but still leaks air. And he's not sure why. So he hands me a brand new, similar model, pump. John says he might be able to figure out what's wrong with about a half hour's worth of tinkering, but he didn't want me to wait that long. I told him he could take his time with it and send it to me when done, that I wasn't in it for a free pump. I just wanted to know what was going on and could they fix it. I even said I'd take my old pump if it could be fixed. Nothing doing.
John takes me back in their shop area to explain to me what was going on and why he was giving me a new pump. He wasn't happy sending me out with, or sending back, my old one. They're keeping it to evaluate it.
He then proceeds to ask if I want the nickel tour. HELL YES! He spent half an hour showing me around, introducing me to people and giving me the history of Park Tool. Turns out John is the production manager. I saw the first tool stand they ever made. Whoa! Bulky, archaic and UGLY.
Talk about great service. I mean GREAT! Not only do they fix my problem, I get to see the innards of Park Tool. I haven't been this happy since I got the tour of Hed Cycling (I live 1/4 mile from their old shop).
I will always and forever buy Park whenever I need a tool. Oh yeah, they gave me a brand new parts catalog, too.
Sorry for the long post but when someone goes above and beyond to make some schlub off the street happy like that, they deserve a post like this.
Then I noticed a lock ring at the bottom had cracked and thought that might be the cause. Called Park, had a new lock ring sent, and tried her out. Great service on their end. Installed new lock ring. Still leaked air and didn't have enough oomph to hit 40 psi.
Today I walked into the lobby of Park, pump in hand. I mean, what the heck? I only live about 15 minutes from them and I'm always on the road for my job. I told the receptionist what was going on and asked her if they get people coming in all the time with faulty parts. Turned out I'm the first :banana: (trendsetter, you know).
She calls John, who comes out and listens to my story. He takes my pump and says he'll be right back. After about 10 minutes in the lobby looking at some great bike books, John comes back. He says my pump will now hit the 110 mark, but still leaks air. And he's not sure why. So he hands me a brand new, similar model, pump. John says he might be able to figure out what's wrong with about a half hour's worth of tinkering, but he didn't want me to wait that long. I told him he could take his time with it and send it to me when done, that I wasn't in it for a free pump. I just wanted to know what was going on and could they fix it. I even said I'd take my old pump if it could be fixed. Nothing doing.
John takes me back in their shop area to explain to me what was going on and why he was giving me a new pump. He wasn't happy sending me out with, or sending back, my old one. They're keeping it to evaluate it.
He then proceeds to ask if I want the nickel tour. HELL YES! He spent half an hour showing me around, introducing me to people and giving me the history of Park Tool. Turns out John is the production manager. I saw the first tool stand they ever made. Whoa! Bulky, archaic and UGLY.
Talk about great service. I mean GREAT! Not only do they fix my problem, I get to see the innards of Park Tool. I haven't been this happy since I got the tour of Hed Cycling (I live 1/4 mile from their old shop).
I will always and forever buy Park whenever I need a tool. Oh yeah, they gave me a brand new parts catalog, too.
Sorry for the long post but when someone goes above and beyond to make some schlub off the street happy like that, they deserve a post like this.