Exciting New Chicago Cycling Box Service - Signed up for early bird special thought I'd share!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on June 17, 2013 at 3:18pm

+1

in it to win it 8.0 mi said:

No witch hunt.

I think it's great that the OP has looked to create start-ups around bicycling.

Super transparency is how she should have started this conversation.

I'm disappointed at what looks to me like misleading marketing to CL community.

Permalink Reply by Bez on June 17, 2013 at 3:18pm

This.  If she is going to conduct market research (and frankly, she should), she needs to do it in the standard fashion.  Be honest about what you are doing, perhaps offer incentives for participating, etc.  Creating an account in a large community and posting research threads in the interest of being "one of us" smacks of dishonesty.  I wouldn't trust a business that conducts themselves in this fashion.

in it to win it 8.0 mi said:

No witch hunt.

I think it's great that the OP has looked to create start-ups around bicycling.

Super transparency is how she should have started this conversation.

I'm disappointed at what looks to me like misleading marketing to CL community.

Permalink Reply by Madeline on June 17, 2013 at 5:37pm

Hi Kiltedcet - Thanks for your kind feedback! Its all really appreciated. My sincerest apologies for going 
about my market research in the wrong way. I'm a budding entrepreneur that is passionate about cycling and went about it in way that may have not been best for you or the community. Again my apologies.

To your comment about my bike in the Crain's magazine. The picture was out of my control - Crains posted the wrong picture without my authorization and used it and I have been trying to change it since...

I sincerely appreciate everyone's feedback. It's all been very positive. I am very honored that I get to be a part of such a vibrant cycling community and that you have all taken me in under your wing. Look forward to future chainlink events to meet all my supporters! 

 
kiltedcelt said:

I don't know, maybe she assumed we were a bunch of dumbass rubes or something, that a few more savvy members of the community wouldn't put two and two together. I think as many have already pointed out, she went about her market research on the sly instead of being upfront about it and now she's reaping the backlash. Also, what the hell makes that electric bike so European in it's styling? There's nothing "European" about it. If it looked like a Dutch bike then maybe it'd be (and I quote), "...straight European-looking." As it is, it's simply a mountain bike with an electric motor and battery. Hell, the damn thing doesn't even have a rack or obvious rack mounts or any way to mount fenders! How practical is that?! I can't imagine paying the subscription price to say, get a bunch of shorts and shirts and maybe comestibles. Shorts and shirts, maybe okay, but frankly the gear I wear has to fit well because of the long distances I ride, has to be in colors I would wear, and is preferably not made in a Chinese sweat shop. The food I eat must be healthy and nutritious and not contain things like high fructose corn syrup. If you're into subscription services (other than magazines), I say go ahead and waste your money. This seems like throwing money away on an unknown, not to mention even if I was into this sort of thing, after the disingenuous way this woman has behaved I wouldn't give her a dime of my money.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on June 17, 2013 at 7:36pm

It really hasn't been positive at all.

Madeline said:

I sincerely appreciate everyone's feedback. It's all been very positive.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on June 17, 2013 at 8:54pm

Chainlinkers,

I know I 'outed' Madeline and now I feel bad about it.  Start ups are complicated and difficult and often you are figuring out how to do things on the first go.  For all we know it'll be a great service when it finally gets going. Everyone reading this has gotten a second chance and hopefully we extend one to Madeline, a Chicago bike company would be a plus for the city. She made a PR error which is pretty small, like I said it could well be a great service when it gets going.
 

Madeline, sorry, you should see how the CL-ers go after each other.

Permalink Reply by Verly on June 17, 2013 at 11:04pm

retarded

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 17, 2013 at 11:23pm

Are you serious?  This all played out exactly as she planned.  Add "no publicity is bad publicity" to your "wow, she's a pro" checklist.

Haddon said:

Chainlinkers,

I know I 'outed' Madeline and now I feel bad about it.  Start ups are complicated and difficult and often you are figuring out how to do things on the first go.  For all we know it'll be a great service when it finally gets going. Everyone reading this has gotten a second chance and hopefully we extend one to Madeline, a Chicago bike company would be a plus for the city. She made a PR error which is pretty small, like I said it could well be a great service when it gets going.
 

Madeline, sorry, you should see how the CL-ers go after each other.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on June 18, 2013 at 12:18am

Very serious, I dragged her out and now wish I hadn't.  In retrospect I'd have friended her and let her know. I certainly don't think this went "exactly as planned" for her, far from it.

I know that the CL is quick to get indignant but again, a PR error is pretty small.  She's trying to launch a business, it's one of the American dreams.  I've been there, trying to put up a business, and it's fraught and complicated.  Tactless is about all we can pin on her which in the end is not that big a deal.  We've all done worse.

Anyway, Madeline, good luck if you put $50 worth of stuff in a box and sell it for $25 people will buy.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 18, 2013 at 12:46am

Aiiight, say 10 Hail Marys and 5 Our Fathers and see how you feel in the morning. And be sure to keep this thread at the top!!!

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on June 18, 2013 at 1:24am

Haddon, she lied right here in the post title. And we IMO should support real people powered cycles and LBSs for our commuting needs, not electric bikes and cheap boxes of stuff. Seriously - she has taken advantage, and that's not cool. No need to feel guilt in the face of her odd response posts; I'm glad you called her on her dishonesty and thank you for looking out for the community.



Haddon said:

Chainlinkers,

I know I 'outed' Madeline and now I feel bad about it.  Start ups are complicated and difficult and often you are figuring out how to do things on the first go.  For all we know it'll be a great service when it finally gets going. Everyone reading this has gotten a second chance and hopefully we extend one to Madeline, a Chicago bike company would be a plus for the city. She made a PR error which is pretty small, like I said it could well be a great service when it gets going.
 

Madeline, sorry, you should see how the CL-ers go after each other.

Permalink Reply by Bez on June 18, 2013 at 4:11am

Even beyond the "market research" screw up, this point by kiltedcelt is my other problem with this.  Personally, I am very particular about my cycle gear.  Everything from utility to weight to fit to the colors has to be right or it ends up gathering dust on my shelf.  Even for simple things like gloves and lights, I need to hold them in my hand (or try them on) before I buy.  Even after, the item may not end up on my bike.

Not sure a subscription service really translates well to something as personal as cycle gear (becomes part of the machine, etc).  At the very least, you need to note the percentage of consumables vs components in the description, and a list of official sponsors.  $24.95 for a box of 10 Cliff bars and energy gels and a $5 ankle strap (already have like 10 of those lying around) isn't really a good deal, for example.

kiltedcelt said:

I can't imagine paying the subscription price to say, get a bunch of shorts and shirts and maybe comestibles. Shorts and shirts, maybe okay, but frankly the gear I wear has to fit well because of the long distances I ride, has to be in colors I would wear, and is preferably not made in a Chinese sweat shop. The food I eat must be healthy and nutritious and not contain things like high fructose corn syrup.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 18, 2013 at 8:07am

Let's try to keep this constructive folks....

how much would you be willing to pay monthly for a box of 10 Cliff bars and an ankle strap?

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page