Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on June 17, 2013 at 5:48am

Also, Madeline has started discussions looking for free photographs from this community "to use on her site," and started a discussion claiming she is a new commuter cyclist looking for tips and what she needs to cycle to work. 

Madeline, do you own a bike and ride it regularly? To where do you commute from Woodstock, since you seem to have a home business? 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 17, 2013 at 6:26am

More breaking news:

Someone on the internet assumes an alternate identity. Pretends to be someone other than who they are.

h' 1.0 said:

Breaking: 

Madeline has been spotted in a White SUV southbound on 53 south of the Thorndale exit.

Will post updates as they come in.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 17, 2013 at 7:09am

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 17, 2013 at 7:58am

How many electric bikes did Madeline sell so far?

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130611/NEWS07/130619980/el...

Permalink Reply by Sue Clark on June 17, 2013 at 8:35am

I wouldn't say witch hunt as much as she's become someone whose motives are to be questioned.

I've seen many similar Internet situations where fake deaths (of the protagonist's alter ego and/or imaginary relatives) have been known to occur.

I'm saving my $24.95 (the money that's not being requested, yet I know the amount and where to sign up) for popcorn.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 17, 2013 at 9:07am

A white SUV? That's disappointing. She could have sold a thousand electric bikes overnight, by riding off on one of her bikes...

h' 1.0 said:

Breaking: 

Madeline has been spotted in a White SUV southbound on 53 south of the Thorndale exit.

Will post updates as they come in.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 17, 2013 at 9:09am

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 Sarah D. on June 17, 2013 at 9:18am

+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 9:18am

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 11:37am

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 1:36pm

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 2:54pm

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.

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