Tightening the screws

I get a call from the manager (Promise Maker) of the scooter store this morning, as soon as they open up. He's sorry that he never called back, he has no excuse. He wanted me to call him back so that we can talk about what we can do to make this right, and come up with the best solution possible.

I tell him that I've waited a long time, and they have to admit that I've been more than cool. He agrees. I tell him that at this point I'm really just interested in getting my money back (hardline position, with the intent to allow for bartering). He says that he'll have to squeeze the money out of the owner, and he's not sure what the outcome will be. I say that I hope the owner will be reasonable, because I'm within my rights to get my money back. I encourage him to talk to the owner, and we'll talk later.

I let that stew.

On my way home from work, I stop in for round two. I go in, very friendly, and meet with the manager. Ask him if he's talked to the owner yet. Yup - he's not too keen on the refund thing, and the manager isn't sure if it's because its coming from him (apparently there's some conflict there at the moment) or what. I ask him if the owner has a solution that he's willing to offer, if the money back is not ideal for him. Well, yes. The manager wanted to suggest this while we were on the phone, but he didn't know if I'd be receptive. Here it comes.

Melissa had suggested that I may be happier if they put me on a bigger, better bike. Straight up trade. I'm interested. To me, it's preferrable to come out of this with a bike. But if I agree to that, they have to guarantee that the bike they build me really is the very next bike on the bench - starting Tuesday morning. Period. Bottom line - work starts yesterday. I want my scooter for this season. I look him square in the eye. That is my deal breaker.

He says, ok, let's go look at what I want for you. He shows me a large frame P series Italian Postal service scooter. Bates has one, and they're solid. It'd be cheese to have the same bike as Bates, but at this point, I don't care. He takes me in the back and shows me the 155 engines stacked on a shelf, still in bags. They'll just need to do some electrical conversion for the bike (piddly, nitpicking work), put in the new engine, and suspension and we're in business. They'll work on the ownership, and I'll sign over my scooter to them when we're closer to completion. This is a good arrangement. My scooter cost $2000 but was clearly worth less. If they rebuild this PX for me, and put in the engine they're talking about, it'll be a great trade. It'll just cost me most of this season. I'll be amazed if they're done work by the end of July.

Which I suppose, is ok, since my tax return won't be here until then, and I need it to pay for my insurance.

I hope I've made the right choice. I told them we'll talk again on Tuesday when they've had a chance to run the story past The Owner and The Scapegoat (mechanic). If they climb on board, we're in business. If they resist. Then it's time to circle the wagons and... well... I don't know what.