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DKrizek
Member
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Posted: Sun Aug 24th, 2008 09:37 pm | 1st Post |
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I am the current owner of Saber. Fully realizing that I may lose my feminine mystique, I have decided to come out and address the concerns posted in this forum to set the record straight. The sabercyclesucks.com website that chooses to diss us is riddled with glaring inaccuracies and has bungled the presentation of info publicly available. Rather than point out all the blatant errors and incongruities, let the discriminate minds here ferret them out. But I will give you this one: we are in the great state of Missouri not Montana. (Duh.)
Does it make sense that a woman with a BA in Communications would stoop to such destructive rhetoric? I am a trained professional, worked for 20 years in a corporate environment and prefer to communicate in a professional manner - which is not to say that I won't use a few choice earthy words in a private conversation. Make no mistake, the quotes attributed to Saber Cycle did not come from ME and I did not nor will I ever condone such behavior.
Consider that that website has no structure in place to check the veracity of statements, making it very easy to embellish one side of the story so it has become a regular free-for-all. And as Steve Saunders discovered, the owners of the domain prefer to remain anonymous, protected by a Canadian service.
Yes, one might think that this forum and that dastardly website would be hurting business here but both online venues are actually improving our page ranking. Sales have increased dramatically from last year. We've expanded our warehouse from 5000 to 8000 sq ft and adding new staff next month. Quantcast stats verify our repeat business as well as our eBay feedback.
I expect that our good honest merchandise at great prices along with fast delivery have made us a favorite with many around the world. Regardless of the comments in this forum, we are doing a great service to the vintage Goldwing community by bringing back obsolete parts and accessories and making product affordable and available to folks from big cities to small town and rural America to small motorcycle repair shops who could otherwise not qualify for accounts with the large distributors.
Two key factors influenced our decision to jump into the eBay arena: (1) we discovered a new generation of Goldwing owners who assumed eBay was the only place to find parts and accessories for their vintage models, and (2) we had a number of customers who bought Goldwing items on eBay, received something totally different then asked us to help them identify it. We decided it was time to step in.
For all the carping about our eBay store, we have folks coming back over and over rather than shop at our website. We are obviously filling a need but we never intended on building up our eBay store where we list at most a third of what we stock. Why? Because it costs TWICE as much to sell on eBay than our website and requires an enormous amount of labor; listing and relisting, creating and combining invoices, manually calculating shipping, posting payments, monitoring unpaid sales and fielding all the questions.
We studied the eBay forums and decided from the onset that we weren’t taking Paypal. We’re just not willing to give up anymore of our sweat and blood. Taking people’s money is a crime anywhere you live and some people claim Paypal as a culprit. Many of our items are heavily discounted on eBay but nobody has to shop at our eBay store if they don't want to.
Saber Cycle has been criticized for everything from not answering the phone to unfair return policies to not paying our taxes. I have recently reviewed our competitors return policies and recognized signs of customer abuse. Imagine a company who has to make policy stating they will not take back used clothing. You may be honest but there are some who would return used brake pads if given the chance.
Why should we be constrained by answering the telephone where the sale did not take place? We are an internet mail order business and are available by email, ready to respond from 7am to midnight CST – every day of the week. We are not trying to hide. We have simply pared down operations so we can accomplish what we do in an average of 60 to 70 hours a week instead of a 100.
But I cannot say that the folks at Saber Cycle are totally innocent. For several years now, I have protected one here who is apparently still in enormous pain after loosing a 19 year-old son to suicide set in a host of bizarre circumstances. Our customers had no clue of the blow sustained at the time because he always put business and customers first. I have confronted the behavior many times in the past but have not always been successful intercepting the angry outbursts launched at the public.
Time heals and we moved on to grow the business but I am mortified to learn of recent outbursts so am compelled to ask the Gold Wing community for understanding, mercy and forgiveness. I will continue to support the one who is still an integral part of our operation. However, I am now closely monitoring our website email but regretfully cannot take care of eBay on top of everything else I do.
My good name is sullied now but thank you for this opportunity to set the record straight and, again, please accept my sincere apology for our offenses.
Sincerely,
Diane Krizek
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Speedratchet
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 12:57 am | 2nd Post |
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Hello Diane and welcome from Arizona.
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My Bike History:
08 GL1800 Goldwing, 02 H-D Wide Glide, 90 Suzuki GSX 750 Katana, 88 Suzuki GSX600F Katana, 79 Yamaha XS1100, 84 H-D Low Rider, 83 Kawasaki KZ750 Spectre, 79 Honda CX500 Custom, 78 Yamaha XS650 Special, 77 Yamaha YZ125, 75 Yamaha MX 80
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UBarW
Graphics Guru
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 12:58 am | 3rd Post |
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| two points for coming on and speaking...
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Click Here to Order GoldWingNut Patches
http://www.robsnet.com/destinations.asp
http://www.bikepics.com/members/ubarw/84gl1200/
Buy & Sell your stuff: http://RudysBackyard.com/
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Rabbit
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 02:00 am | 4th Post |
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Welcome from the
Steve Saunder's GOLDWING FORUM
A Big Welcome From TEXAS
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Riding Motorcycles For 50 years 1998 Goldwing SE
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Wolfman
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 03:26 am | 5th Post |
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Hello Diane,
Welcome and thank you for addressing the concerns.
Sad to say that the reputation has done some damage, but the side of the story you have presented has not been heard before. Ind in my opinion it does make a difference.
I have purchased from you once, and my experience was not bad, like others have experienced, but it wasn't warm either. All my questions were answered, but it was as if someone was "too busy" and didn't really have a lot of time to answer those questions.
Honestly, it was only one experience, it wasn't bad, and I didn't give it any further thought. Not until I started seeing complaints being voiced here and on other similar forums.
Because of seeing complaints this way, I have chosen to avoid your business. So in that way in at least some small amount it has been damaging to you.
I am glad you took the time to address the issue. I am not a big customer to anyone, so my little bit of purchasing power isn't very significant. But it has made a differnece to me, and if you have what I need, I will no longer avoid you.
____________________
'96 GL1500 SE
Honda Riders of Tidewater -- Chapter President
http://www.hrot.org/
http://www.hrot.org/martino/goldwing/
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Wolfman
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 03:44 am | 6th Post |
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Just wanted to point out that Diane Krizek, the owner of Saber Cycle has joined our forum this evening in order to post her side of the story. Her post is over in the New Members Introduction Forum.
Hi Wolfman, I just merged your thread into the main one so we can keep it all together if possible, and I'm making it a sticky thread as well. Steve.
Last edited on Mon Aug 25th, 2008 02:51 pm by wingnut
____________________
'96 GL1500 SE
Honda Riders of Tidewater -- Chapter President
http://www.hrot.org/
http://www.hrot.org/martino/goldwing/
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Wolfman
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 04:01 am | 7th Post |
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Hi again Diane,
I do have a question for you.
Goldwing mechanics are getting fewer and farther between, and many people join forums like this because they are looking for sources of help to keep their old machines running.
I for one am looking for inexpensive parts, but I am also willing to pay more when it comes to being able to get good advice or someone that I know is on my side when it comes to keeping an old bike running.
There are places out there that are like Wal-mart, low cost, but no help is available. And that's ok, there is a place in the market for them, and they do an incredible amount of business.
On the other hand, there are those that prefer, or need more than that. It's more expensive to run a business that way and costs/prices would naturally reflect that.
Part of the reputation that goes along with Saber Cycle would seem to put you in the Wal-mart category. And that's ok, if that's where you want to be. Low cost merchandise, but be sure to come knowing what you want.
So my question is: Is that where you see yourself/your business? Or do you have people on staff that are able to "roll up their sleeves" and help people figure out their projects.
To me personally, either answer is ok, as long as we know.
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'96 GL1500 SE
Honda Riders of Tidewater -- Chapter President
http://www.hrot.org/
http://www.hrot.org/martino/goldwing/
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 04:06 am | 8th Post |
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Diane, welcome and thank you.
The only thing I would like to mention here is that although you state that you are accessible by e-mail, I have sent 4 e-mails asking the same question about a product on your site that the description is not very clear about, and am yet to receive an answer...Thus, have not ordered the product.
In fact, the only response I've ever received from your company after sending an e-mail was a rather brusque and snappy response after my very first order from E-bay in which I asked if there was any way to get around the no credit card payment option on the listing because I had not noticed it before ordering.
I, for one, appreciate the fact that you do stock a ton of stuff for older wings such as mine, and have purchased several replacement shiny bits for my old girl, and have not had any problems as yet with anything I have ordered (Including the gasket sets I just ordered and received last week)
Although I do understand that handling returns can be a real pain in the backside sometimes, I've found that I appreciate the businesses who use a "per case" approach to returns. I realize that this sometimes takes a little time, but it creates less carping when someone doesn't realize s/he's ordered the wrong $300 thing, and isn't stuck with trying to flea-bay it away for less than s/he paid for it.
Again, welcome! Mayhap a little communication, and a little time spent here addressing some of the issues that individuals have with your customer service department would go a long way toward changing some opinions.
Mike
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Mike Kramer
Proudly supporting Viet Nam Vets and Legacy Vets M/C
Red is for the blood shed Black is for the mourning
Been riding that 1980 beauty to the left since 1989
Helpful Hint: Traffic lights timed for 35mph are also timed for 70, 105, and 140!
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roscoepc
Very Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 04:10 am | 9th Post |
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Welcome to the Site!!
Your post is a good one and has me rethinking about purchasing product from you in the future. Many Thanks for communicating your point of view with us. I appreciate the effort you've made!!
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MADDOG355
Very Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 05:08 am | 10th Post |
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Hello and welcome to the site.
Now I must say I have never ordered from you and had no intention of doing so, Only becouse of what I have read on this site about parts not fitting and return issues.
Last monday out of desperation I looked at your site for a head gasket for my 1100 due to the part being on backorder from Honda, Your site and ebay store both listed the part and I was about to make the deal when I noticed you listed the same gasket for the 1000,1100 and 1200. The 1000 will not work on the 1100 and 1200. It may go on but the water passage holes are incorrect.
To me this tends to suport your reputation here of selling incorect parts. I just wonder how many Goldwing owners have had to have work redone or possably had there bikes damaged installing parts you incorrectly listed.
Last edited on Mon Aug 25th, 2008 05:13 am by MADDOG355
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Jennifer
Senior Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 05:13 am | 11th Post |
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Well that was gusty! Finally nice to hear the other side of the story! Your apology was a class act.  I too have purchased from Sabre cycle. Just a so-so experience. Unpleasant email recieved back to a question. Product was ok though.
(Just a thought on employees with problems........I worked for a few companies that had some. In the end.......they were let go because of hurting the business and general disruption in all operations because of their inability to deal with issues. In the end, letting them go proved to be a good thing as it got them out of a situation where they were stuck in a distructive pattern and forced the person to wake up and make changes for the better. It takes a good person to support someone with issues, but sometimes it is not the best thing for that person.)
Just a little 2 cents........ Take it or leave it.
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http://recyclemotorcycles.com/
Previous bikes: 1980 CM400E, 1979 CB750K, 1993 Vulcan 750, 1992 Vulcan 1500, 1999 Shadow Ace 1100,1979 GL1000, gone  also a 2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100, and My 1983 GL1100I
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mikef
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 05:19 am | 12th Post |
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Hi Diane,
Thank you for reaching out to this forum. I know many people have had issues, and it sounds like you are trying to address them. Coming forward was a big step. Now, lets hope we can respond. in kind.
btw, I have purchased from you in the past and never had any issues. I'm not always on the right side of the fence on some of these things, but in this case, I've been treated fair and I don't have a problem letting others know, as I have in the past.
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Mike
93 Aspy
Do not place a sharp object in the hands of amateurs....
http://goldwingtech.info
Buy & Sell your stuff: http://RudysBackyard.com/
http://glhelpers.com/members/
http://www.northamericangoldwings.com/
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MADDOG355
Very Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 05:22 am | 13th Post |
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I encourage any members to check my claims. All they need to do is look them up on your site and compare to Hondadirectline or partsandmore (at partsandmore you can see pics of the gaskets for yourself to compare).
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tanygaer
Senior Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 06:16 am | 14th Post |
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Welcome to the forum Diane, I am totally nuetralabout your company as I live on the wrong side of the puddle from you.
Pull up a chair and sit a while, you will soon be as nutty as the rest of us.
David
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David
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 06:26 am | 15th Post |
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Maddog, is there a possibility that, like so many other sites, they use one picture for all different gaskets? Even though the picture is wrong, the part is right?
I haven't gone and looked, just trying to keep things calm, and give Diane the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it's simply an oversight that can be corrected now that it's been pointed out?
Mike
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Mike Kramer
Proudly supporting Viet Nam Vets and Legacy Vets M/C
Red is for the blood shed Black is for the mourning
Been riding that 1980 beauty to the left since 1989
Helpful Hint: Traffic lights timed for 35mph are also timed for 70, 105, and 140!
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MADDOG355
Very Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 07:44 am | 16th Post |
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MDKramer They list the same part number for 1000-1200. I looked becouse I really wanted to order from them. They were cheaper and had it in stock. When I realized they used the same part number for all three I checked partsandmore for the pics and hondadirectline for the part numbers.
From the Saber Cycle web site
Gasket, head GL1000 GL1100 GL1200
Head gasket replaces OEM 12251-371-010 and 12251-463-003 for GL1000, GL1100 and GL1200 and priced per each.
Part Number 82-461
$29.00
I can't even find the first part number but the second is for a GL1000. And after all the reports of them them selling parts that didn't fit what they claimed, I was not about to take a chance.
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wexy
Admin 2
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 09:11 am | 17th Post |
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Hi Diane and welcome to the best goldwing website on the http://www.I think it is excellent that you have come on to give your side of the story and there is always two sides to every story,, But might I say I myself was one of the people on the end of a tirade of abuse in an email from your company a few years ago ,I had sent an email about buying some parts from you and I got a vicious reply telling me that Ireland and Nigeria were the 2 countries that you would not supply to .I answered your email in as a polite a manner as I could at the time and I got 2 more emails with even more abuse .
You state in your statement here and I quote ""I expect that our good honest merchandise at great prices along with fast delivery have made us a favorite with many around the world. Regardless of the comments in this forum,
but yet this is what you have on your ebay site quote"
U.S. BIDDERS ONLY! No shipment outside the United States. We reserve the right to cancel bids and close an Auction early. Winning bidders who are NOT registered with eBay as U.S. residents will receive automatic Unpaid Item Strikes
,I totally accept your apology and I really hope that everybody here on the forum will give you the chance to make amends ,I know I was extreemly hurt by the emails I received from Saber and I think you should have a relook at your staff or whoever is in charge of communications ,before more damage is done .
You say your business has gone from strength to strength even though all the negative feedback that came from several sites on the net did you no harm ? Can you imagine how much business you would have done if you had found the sender of theses nasty emails before now ?
It really cost nothing to be nice and mannerly to people and I know there will always be the customer who is never happy no matter what you do (I know I sell motorcycles for a living) But for the majority ,just be nice to us .We are ordinary folk who just want to keep our motorcycles going and for the majority are really nice people ...
Apology accepted ..now lets move on in to a new era with SABER ,,Ciaran
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Looks like Miss Tanygaer has taken over possession of my Tango 1800 ,so I have to be nice if I want to borrow it
http://www.goreybikes.com
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Bernieswing
Very Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 10:24 am | 18th Post |
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Welcome to the forum Diane. It's good to read your message. The very fact that you took the time to post can only restore some confidence in us. You might need to look at the other forums and respond on them, I've seen Saber continually take a well deserved bashing on about 5 other forums as well as the sabercyclesucks.com site and on a lot of other web resources.
Maybe print out some of the posts and show them to your employee with the problems, it might make a difference. But it will take some work, Saber is the most hated Goldwing accessory company out there.
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GL1800 SatNav, red 2006
GL1500 Aspencade, blue 1999
GL1200 Aspencade, blue 1986
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AZgl1500
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 12:23 pm | 19th Post |
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Hello Diane;
I've never bought anything from your business. The sad stories were enough to keep me away. Also, the strongly worded comments in your eBay ads about what you will and won't take for payment drive people like me elsewhere.
Thanks for coming out and taking the time to tell your side of the story.
Wish you the best in improving your image with the public.
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John
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AZgl1500
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 12:25 pm | 20th Post |
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She put a lot of time into writing that.
I would hope that she manages to get a throttle put on the spiteful outbursts her business is so famous for.
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John
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