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Lekker
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:30 am Post subject: You can't ride this bike because you aren't Asian. |
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New bike shop is opening in my neighborhood. A bunch of bikes are on display outside and inside. I went in to look at a bike. I found a pretty decent racing bike for 250,000 won. It was my size as well. The man comes up to me.
Him: What is the purpose? Pleasure?
Me: I want something I can excercise on. May I see this bike please?
Him: (crosses his arms) Oh, I'm sorry, you can not have this bike because these bikes are for Asian people.
I couldn't believe what I had just been told. I walked out and he followed me out. I turn around and look him right in the face.
Me: Asian people? Chincha?
Him: <says absolutely nothing.
Me: I wanted to buy that bike.
Him: <still quiet.
Me: I'll come back when I turn into a Korean person, then maybe you'll sell me the bike then.
His jaw drops and he was speechless. He clearly understood what I told him and I felt somewhat bad for being a *beep* but I just couldn't believe what I had been told.
I can't stand the ignorance. Really, I can't. Just one more reason to take it with a grain of salt and offer my compassion. |
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Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:35 am Post subject: |
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I don't get it. There's a bike shop that sells bikes. You have money and want to buy a bike. But the guy won't sell it to you because you're not Asian? Doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Sorry if I'm having a hard time believing your story.
Are you sure you're not a victim of miscommunication rather than prejudice? Do you speak more than a few words of Korean? Did the guy speak more than a few words of English? Then was your conversation with him mostly in Korean or in English? |
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monkinwonderland
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:36 am Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
I don't get it. There's a bike shop that sells bikes. You have money and want to buy a bike. But the guy won't sell it to you because you're not Asian? Doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Sorry if I'm having a hard time believing your story.
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It's not rational, it's Korea! |
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Lekker
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| the bike was the right size. |
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monkinwonderland
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| by that way Tourism Board, that's mine |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:58 am Post subject: |
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Drunk
Last edited by Crockpot2001 on Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:58 am Post subject: |
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No rational allowed!!
I asked the company names Moots in Steamboat springs where their top destination for bikes is and they said "Korea". Moots makes Titanium bikes that sell for $3500+ in the US and about $12k+ here.
I can walk into a shop and piece together a bike based on their retail prices market on parts and frames. How the Fark does that total almost double when the bike is assembled? Poor consumer knowledge and the desire to flash bling.
It is my understanding that test riding bikes does not happen here and it appears to be true as I see more ill-fitting bikes/riders here than any place I've ever raced or ridden before.
When it comes to bikes, this place is f'd up! But, I sure love the trails! |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:05 am Post subject: |
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blotto!
Last edited by Crockpot2001 on Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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monkinwonderland
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:12 am Post subject: |
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the post so nice he made it thrice!  |
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Lekker
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| Crockpot2001 wrote: |
No rational allowed!!
I asked the company names Moots in Steamboat springs where their top destination for bikes is and they said "Korea". Moots makes Titanium bikes that sell for $3500+ in the US and about $12k+ here.
I can walk into a shop and piece together a bike based on their retail prices market on parts and frames. How the Fark does that total almost double when the bike is assembled? Poor consumer knowledge and the desire to flash bling.
It is my understanding that test riding bikes does not happen here and it appears to be true as I see more ill-fitting bikes/riders here than any place I've ever raced or ridden before.
When it comes to bikes, this place is f'd up! But, I sure love the trails! |
It's not just bikes, it's also musical instruments. It definitely goes to show that it's how you look on it, more like how the bike looks with you on it. |
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Join Me
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:17 am Post subject: |
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| Crockpot2001 wrote: |
No rational allowed!!
I asked the company names Moots in Steamboat springs where their top destination for bikes is and they said "Korea". Moots makes Titanium bikes that sell for $3500+ in the US and about $12k+ here.
I can walk into a shop and piece together a bike based on their retail prices market on parts and frames. How the Fark does that total almost double when the bike is assembled? Poor consumer knowledge and the desire to flash bling.
It is my understanding that test riding bikes does not happen here and it appears to be true as I see more ill-fitting bikes/riders here than any place I've ever raced or ridden before.
When it comes to bikes, this place is f'd up! But, I sure love the trails! |
How would you like to be a Korean bike mechanic here? Every time I have my bike worked on they never have the right size part. Instead of just ordering it they will try to make something they have in stock fit...it never does. The last place I went to took pictures at each stage as they put a new crank set on (I assume to protect themselves). I figured this was a good sign they knew what they were doing. Guess what? Got it on and had a hell of a time removing it because it was the wrong size and they torqued the hell out of it trying to make it fit.
Now, imagine working on some old Korean guy's $7,000 dollar titanium bike. Must be some terrible arguments and fights in some of these bike shops. |
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i4NI
Joined: 17 May 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| Someone go to his shop and try to buy a bike and try to have someone film it, then put it on the internet. |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:28 am Post subject: |
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| Lekker wrote: |
| Crockpot2001 wrote: |
No rational allowed!!
I asked the company named Moots in Steamboat springs where their top destination for bikes is and they said "Korea". Moots makes Titanium bikes that sell for $3500+ in the US and about $12k+ here.
I can walk into a shop and piece together a bike based on their retail prices market on parts and frames. How the Fark does that total almost double when the bike is assembled? Poor consumer knowledge and the desire to flash bling.
It is my understanding that test riding bikes does not happen here and it appears to be true as I see more ill-fitting bikes/riders here than any place I've ever raced or ridden before.
When it comes to bikes, this place is f'd up! But, I sure love the trails! |
It's not just bikes, it's also musical instruments. It definitely goes to show that it's how you look on it, more like how the bike looks with you on it. |
That sucks! I want to look into getting an acoustic bass. SOS. |
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Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: |
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| Lekker wrote: |
| the bike was the right size. |
You didn't answer my question. Were you guys speaking to each other in English? Or in Korean? Do you even speak Korean? Somehow I doubt the other guy spoke enough English to convey that he would only sell the bike to Asians.
Why would a guy who sells bikes discriminate against who he sells to? I can see him trying to sell you a crappy bike or charging the foreigner more than a Korean....but a merchant who won't sell a bike to an interested customer just because the customer isn't Asian? Especially when the merchant stands to make a profit? |
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GoldMember
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:39 am Post subject: |
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I have the same problem when I try to buy condoms.
"You can't have those condoms, they are Korean size only!"
That's ok I say my pecker is very small, and has very little stamina.
Damm discriminating condom sellers. |
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