One would expect to get warm fuzzies over buying a new bike!.....and of course….one does! The thrill of the hunt when looking; the excitement and drooling when spotting a target; the anticipation and longing to get ones hands on it when wistfully gazing at the pics on Trademe or other internet source full of praise and illustrations for that of which you have chosen….(and what a wise and canny person you were to spot this item and realise what a wonderful choice you were making); and then one gets the up close and personal look at the clean, shiny, magnificent beast…the object of ones desires which looks just like it did in the photos…only better,… and one can pour over the refinements that have been added, admire the deep lustre of the black paint (if it black of course) glistening in the sun (if it’s outside the garage of course) ….and listen to it roar as one starts it up ….or squeakily wine if it’s an ST1300…..but knowing the breed intimately, one knows of the wolf that lurks beneath that squeaky wine!! Aaaaahh….the warm fuzzies when saying “I do” to a new marriage, made in heaven, of man and beast!..... …..and then you’ve got to get home and get the bastard home!! Well, I have already blogged of my wonderful ride to view the new beast and of course the woes of having a blowout on a motorbike and the merits of Mr Avon’s product. But now I’ve experienced another damper on the process. Buying over the internet is easy….too easy….stuff from all over to choose from, select and buy. Deal done. But when it comes to buying vehicles, one usually likes to view them first, then one needs to decide whether to transport or collect. In my case, the viewing was easy….it was just a hop & a skip from Wellington to Kaukapakapa and back…..almost, and by throwing in a couple of diversions it was easy enough to get it up to 1500Km for the day ride, but with the admiring and drooling done, the decision had to be made to transport or collect. Well…once again….what self-respecting biker would turn down the opportunity for a ride? Right…warm fuzzies are fading as we get into the practicalities of scraping together the appropriate ping and organising flights….and that’s where they disappear altogether (if one tries dealing with…..Jetstar!!!) Once again, one goes online to check-out what’s available, when and how much. Oh dear…we find that Mr Jetstar is offering flights at $69, compared to Mr Air NZ at $350-$400. Hmmm…haven’t heard nice things about / don’t like Jetstar….buuut…..better go Jetstar. Check with vendor, that day’s fine, great,….go online to book! Hmmm…better check the ‘Strictly One Bag Only’ policy (I’ll have a skid lid and small bag)…Rings, presses myriad of buttons to get a message about bags……shit!.....rings again, through to phone bookings…..”that’s alright, fine, thankyou, I’ll book online” Bugger! Fare’s gone up to $109!....no problem, still cheap. Hit the Book Flight button! Bugger! Now it’s $119!.....no problem, still cheap. Hit the Pay Fare button! !!....Buuggger! Now it’s $123!.....Bloody Booking Fee!.....no problem, still cheap. Hit the Pay Fare button! (Oh yes…No I didn’t want more legroom for $40, to pick my own seat for $4, insurance for $10, an so on and so on, etc, etc) !!!....WTF!!! Now it’s $127!.....WTF (as a light colouring comes to the cheeks), Bastards, it didn’t accept the transaction as payment was $4 short… but got to have it. Change amount and hit the Pay Fare button! !!!!...Whaaat! Now it’s $131!.....Steam is starting to rise as he reaches for the phone to call the Phone Bookings. Gets through the myriad of buttons…”Hello, blah, blah, …I went online to book and the fare was $109, blah, blah, blah…..$131??? “Where was your flight from Sir? …And where to? …What day was that? …How much did you say that was? …Oh. Because my system says that should be $149! “You’re kidding me! I start at $69 and every time I hit the button it goes up and now you want $150!” “No Sir! I never said that! I did not say $150” “What! Blah, blah, rant, rant, blah (reddening and tone indicating a valve might soon blow). OK, so if I book through you now, how much will it cost?” “$149” Valve Blows….”That’s Bullshit!!!...double blah, double rant, triple blah….Jam your arsehole airline up your arse!!! And I gently replace the phone on the hook with enough force to be concerned that it might not work again. Vendor is calmly rung to arrange a pick-up next week, when I can fly with Air NZ at a reasonable rate. OK’d. Done & Dusted. (and I can take 23Kg of luggage). Don’t you love the warm fuzzies you get when buying a new bike!? …and the warm glow that comes with the memories when relating your saga to mates!? One of my lovely mates thought I needed this……and it’s so true!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM&feature=related
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Old Blog?
These blogs were posted on the KiwiBiker forum but I decided it was time for a change. Archives
January 2017
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