Cook-ism's

There's a local shop that I like to deal with whenever I need parts or advice. Depending on where you, the reader, reside, you may even be familiar with this place. The shop bears the last name of Jon, the proprieter; Cook's Cycles.

I've known Jon (and his father Arthur) for years upon years. They're both upstanding guys and while Arthur started the shop many years ago as snowmobile garage, Jon has since assumed the reins and has weathered the shop through a bit of a transition to where they now service both snowmobiles and motorcycles.

It's fun talking with Jon as he has a good sense of humor. This sense of humor has even extended to periods of frustration when he's had to deal with some moronic situation or person. When these times occur, Jon takes marker to paper and comes up with a a shop sign. (You can tell when his frustration has peaked anew, as there will be a new sign the next time you pay a visit.)

His current signs read as follows;
"Labor Rate: $78 per hour. $125 per hour with customer-supplied parts."

"Please tell us how to install your internet-ordered part. Nothing makes us happier!"

"Feel free to tell us about the 25 cents you saved by buying on eBay. Small businesses of America thank you."

"Please have your credit card ready so I can charge you for the 15 minutes I spend telling you which tires/parts are the best for you so you can then go buy them elsewhere for $5 less. Thank you."

"Do you bring your own steak to a restaurant? Then please don’t bring your own tires to us to mount and balance. Have your computer do it. Thanks."

"Your bike will be ready after it’s done and I call you. The person working on your bike (Jon) also answers the phone, does parts, walks the dog, etc. This is not a dealership, don’t treat us like one. Thanks."

And lastly, my personal favorite;

"No conversations about politics on Saturdays. Only conversations about beer and women. Thank you."

I was over at the shop this past Saturday and we were shooting a bit of the breeze and I commented that there hadn't been a new sign in a while and he smiled and said "Yeah, things have been pretty good lately."

Hopefully things stay good for him...for a while, that is. We gotta have new signs every now and then, right?

Ride Hard, Support Your Local Wrench!

http://www.cookscycle.com/
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