Saturday, March 14, 2009

unconscious ordering syndrome

One thing that not all our customers realize is the fact that we have stacks of books and brochures underneath the counter filled with stuff we can order. These books are a source of a lot of very nice parts that bike-junkies like us have a hard time to resist. Therefore, looking through those brochures sometimes causes the "unconscious ordering syndrome." This sickness can be diagnosed if the patient shows symptoms of: Glazing over the eyes, seems to be in a trance like state, or even a shock and is thumbing through the brochures in a very methodical way and punching numbers into the calculator. Occasionally you'll see the patient reach for the "Custom Order Form" and start to drool profusely. If you spot this it may be to late to do anything about the patients condition. But all is not lost, try for example to approach the patient cautiously but be aware, they may have spotted something that they're extremely protective of and they might snarl at you or even bite (there are known instances). However, it is imperative that you do not let that phase you, unless it's just after payday and you know the patient can afford the part that they're ordering in their drooling rage. If it's not, try a gentle warning like: "Yeah these rims are really nice, but can you afford them right now?" If "-Grrr leave me alone!" Is the subjects answer we might be in trouble. They're entering the final stage...Now everything goes, try anything that might possibly snap them out of the trance such as: "Hey I was just going to go across the road and get a muffin and a coffee, do you want one?" - Grrrrr snarl grrr... BITE! At this point there is no hope, try and distance you from the patient and practice Unicycling or something that takes your eyes of this very unnerving sight. Let the patient go ahead and order the part and if they're lucky they'll have a "POST-unconscious ordering syndrome" which is described as a feeling of angst and hyperventilating in the patient that may prompt the person into running downstairs and ripping up the order form before our basement ordering monster orders the parts and there is no turning back...
The "Unconcious Ordering Syndrome" happens to me just like everyone else at the store, for example I ordered this little tool (cleverly named Jethro Tule) by Surly , from NRG the other day, and there was no stopping that...all my coworkers were just hiding in the shop as I ran around drooling and muttering: "Sweet!!!" in a way that the word "sweet" should never be uttered:

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