What do you guys think about this...

[Randy@StradaFab]

  As some of you know I've been working on a Ti framed S4RS and my plan was to take the bike to Barber DucStock in October and rent a vendor space. Everything was good until NCR became sponsor of the event. Now they won't let me buy vendor space to show the bike. The reasoning is that NCR sells Ti framed bikes and they don't want another vendor with a Ti frame. I pointed out that NCR sells just about every part for a motorcyle and even clothing, so if you only allow vendors that don't sell what NCR sells you're gonna be pretty limited.
  Well it turns out I'm the only one that gets excluded because of the Ti frame. I've been planning this for months and needless to say I'm pretty torqued about it.
  I can get a space at the swap meet and still enter the bike in the show, but still it's not what i was after. Thoughts?

[Greg]

That's BS 

[Triple J]

That's BS 

+1

[Christian]

Wow, that sounds like a whole lot of crap.

Can you offer details on the Ti frame you built? Did you do it yourself? Have it outsourced? How expensive, etc?

I hope you get this sorted out, or flip those guys the bird.

[NorDog]

Of what exactly would you be a vendor?  Ti frames?

[Randy@StradaFab]

  Yes I would be a vendor of Ti frames. The first one is going on a bike just because I wanted to build a complete bike. I've posted a few pics on the board and should have more soon. The thing that tics me off is it's not even NCR that doesn't want me there, it's the person in charge of the vendors.

[booger]

Sounds to me like anticompetitive tactics at play. Might be a smidge illegal, who knows. Ask ducatiz what he thinks. This ain't Italy, we believe in free enterprise here in 'Murica.

[muskrat]

wow, simply sucks. 

[Grampa]

Here's what I would to...

Drop the "t" from Ti... and just refer to what you are selling a iframes..... like every other "I" product out there.


When people ask you what it's made out of.... just say...." dude.... it's an iframe.... same shit as the ipad or iphone or imattress pad.



That.... and have a green leaf as part of the logo so people will think it's an eco friendly iframe.

[Randy@StradaFab]

LMAO....Good Idea!

[Hank025]

What separates your business from NCR? That point of difference can be a good case to take to a higher authority. Dont take "no" for an answer cause that's a load of crap

[Raux]

Call NCR... seriously

I doubt they even know... and if they do, mention you are talking to a lawyer

[Randy@StradaFab]

  I'm almost 100% certain that NCR doesn't know anything about it. My wife(who is more diplomatic than me) is gonna try to talk to someone at Barber and see what they say.

[TAftonomos]

I wouldn't be suprised if NCR didn't specify something like that when they commited to the show/event.  Those guys arn't dumb, and a business such as theirs needs as much market share as it can get.  It's total horseshit btw, but the show knows people will be coming to see NCR, so it needs to keep them happy.  

On a personal note, I thought the NCR guys at Indy were a bunch of arrogant pricks.  It's not like those 2 built all that fancy carbon stuff, it just takes deep pockets and the right contacts.  Now, getting away from the dirty laundry.......


What about just getting a space marketing custom frames?  Might be too late for that, but leave out the specifics.  Tell them you are bringing a custom bike with an alloy frame.


edit - if you google "Barber Ducstock", one of the first hits you get is : "NCR is throwing a Ducati party and you are all invited".  If they are a big sponsor of it (or tied in with barber), you can bet your ass there is a backdoor agreement there.....

http://www.ducati.net/component/content/article/49-ducati-front-page/157-2010-12-13-16-05-19

[Speedbag]

Crap.