TESTING, TESTING...
No but seriously, who do you get your product information from? The Manufacturer who will extol the fantabulous virtues of every single on of their 283 offerings, user groups and forums where the great unsatisfied go to vent their frustrations and poignant run-ins with various retailers, suppliers and manufacturers? Or do you trust review sites where one out of ten participants are working for competitors, for manufacturers or for suppliers... Until anonymous users on these things are willing to give you their phone numbers and work addresses I would take all of the above (including manufacturers) with a grain of salt when it comes to product information.

Oh wait, I forgot magazines... Advertiser dependant magazines... Yep, they're one hundred percent unbiased. Just like Ski Canada that collects thousands of dollars from one national sporting-goods chain to write what amounts to a blatant advertorial... and all of their skis are good! Who would have guessed?

Sure, you can get SOME information from these so-called unbiased review sites and mags but come-on, you're going to trust the purchase of a $3000 bike to the recommendation of sirbikelots323?

Just to mess with the process, I went on a few review sites today and posted both negative AND positive reviews on the "Hamilton Beach Four-Slice Toastation 24708" toaster oven. Ladies and Gentlemen, it will pain you to know that I have NEVER owner nor tested nor even ever seen a "Hamilton Beach Four-Slice Toastation 24708".

But I'll tell you what. I DID go to Superstore the other day, the same store where my friend Ryan works as a manager... and I did buy a President's choice pannini grill. And the reason I chose to buy it there is that if this thing gives me grief, Ryan will help me out.

Here at Gord's WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU. It's our good name, our reputation, our livelyhood, our very survival as a business that's on the line when we say "Mr. Morrison, I really think the best bike for you -based on what you've told me and the answers that you've given me to the questions I've asked- is this Rocky Mountain Flatline One.

So we test. Because the only way we can tell Mr. Morrison that the Rocky Mountain Flatline is the bike for him is because we've pedaled it around for a bit, because we've built it ourselves and because we've done our research.

We spend an enormous amount of money going around and testing stuff, taking stuff out of stock and using and abusing it, going to expensive demos and going to trade shows... and yes, it's super cool and yes, it's lots of fun... But it's nonetheless work and it's serious business to make sure that our stores are crapless, devoid of crap... sans crap.