Apology to the Sport Loft

[Dickeymotto]

Over the last few days, I've been posting in a thread where I called out The Sport Loft due to my dissatisfaction with my experience there as a customer. It was pointed out by many in that thread that I was wrong to publicly call them out before talking to them in person and asking for a refund. Those people are absolutely right and my experience today at The Sport Loft really put me in my place. Word about the thread had gotten back to them, as well as several malicious emails from fake addresses (I did not solicit these or even know about them). I sat down with Jeremy and we verified that the fit was indeed too large. In his opinion, I should have been in a 26.5, rather than the 27.5 I was sold. We discussed this and came to the conclusion that a misunderstanding between us concerning his recommendation, my comfort in the boots, and what our goal was in a fit. He distinctly recalls recommending a 26.5 and wrote it down in his notes. I honestly don't remember hearing this (for whatever reason), but I believe him when he says he did. He admitted that he does not like to push a customer into something and is not aggressive enough in his recommendations. He admitted he may not have been clear or direct enough about this and my failure to pick up on the warning he did give lead to the bad fit and subsequent problems. We sat and talked about the situation for well over an hour and he did absolutely everything he could to make it right and gave me a full refund without question. He expressed to me the stress and pain that the thread I started had caused him. He was truly hurt by the things that were said by myself and others, and stated that he takes great pride in his work and truly wants to do the best he can for his customers. He did not attempt to retaliate against me in any way. In fact he kept it strictly between he and I and did nothing until he had a chance to discuss this with me eye to eye. Even after issuing the refund, he wished me nothing but the best and honestly hoped that the new boots I'm having fit elsewhere are the best fit there is.

I started this thread to replace the other one and offer a public apology to Jeremy, Earl, and all others connected to The Sport Loft. I already apologized in person, but I wanted to do this to rectify any damages I have caused. I am truly sorry for the immature way I handled the situation. I should have kept this between us and dealt with it face to face rather than cowardly hiding behind the safety of a computer monitor. I am truly sorry for any damage I have caused your reputation, credibility, and success of your business. I am truly sorry for the stress, pain, and self-doubt this has caused you to experience. I am truly sorry for the actions of others that my malicious attack inspired.

I wish the folks at the Sport Loft the best. If you are one of the people who sent them emails, please stop. We came to an understanding, they offered their forgiveness, and there is no bad blood between us.

I am open to whatever criticism and insults the collective withes to inflict. I handled the situation very poorly and deserve it

[pfluffenmeister]

^^^ good man.

happy to hear it was resolved.

[4matic]

Why not buy new boots from him and give them a second chance? Taking the refund makes you still look bad imo.

[zeroforhire]

Glad to see this get resolved. It is too bad it took an Internet firestorm to get their attention.

[Ski to Be]

At least you sacked up and gave them a public apology. In all disputes personal and especially business it is wise to hash out problems directly first before airing anything via the internet. I was a boot fitter 25 years ago and a rich lady bought some boots for her annual 2 weeks in Vail. I did some custom insoles for her and she was happy. 3 weeks later she comes in the store screaming at me while I was busy fitting boots with another customer. "These are the worst ##### pair of boots and you are terrible boot fitter. I told her to calm down and looked at the boots. I looked at the boots. Apparently she took the liners out to dry on the first night of the trip to dry and put the left liner in the right boot & right in the left. She was so embarrassed that she muttered sorry under her breath and walked out. I can't imagine what she would have said if they had the internet in those days.

[~mikey b]

you should have left your other thread up as an example of what not to do

[ACH]

^^^ good man.

happy to hear it was resolved.

X2 - good on you for taking responsibility, facing the situation, and maybe learning something from it.
JMO, but that makes you a solid mag in my book, regardless of what you know, or don't about getting properly fitted into a ski boot.

[concretejungle]

Glad to see this get resolved. It is too bad it took an Internet firestorm to get their attention.

Can you read?

[Vt-Freeheel]

As it was your fault not going with his recommended 26.5 and you already bought new boots, split the dif and give back half the money for being a dick about it.

[tom111869]

I've seen the boot fit and the damage done.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Great to hear.
That's pretty much what I expected; coming down to a lack of communication between you and the fitter.

Theres a reason i'm still in my 6 year old Lang Comps with Surefoot liners and over 500 days in them... buying new boots fucking sucks and can be quite daunting

[Skidog]

Good on ya for apologizing but I agree with others they have more than earned your business and you're not giving it to them.

I'm headed there tomorrow to see Jeremy myself and am sure I will receive nothing but the best service.

[iscariot]

Awesome. Good on you, and good on Sport Loft.

[itsnowjoke]

It takes a big man to admit that he's wrong. It takes an even bigger man to tell that man that he's wrong.

-Jack Handy

Good job all around. Glad it worked out. Cheers.

[baron]

right on .....also,I would be suprised to see them mis-size,they are def one of the top bootfitters

[ashmgee]

Wait what? they handled the situation with class, gave a full refund, and didn't throw you under the bus on this thread (like they probably should have), and you get your boots fit somewhere else?

For fucks sake.

If I was in slt I would give these guys my business based on the way they handled their end.

And you should definitely do some research before stepping into the most expensive ill fitting boots ever (unless that was part of the plan).

[Beder]

1. If you had 5 cm shell fit it a 27 you are going to have 4 cm shell fit in a 26=still too fucking big.

2. Would you have got your money back in the end if you had NOT called them out?

[pfluffenmeister]

i still want to know the story behind that internal frame contraption.

[4matic]

2. Would you have got your money back in the end if you had NOT called them out?

Had op bought the recommended boots would there have been need for a callout?

[Hott Butt Mud]

You should self-ban and start a new username now.

[wolfelot]

Somebody is eating some humble pie.

[Beder]

Had op bought the recommended boots would there have been need for a callout?

Of course not. My point is, what would be the outcome if he had just walked in today and asked for his money? Would the shop have handed back the $1200 just like that?

[Dickeymotto]

As far as continuing business with them, I already committed to the boots over at Inkline. There is no reason I need to burn another bridge here with Chris by being a flake. I doubt they would take the money back even if I offered it to them. The only thing I can do is give them plenty of future business. I have two pairs of skis that need mounting, and three more that need tunes and binding adjustments. I'll be bringing them all to Sport Loft. If there is a tip line on the credit card slip, I'll pay a little extra.

And yes, they would have happily refunded my money without all this garbage. That is why I'm apologizing.

[icelanticskier]

shoulda kept yer cash at sport loft.

how do you sleep at night?

rog

[snapt]

From one small biz to another I feel bad for Sports Loft. Not only did they have to refund a big chunk of cash, but they also had to survive your shitshow thread.