zeepee Posted April 9, 2018 Share I am so disappointed in the Yeti brand, I don't even know where to begin, I have been a loyal fan for almost 10 years and have loved all my Yeti's. Yeti pretends to be this almost small family brand. In reality they are now a big corporation that bullies small businesses. If you ride a Yeti, know that you support a business with no ethics. After using the same distributor (Cyclic) in South Africa for more than 12 years, they have suddenly and without warning given the distribution rights to a new company. The news was broken with a 3 line email to them, saying something to the effect of: "sorry, this is business, enjoy your life". This was a small family owned bike shop which has built their whole business around the Yeti brand. This shop is now closing down and all the staff is now without work. The owner and staff have become friends of mine over the years and I'm not sure I'll even be able to ride my bike anymore, knowing what the brand really represents. If you have owned a Yeti you will know what I mean, it's not just a bike. I cannot and will not support a brand that is so callous with people's livelihoods. It's disgusting. Just to give you some background who Cyclic are, they used to be Morningside cycles, and they were one of the few bike shops that was invited, but refused to take part in the price-fixing scandal of a few years back. So there's some integrity there. XAVAX 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirkitech Posted April 9, 2018 Share Hi Zeepee. how did you come across this information? Is it publicly available for further reading? Edited April 9, 2018 by Dirkitect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterF Posted April 9, 2018 Share Hi Zeepee. how did you come across this information? Is it publicly available for further reading? "The owner and staff have become friends of mine over the years" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmJayZA Posted April 9, 2018 Share Sad to hear, but they did make a fatal flaw of specializing their business around one brand without having a contract to back up that business model. It was super risky, and sadly that risk worked against them. I would also be unhappy with my bike if it were the case, but it really is just business. Oufy MTB (Roadie) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaGearA Posted April 9, 2018 Share uncool from yeti but that doesn't mean squat for anyone riding A yeti Same as someone saying you're A douche for riding A specialized .... no you're the douche for calling said person one.. pista and Kom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeepee Posted April 9, 2018 Share Sad to hear, but they did make a fatal flaw of specializing their business around one brand without having a contract to back up that business model. It was super risky, and sadly that risk worked against them. I would also be unhappy with my bike if it were the case, but it really is just business. Its more than just business, if they had some integrity they would've at least given them at some advance notice, or proper reasoningSure they carried allot of risk, but being snaked like this is not ethical. Gutted for them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDooperSnooper Posted April 9, 2018 Share uncool from yeti but that doesn't mean squat for anyone riding A yeti Same as someone saying you're A douche for riding A specialized .... no you're the douche for calling said person one.. Sorry, but I cannot see the relevance of this. The OP said he was a long-time supporter of the brand which has now changed. He never called anybody riding the brand's bikes any names. It is very easy to associate supporters of a brand you don't like with negative attributes, but each to their own. Some like brand A and some brand B. But callous business tactics is never cool if people lose their jobs as a result. Kalahari Vegmot, Capricorn, BigDL and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeepee Posted April 9, 2018 Share uncool from yeti but that doesn't mean squat for anyone riding A yeti Same as someone saying you're A douche for riding A specialized .... no you're the douche for calling said person one..actually specialized have also bullied some small businesses, so by supporting the brand you also support the ethics. CharlieRides and Kom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamS2 Posted April 9, 2018 Share Does more than one shop sell Yeti in SA? Perhaps the current distributors simply can't support the model Yeti wish to move to. Intense have just done the same thing, and so have Pyga. After all, they are running businesses... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted April 9, 2018 Share Who got the distribution rights now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanbean Posted April 9, 2018 Share Its more than just business, if they had some integrity they would've at least given them at some advance notice, or proper reasoningSure they carried allot of risk, but being snaked like this is not ethical. Gutted for themI'm disappointed in Yeti. Cyclic/Morningside have given me great service over the years that that I've had my Yeti. Time for a change anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted April 9, 2018 Share zeepee... What's up dog? I actually agree with you. Guys saying 'that's business' or jumping on the anti OP bandwagon (which very often happen here in hubland unfortunately) are just removed from the emotions of a friend having to close down his business because someone else has (legally or illegally) screwed him. As a brand, there should have been some negotiation or forewarning. Transparency and honesty in business go a very long way. My apologies it has hit close to home. Yeti do still make rad bikes and I will never be able to afford one, so will say just this..... Maybe they have taken the backing of Richie Rude a little too literally...... Eddy Gordo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clinton H Posted April 9, 2018 Share Surely the boys at Morning Side cycles can carry on trading , I personally never see Yeti bikes and wouldn't even know where to look for or even buy one .I had no idea it was even a thing ... Bonus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odinson Posted April 9, 2018 Share It's a tough situation for the current distributor, but if their distribution agreement doesn't require specific notice, then they may be in their rights to terminate the contract lawfully. Poor business practices, nevertheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christie Posted April 9, 2018 Share Similar story to other brands like Eddy Merckx, Zipp, Ellsworth when the company gets sold to a holding corporate. It is a risk of being an importer, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoBoshoff Posted April 9, 2018 Share actually specialized have also bullied some small businesses, so by supporting the brand you also support the ethics. Or not. Hairy, Odinson and BaGearA 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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