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My father was a Schwinn dealer from 1971 until 1990 or so. He had some great years with them in the early '70s but Schwinn completely went to hell in by the ea
by chrissnell 10y ago
My father was a Schwinn dealer from 1971 until 1990 or so. He had some great years with them in the early '70s but Schwinn completely went to hell in by the early '80s. I still remember my dad on the phone with their finance department, begging for a bigger line of credit so he could keep bikes on the showroom floor. They treated him and other loyal dealers like dogs. My father eventually became a Trek dealer and renamed his store from "Alamo Heights Schwinn" to "Bike World". Ed Schwinn wrote my father a letter, telling him that he had "some nerve" to change the name and that he "would never forget this". A few years later, Schwinn was bankrupt and we became one of Trek's top-ten dealers in the nation. My dad later heard that the credit manager who had treated him so poorly was now driving one of those trucks with the flashing yellow lights that escorts oversized trucks on the interstate highway.
- chrissnell 10y agoSo this link was sent to me by my father today and I posted it. He followed up with some historical documents from his relationship with Schwinn. I'm going to share them because I think it's a great testament to the hubris of Schwinn but also to the determination of a young entrepreneur. My dad's efforts to become a Schwinn dealer: https://chrissnell.com/hn/Schwinn_History_of_Alamo_Heights_Bicycle.pdf https://chrissnell.com/hn/Schwinn_History_of_Alamo_Heights_B... Ed Schwinn's letter to dad when he changed the name of the store: https://chrissnell.com/hn/Letter_From_Ed_Schwinn_1985.pdf https://chrissnell.com/hn/Letter_From_Ed_Schwinn_1985.pdf
- nemo44x 10y agoThey should have known better to give such a persistent business man as your father a franchise. His ambition was indicative of someone who would betray them in their time of weakness. And this is in no way an indictment of your fathers excellent business skill. A very well informed and aware shop owner indeed!
- Pamar 10y agoI take exception at your use of the word "betray", here.
- S_A_P 10y agoThis sort of stuff is hugely interesting to me. Wow. This is a compelling business case study.
- Aloha 10y agoHere is part 2 of 2 - http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19931009/ISSUE01/100018008/the-fall-of-schwinn-pt-2-of-2 http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19931009/ISSUE01/1000...