I bought a new bike today.
Basically the day started off and proceeded like my normal Mondays lately. I did alot of DVD work. Got alot done. Around 2pm I went shopping for a bike. I found a place down the street. They were trying to sell me the most expensive things. I mean, these bikes were all pimped out and hitech. I doubt they ever sell them. There was one for 800RMB. All bikes in China are hunks of crap, so why waste your money. Even the most expensive bike will have something break the day after you buy it. I was looking at a few other bikes and the shop people were saying, "No good no good." If its no good why are you desecrating your shop by stocking it? I picked out a bike that would be decent. It sorta looks like the old bike, just not as fancy. It doesn't have the shocks and it doesn't really stand out. It was 338RMB and 25RMB for a lock. I didn't want to go above 300RMB so i was trying to get it for 270RMB, but she wouldn't go below 320. So I jetted.
Later on, I asked Megan if she would be willing to go when she was free. I was in no rush. She said now, so we went. We got to a different shop and I found pretty much the same bike. The staff also pointed out the same other bikes that were way expensive and crappy. I picked out the bike and said OK, I then allowed Megan to work her magic. Its funny how I am the one doing the searching and interacting and she stays back in the corner and then when it comes time for money issues, she takes over and I go back into the corner. Its really bizarre. Chinese culture, though, has the women as the ones who take care of the money. The guys do all the manual stuff, fixing, etc, the women take care of the money. And boy, the talons come out when they are negotiating. Jolene and Megan are really vicious whereas Amy is really nice. Its really funny to see go down. The will be negotiating and fighting over price and it gets pretty intense sometimes and then when its over, they are all nice to each other. Its a saving face issue. Its an art. Megan wanted to get less than 300RMB and they wouldn't do it, so she motioned for us to leave. As we were walking away I said 300RMB is OK, so we went back and picked it up. They took care of last minute tune ups including tightening the brakes and straighting the spokes. Ugh. Just make something that works to begin with!
I rode home while she sat on the carrying thing over the back wheel. Thats how the chinese get around. And of course, I was hauling down the street and people were all staring at us. "whaaaaaa!?". I did more computer work.
I went to practice tonite, but I got there and no one was doing anything and barely anyone was there. Screw this, I have more important things to waste my time on. So I took off.
Came home and worked alot more on things.