If you don’t agree with it then move on, he is a business and entitled to make a profit as well as doing something good with some of the profits he makes from a Japanese product its quite common place nowadays, lots of companies do it so don’t be so cynical it how the world works how else is he meant to make money to donate don’t see what is there to criticise.

The same way that most people make money to donate, by working hard and doing without so they can give some of what they’ve made to those less fortunate.

Profiteering off the back of a disaster is just not cricket as far as I’m concerned.

Agree with the above. I would imagine reality lies somewhere in between the guy being a living saint and him being a cynical shop owner trying to boost sales and get free publicity off a massive disaster – doesn’t it?

I don’t doubt the intention is honourable but it’s ended up looking like a promotion. Promotions off the back of disasters don’t look good.

If this is/was a truly altruistic act then surly saying in April “We sold loads of Shimano stuff in March and are giving all our profits from this to an appeal.” would have been the way to do it?

Agreed. If the OP wanted to give money to the quake victims he could have done it in a way that didn’t ‘encourage’ extra sales for his business.

Not cool man, not cool…

People you are being a bit harsh criticizing these guys. There are a couple of people from TBC who make an effort to contribute to the forum, answer peoples questions, discuss products, organise group rides, and so on.

If you think they are “profiteering off a tragedy” you don’t have to buy, I’m sure Merlin or CRC will still take your money. This is a small business which takes an active role in the forum, trying to do something nice. Take it at face value or ignore the thread.

so, if i’m reading this right you can only give/donate to charity if you don’t make a fuss about it and certainly if, in any way, you might be making some sort of money. and better yet if you take this position and don’t make any effort on the charitable front in the first place (with specific reference to the op’s post)

that’s going to make corporate sponsorship of charity a bit tricky then isn’t it. http://www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Corporate-support/How-your-company-can-get-involved/Marketing-initiatives

Does anyone on here really buy their Shimano parts from an LBS at RRP?
pretty sure all shimano parts will be available with at least 5% discount online. Personally if I want to donate to anything I do it directly and quietly.

nice gesture but as someone else said, how about making a donation from last months profit to get the money where it’s needed sooner?
<EDIT> actually it’s half way through the month so maybe you already have donated 2 weeks profit, appologies if you have.

OP was making a gesture, hes going to sell Shimano anyway, why are people getting on their high horse and making inflammatory comments like profiteering off a disaster and such like its not meant to be callous or anything. People really have a warped view of things at times :roll:.

i applaud marks gesture…how he worded it,right or wrong doesnt matter…profiteering is a bit over-dramatic based on the scale of his and most bike shops

shandy,you put it better than most on here…

the problem here is the vast majority on here doesnt use/respect/like/understand the lbs( i think this was illustrated by the length of the crc security thread)

true we’re all business’s but not in the enormous turnover/profit league of most of the companies that you lot buy off…

i try and get involved in all sorts of local community intiatives,donate far too much to charitable causes(local ones mainly) chair the local trails association,take cycling proffiency…i dont do all these things just with the mind that it will increase business.(it generally doesnt!) i do it because im self-employed and have the time/inclination…

ive read all the japan threads and theyre seems to be a lot of selfish attitudes…at least mark is doing something active/altruistic whilst some are worried about possible price rises of shimano??