Lost a mechanic (long post)

[Fujichants]

I am extremely frustrated and feel a bit disgusted. Also very disappointed.

I thought I had a great mechanic at my LBS. The guy takes great care of my bike, and goes above and beyond. He's helped me with a lot of things. BF and I sometimes run into him during our rides and we all end up chatting for a few minutes. However, I started to notice that this guy was developing a bit of a crush on me. He would start calling me "beautiful" and things like that. So I felt uncomfortable and stopped going to the store. If I really needed something done for my bike, I would take BF with me. (I have taken my bike to other places and I am definitely not happy with the way they treat it). So the guy backed off and started telling us about his 17 year old son and his wife and bla bla bla.

Well, the other day I had to take my other bike in because I was preparing to sell it. So I wanted it in great shape. BF and I dropped it off, and I had to pick it up by myself because BF had a baseball game to play. The stupid mechanic would not let me take my own bike to my car, he just had to hold on to it and felt the need to help me. I already felt uncomfortable and told him to give me my bike. He just walked out of the store with it! So I open my car from a distance and watch him put my bike in the back. I then lock the car and wait for him to go back inside the store. Instead, he walks up to me, and asks for a hug. I say no. The guy just hugs me and says: I wish you didn't have a boyfriend. I try to get him away from me, and as I turn my head away and get ready to push him, he kisses my cheek. I pushed him off and felt disgusted and violated. I yelled at him that he has a wife and that he knows my BF and how dare he! I wanted to go back into the store and look for his manager, but was too embarrassed. I just got into my car and raced off.

I am never, ever going back there again. I don't understand why some men are like this. Now, I have to look for a new LBS and a new mechanic too. I hate this!

[Aggie_Ama]

What on earth was he thinking???? You really should report him to the manager, I mean it may cost him his job but this is unacceptable in so many ways. Just for you as a customer you shouldn't feel uncomfortable and as a person you shouldn't have to deal with that strong of an advance. ICK!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He probably does this to other women customers too. The manager/owner should know about it. Hugging and kissing you against your will!!?? That's serious stuff.

[Blueberry]

Ditto what the others have said. That's really not cool behavior, and I would call the manager.

CA

[LoriO]

ditto what the others said. YOu need to go see the manager and tell him what happened. If he has done it to you, he could very well be doing it to other women. That and think how that reflects on and impacts that store. If they are losing business due to this person, they need to know it.

Don't let him win by your silence!!! Stand up against him and do something about him. You will be surprised by how much better you will feel once you do something.

[VeloVT]

Fujichants, I'm really sorry that happened to you.

There is something wrong with our culture that causes women to feel guilty when this happens to them. Forgive me if I'm totally wrong about that, Fujichants, but I sort of sense it a little bit in your post. I'm pretty sure there's a part of me that would feel guilty in that situation too, as though it was my fault in some way.

Not your fault. He's a jerk.

[celerystalksme]

should have run him over with your car...for real real...not for play play...

[chicago]

what a creep. just stay away from him and the store... who needs that kind of stuff... there are other fine mechanics out there....

[Becky]

Call his manager. Seriously.

[Biciclista]

call his manager. He needs to have consequences for his actions or he might do it again. OR WORSE.

please?

[Irulan]

wow

ew

what they all said, let the mgr know!!!

Don't be embarrassed! ( that is what is wrong with our culture!!) Be mad. He's the one that should feel that way. I would call the manager and MAKE AN APPOINTMENT so they know you are serious.

[Biciclista]

and bring your boyfriend with you!

[Irulan]

and bring your boyfriend with you!

Why?

[Biciclista]

for moral support. And besides, the abuser is probably going to say "she asked for it." It will be harder to make that statement with the boyfriend sitting there because HE knows how hard it's been for her.

[sundial]

Because having her man present will 1) give her emotional support and 2) to keep the manager from brushing her off.