A few weeks back, the computer on my bike failed. It is a Specialized Speedzone Wireless Computer. The bluetooth transmitter that picks up wheel speed stopped working. I did the whole change the batteries and reset the computer to no avail. So I looked to see what kind of warranty Specialized offered. The manual said it had a two year warranty. But I had to ship the computer back to Specialized where they would repair or replace. Okay...do I send it in and trust that Specialized would honor the warranty? (Meaning I'm without a bike computer for a few weeks.) Or do I just buy a new one? It comes down to trust. Can I trust a company to keep its word? Twenty years ago or so, this wouldn't even be a question. But with the way many companies have recently betrayed the public trust, (just watch the Nightly News every night!) I had to make a serious decision. So I decided to go for it.
About two weeks later, a FedEx package arrives at the door. Inside was a brand new computer! Specialized came thru and honored their warranty. The weird part is that I was suprised at all. I shouldn't have been. A company should back its products and honor their warranties. But I cannot deny that I wasn't surprised. While I commend Specialized for doing the right thing and I will continue to do business with them, the fact I was surprised says something about the state of commerce and public distrust in America today - that I fully expected them not to do the right thing.
