Any update on Rick Mayer Seats?

[krglorioso]

In early November, I sent a spare seat for my 03 Stone to Rick Mayer Seats for rebuilding.  I received a phone message from them saying it was scheduled for a January 6 construction, which was fine with me.

Several weeks later, on this forum, custom seatmakers were being discussed and it was reported that Rick Mayer had just gone through a ruinous divorce with implications of business problems and a confirmation that the BMW Owners Group had been commenting on their forum of declines in the previously excellent Mayer seat quality.  My sinking feeling began at that point and progressed through and beyond the January 6 date.

This week I called RMS twice, getting a cheery recording both times and in each instance I gave my name, phone # and a question re my seat completion.
I have not received a return call and am starting to get very worried as RMS has my spare seat and $435 prepaid seat price. 

Has any WGC member any updated information regarding this once highly-praised seat maker?  Good or bad, I'd like to hear. My own problem aside, I'd like to see this business survive and prosper.

If (ever) I hear from RMS, I will post on this thread.

Thanks,

Ralph

[pyoungbl]

Ralph, I cannot agree that this guy is such a good guy.  A year ago, well before any divorce talk, I sent him a seat to be rebuilt.  In November he said to send it in the first week of January, which I did.  I was told it would take 10 days to build the new seat.  Bottom line is that I finally got the seat in April.  This in spite of specifically telling him that I needed the seat prior to Bike Week (early March).  I got lots of BS excuses which never made sense (PO closed, package too heavy, etc.).  The seat I finally got was really nice but I cannot stand those business practices.  Best of luck with your seat.  Bill Mayer, on the other hand, is supposed to be just as good at seat work and is running a good business.

Peter Y.

[krglorioso]

Thanks, Peter. I was trying to "make nice" since I had no direct experience suggesting otherwise.  Your comments are very informative.  It seems the wrong Mayer got my seat and money, but hope springs eternal.  At least RMS' delay is par for the course and in my seat's situation I may be worried before I need to be.  Thank heavens I have a spare (CalVin "skunk") seat and a Corbin solo for the Stone.  I believe in redundancy.  (No, Karen, not where you are concerned--in case you read my WGC posts.)

Ralph

[bpreynolds]

Ralph, if you don't hear back from Rick, this may work.

[Kent in Upstate NY]

I like Bill Mayer because I was able to do a ride in and have the opportunity to test out various measurements. Really good quality. Plus he served up fresh pineapple and BBQ tri-tip.

[krglorioso]

Why, Brian!  I didn't know you cared...

Ralph

[bpreynolds]

Why, Brian!  I didn't know you cared...

Ralph

Come on now admit it, my option above looks better than a Russell.   :BEER:

[Sheepdog]

Years ago I ordered a seat from Rick Mayer for my KLR (2001) and had many delays also. When I finally got the seat it had several unsewn sections that actually exposed the foam. Ordinarily I would have sent it back, but after that long wait I just superglued the loose seams and called it good. There was some positive that came of it: the seat was supremely comfortable.

[Lannis]

Come on now admit it, my option above looks better than a Russell.   :BEER:

I own and love a Russell seat, but I have to agree with you.   A craggy, ugly Stelvio is the only bike it looks halfway decent on .... But I love it anyway because it loves me!

Lannis

[bpreynolds]

I own and love a Russell seat, but I have to agree with you.   A craggy, ugly Stelvio is the only bike it looks halfway decent on .... But I love it anyway because it loves me!

Lannis

Absolutely.  The Russell I have for the Stone with backrest I bought second hand and not even fitted for me is still by far the best performing after market seat I've ever had.  Great personality notwithstanding.   ;-T

[Zinfan]

I'd take the ruinous divorce talk with a grain of salt, it may be true but here is an advrider thread started in 2003 about Rick. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546066&highlight=rick+mayer

I have said before I like my Bill Mayer seat but I did a ride in fit and build so I knew I would get the seat that day, not an option for many sadly. 

[krglorioso]

Thanks for the comforting responses (I think).  At least this is a long-standing MO on the part of Rick Mayer and SOME customers expressed satisfaction.  I feel as if I'm in Vegas hoping the ball will come to rest on my number.

This is always going to be a problem with a "made to order" seat, when the buyer is not able to visit the shop directly (in most cases).  I gave detailed instructions when I sent my other Stone seat to Ned'sin 2013 and the seat came back beautifully made, but totally wrong.  I was sitting in a deep "V" of soft foam, when I'd requested a flat front seat and firm foam.  Jim (Jim Figgins, the son of the original Ned) is a delight to work with and took the seat right back and this time followed my directions fairly well on shape and 100% on foam firmness.  There still was a bit of downward slant to the front for the rider's seat, but not bad and I am going to do a little surgery this spring with an electric carving knife.  Maybe Rick should hire Jim to manage the Mayer seat office and interface with customers.  Best of both worlds.

Ralph