Hey folks, I'm a little unclear on the validity of this company. The contents of this email sound potentially like awesomesauce but the tone sounds sort of spammy. If anyone can vouch for or against them or wants to do a little research I'm sure everyone here is interested in hearing more.

For now I've taken this person off the list and I'm going to send them an email explaining why.  Mostly I feel that they shouldn't be in the direct line of fire if there is any negative feedback (as always, keep in mind the archives are public).

Cheers,
godwin.

--- Original Message ---

From: info@midwaybike.com
Sent: February 11, 2015 7:18 PM
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
Subject: [TheThinkTank] New Supplier For Non-Profits and Small Shops

Hi, I am Benita Warns, President of Midway Bicycle Supply. I, along with my spouse, started this company because most non-profit bike coops and small shops do not have access to wholesale distribution channels that are available to larger enterprises.  Most of the large distributors require their customers to purchase a minimum amount of merchandise with each order, and the amount is too high for many shops to afford.  Also, those large distributors focus on a lot of higher-end items rather than the basic repair parts needed to fix older, used bicycles.
 
If your community bike shop or collective is incorporated as a non-profit entity (i.e., 501( C ) 3), carries liability insurance, and operates a physical location, then most likely your group will qualify for an account with Midway Bicycle Supply.  We offer you a minimum order quantity of just $25 (plus shipping), no charge to open the account, our best price on every item (why should you have to buy 20 tires to get a price break?), and we give 10% of all income to charity.  We also seek out hard-to-find parts for the kind of older bicycles that you service.  We won’t close your account if you don’t spend enough money or order often enough.  Our business is set up specifically to meet your needs.
 
To apply for an account, all you need to do is to go to our web site at www.midwaybike.com and print out a copy of the application form, fill it out, and either scan it and attach it to an email message, or mail it the old fashioned way.  If your web site has photos of your location, just note that rather than taking new photos.  Also, be sure to include your preferred user name and password so we can set up online access.
 
If you want to know more before applying for an account, just call 651-955-1930 and you can talk to the boss (that’s me). I would be happy to answer your questions.
 
I invite you to apply for an account with our company, and look forward to serving you.
 
 
Benita Warns, President
Midway Bicycle Supply, Inc.
506 N. Prior Avenue
St. Paul, MN  55104
651-955-1930
www.midwaybike.com