Hey everyone
The first problem we had was that the bikes for Cesar
Grajals and Thomas Steinbacher ended up getting over charged by FedEx. Then they
ended up being held by German customs. As well as all the clothing that was
packed for the riders, marketing articles and shirts also ended up in impound
in Germany. A great start to our Euro trip. No bikes, it’s raining, its
cold and a tax bill with a note saying to meet us at customs in Pirmasens
Germany .
When Tom landed He got an email that Cesar had his entry
into the country denied by Lufthansa, after American Express told us all is set
with his passport and green card for reentry into USA. Cesar ended up going to the
Austria consulate in Denver, Colorado and it was closed. This delayed Cesar a
whole day. And with Tom was fighting with German customs, they missed the start
in Austria for World Cup. And if you miss the prologue start you cannot qualify
for the overall race win. So now sitting in Germany and it’s about 50 degrees
and it’s raining, and raining, and raining.
Not a problem they figured. Let’s just get out of here. All
they need to do is to change the flight tickets back but Lufthansa said
because of law (blah blah) Tom cannot return for minimum of 7 days.
So they called American Express. And because Tom is a good
client of 16 years they will help but because all the tickets and fine print it
will cost almost more money than the original 2 way ticket. So no matter how
they do it or try it doesn't work. So far, not the most perfect trip. The
day of Tom’s flight to Germany he booked tickets for Cesar and himself to
Columbia on August 27th for a business meeting on the 28th. While Tom
was waiting for the email confirmation from Amex he was on the phone with Amex
supervisors were informing Tom of the flight and of course that was also booked
wrong (now at this point, just imagine Tom’s heart rate with a long
distance phone bill)
While this was going on Tom also was trying to get an
appointment with the German customs in his home town Pirmasens. Tom was about
to lose his mind and was 2 steps away from getting arrested. German customs is
run very black and white, never thinking outside of the box. They finally gave
Tom his bike. They inspected his USED bicycles and then charged Double Taxes
claiming that they are new bicycles. Then realized they were wrong and approved
that the bikes are in fact USED and that they over charged him. It only took
them an hour to realize this. But now they want Tom to go to Koln which is
350km away and fill out a form for their mistake and not ride the bikes, but to
ship them back and maybe, just maybe, Tom can get his money back for the
overcharge on the taxes. Sounds like a joke, but it’s not. Tom is stuck in
Germany with not allowed to ride his bikes, Missed the World Cup race, it’s
raining none stop, and it’s freaking cold out. And on top of that, German
customs also tagged his bike with an official seal stamped on his bike, which
they stated he cannot ride it with the seal on the bike. This has to be a
joke. The response from customs was “what can you do?” likes it’s a out
of there hands.
Finally Amex called back and the rep says “ok I have
multiple solution, let's look at them quickly because it is almost 5.30 and my
shift is over soon”, OMG what the F@#% is this a hidden camera show?
Tom’s options are, He waits 7 days in Germany and they can
give me a free exchange flight, but I have to pay exchange rate. Or Tom buys a
new one way for more than originally 2 way. or in 5 days Tom can fly for a
little cheaper or Amex can refund my money for the messed up Colombia flight
(there messed up but Tom can say thanks for fixing it and giving MY own money
back) or option number 4 Tom can get his Colombia flight money back and he can
give Tom a super cheap flights directly to Columbia and also can change Cesar
tickets for free by using the refund money to pay for it. So now Tom is flying
Saturday with my bikes (with German tax seal on it) to Columbia and because He
cannot go to Koln to the tax office and because he want to ride my bikes He
cannot get his tax money back. How the heck after Tom explained 12 times to the
customs people that Tom rides, sells eats, sleeps, bicycles they put a German
seal on the bike and says just wait till the paperwork is done and the bikes go
back to the USA (MAYBE) Tom is absolutely speechless about the thinking process
of some people, how do you live in such a box. Now Tom finds out that the hotel
in Austria also refuses to refund his money or even refused to refund partial
money. So now Tom will be stuck in Colombia for 12 days till my meeting on the
28th.
But life sometimes doesn't always go your way but as long as
you can smile you’ll be fine.
Today is the first day they have a small break from the rain
and Tom get dressed and walk out the door and boom, full blown rain AGAIN, ok
back in the house and have coffee number 6.
About an hour later a little sun so now Tom said “Forget
this I'm going”. With 3 shirts and jacket off he go. Awesome fun ride around
his mom’s house back to my old neighborhood. But here we go again with more bad
luck. A landslide and the road was closed. Tom just smiled and said “great
trip”. He turned around and only knew the highway route so he ask a friendly
German guy and his daughter, she looks at me and say “Hey you’re Tom from
Florida we watched your show” and they all laughed Tom’s new friends said “no
no go around this way it's longer and uphill but no cars and a fun road little
rough but nice”. So Tom say thanks and smiles and go up this rough road he is
right nice quite and fun, bad road but good, 30 min later up hill road turns
into gravel and mud , Tom look around, nice woods and fields. But no paved road
so back to square one. All Tom can think about all that happened in 3 days and
smile and laugh it off. Finally he stopped a car and get good none gravel
directions, now on his way home. A fun ride but guess what? 45 min away
from home here it comes again, Rain and more rain even more rain. Downhill all
the way back home in the rain nothing Tom can do but smile. Back at moms now
writing this with a big smile coffee number 7 and a good home made German
meal.
Ok now let's see how tomorrow's 17 hour journey to Colombia
will work out :)
See attached pictures of my nice German seal on my bikes and
a succession from the 5 customs people not 2 ride. 1 hour at customs and tax
office with 5 people. Now I know where our tax dollars go , lol lol live is
amazing just ride and smile away.
lol
Hopefully I don't need to keep you guys posted and I'll be back to normal soon :)
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