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Big people and bikes in the elevator

Right now I'm pissed off, hurt, shocked, embarrassed and really, did I mention pissed off?

We have had this issue with the manager types in our apartment building. It's a very small complex. Months and months ago my husband and I were leaving to go and ride bikes. We live on the top floor so we go individually and load our bike in the elevator, first propping it up on the back wheel. We are always very careful to not get anything dirty in the elevator, etc. So, we were leaving this one day and all the apt owners (we're just renters) were having a meeting downstairs and they started telling us we couldn't put our bikes in the elevator because it would break. They told us to lock our bikes up down in the basement with a few other cars. We refused on the grounds that a) our bikes are expensive and we don't want them stolen (which would be highly likely), b) nothing had happened to warrant them trying to make us do this. My landlord said later that he got really mad at them and yelled at them when they said it was mostly really an issue of our weight. They said we are such 'BIG' people. So really they were using the bikes as an excuse for what - I don't know. I argued that adding a 30lb bike to a 200-300 lb frame is hardly going to break the elevator.

Fast forward to today when I opened an e-mail that was unintentionally sent to me by my landlord who was actually writing to his family and whose sister's name is also Cindy. He told her that WE broke the elevator for the SECOND TIME and that we would SCREAM and say that this isn't our fault. We put the bikes in the elevator along with OURSELVES and we are BIG PEOPLE.' What an extreme asshole. Long story short - we got into it bad at school and he said none of this would be a problem if we would just have agreed to park our bikes downstairs. I yelled at him that our groceries usually weigh more than the bikes. When we travel our suitcases weigh more than the f**king bikes. All four of the fat asses that live on the 4th floor who get on together collectively weigh more than one of us and our bike. I finished it off by saying that this obviously has NOTHING to do with the bikes. It's about us being fat. He didn't get that adding a 30lb bike made no difference if this was the scheme. Then I said, it's one or the other - it's the 30lb bikes or it's us. Which is it? We went round and round. It was awful and then I threatened to move out of the apartment and that I didn't need this shit. He stormed off with his jaw dropped.

This is all coming from a guy who I've always gotten along with and trusted. He has complimented me every time I see him about how great I look and how much weight I've lost. I was a mm away from losing it!! What is wrong with people?

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Comment by Dee on September 14, 2012 at 6:42pm: This is quite possibly the worst discrimination story I've ever heard. There is no way that your bikes have anything to do with the elevator being broken or not. It's insane that he or they thinks so. There is also no way that the two of you on the elevator are breaking it- ridiculous! This all just sounds so mean-spirited and wrong, like they are mad they have to do maintenance on the elevator, which at least in the US is REQUIRED, and they are mad at the expense. That is not your fault that they are financially irresponsible about maintaining their property. To blame it on your bodies is simply cruel and wrong. But you explained the crucial point, and he refused to listen to reason, so it sounds like he, and they, CAN'T be reasoned with. I say, keep taking your bikes on the damn elevator. If they bring the elevator up to code, there won't be any further problems.

Comment by Paula on September 14, 2012 at 7:59pm: Apparently your landlord has never been in a city elevator. 2 people and 2 bikes?? There are codes and he could not own and rent an apartment house with an elevator that is up to code. This is the worst case of prejudice I've heard in a very long time. Maybe it would be a good idea to move.

Comment by Jessica on September 14, 2012 at 8:47pm: I don't want my keyboard to burst into flames over the language I'm thinking to describe this guy. If that's all it takes to supposedly break his elevator, then there are bigger issues to address. I don't know where you are, but most places are REQUIRED to have a safety inspection certificate, mounted in a conspicuous place. Any self-respecting and properly maintained elevator should not 'break' under the conditions you describe. **cough, cough- anonymous call to county/city/whatever building inspection department- cough, cough** And since the phone is warm, maybe the Equal housing place as well?

Comment by Cindy on September 14, 2012 at 10:14pm: O.M.G. After I wrote this I felt so physically and emotionally drained all I wanted to do was get drunk. What I really wanted more than that though was to go to the gym. I did neither. Instead I slept for almost 3 hours. I do feel better but still so angry.

Ladies, thank you ALL for your comments! I agree that this is discrimination at its finest. I live in Mexico City. My landlord is a homosexual American which I'm only pointing out because I'm sure he is no stranger to discrimination. I am mostly hurt because we have never had any problems until this and all along he was playing like he was defending us and was on OUR side. This is a kickass funky place that we love and we really don't want to move. The building is over 80 years old and survived the 85 earthquake. The elevator is small and old and has a limit of 4 people so we go separately with our bikes. I go with just me and my bike in the elevator and then my husband waits and takes it with his bike. I don't know if these freaks do maintenance on the elevator (highly doubtful) but they do maintain the building well and they call the elevator repair guy out as soon as it breaks which is not that frequent........So, what to do? My husband is in the US right now and I e-mailed him all the drama and ended it with 'we're moving'. He wrote back a few lines of 'calm down. let's talk about it when i get back.' so, yeah, I guess he knows me pretty well.

@Dee - I am ultra pissed off because apparently we are some of the very few tenants in the whole building who actually pay our monthly maintenance fee and this is part of what I was screaming at our landlord about. I asked him why he couldn't see that they were screwing him by making him pay 300usd and by paying it he was admitting that we broke the shit (which he obviously believes and wasn't telling us). And, yes, I/we will most definitely keep loading the bikes and going about our business.......or move.

@Paula - There probably are city codes here regarding elevators here but it's so corrupt some weasel probably paid off whoever they needed for a permit. Unfortunate but true.

@Jessica - I envisioned my own keyboard bursting into flames, too! lol I can't tell you how many times I had to backspace a cuss word as I wrote this post! If I had an ounce of energy or time left in my body I would definitely go and start snooping around the legal requirements for this elevator.....sigh...

Comment by Lynette S on September 15, 2012 at 12:49am: UGH! Seriously, WTF!?! I mean really, come on! There is no way you and a bike can break an elevator, NO. WAY!.

This guy is totally discriminating against you, and it's ridiculous! I am so sorry that this happened to you, I'm glad you took a nap, I would have gotten drunk!

I would still consider moving, those kind of places are the worst, they will always blame the renters, the owners will never take responsibility!

Comment by christina on September 15, 2012 at 4:53am: you know what? i wouldnt bother!!

Since you know that this guy has lost his mind (nothing else explains his reaction) i would keep taking my bike up and down with the elevator like nothing has ever happened!!

And if it breaks down they cannot blame you! Its used from everyone so would it be your fault?? So keep up and enjoy your rides!! Dont let somebody with his own issues take you off track!!!

Comment by Keem on September 15, 2012 at 8:56am: Sounds to me like he's two faced---he's being nice to your face then horrible behind your back. Plus, if the bike thing isn't in the lease, they can't make you do it. Keep the letter--if you decide to do a discrimation lawsuit, it could come in handy. :P

Comment by Brandy on September 15, 2012 at 7:26pm: I cannot believe the disrespect and unprofessionalism. Hopefully, once you have been able to take a few deep breaths, you could try and have a real conversation with him about the issues. You have some very valid points, and you definitely are in the right here. Maybe you can get him to concede to your points. If nothing else, take a bubble bath or some other such fun "you" time moment and realize that he is being a jerk. HUGS

Big people and bikes in the elevator

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