"Thank You," Or What To Say To Sponsors

I am not sure where or when it happened. Somewhere along the line, mountain bike racers forgot how to say "thanks." Now, I'm not saying that they ALL have, but as a general rule the dynamic has somehow shifted. Along the way, riders have forgotten that the companies that make bike goods don't actually OWE them anything. They don't owe them anything, but are willing to help them because they also can increase their brand awareness. The annoying thing about the complete lack of gratitude? It's usually not from the Pro riders, who get the most....and typically return the most in the amount of press and input.
The majority of riders who expect free stuff (and no "thanks", or a 6 pack, or a "hey, how's the family?") come from the ranks of Sport and Expert. Now, understand that NOBODY on this team does that, and I am not responding to anything anyone here did...at least not anyone on the team NOW. This was a page I wanted to write a looong tome ago and just now am getting to. SO...on that note...
When the season is coming to a close and you are submitting your letters of proposal...be sure to say please and thank you. Also, it's a good idea to write down what YOU are willing to do for THEM. Offer to wash their car, take them for dinner, anything. We go to events and races and actually build sponsor booths when asked (like Interbike), and sell products at races for them. You need to be able to provide feedback on the product you receive...oh, and another quick thing...this is a BIG area where a lot of LARGE budget teams loose their sponsorship...provide them with pictures. If a company (let's say KENDA) donates 20K to you'r team, don't be a dumb ass and send them a bill for 5 thousand dollars for a photo. Buy a camera, and take your own pictures if you need to, but send them for free so they can then spend another 25K on YOUR TEAM to promote it in magazines. The reason Lyd uses us so much in magazines and web-ads? It's not because I'm good in bed (I'm not), it's because I'm the only person sending her frequent rider pictures (thanks Darter) and race reports, and product updates. All the cash they spend on big-$ teams, and she has to ask me for a picture of riders in the snow...from California.
Sooo....to make a short story way too long...for those of you out there that are new to the whole rcaing thing, just mind your manners. Say thank you to the people who take care of you, and don't be a jack-hole and try to get everything you want, and nothing you don't. Someone who is working at a place that accepts your proposal may not always work at "Bob's House Of Anodized Parts." In a year, he could be working at Tomac, Amino Vital, Kenda, Sigma or Xpedo and really provide you with things that are better than you deserve.
Practice the art of thanks, and you may just BE that Expert guy with free clothes, bikes, pedals, hydration packs, sunglasses, heart rate monitors, computers, tires,nutrition products, portable bike-washers, magazine ads, etc. My people get that already, but then again they can say "thanks."