Discussing Poor Performance of Vendors in Our Community

[Bear T]

As a vendor, I like to hear feed back, good or bad. I don't see an issue with either discussion as long as it is based on fact and not hear say. I know many times I've had a customer get irate about an issue I have had no control over, or because they remembered the conversation incorrectly. Especially when a customer thinks we can ship things for free overnight, from Florida.

 

[rondo]

Since i bet i've been hosed by at least 3 shops in Utah since moving here (all out of biz now) and 1 still in biz, i think let's start the show. I would like to know who NOT to go to before they steal the $ out of my wallet and de-virginize my daughter.
I have such a distrust of all 4x4 vendors now that its unhealthy. At least its caused me to build my own junk; and i suppose that's a very good thing.

 

[jdub]

I only buy from RMEers. But then again I have been burned(1 out of 20 purchases, so not bad). RME can be used a tool to make things right as well as warn others. I'm for anything that stops those that take advantage of others. On the other hand RME is a great recourse for finding amazing vendors like Gaylons Driveline.

So is this the thread to post up reports or will that follow?

 

[DAA]

"I have such a distrust of all 4x4 vendors now that its unhealthy."

That isn't unhealthy. It's smart.

This isn't my only expensive hobby where I deal with small, custom or semi-custom builder/operators. But the vendors I've dealt with in the 4x4 world, are, on average, by FAR, so inferior in customer service, business skills and just plain giving a crap about what the customer thinks, that I too have long since stopped trusting any of them. It's not like that with the same sort of small businessman/craftsman I deal with in my other expensive hobbies. Just this one. In fact, the craftsmen I deal with in my other hobbies, are, in general, just about the exact opposite of what I've found in the world of off road specialty vendors.

What has always struck me as kind of weird about it, is how an awful lot of the stuff I see online, it seems like the offroad community just accepts that this is how it is and actually discourages complaining about it. Like, if you don't get it that the guy doesn't know how to run a business and doesn't like dealing with his customers, it's your problem, not his, most likely because your not "hard core" enough something...

But, heck yeah, don't trust any of them. I sure as heck don't.

- DAA

 

[DAA]

Oh... Except Kurt .

And actually, several parts vendors have been great. It's the fabricators, small manufacturers and custom builders etc. that I've had mostly bad, or even terrible experiences with and whom I now view all with a jaundiced and distrusting eye.

I should have been more clear about that! One of the dangers of getting a ***** thread going, not being specific enough and throwing the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.

- DAA

 

[UNSTUCK]

"I have such a distrust of all 4x4 vendors now that its unhealthy."

That isn't unhealthy. It's smart.

This isn't my only expensive hobby where I deal with small, custom or semi-custom builder/operators. But the vendors I've dealt with in the 4x4 world, are, on average, by FAR, so inferior in customer service, business skills and just plain giving a crap about what the customer thinks, that I too have long since stopped trusting any of them. It's not like that with the same sort of small businessman/craftsman I deal with in my other expensive hobbies. Just this one. In fact, the craftsmen I deal with in my other hobbies, are, in general, just about the exact opposite of what I've found in the world of off road specialty vendors.

What has always struck me as kind of weird about it, is how an awful lot of the stuff I see online, it seems like the offroad community just accepts that this is how it is and actually discourages complaining about it. Like, if you don't get it that the guy doesn't know how to run a business and doesn't like dealing with his customers, it's your problem, not his, most likely because your not "hard core" enough something...

But, heck yeah, don't trust any of them. I sure as heck don't.

- DAA

Man, I'd love to hear some of your stories. I can't believe they have all been bad. There are good ones out there.

 

[scoutabout]

What has always struck me as kind of weird about it, is how an awful lot of the stuff I see online, it seems like the offroad community just accepts that this is how it is and actually discourages complaining about it.

Interesting. I personally have not seen that happen too often, and I have only seen that only a small handful of times on RME in my 6 years here.

Is it possible that such posts/discussions are moderated into oblivion before the majority of active users read it? Just stating a general hypothetical for our discussion, not necessarily asking anyone in particular.

Oh... Except Kurt .

Yes, Cruiseroutfitters should be everyone's #1 source for Toyota & Landcruiser parts AND Overland Expedition gear.

 

[jackjoh]

Does this fit? What about a ombusman type of e-mail to be sent out by RME when buyers and vendors can't resolve problems? State the facts as know by each side and let peer pressure and truth resolve the issue.

 

[Tacoma]

Is it possible that such posts/discussions are moderated into oblivion before the majority of active users read it? Just stating a general hypothetical for our discussion, not necessarily asking anyone in particular.

With a few exceptions, Pirate (being the largest 4x4 site and thereby a major source of information) lets people have it out about vendors pretty well I think, and aside from the kind of ridiculous bandwagon-jumping that you're going to get on a site that big, I think that's probably as close a model as I can get for the sort of self-policing I think is important.

Does this fit? What about a ombusman type of e-mail to be sent out by RME when buyers and vendors can't resolve problems? State the facts as know by each side and let peer pressure and truth resolve the issue.

I don't really see RME as that kind of quasi-governmental body. I'd rather see RME stay out of it to THAT extent, and rather serve as it does now: as a forum for discussion of the merits, or lack thereof, of the matter at hand.

 

[SAMI]

I doubt RME would want to get involved with issues between a consumer, and a company - who might even be a paying vendor. It's one thing for RME to allow the venue for such lists, feedback, and so on; but a whole 'nother to get in the middle of disputes. I can't imagine Greg or Herzog wanting that for RME.

 

[JL Rockies]

eff no.

 

[RockMonkey]

We've allowed discussions in the past regarding disputes between customers and vendors. We just require that both parties stick to the facts of the matter, and avoid name calling and bashing. Specifically, RockLogic was a paying vendor when the problems started arising, and we allowed all of those problems to be discussed here, regardless of their vendor status.

I don't think we need a dedicated forum for vendor disputes. Our vendors are generally very high quality. If you have a question about a specific dispute, and wonder if we will allow a thread to be started about it, send one of the moderators or admins a PM!