Discussing Poor Performance of Vendors in Our Community

[scoutabout]

Topic of discussion for all. I believe (correct me if I am incorrect) that it is and should be acceptable to openly discuss vendors within the 4x4/OHV community who routinely provide a poor product or service to their customers. Such a discussion should not be limited to "productive" talks about how to improve a vendor, that's the vendor's problem. Is it ok to say, "Don't waste your money with Company X, and here are the factual reasons why..."? Without intent (or even with it) to start a flame war, aren't such discussions helpful to the community in general? Yes, no, doesn't matter, shut the hell up?

 

[SAMI]

I think it should be discussed, yes.

 

[Caleb]

Such a discussion should not be limited to "productive" talks about how to improve a vendor, that's the vendor's problem. Is it ok to say, "Don't waste your money with Company X, and here are the factual reasons why..."?

IMO, stating facts why not to spend money with Company X is very productive. To say it doesn't need to be productive is just asking to start a bash fest and that's not needed.

I do have to ask, why is everything with you negative? I can't say I've ever seen anything positive posted by you. (I hope I'm wrong, but...) Why do you stick around the off-road community if everything that has anything to do with it, is so negative???

 

[scoutabout]

I think it should be discussed, yes.

One vote yes, thanks.

IMO, stating facts why not to spend money with Company X is very productive. To say it doesn't need to be productive is just asking to start a bash fest and that's not needed.

Two votes yes, thanks.

I do have to ask, why is everything with you negative?

You just responded to a positive comment I made tonight. Don't believe everything you hear from Meat when you're cuddling before bed.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=695047&postcount=5
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=683339&postcount=10
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=687085&postcount=22
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=695051&postcount=3
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=691283&postcount=25
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=693924&postcount=7
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=681761&postcount=67 (Not "MY" post, but...)
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showpost.php?p=686944&postcount=11


And on and on. I do say (and type) what I think, positive or negative. I don't subscribe to the Utahn's standard motto of "keep it quiet, keep it surpressed, don't upset the hierarchy." If we're not talking about it, it ain't changin'.

 

[Brian P]

Steve U

 

[SAMI]

K, so bring on the facts..

 

[JL Rockies]

I don't subscribe to the Utahn's standard motto of "keep it quiet, keep it surpressed, don't upset the hierarchy." If we're not talking about it, it ain't changin'.

Really? We were recently voted "state most-likey to succeed from the union".

 

[Stephen]

Shut the hell up Steve.

I think it would be valuable to have open, civil discussion about vendors; positive or negative. It benefits both the consumer and the vendor. I do take issue with people who have the intent to flame a single company. That helps no one.
If there were a forum specifically set up for this where consumers could express concern or praise and vendors could respond, that would be great. There would have to be some pretty stringent rules though. You would have to list the product or service, the date purchased (I hate it when people start complaining about product quality years after they purchased and abused it) and a logical statement about why they have issue with the company. None of this inane, "Company X screwed me!!!! &*%$ them man, no one spend money with they!!!! They are bad!!!"
That being said, what a nightmare for moderators. Inevitably threads will spiral out of control and have to be locked or deleted.

 

[scoutabout]

Really? We were recently voted "state most-likey to succeed from the union".

The results of a made-up question regarding something that is all bravado and has ZERO chance of EVER happening has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything in this thread.

Shut the hell up Steve.

I think it would be valuable to have open, civil discussion about vendors; positive or negative. It benefits both the consumer and the vendor.

That's three for yes, thanks for responding and joining the discussion while remaining on topic and relevant.

In response to your lengthy additional comments: No duh. Moderation of any discussion is necessary and is balanced by the owners and stakeholders responsible for the venue of the discussion whether it's online or IRL.

More comments?

 

[Brett]

I don't see any problem with discussing vendors, for good or for bad. It gives people an idea of who they are buying from before they spend their pesos.

 

[JL Rockies]

Chillax dude... you seem high-strung.

 

[jackjoh]

I think this is the right place to put legitimate questions about products or services especially those that concern our 4 wheeling safety.

 

[scoutabout]

Great comments guys thanks. Except for "JL Rockies". You've never dealt with a more "chillaxed dude" in your life. Meet me and then judge. Til then, make relevant posts or STFU.

 

[jdub]

Anonymity is the issue. Would someone step up and share valuable information or is there fear (as I have) to mention such experiences? My concern is that there would be much collective time and money lost within our community due to lack of communication. BBB of sorts? Is that the Idea?

 

[Gravy]

Hi Steve,

another vote for yes.

I like knowing where my hard earned money goes. I like the thread on pirate that Wayne Hartwig started (something like: trustworthy vendors). It's easy to point fingers at lousy vendors but making a list of good ones is more productive.

 

[scoutabout]

Anonymity is the issue. Would someone step up and share valuable information or is there fear (as I have) to mention such experiences?

I'm not sure I'm following. You mean that there's concern about bringing daylight to negative experiences for fear of reprisal or other blowback?

My concern is that there would be much collective time and money lost within our community due to lack of communication. BBB of sorts? Is that the Idea?

No, nothing like that. As you noted, too time consuming. Just a discussion that hopefully brings this issue forward.

I like the thread on pirate that Wayne Hartwig started (something like: trustworthy vendors). It's easy to point fingers at lousy vendors but making a list of good ones is more productive.

Thanks for the comment. I would say it is "equally productive" not necessarily more productive. Remembering to praise good performance is as important as denouncing poor performance.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I wouldn't care one way or the other if we made a good list and bad list. But I wonder how much it would change things? I think for the most part that we already know who the good vendors are. I have had very bad experiences with some of the top vendors on this board, but I can bet that they were the exception and not the rule. I would also bet that sharing those stories would do nothing to keep someone else from spending their money at these shops, even if I will no longer use them. You also have to remember that there is two sides to every story. I never saw (or wouldn't see) their point of view. I bet anyone that has had a bad time at one of our vendor's shops could care less about their point of view.

So I ask, what's the point?

 

[scoutabout]

I wouldn't care one way or the other if we made a good list and bad list. But I wonder how much it would change things? I think for the most part that we already know who the good vendors are.

You say "we" to describe the "long-time members" of this community, and yes "we" know who's bad and who isn't. The newbie does not have the benefit of our experiences.

I have had very bad experiences with some of the top vendors on this board, but I can bet that they were the exception and not the rule. I would also bet that sharing those stories would do nothing to keep someone else from spending their money at these shops, even if I will no longer use them. You also have to remember that there is two sides to every story. I never saw (or wouldn't see) their point of view. I bet anyone that has had a bad time at one of our vendor's shops could care less about their point of view.

An interesting comment. When we assume that our negative experience was the exception are we not "hiding" their poor performance in some respect? If we're tracking good and bad experiences, the 98 good experiences and 2 bad experiences will tell the tale that this is still a good vendor (can't please everyone). Perhaps by the first guy blowing the whistle, then more will come forward?

So I ask, what's the point?

We're getting there.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I bet we can run through not just the vendors, but many other shops in the area in a matter of minutes. There are many threads on RME that cover every shop. All a new guys has to do is search.

 

[Tacoma]

Ahhah, I miss you Steve. And Meat, too.

Anyway I have never really seen a problem with discussing anything, on the merits. Let the chips fall. Especially here, the community is small enough that any attempts at pulling the wool over someones eyes are going to be countered by the evidence: the pictures, background info, etc. See: the new Rocklogic, Ballistic Fabrication, or USA6X6 for examples of community correction of the record.

As for anonymity, put up or shut up. You wanna snipe someone behind their backs and you're too much of a chicken to b*tch about their crappy service/products. Don't be a chicken.

Another vote for yes.