vendor feedback policy

[camcojb]

we are contemplating a vendor feedback forum, but have not figured out the details. Others sites have them, but they seem less than ideal in my opinion.

Right now, we've had more pm's from members in the past years saying they like the non-drama more than we've had people wanted the feedback.

[fleetus macmullitz]

One possible idea; have a vendor feedback forum.

When someone asks about a vendor, require (as is policy) no vendor bashing. Only positive feedback can be posted.

Then, once the OP has made the effort, they can then send a pm to the powers that be here if they like, to inquire if there are any verified claims against said vendor.

In the meantime OP may also get pm's about the vendor in question of course.

[Vegas69]

It comes down to trusting Scott to terminate a non performing vendor. In my eyes he has proven that he will protect the members best interest. We don't need to see the politics here. You can get that everywhere else. I want to see this site as the positive and fun place it's been for good. This place is special, let's keep it that way.

[Northeast Rod Run]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

One possible idea; have a vendor feedback forum.

When someone asks about a vendor, require (as is policy) no vendor bashing. Only positive feedback can be posted.

That kind of makes the whole idea of a feedback section useless.

A feedback section should allow good, bad, or neutral feedback at all times. It has to be open and honest with as little censoring as possible.

If you only allowed positive feedback, what purpose would that serve? A feedback section that only allows good feedback does more harm to people (the ones spending the money), than not having one at all.

Say a vendor (or even a regular member) screws a bunch of people over time and time again, then when he thinks his back is almost against the wall he goes above and beyond for the next couple of people. Those two people will post all great things about their experience, so then more people will give them a shot and the circle will continue

If that seems far fetched, it's not. I've seen that a bunch of times on a couple of other forums.

[DRJDVM's '69]

I don't like the drama anymore than you guys.... But one of the great aspects of these sites is to learn.... Learn what works and what doesn't.... Learn from other peoples mistakes.... Learn from their success... Learn who to trust and who to avoid

If there is someone to avoid doing business with then I want know about it

More complicated but maybe a feedback where it's similar to eBay..... Star or number rating... Very objective comparisons...Short sentence about experience.... If you want more detail then contact me via email

Biggest thing I want to know..."would you do business with them again?"

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by DRJDVM's '69

Biggest thing I want to know..."would you do business with them again?"

Ned, that's a good idea maybe... just limit the feedback to that question. Pretty straightforward.

We've all seen what does NOT work on other forums....

[Scorpner]

I like to hear the negative things as only positive comments seem insincere or fake to me. No one is completely happy 100% of the time.

I ran something like this on a local forum and thought that making people stick to only first hand experiences and with only the facts, that more productive results came from it. Also, the intention of the thread/section was for awareness/resolution and not to discourage or harm the others involved. Posts from people that say their "friend was ripped off", or even first hand complaints that don't specify details were either disputed for more details or closed/deleted etc. Sometimes asking for specifics showed that they weren't totally innocent either. Make it known that the vender has equal opportunity to respond as well. They also needed to be legitimate without being freinds with, or working for the competition.

Feed back like what the have on Newegg is awesome and the legit comments on there have been a huge factor in purchases I've made there. -great feature if you can pull it off.

[HIFLYR]

Originally Posted by DRJDVM's '69

I don't like the drama anymore than you guys.... But one of the great aspects of these sites is to learn.... Learn what works and what doesn't.... Learn from other peoples mistakes.... Learn from their success... Learn who to trust and who to avoid

If there is someone to avoid doing business with then I want know about it

More complicated but maybe a feedback where it's similar to eBay..... Star or number rating... Very objective comparisons...Short sentence about experience.... If you want more detail then contact me via email

Biggest thing I want to know..."would you do business with them again?"

Amen,
Reading the posts in question saved me from sending the person in question over 15k.

[DFRESH]

Jody/Scott, thanks for running things so well here. Everyone has an opinion, unfortunately they aren't always expressed as elegantly as someone like, let's say, Todd.

I understand the no bashing rule and think it's a good one. If I am reading your post correctly, LG is going to allow members to post about repeated trouble they might be having with a vendor if appropriate, as long as they/we don't go down the path of saying their moms eat kitty litter, or something of the sort. Correct?

I know that I have come to rely on many of the members here and their suggestions/opinions, and I do place a high value on their specific opinions when it comes to vendors and typically ask if they would buy from that vendor again. I can do this with or without a specific vendor section.

If you do open up a specific section for vendor feedback, I hope that as part of the rules, the customer must be required to submit their documentation of phone calls and emails, etc before being allowed to air their grievance/s. Anyone who has owned or worked a retail establishment knows that you really can't please everyone. I would also hope that others not involved with that vendor (never ordered parts with them, had service performed, etc) would not be allowed to post---not sure how that would be managed---pipe dream perhaps. If that were possible, maybe those threads would be more constructive. I for one do like to see the vendor/s respond publicly when it's an appropriate environment for them to do so.

Glad I don't have to figure it out, but glad you guys are going down the path. Many of us have talked about this lately and are glad you guys are addressing.

Doug

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Jody/Scott, thanks for running things so well here. Everyone has an opinion, unfortunately they aren't always expressed as elegantly as someone like, let's say, Todd.

I understand the no bashing rule and think it's a good one. If I am reading your post correctly, LG is going to allow members to post about repeated trouble they might be having with a vendor if appropriate, as long as they/we don't go down the path of saying their moms eat kitty litter, or something of the sort. Correct?

I know that I have come to rely on many of the members here and their suggestions/opinions, and I do place a high value on their specific opinions when it comes to vendors and typically ask if they would buy from that vendor again. I can do this with or without a specific vendor section.

If you do open up a specific section for vendor feedback, I hope that as part of the rules, the customer must be required to submit their documentation of phone calls and emails, etc before being allowed to air their grievance/s. Anyone who has owned or worked a retail establishment knows that you really can't please everyone. I would also hope that others not involved with that vendor (never ordered parts with them, had service performed, etc) would not be allowed to post---not sure how that would be managed---pipe dream perhaps. If that were possible, maybe those threads would be more constructive. I for one do like to see the vendor/s respond publicly when it's an appropriate environment for them to do so.

Glad I don't have to figure it out, but glad you guys are going down the path. Many of us have talked about this lately and are glad you guys are addressing.

Doug

thanks Doug. It would be a separate feedback forum (good or bad) and only the original poster would be able to post (software allows that). A reply by the vendor would be allowed, but would require a pm to myself so I could add it. Both sides would have a say. Also, have a minimum post requirement to make a post there, maybe 10 posts or so. We get people who join the board only to slam someone, would eliminate that.

Going to be testing it first to make sure it works like we think. Rules would still not allow bashing, but honest feedback is fine. Hopefully we will end up with way more positive feedback than negative.