Vendor Feedback

[XcYZ]

Well, things seem to have been getting out of control after the fiasco with Prodigy, and we need to establish some order.

I have to say first, that IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VENDOR, TALK TO THE VENDOR.


Moving on...

I'm looking for feedback from you guys about creating a Vendor Feedback section. A place where you can give your personal, first person experience. I don't want hearsay or something that has been posted on some random person's Facebook. We also have to figure out how to control the agendas. I've caught people creating fake usernames here on our site only to make accusations and create bad publicity. They clearly had an agenda and I shut it down.

Regardless of how we approach this, I can't just let the constant bashing continue. It really goes against everything we've done to get to this point.

What say you?

[MaxHarvard]

I think it could be extremely useful.

The only concern I would have is that it would have to remain VERY civil and almost be self-policed.

Sort of an honor system of sorts.

Hope it works!

~Eric

[XcYZ]

Well, it won't be self policed. If we do something like this, each thread will be manually moderated and approved. I also think that each thread will be closed, no responses/replies except for maybe if it's a negative posting, I'd allow the accused to have their rebuttal.

[BBC69Camaro]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Well, it won't be self policed. If we do something like this, each thread will be manually moderated and approved. I also think that each thread will be closed, no responses/replies except for maybe if it's a negative posting, I'd allow the accused to have their rebuttal.

I think its a great idea, that model seems to be working over at Pt.com. I know its moderator intensive but some way to factually present problems with a vendor if you have it (as a last resort after you can't get any resolution via phone, email etc), would be great.

[Mkelcy]

I think it's a good idea IF we can keep it factual and useful and not a vendor bashfest.

I was very pleased that L-G's concern in the Prodigy thread was protecting the members, even at the cost of terminating a sponsor. That buys a lot of site loyalty with me. (By the way is there a way to contribute without going through the evil empire of PayPal?) The Prodigy thread here may have been messy, but I liked the way it was handled here much better than the way it was (not) handled at Pro-Touring.

To avoid people taking advantage of a Vendor Feedback forum, maybe (1) require some minimum number of posts/years of membership before anyone can start such a thread, (2) if practical and not burdensome on the mods, require a pre-posting review of the facts and the member's attempts to resolve the issue with the vendor, and (3) a strict policy of no-vendor bashing in non-Vendor Feedback threads (I don't mean part quality or fit, I mean "I have a monetary issue" threads).

A forum that allowed people to do a little due diligence before spending hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of dollars with a vendor would be a great service to the community.

[DOOM]

Nice Idea Mike!!!!

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Mkelcy

I think it's a good idea IF we can keep it factual and useful and not a vendor bashfest.

I was very pleased that L-G's concern in the Prodigy thread was protecting the members, even at the cost of terminating a sponsor. That buys a lot of site loyalty with me. (By the way is there a way to contribute without going through the evil empire of PayPal?) The Prodigy thread here may have been messy, but I liked the way it was handled here much better than the way it was (not) handled at Pro-Touring.

To avoid people taking advantage of a Vendor Feedback forum, maybe (1) require some minimum number of posts/years of membership before anyone can start such a thread, (2) if practical and not burdensome on the mods, require a pre-posting review of the facts and the member's attempts to resolve the issue with the vendor, and (3) a strict policy of no-vendor bashing in non-Vendor Feedback threads (I don't mean part quality or fit, I mean "I have a monetary issue" threads).

A forum that allowed people to do a little due diligence before spending hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of dollars with a vendor would be a great service to the community.

Mike, that's great feedback. I really like the idea of being a member for a certain amount of time/certain amount of posts before you can create a thread in that section. All 3 of your points are excellent.

[dhutton]

I think moderators with a prior business relationship with a vendor should exclude themselves from moderating any feedback threads for that vendor....

Don

[elitecustombody]

I agree,feedback section vendor or regular member would be helpful,it will keep slacking vendors in-check .Just so the the thread doesn't get cluttered up ,let only involved parties post and resolve the issue.Keep it civil,post factual information and I think it will work.

Lateral-G is a great site with a good bunch of amazing folks,let's keep it that way

[2Bad4Ya]

I dunno keeping it policed would be a challenge, would have to set up some pretty strict guidelines up front I think. Otherwise it could just become skewed, by fanboi's or people just looking to bash someone.

Keep to some kind of post format at least:

• vendor name
• product
• issue
• attempts to resolve issue w/vendor

Posts w/o that info would be deleted posts that went overboard and turned into bashing get removed also. There is nothing wrong with blowing off steam but a vendor feedback channel isn't really the place imo. Vent your anger with the vendor and just post up the facts on here, and let everyone make their own opinions of the vendor/poster.