Maybe vendors should be required to have a link to the review section in their sig (or something similar) so that users can find it easier.

 

Ah, I see 'vendor' at the bottom of the list. However, there aren't very many vendors listed! Can I add a vendor and write the first review if I am so inclined? Do the vendors have to be 'NAM' sponsors?

(I don't have a review to write, just asking.)

 

But it only lists 8 vendors. I count 76 in the vendor directory.

 

Excellent point. I can't add them myself, so perhaps Mark or Sam will look into updating the list.

 

I might add one thing to that beyond the normal level head thing.

I can't tell anymore who the moderators are for a particular subforum, for example Cabrio 2009+. At least elsewhere I've seen, whoever moderates certain areas should have a modicum of knowledge of exactly what is going on. For example, if it was Cabrio 2005 - 2008, I would expect that person to actually own that car.

They should be helpful and jump in to explain to people via experience or knowledge of what they know in the area. I'm probably going to forget someone here but just by way of example, I am sorry if I forget somebody, Minihune is an excellent example of a mod for tires. He jumps right in being very helpful, he knows the answers and many people know he knows the answers.

I think any subforum mod should follow his lead. Just my opinion.

 

It lists 8 and one of them doesnt even sell MINI parts anymore and has removed MINI from their lineup (ESE). I would like to see all, or most, vendors added as well.

Though something may need to be done to make it more obvious or something? Because even if we put up reviews there, if no one is looking....there isn't much point.

I couldn't agree more with this statement as well:

 

Having attended AMVIV, MOTD and MITM I cannot agree. At each and every event I found them be stress free, loaded with folks that were there to have fun. Vendors work side by side, sharing tools and ideas and the people for the most part are nice and pleasant. There is something that comes out when online behind the protection of the screen where the person you insult just can't reach over and whop you across the head that fosters this tension.

Our local forum, MetroplexMini.org has no where near the level of uncivil behavior that NAM has. Probably has a lot to due with the fact that we see each other often.

I guess we need a huge national meet where everyone on NAM is there and we all meet each other for a giant group hug while we sing Kumbaya.

Either that or Xanax for all!!

 

I agree....there is a lot of great comrodery (sp?) in the MINI community and at the events. The place where i feel the demographic may cause problems is the massive number of different demographics that the MINI encompasses.

Not necessarily with the Coilover issue...but i do think the various demographics do cause some issues. You look at the honda forums or the newer model volkswagen forums and you have a bunch of younger owners.....many of which are very aggressive in their posting methods. Then check out a harley forum, hotrod forum, or most of the mercedes forums....you have older guys who are more about respecting eachother's opinions and take a less aggresive approach to things.

Now take a look at the MINI forum....you've got older people, and younger kids, people who want to track their car, people who want to mod their car with all the engine mods, people who want to put flowers on the roof, people who don't want to alter the car at all and just want to motor and talk to their online friends via NAM. I've never seen a forum with so many demographics.....and in many cases, i believe that it's when these demographics don't see eye to eye or misread or misinterpret the meanings behind the posts of other demographics that we begin to see the quarrels fight.

Just the way i see things....I've been wrong before

 

I will be at the next AMVIV, again. I might buy you a beer, but you ain't hugging me.

 

Actually anyone can add vendors into the review system (as well as other products). To add a vendor:

1) Click on Reviews in the Main Menu or in the Site header
2) Click on "Upload a Product"
3) Select Vendors as the category
Enter the vendor name in the "Enter the Product Manufacturer:" field
Skip the Product Model Name field
Add their logo if you've downloaded it from their site to your desktop
Enter some descriptive words regarding what they offer (performance mods, car care, etc.)
Enter a description for the business (use the description on their site if you can find one)
Enter their web site

4) Click Upload/Submit

At this point it will drop into my review queue and once I approve it it will be visible for all to add their own reviews to.

Note: this system was originally designed to handle product reviews but it works for other things (like vendors) as well...its just that the language shown doesn't always point to that when uploading a vendor or review.

With the review system I put on the site several years ago it was my hope that we would take a Wikipedia approach to building it out. A community effort if you will.

As far as making it VERY obvious on the site to its existance and promoting its use I'm certainly open to suggestions.

Mark

 

I could always create a small block that would be displayed just below the Main Menu on every page that shows how many product reviews there are along with the number of vendor reviews. With this information perhaps people would see that there is something in the review area and jump over to it. If you have other ideas I'm all ears as well.

Mark

 

I think that if enough of us use it it and refer to it in threads, it will catch on.

 

I think you're assessment of the demographics is right on the money. I've been thinking this same thing for several years...especially when we have a fire storm on the site about something. There are so many walks of life, such diverse interests, and such a wide range of ages that it makes it a unique challenge to keep everyone happy online. At the events, like others have said, I don't feel this. Online its like the the sixteen different personalities of Sybil

Mark

 

But you have to realize that there are many, many more members here than on most other MINI forums. Thus you are going to be exposed to many more beliefs and personalities with the possibility of being misunderstood and then flamed for that misunderstanding. Unforunately that is the nature of the beast with a forum this big.

.........You beat me to it Mark !

 

That sounds like a good idea and could be beneficial to those of us who have never thought about modding a car before and are learning as we go.

I'm not sure how it would work in conjunction with what I quoted above(and I hope I'm not opening a big can of worms), but in the review section there needs to be some way to prevent someone from posting a negative review slamming a vendor without some type of verification that a reasonable attempt has been made to resolve the issue. I know that was mentioned before, but I think it needs to be part of a review process.

 

Remember that all of these reviews are subject to review by Mark. I am sure he would keep any of the submitted reviews as close to staying on topic as he can.

I wonder if Mark could set it up to have a way to enable the vendor to rebut any of the reviews.....?

 

I dont know about that one....it seems that in many cases, that could just lead to more squabbling.

 

Honestly, I don't want a 'rebuttal' process, that is part of the reason we have the contentious 'discussions' on here already.

the way I see it, if the vendor is good, the good reviews will heavily outweigh the few negative ones, even if the negative ones are not completely truthful.

 

Very true Good call

 

But remember that Mark would be reviewing all submitted posts.

 

It could, but maybe instead of just a review or rating, each party was allowed (but not required) to give a single limited-length comment about the transaction. That would-hopefully-limit squabbling, but would allow the vendor to defend themselves if they felt it necessary, i.e. "the customer didn't contact me to resolve the problem."

I thought about maybe a rating of say 1-5 (NOT to be confused with the MINI 5 Star rating ) but still feel that there needs to be a way for the vendor to have their say if there is an issue. I have seen instances at other sites where a vendor had predominately good ratings, but with a few negatives. I am always interested in what those negative comments concern. I have seen someone get negative comments for things well beyond their control. The vendor should be able to say that the complaint was about something they had no control over.

 

I wasn't referring to other MINI forums

 

I see a few new moderators posting....members I'm not familiar with. Interesting.

 

 

good to see Jon is onboard now (03Indigo)...he'll do great