Hi ... I have been a member here since Nov of '03
Was even a vendor (with a "hobby biz" I still do, but stopped as a vendor as we are just too small to offset the costs ... no hard feelings , just they way it is)

It seems like the vendors sit around and have an answer for just about any post or question. Including posting right on the thread or sending PMs, some of those PMs slamming the options (brands) that other members have listed.
3 vendors from just one posting telling me they have exactly what I need and how to contact or buy is what has prompted this.
Is the member forum just a sea of potential sales for the vendors.

Just saying ... the feel of the forum and, the fellow motorists being the focus seems to have been lost .

 

yeah...some are worse than others, BUT I think it is the pressure of the economy....not a lot of disposable income around getting spent on modding cars...perhaps a BIT more on repair...but most of the vendors get their butts handed to them by some of the no frills "cheapo" parts sites...then folks ask the vendors for help...can be kinda funny actually!!
I try to help....but this site seems to be where folks get their "training wheels" in MINI's, then move on (to other sites)....heck this site is often called "The Sewing site" on other ones...cause the same 40 or 50 questions are asked again and again....

 

+1 Some are very helpful and IMO others are just trying to sell.

 

I think it is convenient that vendors offer parts and advice on the forum.

Dave

 

so true "zippy" and "dave" it is "convenient".
Just seems to be at a very aggressive level now.

Maybe I should either re up as a vendor and do the same (or just do it and not even pay up) . I still have more emails / PMs and questions from those who purchased items from somewhere else other than me (even used and ebay) and desperately need setup, install info or help. Even someone who wanted me to make a template of my splitter and rear seat delete so that they could make their own

The vendors have their area and think it should stay a bit more separated .

 

I have even seem them bash a product with bogus information just to make a sale. If you complain about it nothing happens.

 

Sometimes when they just post a pic of the item they are selling...and provide NO input or VERY superficial input it is maddening!!
Some if the VENDORS do have a GREAT knowledge base, and great experance, and it is great to see them chime in sometimes with actual help or advise!! I know they have limited time....for example, say 20 minutes per day per forum they belong to to chime in, get themselves known, and maybe make a few sales leads....but I think they sometimes loose sight of if they do more than just try to sell, they might actually produce MORE SALES based upon them displaying their VAST KNOWLEDGE!!

 

If people arent smart enough to do their own thorough research before purchasing something I cannot say I feel bad for them when something fails later.

85% of the information on this forum is incorrect, wrong, bogus, made up, poorly explained, wrongly explained, wrongly diagnosed, etc that I dont use NAM for more than posting pics, a good laugh and the marketplace for cheap parts.

Other than that I find there are better forums.

People are sheep, let the wolves feed on them.

 

I'd like to know of other Forums; seems MA does not have much input or helpful members . . . . .

 

If they are bashing other vendors, then they are violating additional rules placed upon vendors and those posts and PMs should be reported using the triangle at the top right of the communication.

As to the rest, state up front that you're not looking for input from vendors or don't purchase from those who you don't agree with the business methods of. Most of the time when I see vendors jump into a thread in the problems and issues section, they are providing a legitimate answer and if parts are required it's oh by the way here are the links to the things you'll need, nothing requiring you to buy from them.

I think the the concept there is if a vendor helps someone out by giving them the information for troubleshooting and the "How-to" for the repair, and the vendor is supported by that member purchasing parts for them it turns out into a win-win, that benefits members and vendors. If that's not the type of response you're looking for then speak up about it (and this thread does include that I'm sure several vendors have lurked in this thread by now already). I can see how competition can get in the way of members if the desire to respond to many, thins out the detail of the response.

As to the information on the boards, that's something for members here to address, if you know the right answer, or want to clarify facts or have found something different than what it commonly accepted or spread, then by all means start a new thread and spread that information. Be respectful of other members when you do it, but the forum is here for the sharing of the knowledge and opinion; and is 100% what the users here make of it.

 

Common,
Caveat emptor.
Buyer beware.

Applies 100% of the time, online as in physical world.


'nuff said.

a

 

Funny to hear about the splitter template. I'm in the market for one.
If you will, PM me with the particulars if you have one for the JCW aero kit.

 

This ^^^