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Members - What improvements would you like to see on Vendors.


Tide

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We'd like to get member opinions on how we can make the Vendor program here better. Let us know what is working, what isn't working, and what we're missing outright.

 

Given the openness of this discussion, let's remember to keep things civil and no need to single out specific vendors for issues or rehash old wounds. You're of course welcome to PM me anonymous issues/complaints, past or present.

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Thing we're considering:

 

- Disallowing of advertising of 'knocked off' parts.

- Requiring source of manufacturing of parts under your name.

- Better integrated "reviews" into a Vendor profile (itrader on steroids)

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But originals are more expensive due to a) R&D and b) quality. It seems to reason if I don't have to put money upfront into design and development, just copying, I'm going to be profitable at a lower price point.
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But originals are more expensive due to a) R&D and b) quality. It seems to reason if I don't have to put money upfront into design and development, just copying, I'm going to be profitable at a lower price point.

 

 

but its about choices, my father always told me "buy the best son,you'll always be happy" but some people cant afford the name brand parts.

 

Im guilty of looking at knockoffs on here but still chose not to buy after making an informed decision.

 

My only beef is calling it XX style part, don't call it that and don't imply it compares to that.

 

Let the part speak for itself, if its POS were going to know sooner or later... heck even name brand parts have ended up being duds!

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There are vendors who bring real value to the forum in the form of application advice, install tips and troubleshooting help. Then there are those who cannot contribute anything more than 'bump, Tuesday sale, here all day'. Just tell me how much more money I need to donate to the running costs of the site that we can run it without having to cater to the agenda of the second category, or bend over backwards to protect them, because I just don't need them.
Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs.
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I've noticed a huge drop off in forum participation by the reputable vendors I always buy from. I believe this is directly correlated to the prominence of knockoff parts being sold on this forum. I can't really blame them for wasting their time. It saddens me because if I had a question about a specific part, I could PM them or just post in their thread and get a quick, knowledgeable response.

 

I see in some vendor threads now, 100% legitimate questions being asked and the vendor will flat out not respond to the question, he does not know the answer, or he regurgitates some marketing crap.

 

It's great to have knowledgeable members on this forum that keep some of these vendors in line, because it saves the rest of us from buying over hyped up crap.

 

Also, in addition to vendor reviews, I'd like to see some sort of forum arbitration or punishment for vendors that repeatedly have the same issues reported.

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I would love to get more private / anonymous vendor issues reported to us. We're looking at keeping a mod-only log of issues that members may not want to air publicly, but still want known to the staff.
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1) Disallow public posting in vendor subforums. It's unnecessary and hurts the communities knowledge of a vendor and/or product. It helps no one if negative issues are brought to light, only to be squashed. If you have a question for a vendor, PM them. If you want to discuss a product, post in the OPEN forum so all can benefit.

 

2) Absolutely disallow the open advertising of knock-offs. If you aren't willing to put forth any money or effort into R&D, you should not be allowed to profit from the sweat of someone elses brow. Let the product speak for itself, and be prepared to back up that product if you intend to sell it. I don't think vendors should be allowed to post at all about their knock-offs. If you can't afford the "real thing", think about who you are hurting by buying the knock-off. Manufacturers aren't going to make products for a community that doesn't support them.

 

3) Remove the vendor announcements/classifieds stuff. All I see is the same post in both forums. Just have one.

 

4) Can't there be some kind of rule about posting the exact same "deals" every day? Or perhaps reducing the number of posts in their vendor thread in an hour. It sucks to open "New Posts" and have an entire page filled.

 

5) It would be nice if there was an actual review forum. Not the "reviews" link at the top of the page that no one ever clicks.

[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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I agree with everything said so far lol.

 

Vendors who only "bump" their threads, sell knock offs, and doesnt know their customer base very well should not be allowed on here or any forum for that matter.

I think we need to raise vendor costs to be on here a bit more? Or maybe there can be a more detailed usergroup for the vendors? basically use a ranking system? maybe 1-5 stars vendor. or by color (bronze, silver, gold) maybe even lump of coal vendor for the daily bumpers :-D? I know there are some smaller businesses that are private business out of homes on the forums, those people are the hard workers, maybe after once we set rules for the vendors, those who stick to them the best will get rewards, like maybe advertisement on the front page or something in those regards. In a sense sometimes our money isnt just what the vendors want right? :-) Sorry if i am making no sense. This just seemed uber interesting and i wasnt quite sure how to explain it the way i wanted to.

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Please lets not turn this into a witchhunt... Some comments are coming off as singling out. All vendors have a place and purpose, many of us go to walmart for cheap prices but alot of also frequent the smaller retailers for PERSONABLE service.
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Please lets not turn this into a witchhunt... Some comments are coming off as singling out.

I think if you know who exactly is being discussed by the sort of broad descriptions posted above, the descriptions are accurate.

 

In the end we collectively will get what we deserve. If we buy from the vendors who cannot or will not bring anything to the table but a slightly lower price, those with knowledge will be out of business and they won't bring their know-how to the forum. It'll be the equivalent of trying to get the minimum-wage kids at the big-box store to diagnose a problem with your DVD player or set up the shifters on your $100 bike. By the time you realize you need that specialist retailer who actually knows the answer he'll be closed up and gone.

Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs.
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I agree with nearly all comments here. What about adding an incentive to get vendors more active in the community. I assume vendors pay a periodic fee to retain their vendor status. What about reducing or waiving the fee for vendors who add to the community by one of the following:

  • Develop a new product (actually deliver a new product, not just a never ending development thread
  • Provide a detailed how-to with lots of pictures/video
  • Actively participate in competition or sponsor forum members in competitions (racing, show & shine, SPL, etc.)
  • Provide some sort of highlight for American-made (US/Canada) vendors. This would be for vendors who have their manufacturing done in America or who primarily sell American-made parts
  • Provide a behind the scenes look at their business (office, warehouse, manufacturing)
  • Provide a periodically updated "A day in the life of a vendor" series. Most of us have no idea how they spend their time. This would help some of us not get anxious when we don't immediately get a response to our question.
  • Vendors who are actively involved in charities

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I think vendors SHOULD pay to help keep the lights on, but I agree that a discount for active vendors should be considered.

 

I think your list of what qualifies a vendor for a discount is too long, though. I think participation in technical discussion is sufficient.

[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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Another recommendation I like:

 

- Require a link on all sale threads to the product in our reviews forum.

 

This adds transparency and feedback without cluttering the discussion on the actual sale. It also makes for more reviews and more products to review, which benefits all members.

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I agree with nearly all comments here. What about adding an incentive to get vendors more active in the community. I assume vendors pay a periodic fee to retain their vendor status. What about reducing or waiving the fee for vendors who add to the community by one of the following:

  • Develop a new product (actually deliver a new product, not just a never ending development thread
  • Provide a detailed how-to with lots of pictures/video
  • Actively participate in competition or sponsor forum members in competitions (racing, show & shine, SPL, etc.)
  • Provide some sort of highlight for American-made (US/Canada) vendors. This would be for vendors who have their manufacturing done in America or who primarily sell American-made parts
  • Provide a behind the scenes look at their business (office, warehouse, manufacturing)
  • Provide a periodically updated "A day in the life of a vendor" series. Most of us have no idea how they spend their time. This would help some of us not get anxious when we don't immediately get a response to our question.
  • Vendors who are actively involved in charities

 

remember TDC Tuning?

 

he used to be a VERY ACTIVE vendor on here, read up on how well that turned out.

 

Look i don't mind some extra knowledge but if a vendor doesn't give his .02 cents and only wants to SELL that's their prerogative.

 

Some members just want stuff cheap, but if a vendor has a lot to offer like parts knowledge,1st person experience and actually gets his hands dirty wrenching IT will add VALUE to their business.

 

AND the extra premium may be worth doing business with them, ALL I'm saying is let there be CHOICES.

 

its like going to Home Depot, would i buy carpet or cabinets and have some random guy do it? NOPE i want personable service.

 

I'm going to the little guy that will sit down with me 1 on 1. discuss if i want sandalwood or synergy red....

 

washer machine, fridge? (Sara Palin) you betcha! I'll buy from them and have em deliver, don't really need "personable" service for that type of stuff....

 

 

I think all our vendors have something to offer, in the end they want to make MONEY (who doesn't?)

 

some are enthusiast like us with a wealth of knowledge, some are just business people looking to make a buck.

 

YOU DECIDE who you want to do business with, don't decide FOR ME. :cool:

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- I would like to see full disclosure of vendors, including names and registrant information. It seems some vendors screw people over, then just quick go and make a new company name and disavow any knowledge of the old one.

 

- No daily bumps on parts, list one time for new deals

 

- Link to reviews, vendor does not get option to delete reviews they don't like

 

- Disallow vendor knockoffs unless they have consent from the original vendor, I don't think that's too much too ask. As a vendor I would HATE to see the product I put time and money in to ripped off and then people quoting sh*tty results as my product. Which vendor would we rather have on the site, the cheap knockoff vendor or the enterprising one?

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unless you have a patent on said "design" you cannot stop knockoffs... dont get me wrong id be pissed if someone took something i worked hard to design,R&D,etc...

 

but company's need competition,alternatives... for every yin there is a yang.

 

The benefit to us the consumer w competition is usually a larger selection for a particular product maybe some perks such as lower pricing or free shipping?

 

Aside from that, the ability to have a selection based on brand preference is a great attribute for the consumer/enthusiast.

 

Consumers do benefit from competition of how the vendors makes some promos or other good things that could capture us the customer. also by improving their business for the good of the consumers, that could gain their trust and support.

 

Don't get me wrong if someone is selling a knockoff and calling it by that "name" brand that's called counterfeiting, NOT COOL.

 

 

ps alot of times luxury/name brands benefit from knock offs, some learn the hard way and end up buying the REAL thing (remember "the cheap man SPENDS the most" )

 

sometimes the consumer will, eventually, tire of having a low-quality fake and trade up to the authentic item.

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We can't require vendors be active posters. The vendors that have the time to post frequently are mostly drop-shipping parts slingers. The vendors that can't be glued to LegacyGT.com are off doing useful things like building and tuning cars.

(Updated 8/22/17)

2005 Outback FMT

Running on Electrons

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ps alot of times luxury/name brands benefit from knock offs

 

Wrong. NO ONE benefits from knock offs, except the leeches that produce them. The original company is inclined to leave the market, and when they stop making parts there is nothing left for the knock-off company to make.

 

No one is stopping YOU from buying from whoever you want. Those companies aren't going to go out of business because one board stands up to them.

[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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Wrong. NO ONE benefits from knock offs, except the leeches that produce them.

I believe he's trying to draw a parallel to the luxury goods market like leather goods and watches where some amount of copy product in the market increases exposure and stimulates more demand. The fact that the Guccis, LVs and Fendis of the world operate on a margin structure that is many orders of magnitude steeper than in car parts makes the comparison a poor one however.

 

Copy intercoolers or exhausts don't make the originals more attractive to a person until AFTER they have bought the copy and realized how shoddy it is. While you can argue that the low-price competitors keep the vendors sharp, I'd argue that with the tiny quantities we are talking about, the people who actually design things (rather than just copy) do not have the same amount of room to cut costs as the copy guys do, since more of their costs are tied up in development. Increased sales volume cannot allow prices to come down due to economy of scale if said sales have gone to copycat vendors.

Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs.
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