Does anyone here know that Jeff (Hoepkers) actually took the time to CALL me to calm my nerves about my lift and the inexpensive spring spacers that I had YET to even buy from him? And it's not like he called to "make the sale"--he called to help.

Yeah, I missed the call because I was in a bar drunk at the time (what else is new?)--but he still called. Heck, I was embarrassed to even call him BACK because this was such an inexpensive purchase that i didn't want to bother him. Plus, I exchanged additional emails with his WIFE for such a tiny purchase.

People should know these things--good and bad.

Think of this in a strictly business light...

If you were a vendor, would you advertise on a website that allows negative feedback at all?  What good could come from it?  Imagine how many people would post negative things about a vendor they just didn't like (e.g. RRO or Calmini) even if they never really bought anything from them?

What would prevent me, for example, giving RRO a bad review if it was unwarranted?  What would prevent me, as a vendor, from rating myself as great?

Any site that looks to vendors for ad revenue, will not likely bite the hand that feeds them.  Remember iZook?  Have you ever seen a product review on that site, or any Zook website, that basically said, "This part is crap and don't waste your money on it."

Until we have a subscription-based Zook website that does not rely on vendor-ad revenue, you never will.

Think of this in a strictly business light...

If you were a vendor, would you advertise on a website that allows negative feedback at all?  What good could come from it?  Imagine how many people would post negative things about a vendor they just didn't like (e.g. RRO or Calmini) even if they never really bought anything from them?

What would prevent me, for example, giving RRO a bad review if it was unwarranted?  What would prevent me, as a vendor, from rating myself as great?

Any site that looks to vendors for ad revenue, will not likely bite the hand that feeds them.  Remember iZook?  Have you ever seen a product review on that site, or any Zook website, that basically said, "This part is crap and don't waste your money on it."

Until we have a subscription-based Zook website that does not rely on vendor-ad revenue, you never will.

Well, there you go. You said it:

That some sites are created to make money. Others to help the people who visit the site.

And yet others who actually manage to do both. And it's these sites which are truly successful.

But subscription-based? Don't know where you got that from, but aside for porno, there ain't no such animal these days.

Heck, this is almost like a religious decision, where you have to delve deep into your soul and decide whether it's all about making a buck or maintaining a great site. Nothing wrong with deciding on either, but you have to be honest about it and say that up front.

Thanks guys for the comments and the smiley face  .  If this thread gets pulled I understand why. To be honest, I didn't realize it was against the rules make a post of this nature. I know, ignorance of the rules is no excuse, but who really reads every disclaimer online before clicking [Accept]?

I do, however want to address locjaw's feigned sympathy and patronizing comments about peace, love and only simple rules. If the rule is there to protect the paying sponsors of the site, just call it like it is.  I can respect that - I'm as capitalist as the next guy.  But don’t blow smoke and act like it’s for some greater good. 

And in the spirit of capitalism, maybe I will call Rockrat. If he wants to hook me up I’d gladly send him my Kicker 2 to reverse engineer.  I’d love to see someone else start selling a competing product with better service. 

Thanks guys for the comments and the smiley face  .  If this thread gets pulled I understand why. To be honest, I didn't realize it was against the rules make a post of this nature. I know, ignorance of the rules is no excuse, but who really reads every disclaimer online before clicking [Accept]?

I do, however want to address locjaw's feigned sympathy and patronizing comments about peace, love and only simple rules. If the rule is there to protect the paying sponsors of the site, just call it like it is.  I can respect that - I'm as capitalist as the next guy.  But don’t blow smoke and act like it’s for some greater good. 

And in the spirit of capitalism, maybe I will call Rockrat. If he wants to hook me up I’d gladly send him my Kicker 2 to reverse engineer.  I’d love to see someone else start selling a competing product with better service. 

fregned sympathy and patronizing comments was not my goal, sorry if it sounded that way. as for calling it like it is, i dont have a clue what it is !! i'm no moderator, i do not own this site. i do however respect the wishes of the owner be them personal or finance oriented. as should everyone on this site.
jason

no need to appologize if it was genuine. Hell, I'm the new guy in here breaking the rules and causing trouble so I'll stop now.

no need to appologize if it was genuine. Hell, I'm the new guy in here breaking the rules and causing trouble so I'll stop now.

no worries... not like you got temp banned or anything 

try to deal with the vendors that bacck our website
personally i have never had any problems with any of them
i respect them and they return it to me

ok, everybody, group hug 

it's all good joesteak we are all friends here !! sit back , hang out a while, drink a few brewskies..... you'll love this site like we all do !!

I really do wish that there was a place to relate experiences with vendors.  I still have alot of parts to get and I am willing to pay extra dollars for good service.  I would rather pay a bit more and support someone that is going to take care of me then get left hanging.  For what it is worth, every call to Hawk I have placed has been awesome.  Not a pretty website but they have great service.

Spidertrax is awesome to deal with.  Incredible service and tech support.

Good luck on situation and as  a business owner my self, I no that it is easy to make every customer happy, but this is a different situation!!  I hope that your problem can be solved without big $$$$.  As I have done in the past, I will fix some problems of my competitors at no charge or no labor charges since this customer has been thru H|removethispart|@|removethispart|@l and back already.  This sounds like a great business opp for RockRat whom every thing I have read is a God in this area!!!  Good Luck again!!

As for a great service on my Sami parts, Its been Roadless Gear!!!!!  I think I'm on their XMAS card list!!!

Bah, Hawk Suzuki Parts all the way.  And shipping is only 3 days out from my place. 

First part of this thread made me kind of nervous. It got kind of rude. I thought rudeness was for other forums.

Anyways, I've had good luck with Hawk too. I order on a Monday and it's here the next Monday. Sometimes by Friday p.m.  I wish they would ship Fed-ex ground because they're quicker than ups. I may have to start ordering on Friday so I have the stuff in time for the next week end. Pretty good luck with Petro too. They are late on my carb though so I had to call and check.  If there is a hold up on a part, they should call.  I'm pretty patient so I guess as long as my parts show up with in a couple weeks I'm o.k. but I don't like being lied too either. I've been too busy to put the carb on anyways so it's no  big deal.

-Adam

There was a good bit of conversation and some great ideas that came up from this thread. Some things to work on perhaps. Thank you all for keeping it polite that shows some real integrity which I think is pretty cool.

Thank you, Eric