OK, so Steve can set whoseever ass straight. But of course a lot of people are free to look to other vendors. I think his response was totally out of place, he could have said things without insulting. And he could have avoided losing these customers too, simply denying what was being said in a respectfu manner.

yeah, peopel can go to other companys but no one *that i have seen" makes products for kicks/trackers liek they do

Regardless of what Heather said, Steve had no right to insult her, or any other customer for that matter.

Regardless of what Heather said, Steve had no right to insult her, or any other customer for that matter.

bull shit, he had every right, that comment could have killed his company

She said several times I think, not here is the gospel.. She is entitled to voice her opinion, and the same going for Steve, he can voice his. Here is where I will use my right not to buy from them, I'd rather take 3 times as long to make my parts(not taking their shipping into consideration) than buy from someone who blows up to a valued customer. And as far as the bashing goes if only 1 or 2 complain there is prob not much to it, but if the numbers increase dramatically makes you wonder if there is something to it.

bull shit, he had every right, that comment could have killed his company

He's killing his own company if he's speaking to customers in that manner.

bull shit, he had every right, that comment could have killed his company

Bullshit. I doubt the largest portion of Calmini's profits are from the Suzuki market. Comments aren't going to destroy a business that doesn't rely on one, small, cheap community.

OK, so Steve can set whoseever ass straight. But of course a lot of people are free to look to other vendors. I think his response was totally out of place, he could have said things without insulting. And he could have avoided losing these customers too, simply denying what was being said in a respectfu manner.

Maybe he has had enought of whingers, if enough people bag his products and service he might just tell Suzuki owners where to take there business.

Then where am I going to get modifed parts for my Vitara.
No one here in Australia want's to know about you if you own a Vitara.
I have brought there skid plates, 3" lift and rockhopper gears.
The lift was a lot more involed then I though it would be but that was a part of the fun in modifing my Vitara.
There is a coulpe of more Calmini products I will order in the future.

Bullshit. I doubt the largest portion of Calmini's profits are from the Suzuki market. Comments aren't going to destroy a business that doesn't rely on one, small, cheap community.

ok i retract that comment, he could have lost thousand of dollars, not his whole company

bull shit, he had every right, that comment could have killed his company

Spencer, are you speaking from experience?  

Did you actually read what she wrote?  Did you then put it into context with the rest of that thread?  

Do you honestly think what she wrote would have killed "the largest and best known brand in the world"?
(which is really Google or Coca-Cola, I doubt Calmini makes even the top 1000 brands)

If so, they have a VERY fragile business and you haven't learned much from the short time you have been on this great earth.

Maybe he has had enought of whingers

Yeah, but she's a paying customer.
You just don't SAY stuff like that about the people that pay your rent.  Is Heather Stupid?  I don't think so.

It's not like she's a Rocky Road booster, out bashing his stuff, she's running his gear in her rig.

If you are in business, ANY business, you have to deal with your customers and potential customers with tact and diplomacy. Even if they are whiners that bag on your product or your service. Like I said before, I can see both sides of it and I still say Calmini's response was harsh and not good for business!

(on a side note, do you think Calmini would have supplied you with dimensions of any of their lift components so you could have made your own? Of course not. But then again, it all comes down to treating customers and potential customers with tact and diplomacy...

i have read the post,

I have been on this planet long enough to know that rumors can ruin somone.

When i hear rumors about local companys around here such as mechanic shops, 4 wheel drive shops and transmission shops, from hearing these rumors i dont go to these places, therefore the companys are loosing buisness, just like what could to happen to calmini's suzuki section if peopel are spouting off rumors about them.

From what I've seen, most of this current rant about customer service seems to revolve around the gearsets. I've seen the topic about the gearsets beaten to death on a couple different boards now. Yes it's frustrating, but come on! There has to be somewhere else to get them, right?

Well,
This board and any other board is really a place for sharing information,...   rumors or not.

Have you seen the warning thread in the Garage Sale?  The one about idaholwb.  Isn't that all about rumors too?  Maybe rumors, maybe truth, all we can do is really, assume.  

And you're right rumors can damage a company, especially small ones, or ones that are vernerable, just like Idaholwb.  Maybe he too was just in a 'tight' spot and his reputation was destroyed.  Not saying I know what happened, but I too have my own opinion about Idaholwb, and if you want it, I too might give it to you in private.

And I've already said that maybe Heather was 'adding fuel to the fire' and am probably right.  Maybe her words were wrong.  But I think she honestly believes some if it, otherwise she wouldn't have said it.

Not that it makes it right and I won't go into why I believe what Heather said here in a public forum, but I'll say it again, I think that Steve could have handled it differently.

~Nate