Honest question on what is considered "unecessary vendor bashing"

[1969CamaroRS]

First just let me say that this site is one of my most frequented sites on the internet.

It has proven time and time again to be an invaluable resource. Much of this is due to not only the general helpfulness and knowledge base of the users but also due to the great admin/mods that donate their time to make sure PT stays this way. Its a thankless job and I do want to thank you all for the hard work you do and to Larry for setting and providing such a great resource for of us all to enjoy.


With that said I do have an honest question on what is actually considered "unnecessary vendor bashing."

In a recent thread a poster what asking what to do about a vendor not delivering parts after an extended period of time, multiple emails and phone calls gone unanswered. It seemed to me that the thread was locked pretty fast. I understand the entire "he said she said" thing and not wanting to spend tons of time trying to arbitrate disputes. I also understand this is a private website and my use is governed under the rules set forth:
Forum Rules

My confusion lies in the following 2 rules:

3). Positive Attitudes: "Trash-talking" a.k.a. "flaming" is greatly frowned upon at Pro-Touring.com. Our members come here to enjoy themselves and gather helpful information for their projects. In accordance, we ask that you please maintain a positive attitude whilst posting in the forums. You are entitled to your opinion and individuality, but at the same time: if you post in an inflammatory manner, your post well be deleted or edited for content deemed unnecessary by an Administrator or Moderator, and the thread possibly closed. If you continue to post in such a manner, administrative action will be taken, and you will be banned.

8). Unnecessary Bashing: In accordance with our positive attitude policy, we do not promote unnecessary bashing of our members or supporting vendors. We ask that you handle such matters privately via email or PMs. Any threads or posts containing such content will be edited or deleted by an Administrator or Moderator, per their judgment.

Is unnecessary bashing of a vendor to be read as any negative comments?
No matter how respectful they are written?

I have come to heavily rely on reviews and experiences of users on vendors and their parts. But if the above rules are enforced where zero negative experiences are tolerated the accuracy of those reviews comes into question, as I will never see any non-positive experiences or issues.

That is a big concern for me.

This issue really came into focus when I was able to see how differently another car related website handled the same exact post from the same poster. Once again, I'm really not trying to pick on any admins/mods, just trying to communicate a honest concern. And realize this is thorny issue with no easy solution and will obey any rules as given, but hopefully this is taken for what it is an honest concern regarding how the rules are interpreted / enforced.


I did however think the suggestion of a Vendor review system was a great idea and would go long way. Users do need someway to hold vendors accountable when all other reasonable means have been exhausted (email, phone calls, letters etc). Also realize this may not be the forum to do so, but hope some solution / compromise could be found.



Sorry for the long winded post.

[CFster]

The vendor review system is a great idea. These days anybody with a computer can produce a professional looking site even though they're working out of their garage and drop shipping everything. Got to be a way to keep these guys honest.

I can say that for me in the past the only way to get results from a certain vendor was to "get their attention" on a message board. To be more specific (without being too specific), I had a major Tremec transmission problem in a '64 Dodge I was building and the vendor simply wouldn't answer the phone or return calls. That just goes up one side of me and down the other. If I've spent, or am going to spend thousands of dollars then the least a vendor can do is answer the phone or reply to emails. The excuse that they're too busy doesn't work for me. If business is that good then staff appropriately. I run a repair facility at one of the biggest wholesale auto auctions in the country - we close a good 350 work orders a week and I find time to at least reply to the emails I get. Perhaps I haven't solved the senders problem, but at least they got an update or more information then they had before.

Anyway, since this particular transmission vendor I was speaking of relied heavily on message boards such as Moparts, a couple posts by me detailing my problems for the entire community to view got some attention real fast. The owner of the company called me up and offered to rectify the situation. He even asked me to post a message on the board afterwards stating how helpful he had been. I had no problem doing it, as he really did go out of his way (though other problems sprang up as a result of it - but that's a story for a different time).

[THE TECH]

The vendor review system is a great idea. These days anybody with a computer can produce a professional looking site even though they're working out of their garage and drop shipping everything. Got to be a way to keep these guys honest.

I agree with most of what you've said except for the above. Everyone starts somewhere and just because someone might be working out of their house and/or drop shipping does not make them a bad vendor or untrustworthy.

[67zo6Camaro]

I think this is a great issue that needs some sorting out. I have recently noticed some post concerning venders business behavior. I also noticed a comparison was made about postings negative feedback on this site is not allowed and was compared to how Magazines would handle negative feedback or lack of it. Personally this is not a valid debate, as the magazines typically stop at the end user with one way communication.

The reality here is this is the techno age and internet forums are the place for people to communicate. Part of the communication includes debates, opinions and even negative feedback about a vendor. If you start controlling the input of the user, forum members, then you start to water down the back bone of this site.... I agree that some rules need to be set forth about complaints and/or negative opinions reguardless if they are directed at a vendor and/or even a member.

I was also taken back slightly by the zero tolarence that was conveyed...and I'm also in support of working on this issue in order for members to discuss freely positive and even negative expreiences associated with this hobby. Vender issues will not go away and they are not for bad business only. It is important for this site to consider a little more freedom concerning negative input and/or opinions in order for this sites validity to be upheld in the highest standard.

Brett