OK all. Over the past few years we've only really had one rule and I'm sure most everyone knows it, and that was NO supplier bashing.
I have a ton of email in my mailbox that insist it's 'my right to warn other hobbyists' or 'I can say whatever I want'.

Well, maybe you can, but it's not going to be on here.

Please... this is the last warning. Anymore bashing and I'm throwing the off switch on this forum.

believe me, this is 100% better than the option that I posted and removed just before this one. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif
Al

Uh oh, did I miss something? Or did I say something wrong? Sorry.

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If we all brag up the good suppliers enough here and the bad guys never get mentioned then the bad will gradually be forgotten.

Al,
I am sorry about my recent post. I am new to this idea of ordering parts from companies in other states. I am just leary about spending a few hundred dollars on parts that you don't get to see until they arrive and you have given them your money.
I guess I need to have more faith in these vendors. After all they keep this hobby growing.
Greg

hey Greg,

I understand you hesitation, but you do have some recourse if there is a problem. Assuming you use a credit card, you can always call the credit card company and in most case, they'll reverse the charges.

And there's also the postal inspector. this is a great source (and very under used) for going after bad vendors.

So rest easy and spend away. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Kurt

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The 68 Chevelle info page. [last updated Nov. 30, 98]
www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/6873/Chevelle/68_Chevelle_Info.html (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/6873/Chevelle/68_Chevelle_Info.html)
Email: Kbyfield@terracom.net

guess i don't understand espically if someone has a reasonable gripe but you da man, what ever you say. i very much appriciate this site and all the info and relationships that grow from it. thanks for all of your hard work al and company.

I think bashing vendors can be a bit like criticizing other people, behind their backs - no offense intended to anyone, guys. If you have a beef, it's best to address it with the vendor and not assume everyone will have a similar experience. I've dealt with a lot of the major vendors, including the one most aligned at this site, and have yet to have any problem. Large companies seldom stay in business if they don't have half-way reasonable return policies. And the advice on using a major credit card is the best advice. You can always dispute the charge with VISA - then it is up to them to resolve it with the vendor. I've done this several times and it always worked without a hitch.

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Stan Hanek
'70 SS - 396 4 sp.
haneks@wdni.com

I think the best way to avoid any supplier bashing is to not discuss them at all. Any of them. Even if it is a positive comment, it usually eventually results in a negative comment about someone. I don't want to even think about this forum going away. I know it will be all but impossible to keep newcomers and those who don't see this post on the up and up, but you who read this PLEASE cooperate with Al and try to nip anything in the bud that could result in a "bash". Nip it, nip it, nip it. von

I assume most of u were lucky enough NOT to have read Als first post, it was not pretty!! to say the least, I was on at the time the original post was posted, a word to the wise and senior members of this site: Be a bit of a sergeant of arms on these sites, if u see a post that isnt where it is sposed to b, let the person know where it should be, also if u see a post that u know is guuna become a thorn in the side send the original poster a email an let them know, I have done this umpteen time and normally its a new member less than 10 posts and they take my advise and politely change or trash the message, we can all work together to make things alittle easier on MR. AL and to hopefully attract a sponcer or two, I am a nobody to this site but I been here from almost the beginning like alot of us have and DO NOT wanna see the site shut down becayse its becomes too much greif to the guy that is its founder and its janitor(those are his words not mine) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif so pay alittle attention to the details and lets try and help out where we can, Just one piston heads opinion, L89SEDAN, I shouldve paid more attention in spelling and typing http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Sorry!

[This message has been edited by Steve D 64 SS (edited 01-26-99).]

I agree I don't want this forum shutdown it's a great help to everyone. I did miss the original post and from the sounds of it I'm kinda glad I didn't get to it. Al maybe you could put at the top of the forum in bold letters NO SUPPLIER BASHING so when new members logon they can see this and not touch on the subject.
Steve

I want to put in my "I'm sorry" for posting a ad after returning from a swap meet with bad experience with a supplier. And yes, I'm a newby to the site....

I was pretty choked at the direction some of the postings tend to go and it almost always comes around to a misunderstanding of some kind, and it doesn't do this forum or anyone any good by talking about it on here.

OK, maybe Al needs to take a couple of days off http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

The notice about no supplier bashing is in the 'agreement' that everyone read and agreed to, (sure, I don't read those myself) when you joined this tech forum.

I'll close this on a positive note. After a very lengthy phone conversation, things are looking more positive around here.....



[This message has been edited by Al (edited 01-26-99).]

However, is it bashing when you state that you ordered a certain part from xyz company and the part had to be milled here and modified there so it would fit? There's a pretty fine line between bashing and stating what modifications are needed to make a part work. The next guy who orders this part needs to know what mods are needed. The difference, in my mind, is just state what is needed to make a part work and don't go cussing the xyz company for not making it a bolt on. Al, your opinion, please.

Thank God!!!! I was one of the apparent few who got to read some of the original postings by Al yesterday. I figured by the tone of things, it would be easier to just delete the site from my "faves" list than to have to come here and stare at a blank screen and scratch my head whenever I had a problem.

Al- thank you for deeming us worthy of another chance. It is very much appreciated.


sign me: "A user who will not supplier bash"






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Later,

Rob
1BADS72

I kinda agree with Randy. If you talk only about your experience with a part or vendor, backed up with only facts, is that really bashing? Granted, there is a fine line and I guess we can't leave it up to ourselves to decide what is appropriate so it is best not to discuss it at all. Once I complained about a parts vendor who decided to go out of business after cashing my check (without sending the part of course). Several people emailed me directly to find out who the vendor is and to recommend other reputable vendors. Maybe this is the way to go, because I think that it is a valuable service.

Actually I'm surprised that this site has maintained it integrity, and professionality. Must have something to do with the administrator (good job Al). Usually as a site grows, and more users get involved, the quality of the forum begins to diminish. Lets keep this forum as informative as possible, and perhaps if someone gets burned by a bad vendor, they could take it outside to one of the auto news discussion groups.

A good, safe thing to do would be make all supplier and manufacturer discussions by E-mail only. von

Al-
I need to start reading those agreements also. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif
I'm just trying to think up things that might help out the site.
Steve

hey Al, what did you do? quit smoking or something? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Sorry guys, I had reached my personal limit on this. This forum isn't for ranting about any supplier and there were a couple that had gone toooo far. If there is a problem with an order, talk to the supplier, posting gripes here isn't the answer.

I'd like to toast this and carry on with the tech forum if that's alright with everyone. The email I received was right. 99% of the postings on this site are first class, sorry to have dragged everyone in on this one.

Al (admin)

Then I guess this would be a good example of a post if we order a part from a vendor and want to share information.
"I ordered a thingamajig kit for my car. If you wish more info about the vendor and how the installation went, e-mail me at etc. etc...." Its generic, its not bashing anyone, or even mentioning a vendor name. Can we agree on this guys? Al, is this OK with you?

My purpose is not to bash anyone, but to share info if I have to do a make fit on a particular part. All I want to do is let the next guy know how much to mill off here and how much to file off there or what size hole he needs to drill. Your opinion is valued, Al.

I had hoped that it was kinda obvious.

If parts that are coming out have some problems they should be discussed. I don't think the guy who sold it to you should have his family, dog and cat and personal hygiene dragged into the posting.

In regards to the pile of mail I'm getting about 'free speech' and it's just an opinion. By all means, if anyone wants a link from this website to your personal webpage to bash suppliers, just let me know and we'll set it up. Then you can deal with the impending legal issues from some supplier who lost enough revenue from a bashing that your wallet starts to look good.

My two cents;

It's been decided that discussions of suppliers is something that the group running this site does not want to get invloved with! In other words, it's not just Al that feels this way. He just gets most of the hate mail.

There are several "e-mail lists" that people can get involved with if they feel they have the need to "spread the word".

I'd recommend that we (the site) make up a page listing several of the "lists", how to contact them, and let people go from there.

I don't think it would be "do-able" to have a page linking to personal web sites for supplier review.


In closing, I have to say that I hate National Parts Group (in Ventura), cause they wouldn't let me use their bathroom. (I just HAD to get that off my chest)

Wes. Vann (Old Time Member)

I guess part of the problem is that a lot of folks don't understand that many parts for older cars have multiple applications. You may have to grind, mill, bend or drill a part to make it work. Its a fact of life on older cars. And its just a matter of economics for the manufacturer and the vendor. But when this happens, the vendor gets the blame and the bashing begins. It does no good to imply that the vendor has relations with his mother. If a person doesn't understand that not every part is four bolts off and four bolts on, maybe he chose the wrong hobby. As for the cheats who send you some worn out junk used part or worse, no part at all (after they've taken your money) there is a solution. There are companies on the web that handle financial transactions for you. They hold your money until you receive and inspect your part. Then you give them the OK to release your funds to the vendor. If a vendor doesn't want to do business this way, find someone who will. There, a problem was given, I hope I've helped find a solution.

All I have to say is look for N.O.S parts or parts that "you" think you can recondition better that what your able to buy from a vendor. Thats what I do,and the only complaints that I have about any vendors (not saying that I do)is the parts as stated above need tweeking and they fail to tell you this. This is why I look for good used or rebuildable parts,it keeps me happy and not mad at some inocent guy trying to make a living selling parts for what started out as hobby and turned into buisness.

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CRUISER