Using EBR to bully reseller.

[tomjasz]

A far too common event here. Use this forum to trash or overtly threaten a business. I’ve posted my disappointment in not having a ban on trashing businesses.
Asking for help to solve a problem is good, it's what we do here.
Most threads bashing a reseller typically are one-sided and the stories are often disingenuous. Border line lies.

Here’s a recent attempt…

Nice


“If the ticket is closed without response again I'll assume you don't want my business and I'll let the folks on Electric Bike Review that sent me here know that you weren't helpful to save others the trouble in the future. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you..”

 

[PedalUma]

A far too common event here. Use this forum to trash or overtly threaten a business. I’ve posted my disappointment in not having a ban on trashing businesses.
Asking for help to solve a problem is good, it's what we do here.
Most threads bashing a reseller typically are one-sided and the stories are often disingenuous. Border line lies.

Here’s a recent attempt…

Nice


“If the ticket is closed without response again I'll assume you don't want my business and I'll let the folks on Electric Bike Review that sent me here know that you weren't helpful to save others the trouble in the future. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you..”

I tried a new supplier a couple of months ago, ordering three motors with shipping from Asia. When the motors arrived by air freight they were held in LAX Customs for six-weeks because the new supplier neglected to pay for the duties. There was no way for me to pay these fees and I was out my money and without the motors. I posted on EBR about it. I have never had this problem with other sellers. And I sent the seller the link to my review. Other things went on and there were other problems. My point is EBR helped me to resolve the problem with substantial compliance of the original deal. I was not 'trashing' and it was not slander. I just told my experience with that seller. After they paid the fees the motors arrived but were wired wrong for the displays. That took detailed soldering. I just racked it up to the high cost of tuition.
This is one case example of why to deal with a domestic reseller. A hobbyist would never want to go through this kind of situation.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Individuals have a difficult time sharing an experience while being correct on the facts in my opinion - it's frequently some form of their opinion rather than what actually happend. Many twist facts and some flat out maliciously lie. That being said I think there can still be value in what people have to say/post.

PedalUma gives an example of info I would certainly want to know about a company before I ordered. And given the source I would give that info a very high degree of accuracy and credibility in my mind.

The first example that you put up Tom has all the hallmarks of someone who is offended, hurt, put off in some way. I wouldn't give it a ton of weight. But even so there is information that may be of value there.

When I refer people to a business I am thinking they will be well taken care of. If they weren't I would want to know. And even if a person just "feels" they weren't taken care of appropriately I want to know that.

 

[PedalUma]

A percentage has learned to whine. They have been rewarded for it their whole lives. It is that percentage I wish to eliminate off the top by dealing with people in person and refusing about 15%. Relationships matter.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Ahhh, that's true too. Forgot about that group.

 

[PedalUma]

Ahhh, that's true too. Forgot about that group.

Something I forgot to mention is managing expectations. Being upfront and honest helps to avoid buyer's remorse. This even happens when someone buys a new Porsche. They have dreamed about it for their whole lives. Then it turns out to be in most respects just a car, with all of the downsides of any other car. The dream evaporates when riding the clutch stuck in first gear in LA traffic keeping pace with some faded pickup blasting mariachi favorites.

 

[6zfshdb]

A far too common event here. Use this forum to trash or overtly threaten a business. I’ve posted my disappointment in not having a ban on trashing businesses.
Asking for help to solve a problem is good, it's what we do here.
Most threads bashing a reseller typically are one-sided and the stories are often disingenuous. Border line lies.

Here’s a recent attempt…

Nice


“If the ticket is closed without response again I'll assume you don't want my business and I'll let the folks on Electric Bike Review that sent me here know that you weren't helpful to save others the trouble in the future. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you..”

I've given this some thought since you first posted this. First of all, I completely agree with what you say.

However, I see more posts praising individual businesses than I do criticisms. It's a two way street and it wouldn't be fair to see just one side.

All businesses get disgruntled customers. More often than not, they are satisfied with their purchase. Sometimes, a negative post involving a business will trigger a backlash of posters supporting that business. A negative post involving a product or service can also trigger an avalanche of others with similar complaints. Those are the ones I want to hear about. The trick is to be able to identify a single issue aggravated poster, as you have done above, with those that have legitimate complaints.

Although any form of censorship is generally a bad idea, I wouldn't mind seeing some sort of regulation on posts involving businesses here on EBR as long as it can be done fairly.

 

[theemartymac]

Overall, I actually like the fact that online reputation management is a thing now. In the old days of the yellow pages, there was no easy way to know which businesses had good reputations if you didn't have access to word-of-mouth referrals, or maybe a local BBB telephone line. Neither of those help in the modern world of interstate and international trade however.

But you are correct that the introduction via Rant is a problem. To the EBR community's credit, those rants are often met with at least a skeptical dose of caution while details are flushed out, and most of the truly egregious ones I have seen have not garnered the posters much, if any, sympathy in the long run. There isn't really a Yelp for the ebike world specifically (That I have seen), so maybe a version of that might find a home in forums like this where there is some moderation available.

A potential solution on some sites is the minimum post restrictions, and/or moderated posts (requiring approval before they are visible) for the first dozen or so by a new poster. This is a bit of work for the site admin however, so not necessarily popular, but it prevents the spam posts and spoof accounts, and causes folks to engage for a bit before they can make that rant post in the retailers/manufacturers sub forum.

I would be reluctant to restrict the fair sharing of criticism and complaints, but certainly some basic online etiquette is in order...

 

[JRA]

A little bike drama is a good thing and the industry has provided it for years! As long as you are on the right side of the drama that is.....or just eating popcorn from the cheap seats