Question for Moderators

[TomPierce]

I have a philosophical question for the Moderators concerning Product Reviews.

"Should Vendor be permitted to respond to product review posts (other than to correct errors of fact)?

If someone takes the time to post a review, they are relaying their experience with the particular product. Whether that experience is good or bad, it is the experience that they had.

If vendors are allowed to respond to these reviews, I am afraid that it will degenerate to a worthless series of back and forth arguments. And that may prevent potential reviewers from posting anything.

Let me show you a concrete example - I reviewed of the billet specialty catch can.

(Even though this post references billetspecialties.com, they are not the subject of this post)

A part of my review, I said I thought the anodyzing was uneven.

The vendor responded in a post and said that since the product is dipped that was not possible.

Did he just call me a liar?

Is he trying to tell me that I did not see what I saw?

I am obviously not going to respond to his post since that could start a useless disagreement that could last forever. And I stand by my review.

If on the other hand, if I had made a factual error in my review, I would expect it to be corrected.

One of my peeves with that *other* board is the 'special dispensation' that seems to be afforded vendors on the site. Is this board going to permit product reviews that are not 100% positive? And should a vendor have the ability to "review the review", so to speak?

I realize that this is a difficult question. (That is why I'm letting youse guys decide :) )

If reviewers can post reviews without fear of being ("attacked" is probably too strong a word) by the vendor, you will probably get more honest product reviews.

There are other areas of the board where disagreements are expected and, it seems, even encouraged :)

And, hey, we will all probably get better products if the vendors will correct the perceived flaws in the product as a result of an honest review.

Discussion?

Thanks,

[BlueJacket]

I have a philosophical question for the Moderators concerning Product Reviews.

"Should Vendor be permitted to respond to product review posts (other than to correct errors of fact)?

If someone takes the time to post a review, they are relaying their experience with the particular product. Whether that experience is good or bad, it is the experience that they had.

If vendors are allowed to respond to these reviews, I am afraid that it will degenerate to a worthless series of back and forth arguments. And that may prevent potential reviewers from posting anything.

Let me show you a concrete example - I reviewed of the billet specialty catch can.

(Even though this post references billetspecialties.com, they are not the subject of this post)

A part of my review, I said I thought the anodyzing was uneven.

The vendor responded in a post and said that since the product is dipped that was not possible.

Did he just call me a liar?

Is he trying to tell me that I did not see what I saw?

I am obviously not going to respond to his post since that could start a useless disagreement that could last forever. And I stand by my review.

If on the other hand, if I had made a factual error in my review, I would expect it to be corrected.

One of my peeves with that *other* board is the 'special dispensation' that seems to be afforded vendors on the site. Is this board going to permit product reviews that are not 100% positive? And should a vendor have the ability to "review the review", so to speak?

I realize that this is a difficult question. (That is why I'm letting youse guys decide :) )

If reviewers can post reviews without fear of being ("attacked" is probably too strong a word) by the vendor, you will probably get more honest product reviews.

There are other areas of the board where disagreements are expected and, it seems, even encouraged :)

And, hey, we will all probably get better products if the vendors will correct the perceived flaws in the product as a result of an honest review.

Discussion?

Thanks,

Here is the quote:
The anodize. Anodize does not miss any spots, as it is dipped and completely covered. Obviously under enough light you can see slight variances, but so is the nature with a part that has so much identical surface area. That is a completely outsourced part of the process tho, and as I try to have as much control in everything that goes into the production, sometimes there are just some things you can't completely control.

I do not see where he said is was not possible for the anodize color to be off some. Looks to me like he gave you an honest answer.

[Chewy]

I think he did a good job of explaining why you may see what you see.

I see no real issues with a vendor speaking up. I myself will normally believe the reviewer before the person selling or making the product.

I wouldn't have taken that as him calling you a liar.

JMO.

Chris

[jamesbiz]

I think he did a good job of explaining why you may see what you see.

I see no real issues with a vendor speaking up. I myself will normally believe the reviewer before the person selling or making the product.

I wouldn't have taken that as him calling you a liar.

JMO.

Chris

That is correct, I was not calling him a liar. He said the anodize miss a few spots. By the process of anodize, it just does not MISS a few spots, and by saying that, he is suggesting to my customers that there are parts of the can that have no anodize " ie, exposed raw aluminum". That is not the case, and while a review does not have to be 100% positive, it does have to be factual, and I was only correcting the terminology that he was used. The anodize coats the entire can, and just has different shades to it sometimes, that's. As he stated, if his review had factual errors, he'd want to be corrected. Who else can correct a factual error other then the manufacturer? The way that comment can be perceived can hurt my business, so I wasn't just going to sit by. I wasn't sure if it was allowed, but I saw no rules stating otherwise, so I went for it. The fact that I responded nicely to


WFT? One hose clamp? Try as I might I couldn't get that one clamp to go around all 4 hose connections. Maybe it's just me.

should show that I'm not trying to attack anyone and I don't feel that what I posted would in anyway scare off anyone from posting a review. I even said that it is welcome, and wanted, so that I can more accurately gauge my product. I'm also not a vendor on here yet and you ARE letting him post his thread, so I don't see what's wrong. If I've said anything wrong, or anything that you feel would hurt my credibility on here, then please delete it. I've hoped to start and continue a good relationship on this board, and I hope that is still the case.

[GRRRR8]

I think a review is a review which means that this is the customers opinion. However, I have seen 1000s of reviews when sometimes the wording can be misleading to other potential buyers. By no means is it done intentionally, its just how it comes across while reading. I do think if there is a concern by the purchaser, that the vendor or manufacturer can make a comment simply to make the purchased aware of how something works or is made and to also enlighten the vendor/manufacturer of a potential concern with said product so they can inspect for said issues to make sure there product is/does what it supposed to.

[GM_Fan]

I think it is good to allow some interaction in a review. If a product could be improved because of the review or if potential error could be corrected I think it is good to have a vendor come in and interact.

I haven't seen a picture of the area you had mentioned. I think a good feedback was given by jamesbiz about your concerns. It shows that he does care and is interested in how his business and products is received by the customer.

[-Ray-]

In this particular case, he can respond to your critical comments. He was looking for constuctive comments. Even if you were a little harsh with your comments, I don't see an issue with his response.
People are from all parts of the country, and there are regional differences in how we speak. I myself would not have used WTF! when reviewing a product.

BTW, in the anodizing process two wires or contacts are required to get the electricity to flow. It's at these two points where anodize can be weak. Even aircraft parts have this issue.
GMFan knows about this.

[jamesbiz]

In this particular case, he can respond to your critical comments. He was looking for constuctive comments. Even if you were a little harsh with your comments, I don't see an issue with his response.
People are from all parts of the country, and there are regional differences in how we speak. I myself would not have used WTF! when reviewing a product.

BTW, in the anodizing process two wires or contacts are required to get the electricity to flow. It's at these two points where anodize can be weak. Even aircraft parts have this issue.
GMFan knows about this.

That is correct :) which is why the contact points are on this insides of the cans.

[MtbDoc]

Please...it is anodization. Anodize is a verb, not a noun.

[-Ray-]

Please...it is anodization. Anodize is a verb, not a noun.

Ok, now you can go correct the other 34,093 posts.

[wreckwriter]

Actually I believe it "anodizing", if not grammatically, at least in common usage.

[-Ray-]

Please...it is anodization. Anodize is a verb, not a noun.

Ok, I should have used that version when process proceeded it.

[g8gxp]

This shouldn't even be an issue. A vendor has the right to defend their product, because the review after all is just one person's experience. And even if he did outright call you a liar I don't see any problem with it. That would just hurt his own business as being unprofessional.

[Chewy]

Question answered so Road Closed!