Non Hosted Support Advertisement?

TheBlizzard · 02-24-2005

Since there has been some confusion on whats ok to advertise on here I want here some opinions on it so there will be no more confusion.

This only has to do with people advertising other vendors services or sales that are going on from non hosted support vendors. There will be no tolerance for non hosted people trying to sell a new product on here unless approved by administration.

So I think the fair thing to do is let the hosted support people decide what is ok since they are the ones forking out the money to advertise on the site.

So lets here what you guys want? Is it ok? Or do you want to be rid of all other sales other than hosted support sales and services?

CRAIG

AJ · 02-24-2005

Yeah, I would really like to hear from SGH, SLS, QPR, and Elite. I also wouldn't mind hearing from those indivuals who have paid to advertises their services.

Jakey · 02-24-2005

Quite frankly I don't see at all where there has been confusion. People, including myself, have pointed out to members opportunities that are available out there in the past and will continue to do so unless something is set in stone. It has happened before on here and to the best of my knowledge, no one has given two shits about it. One can go look on Tuners and see the Sparco or Apex sale mentioned in threads and I haven't seen the moderators or Chris lock down, frown upon, or question any of those threads.

TheBlizzard · 02-24-2005

The reason is because some local shops that pay for advertisement offer a lot of the same products people post up on here from shops that are in bum fuck Egypt somewhere. I would much rather see the local shops get the buisness even if they end up ordering from another vendor anyway.

CRAIG

**JET** · 02-24-2005

I don't see a problem, unless it is direct competition for one of the supporting shops. That doesn't leave much open because Elite, SLS and QPR have a big product line. If a rule is made, it needs to be definitive though. Either leave it open to anything or say nothing except from the supporting shops. Trying to police the middle ground would be a hassle.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 02-24-2005

I think it is more of common sense though. Apexi having a once a year garage sale is different than someone coming on here to just sell some parts. Apexi doesn't even normally sell to the public. Apexi or Sparco trying to get rid of outdated inventory is a bit different than Joe Schmoe or a local shop try to sell a bunch of some current product. Like for the winter parts specials we do on here, we didn't post them on MNSC, because we are not a paid vendor on there. And when someone asks for some part on there, I don't reply or PM them telling them to call us at Elite.

MATCHBX · 02-24-2005

Most of the places that would be cheaper than what you get at the local shops on here will end up being close to the same price after shipping and such.

I know you wanted to hear from the hosted services members, but I figured I'd at least point out the obvious that some people overlook when they are only looking at what an item costs rather than the final price.

Personally if I had to spend a few extra bucks to get something local, I would do it. Most of these other places won't have the support before, during and most importantly after the sale like a local shop would. Plus, I can look at a face when I buy it instead of a computer screen.

Just my 2 pennies worth (which is only worth .05 cents after the government dips there hands into it).

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 02-24-2005

State sales tax kills most of the sales for us local shops. If people had to pay sales tax plus shipping for stuff over the internet, then the retail playing field would be alot more even.

TheBlizzard · 02-25-2005

So is the concensus here that its ok to advertise whatever you want as long as you are not trying to market your own product? It doesn't matter to me either way, the way I see it, if I am going to buy something I will buy it locally. The only way I would buy something from a non local shop is if there was a huge price difference or it the item was not available.

CRAIG

Matt D. · 02-25-2005

I just think it needs to be local if anything at all. I understand the whole trying to keep from having business taken away from shops that sponsor the site, but a groupbuy here and a garage sale there isn't going to do any harm, will it? New members should still be not be able to sell things until they've been around long enough.

john · 02-26-2005

How would we ever know if someone just started posting random shit in the for sale threads? Maybe I could become a parts vender, not telling anyone, and selling stuff in the classifides. I do not really see how this is going to be enforced. How are you going to deal with Mark at TKR who just comes on here posting shit for his shop and never posting? He is selling used parts but still for the shop...

john · 02-26-2005

and yeah, tax can kill some sales and good prices. Let say I was going to buy a $1000 turbo. At 7% sales tax, that is another $70 I would have to pay and the shop would just be writing the check to the government.

Speedfreak · 03-01-2005

I agree with what Shane(ecoli) has said... I would like to here what SLS and QPR have to say on this topic. It is a slightly hairy topic... thus my postponment on replying. I do have concerns with others posting parts for a business.. but do not know how or if it can be controlled. I/we do pay $ to be here, that should get us some kind of exclusivity... If we want to have a price war between us... well thats another thing all together

PS: Please people, be nice to all us local vendors... Keep it local.

AJ · 03-01-2005

The more I think about the Best Buy ads and items like that I leaning more to not allowing anything. Cause when I look at it if they want to have thier items on here why not have them pay as well. I think unless it's a personal item that can be listed as an active users classified post I have been thinking of only allowing those who do support the site to sell any items here be it the shops or the members paying to offer their services.

**Halon** · 03-01-2005

OK so by not allowing anything, what do you mean by that? Any thread concerning a product that isn't from one of the vendors will be removed because they aren't paying so there products should have no part in these forums? Like for example my thread on the JM Intake Manifolds I wanted to get opinions on. I think stuff like that should still be allowed. I searched everywhere for opinions on those and found nothing, so I wanted to ask. Not advertising for them, just trying to find out more about them.

Or what about if we're looking for a part that the local vendors don't sell? Would it be locked because we're asking if anyone knows where to get this part and someone says some shop out of Illinois or something since ours don't carry it. I guess I think that should be allowed as well.

But on the flip side, if your just talking about threads that are blatently pointing someone to another vendor when it's something our vendors could have provided, then I do agree that is kinda crappy for our vendors and should be limited.

AJ · 03-01-2005

Of course if people on on here and asking about specific products and to use an example lets say SLSs manifolds. Someone could post up several differant types and referrer to other sites for purchase or reviews without a problem. But if someone started a thread like "CHeck out these new manifolds" with nothing but a website trying to sell them then we would look at that as againts the rules unless there was a good reason or a new design or something. As always it would probably be up to Admin/moderator discreation.

**Halon** · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSMStyle

Of course if people on on here and asking about specific products and to use an example lets say SLSs manifolds. Someone could post up several differant types and referrer to other sites for purchase or reviews without a problem. But if someone started a thread like "CHeck out these new manifolds" with nothing but a website trying to sell them then we would look at that as againts the rules unless there was a good reason or a new design or something. As always it would probably be up to Admin/moderator discreation.

Ya I agree if it's blatently trying to sell something then that's wrong. But if someones posting a legit question about a product from another company, I think that should be ok.

TheBlizzard · 03-01-2005

Posting up and asking a question regarding another product is ok if your are thinking of buying it and you just want opinions, trying to get people to buy it or basically marketing it here is not ok in my book.

CRAIG

TheBlizzard · 03-01-2005

Also another thing that I wanted to add to here is that we will have to take a look at what the people always selling things on here contribute to the site. If all your posts consist of for sale ads and you contribute nothing to the tech sections ect. Then we will have to take a look at whether you are here to be part of the team or just to use DSMStyle as a way to make money. But that is going to open up a another can of worms I imagine.

CRAIG

Speedfreak · 03-01-2005

I think this is going in the right direction...