Need your input

[Anonymous]

If a mfg tells you to please not post their problem on this board, is it prudent to follow their request. Of course it has something to do with a problem with their product. I am getting more of this all the time and I guess I have mixed emotions about it.
Dave Roxin.

[ben10ben]

Is it an internal problem with the company, or an issue that you're having with the company? If it's internal to the company, it would probably be prudent to respect their requested privacy, and not post any more about it. On the other hand, if it's an issue between you and the company, I say post away. If they can't resolve the problem to your satisfaction, they should expect to hear about it in every way that they possibly can. In addition, they really have no control over what goes on on these boards. That's up to the moderator(Neil, Bergie, etc.).

[ChiefEagles]

I think that if it is something related to performance, product reliability or a delivery to us as possible customers, it should be posted. I just posted one about MTH and their poor delivery of a product I ordered almost a year ago. We have all talked about the Lionel CW80 and its performance. Gotten good info on how to get it replaced. I was going to store it. Found out from posts that the date 08/04 was a bad batch. I guess what I'm saying is, if it is helpful to us as train operators and purchasers, go for it. I do not like "bitching" about other forums or persons on this forum [name calling].

[brianel027]

I can't imagine any importer (company) would outright say not to post something here, unless they knew you were posting here or mentioned that you would. In addition to what Ben said, I can understand that on aspects of company privacy: technical, engineering, production or employee personality issues.

It could be if the problem is pertaining to a quality or warranty issue, maybe the company wishes to solve the problem without the added publicity (or threats thereof). On matters of warranty resolve, I would honor the request. On matters of shoddy workmanship, poor design or quality issues coming from a customer who is having no reasonable results from dealing the particular company, then posting the problem here is fair game and in some cases a public service - especially if the problem is a widespread on... the probelmatic recently issued Lionel transformer comes to mind, though I don't say that to pick on them. Just I recall recently many defective units and much talk about it. But to Lionel's credit I understand they have taken care of both the problem and the customers.

[Anonymous]

Manufactures may read these post, because they are on the open internet.
I know they do read them on another forum, and someone stated something negative on another forum and I heard about their negative comments from one of the manufactures.

[brianel027]

Exactly prrsd35. So if there appears to be a legit problem with an item it can be discussed t osee if anyone else if having the problem. An example would be with the initial run of RMT "Beeps" which were derailing on 027 curves because there wasn't enough space for the coupler to move. A importer may grumble about this, but if they want to keep business, then they need to address the problem. The RMT "Beep" problem was openly discussed, was not an isolated problem, and was corrected with the subsequent run of "Beeps" thanks to the forums and the attitude of pleasing the customer at RMT.

I suppose the importers could have the feeling they would rather not have problems discussed. After all it will cost them money to fix the problem. But it will ultimately in the long run, cost them much more money (and more than money) to ignore the problem.

As Chief and I alluded to above, there is a big difference between discussion of defects and attacks. One is looking for a resolution and the other for revenge. Revenge may feel good on the short-term, but it won't get your trains fixed. Nor does it encourage good will between folks and train importers.

[tschmidt]

Can you give us some background so we can know what is going on? The guys above have made some good comments.

[daan]

Guess it's not always negative if it's about functionality or warranty of their product. Forums like this keep quality up. I've also made a few comments on the K-line cheaper locomotives and if no-one does, a lot of people buy an engine which is not going to please them. Some things need to be fixed, and if the manufacturer can't do it on his own, the ideas to solve that problem might show up in the answers of the forum. They save money that way, because the solution can be picked from the internet instead of having to hire an engeneer to solve it.
It works both ways. I think open and honest response is not a bad thing. It warnes other customers for products not working as they're supposed to, and keeps the manufacturers looking at their quality.

[jkerklo]

Good comments about using a forum to let the train community know about a vendor, product, or application for a product. It helps us make purchase decisions. There isn't really any other convenient mechanism for doing this. Forums make a valuable contribution to the train community, and an exchange of product comments are among valuable forum services. Just a rough estimate, but I think I have read more positive comments than negative ones.

I think, though, that it goes beyond mere "bitching." Potential customers might want to know about a product, but so should manufacturers. A forum provides good feedback to a manufacturer: who is buying a product, how it is being used, and how it is being received.

If ChiefEagles had just stored his defective CW-80, neither we, nor Lionel, would have benefited from his experience. Now, Lionel obviously knew about this prticular problem,
since they responded immediately to his comments, but think about if it had been discovered early enough for Lionel to correct it sooner: Lionel and customers would have benefited.

Along these lines, good, objective, comments about new products can benefit the train community and vendors.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Anonymous]

John
I could not agree with you more.
If we all keeped it that simple and honest, we all would benefit.

Happy New Year To All.

[Anonymous]

The reason I was asked to not say anything was possible loss of sales, as the product does not work exactly as advertised. I will honor my promise to not say anything this time but it is something that may or may not need to be known by board members.
It is not anything QSI as some may think as I was a solid dealer for them for 10 good years nor is it anything with MTH. I just wanted to clear that up for some potential troller to have a hey day with.
If I can;t get the problem solved I will then let it out, but it is not really something that many would notice.
Sorry I can;t say, but my word is good and I said I would not discuss the item but would feel out the board as to their thoughts.
Dave Roxin.

[MartyE]

Well here is my input... If you were going to make all these vaque statements about a mnfgr telling you not to say anything then you should of never posted this. Tell us the issue or don't post. IMO it is a form of trolling.

[ChiefEagles]

OK Dave. Let us know if we need to. Good luck.